Alright, so I got part of the install done today. Rewired my power, drilled the antenna and routed the coax. All in all, it went about how I expected it. The antenna install went off without a hitch, since I pretty much knew what I was doing there. Decided to drill 18 inches in front of my 2m antenna, instead of offsetting it towards the back. It was easier this way, and it kept the longer antenna towards the back, so there is less of a chance of it coming in contact with the scanner antenna while transmitting.
The thing that took forever was putting the Anderson powerpoles together. Little tip: when they suggest you get the proprietary crimper tool... DO IT. These things were a b**** to crimp with a terminal crimper and another crimper tool. They have to be perfectly bent inwards to fit into the terminal housing. I messed up about 4 pairs of them before I got the hang of it without the tool. Not my best work at all, but they don't slide out of the crimp and they fit in the housing. I'll be ordering the tool soon.
First thing was to splice a 50 amp fuse inline with the 10 gauge wire I was running. I only did the positive side, mainly because the rig runner has a 40 amp fuse on the input, and a fuse for each output. I'm not really worried about the ground wire shorting out and blowing my equipment up. Maybe that's foolish, I don't know. If you think so, please tell me! Any constructive criticism is welcome.
Next thing was to get the wire through my firewall. The spot I had run the old wires was way too small, so I cut the inside of the seal and made a path. When I get everything set up how I want it, I will put some silicone sealant on the cut to keep noise and moisture out.
I decided to put the rig runner out in the open, so if I ever want to take anything out, change fuse arrangements, install more radios, I'll have easy access to it.
I tested the voltage each time I hooked up a new run of wire, at the connections on each power pole. I am getting about 12.49 volts at the radio.
I tested the ground, coax to tip, and tip to antenna terminal connection on the antenna, and they are all good.
The antenna is a Larsen UHF/VHF/800mhz.
Here are the pics.
First one is of the old wiring.
Second one is the old wiring going through the firewall grommet.
Third and fourth is the new zip cord coming through.
Fifth is the new stuff at the battery terminals.