VHF/UHF mobile recommendation

[ai8o]

I have a Mazda B2500. (basically a Ford Ranger).

The AM/FM Entertainment radio has gone QRT.
The current AM/FM radio is DOUBLE DIN.
I am going to replace it with a SINGLE DIN radio.

This will leave a single DIN space in the dash.

I want to put an amateur Dual Band Vhf/Uhf radio in the open space.

I need some recommendations on which radios are available.

Requirements:
1) such dimenisons, size and shape, that it will fit in the open SINGLE DIN space,
2) Dual band Vhf/Uhf
3) programming port on the front, so I don't have to pull the radio out to change the programming
4) programmed frequency scanning.

Nice to have, But not required:
1) Dual Watch,
2) Scan banks,
3) Aircraft band receive (118-136 Mhz),
4) CHIRP compatible
5) dimmable readout screen

 

[cmdrwill]

Kenwood TMV71.

 

[AK9R]

Kenwood TMV71.

No programming port on front (one of the OP's requirements). Mic cable attaches to side of radio (not an OP requirement, but probably should be).

 

[Firekite]

I don’t know if any such radios exist that are designed to run in a permanent single DIN dash mount, which means compromises of one sort or another. For versatility of mounting locations (trunk, under/behind seat, under dash, etc) most have the radio bodies either able to be mounted separately or in fact require it, with no provision to mount a control head to the body at all. So finding something with everything coming out the front like a car stereo that will fit neatly in a single DIN slot will be a challenge.

Keep in mind most programming cables could be left attached with the USB end tucked away somewhere handy for hooking up a laptop, or some offer the use of a microSD card as an alternative (but you have to be able to reach the slot to pop it out and back in again). That might ease things for you a little. You still need a way to attach the mic, but that also might be as simple as a small extension cable and a coupler.

I’m not an expert on all mobile radios at all, by any stretch. I’m a fairly new ham and just got my first one recently. But as a result of starting fresh, I was looking at a lot of the same kinds of considerations you are. I ended up going with a Yaesu FTM-400XDR, with the head mounted on my dash and the body under the driver seat, with a short extension cable for the mic and easy access to the microSD card for programming.

 

[W5GX]

The way you type the situation, you're wanting to keep the faceplate and radio together.

I'd be wary of mounting a ham radio inside a confined enclosure like the dash. Sure, it'd look cool, but these tend to run hotter than regular car radios - up to 100 W as opposed to 20 W, on a good day.

Ham radios have active fans for cooling, and the limited volume may be an issue.

Now, if you mount the radio unit separately, mounting the faceplate in the DIN slot is a no brainer, and any remote mount dual band will fit the bill.

 

[MTS2000des]

What he said. In dash mounting of two ways, especially one used for typical "ham" duty which means much higher than 5/5/90 TX/RX intervals is a recipe for a short lived radio, nevermind the challenges of mounting.

All of the modern ham rigs are remote mountable. I bought an FT-8900R last year for $319 from GigaParts. Included the remote mount kit. 3 year factory parts/labor warranty. Quad bander that has been out for a while, and very good choice for X-band repeat. Stays cool when mounted properly, the mike cord connects to the control head, meaning you only need to run a single remote cable. I like the TM-V71A as well, and own one- great base radio. The mike attaches to the radio body, so you'll have to run a separate mike extension cable unless you mount the radio brick under the seat.

 

[chief21]

The Yeasu FTM-400 is another remote-mountable option. The large, bright display can be mounted almost anywhere. While the mic connects to the radio body, rather than the control/display, it can also be extended with a simple cable. And it can be programmed via an SD card in the radio body.