2006 F-150 External Speaker Mounting Location

[K4UXO]

Hello to all,

I am just finishing up my mobile installation of my Yaesu FT-7900 and am asking for suggestions of where to mount the MLS-100 external speaker. I don't have any pictures available so I apologize. For those that are not familiar with the F-150 FX4 edition, the gear shifter is in the center console taking up the entire mid section of the cab. My idea was to mount it overhead where the sliding compartment is for sunglasses. However, if I go this route, how do I go about routing the wiring? Is it possible to remove just the front portion of the headliner to route the cable?

Again, I apologize for no pictures but if you are familiar with the F-150 center console shifter, you know what I'm refering to. The radio itself will be mounted on a jottodesk mount on the dash where the drop-in tray is.

Any ideas or suggestions you have would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

Bryan
K4UXO

[K0BG]

Stick it under the drivers seat, aimed up. While not as important when using FM, doing so when operating SSB tends to muffle the higher frequencies which make listening to noisy bands somewhat less tiring.

[W1GUH]

If you've got an Aux. jack on the car sound system, use that. Just plug the radio into it. More sound than you'll ever need, and no need for mounting an external speaker.

[K0BG]

I beg to differ. I know lots of folks use built in stereo systems, but the truth is, they're less than ideal. Considering the "fidelity" of modern FM transceivers, and especially SSB ones, you want to do your best to attenuate frequencies over about 2.5 kHz, and in most cases, over 2 kHz. As I said above, listening to all of the high-frequency hash can (and is) very tiring.

[W1GUH]

I beg to differ. I know lots of folks use built in stereo systems, but the truth is, they're less than ideal. Considering the "fidelity" of modern FM transceivers, and especially SSB ones, you want to do your best to attenuate frequencies over about 2.5 kHz, and in most cases, over 2 kHz. As I said above, listening to all of the high-frequency hash can (and is) very tiring.

BS. None of the radios I've done this with causes that. In any event, it's well, well worth trying before spending $$$$ on an external speaker to find out if you need to or not. Besides, you'll get far more clear audio than using just a speaker...if the vehicle is noisy or you want the windows open or listen outside you can crank 'er as much as you want. Besides, if the radio or sound system has any sort of EQ you can tailor it you your hearing.

Bottom line....don't spend $$$$ til you know you really need to.

[K4UXO]

Thanks for the input guys. I may end up trying the "under-the-seat" method, and see how that sounds. I will make some connections before mounting and see how everything works out. Not to take a side over another, but my truck is not equipped with an auxiliary input port, only one available for my model is for sirius radio (which I do not have). One other consideration I had was to mount it in the center console right behind the gear shifter. The accessory console has a closable latch-type hinge, and acts as an arm rest when down. However, the box is enclosed in plastic and I am not certain how the audio will sound. I'm just going to have to experiment and see what works best.

Again, thank you gentlemen for your responses, and any more input is greatly appreciated. 73.

Bryan,
K4UXO

[K0BG]

Spend bucks? Even a cheap CB speaker will outperform most stereo systems when we're talking about amateur radio, especially SSB. If you thought about it a bit, even you (Paul) would know why!

[K9PHT]

I normally put mine under the front seat. i use those KENWOOD BRAND KES-5 Mobile Speakers. These are used in alot of COMMERCIAL SETUPS NOW like the old Motorola types. One fits just great under my front seat but here recently I needed to have two speakers and there wasnt enough room under one seat for that.

I elected to mount two of these KES-5 MOBILE SPEAKERS sides on top of a 2X4 piece of wood cleaned up and painted BLACK and slipped this down in the side pocket of the drivers side door of my 2010 F150. I pushed in some of the WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER FOAM STRIPS out of sight around the 2X4 and all is very tight. I routed the two speaker cables along the bottom edge and out to the door hinge area following the other FORD door cables into the truck and on to the back seat area where my TW0 MOBILE RADIOS (ICOM IC706MKIIG and KENWOOD TM-V708A) are installed under the back seat. The speakers are completely out of the way sitting in the door storage pocket.

Turned out great and they are good and loud speakers here mounted in the drivers side door.

The KES-5 MOBILE SPEAKERS are becoming hard to find now at HAM RADIO but I still see them listed on EBAY alot... GREAT QUALITY MOBILE SPEAKERS... Check them out on GOOGLE

[K4UXO]

Sounds like a very nice setup you have there. Smart idea with the 2x4 and mounting both speakers in the drivers' side door. My only problem I think I may have with that is a ringing in my left ear after QSOs and monitoring. Will have to check out those Kenwood mobile speakers when I get time, sounds pretty good.

I just went ahead and purchased the MLS-100 Vertex mobile speaker for the FT-7900 and actually just got in from installing it. Slid the speaker in from the back seat (supercab) and pushed it up against the console with the speaker facing up. Ran the wire down under the console and up under the a/c and dash, then routed it up to the drop-in tray on top of the dash where I removed the tray (where the radio will be mounted). So, all wiring (antenna, power, and speaker) has been routed and awaiting jottodesk part to arrive to complete the installation. Hopefully will look great once installed.

Thanks for the info! 73.

Bryan
K4UXO

[K9PHT]

I ended up with a very nice setup on my console... I have the two captain seats with the center cosole in my F150. Just where the center console meets with the upright console I have a small catch all spot with the audio inputs/outputs jacks for the radio system. Just above that is an empty panel.

I got one of those decorative three position SWITCH COVERS that has three 1-1/2 inch by 2-3/4 inch holes for the LARGE TYPE PUSH BUTTON LIGHT SWITCHES. This panel is BLACK SHINEY PLASTIC and looks great almost matching my interior BLACK shiney panels in the upright console. I put a 1/4-inch plyboard behinf the 3 postion switch cover and mounted my ic706 and TM-V708A remote control heads to this board. i used velcro to hold them in place... I angled the 3-gang plastic cover in this area and it is anchored in place with velcro strips. This is a nice strong install for the two control heads. their position is just right to lay your hand on the center console and tune the IC-706 remote...

All of the control cables and microphone connectors all plug in with ease. I ran these cables down behind the upright console and down along the bottom of the center console under the carpet back to the rear seat area where the two radios are mounted. The speaker cables come in from the side pocket of the drivers door down to the carpet area and runs along the edge of the door under the carpet back t the two radios in the back seat.


It all turned out pretty neat ... i used BLUE SEA muliti position terminal block for connecting my two 12VDC cables from the radios. This terminal block is tied to the main battery terminals using #4 ga good quality battery cable Ihad left over from installing additional batteries in my RV POPUP. I also have a 50AMP BLUE SEA FUSE BLOCK in this line as well... Everything is mounted securely under the back seat area of the supercab truck. It has excellent air circulation from the center console air vents.

I have two 2m/440 antennas one for the IC706 and the other for the V708A radio. Then I have a LITTLE TARHEEL screwdriver antenna feeding the HF side of the IC-706... All works great on FM but I am experienceing some hash noise on the HF freqs which I am still investigating for the source... Got alot of install info from others on here already on this problem.