mounting/safety 2m/70cm radio in Jeep Wrangler

[KJ4KPW]

Hi,

Hopefully I can move back to the United States this year, and if I do, I am going to get a Jeep Wrangler! I love them.
My question though is, has anybody here put one of these in a wrangler?

I'm looking at the newer wranglers, and I would like to have the radio mounted into the console, not sitting on top of the dash. Is it possible to mount it this way? Anybody have experience with this?

Also, safety, I don't want to get it stolen! Any precautions you take? I am a musician, and am very cautious about leaving anything in a car since my instruments are worth more than very high end luxury cars! But, I also do not want to deal with taking it in and out. I want soft top with half doors, which is more risky....

Also, the antenna. Where/how can you mount it on the jeep. The roof isn't an option, But, I have also read that having it on the back/license plate isn't good for signal. Is the hood the best option? I will get something more permanent to avoid having to take the magmount on and off.

Thanks for helping, I am still a bit of a noob to radio! cheers,
John

[KD7PAB]

Hey John,

I had a 1997 TJ that contained my trusty IC-2100H. I removed the factory radio, since I have no use for listening to endless commercials, and mounted my 2m rig in that nice, big opening. I mounted the antenna to the tub on the passenger side rear corner about 2" from the top. I don't remember the make/model of antenna I used, but it worked great. Down side, I had to drill a hole through the tub for the coax and used a few screws for the mount. In the end, everything worked great and I was very satisfied.

I later decided that I would like music via my mp3 player. I installed a metal center console by Tuffy and installed an aftermarket stereo in it. Now I have my 2m fun and music.

As for theft, well you're driving a Wrangler.
Rule #1: Never lock your doors. They are useless and someone wanting into your Jeep will cut your top or pry their way in within seconds. They still got in and now you have damage to repair.
Rule #2: Leave nothing in it. People WILL go through your Jeep. They won't find anything and they'll move on.

If you can mount your radio far enough back, you could make a blank to fit over it when you're parked. Out of sight, out of mind. Also, I don't think many knew what that radio thing I had was anyway, so they left it alone. OR, you could get an overhead console! http://www.tuffyproducts.com/c-60-ov...-consoles.aspx I thought about switching to one if I got a second radio. Ended up selling the Jeep instead

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
Pete

[KD8NGE]

Here's what I did.
Not the best solution, perhaps, but it works for me.
Antenna: Diamond trunk mount. I have it clamped on the driver's side rear door. Looks like a gutter mount.
My ICOM 208H separates the teeny little control panel/display fromthe rest of the radio.
My radio main box is under the seat, that little bitty contol panel is on a homemade bracket on the dash, mounted with Velcro.
When parked I can pull the control head free, slip it and the microphone under the seat, nothing visible.

[K0BG]

It appears to me, that folks think their specific vehicle will not, or can not, support amateur radio. While there are a lot of individual variances in vehicles, when it comes to the electronics, they are extremely close to one another. Thus the major difference relies more on the installer, than the vehicle in question. If you do the install correctly, I don't know of a vehicle you can't install amateur gear in. This said, some hybrids are so RF noisy, you're better off not trying, but that's a whole new ball game.

If there was one facet of mobile operation that I could change the mindset on, it would be the proper installation of antennas. Contrary to popular belief, drilling a hole in sheet metal is not the end of the world, nor is it an instant 100% depreciation! In fact, most amateurs will go to more trouble and expense to avoid drilling a hole, than they ever would if they did.

[W4KTL]

http://www.vectoroffroad.com/product...qfi72hvjf2vr0/

[KD7PAB]

[QUOTE=K0BG;2483546In fact, most amateurs will go to more trouble and expense to avoid drilling a hole, than they ever would if they did.[/QUOTE]I wasted a lot of time and money trying to find another solution before I finally just drilled and mounted. After that experience, I thought nothing of drilling a hole in the roof of my car years later for a NMO mount antenna. I think a well thought out antenna mount (with hole) doesn't take away from a car's value.

[KJ6NTB]

My wife drives a '94 Wrangler 4.0 and we both run Yaesu 7900s. I mounted the faceplate on the dash, just below her gauges. The radio went under her seat. A larsen thru-the-glass antenna feedline runs along the top of the rollcage, bundles up with the mobile speaker lead, and lands under her seat, also. Remote cable from radio to faceplate takes a more direct, but hidden path. She loves it, gets great signal reports from the road and we have communicated when all else failed!
Theft and abuse issues are concerns. but going without radios, as well as cell phones, extingushers, stuff like that does'nt seem like a viable option. We like being prepared. I try to talk her into a more secure ride, but she loves her 'lil red baby.
Hope you find as much fun as she has on your mobile journeys.
73
KJ6NTB

[KE7VUX]

If it's a hardtop, the roof could be an option.

You could run "radials"/ground plane under the roof individually, or you could apply some aluminum foil to the underside of the roof (perhaps in conjunction with insulation/sound deadening) to provide the ground plane.

Soft-tops are a different problem, of course.

The ideal location with a soft-top would be at the top/front of the windshield frame, ahead of the top, but that's going to involve modifying the windshield frame. It would, however, get the antenna up in the clear, get the RF above everyone's head, and at least provide a decent side-to-side ground plane.

The spare tire carrier is a poor but popular choice, and sometimes a necessary evil.

[AF5DN]

Hi,

I'm looking at the newer wranglers, and I would like to have the radio mounted into the console, not sitting on top of the dash. Is it possible to mount it this way? Anybody have experience with this?

Also, safety, I don't want to get it stolen! Any precautions you take? I am a musician, and am very cautious about leaving anything in a car since my instruments are worth more than very high end luxury cars! But, I also do not want to deal with taking it in and out. I want soft top with half doors, which is more risky....

Also, the antenna. Where/how can you mount it on the jeep. The roof isn't an option, But, I have also read that having it on the back/license plate isn't good for signal. Is the hood the best option? I will get something more permanent to avoid having to take the magmount on and off.

Thanks for helping, I am still a bit of a noob to radio! cheers,
John

I use a Tuffy Security Overhead Console. It goes between the roll bar behind your haed and the front window. Look for http://www.quadratec.com/products/14134_21_07.htm

I also use a behind the tail light radio mount. There are a bunch for CBs that will work well. The main thing is make sure it will work with your year. The verry a bit between the Js... CJ, YJ, TJ, JK...

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