I am getting ready to install a VHF/UHF system in my 2016 Ram 1500. I have a radio, G2ANTPF fender mount, Larsen NMOK, and Comet CA-2X4SRNMO. I was wondering if anyone had tips for the install. Planning on running power and ground from the radio directly to the battery. Also running a ground wire from the antenna mount to the battery ground. Any other ideas or would any of this be incorrect procedure?
Check the Dodge website for install guides. Sometimes there is some pointers in the owners manual. I know Ford and GM have some stuff on their Fleet websites that can be helpful. Often it has to do with where you they suggest mounting antennas based on frequency and power levels, where/how to connect power, etc. Go by what it says.
Don't connect the negative power lead at the battery.
Most newer vehicles have sensors on the negative lead from the battery to the chassis that keep tabs on how much power is being drawn from the battery. Bypassing this with a negative lead to your radio, and grounded at the chassis can cause issues.
Ideally you want to connect the negative lead to the vehicle chassis, and you shouldn't need to go all the way to the engine compartment to do that. Find an existing ground point near the radio, or along the path to the battery and use that.
As for the antenna mount, don't ground that to the battery, either. Put a star washer under the mounting bolt, maybe scrape a bit of the paint away under it, and make sure it's all snugged down well. That should be sufficient.
Make sure all your wiring is in split loom tubing to protect it. Any where you pass through metal, like the fire wall, make sure there is a grommet.
Install the fuse on the positive side as near the battery as you can get it, that's where it'll do the most good.
Make sure you crimp all your connections properly. Crimp them, then pull on them hard to make sure they don't come loose. A touch of solder isn't a bad idea if you are adept with a soldering iron. Just a touch of solder on the end.
I usually do this with any of mine. I use a full cycle crimp tool, add a touch of solder on the very end where the stranded wire protrudes, and follow that up with a piece of marine grade (adhesive lined) heat shrink tubing. That will give it a good mechanical and electrical connection as well as protect it.
Grommet and split loom over your coax, too. Make sure it's routed in such a way it won't get pinched in the hood. Careful use of split loom can make the added wiring blend it with the factory stuff and sort of disappear.
Keep the coax away from existing wiring and electronics.
Grounding the radio chassis is a good plan. It can solve a lot of intermittent issues. That can be accomplished through the mounting bracket.
Also I plan on having the radio accessible so I could also pull the antenna from the mounted radio and hook it up to my Kenwood TH-D74A for APRS and digital use. Is there any problems with doing that as the Kenwood would not be hooked to the vehicles power source(battery)?
Thanks
KN4LMX
Not an issue. Just make sure you connect it back up when you are done.