- Joined
- Mar 15, 2021
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 70
- Location
- Columbia, MD
- Vehicle(s)
- F150
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
This is my first how-to post so go easy on me. I've played with ham radio and gmrs for years with handheld and base units (yes, I'm licensed for both). I decided it was time to get a real mobile unit with 50 watts. The Yaesu FTM-300D met all my needs, and then some. Looking at the Bronco mounting options, the remote head unit was required for a clean installation. This installation is not for the faint of heart, so buckle up.
The first decision was where to put the main control unit. Surprisingly, there is a lot of open space above the driver's left foot behind the dash. The Yaesu has a very loud speaker, so I wasn't too worried about the under dash option. I thought about fabricating some brackets, but I finally decided to mount it to the back of the frame that holds the fuse panel. Unfortunately, the fuse panel had to come out so I could drill some mounting holes. This was a pain in the ass and had me rethinking options, but finally got it out without breaking anything. All the wiring had quick release levers, but the physical size of the fuse panel made it hard to remove. The Yaesu has a great mounting bracket with a quick release button, so once the bracket is mounted, the button will drop the main control unit straight down. Easily removeable from the vehicle if needed.
The second decision was where to put the remote head unit. I didn't want this getting in the way of day to day activities in the Bronco, and I wanted the ability to use it from the passenger seat (I get to play with the radio while the wife is driving). My only real option was the front of the overhead aux switch console. To fish the control panel wire through, you have to take off some trim. They need to come off in the 1,2,3 order shown in the photo. None of this messed with the airbags. Ford cut a one inch notch in the pinch weld above the aux switch console to leave room for wires to come through. I was able to use a coat hanger to go from the aux switch console notch to the A pillar. Don't try to pull the aux switch assembly out. I broke a clip and never did get it out. Then I had to figure out how to mount the remote head unit. I didn't want to drill holes in the plastic, so I fabricated an aluminum mounting plate and used 3M Extreme double sided tape to mount it. I had to bend the plate slightly to match the contour of the plastic, but the tape was padded so it was forgiving on an exact contour match.
The next piece of the puzzle was the handset mic. Since I don't transmit often, I opted for the center console box. The Yaesu can even run without the handset and use a bluetooth headset on vox (haven't tried that yet).
The last piece of the puzzle was the antenna. I looked at all kinds of mounting options for the rear door, but I didn't see any options I liked. So I went with a front option. I chose the same mounting location as the AM/FM antenna, but on the driver's side. I should still have ditch light options later. I use the stubby antenna for around-town APRS stuff and convoy communications. I switch to the 40" antenna for the camp site and emergency needs. It uses a standard PL-259 connector so I may play with some other antenna options.
For power, I used the AUX 2 circuit. The Yaesu uses about 12 amps on max transmit power so I didn't have too many choices. The Bronco has a nice rubber plug to handle passing the power and antenna through the firewall. Once I get some real electrical diagrams for the Bronco, I may find a different permanent power source, but this works for now.
The first decision was where to put the main control unit. Surprisingly, there is a lot of open space above the driver's left foot behind the dash. The Yaesu has a very loud speaker, so I wasn't too worried about the under dash option. I thought about fabricating some brackets, but I finally decided to mount it to the back of the frame that holds the fuse panel. Unfortunately, the fuse panel had to come out so I could drill some mounting holes. This was a pain in the ass and had me rethinking options, but finally got it out without breaking anything. All the wiring had quick release levers, but the physical size of the fuse panel made it hard to remove. The Yaesu has a great mounting bracket with a quick release button, so once the bracket is mounted, the button will drop the main control unit straight down. Easily removeable from the vehicle if needed.
The second decision was where to put the remote head unit. I didn't want this getting in the way of day to day activities in the Bronco, and I wanted the ability to use it from the passenger seat (I get to play with the radio while the wife is driving). My only real option was the front of the overhead aux switch console. To fish the control panel wire through, you have to take off some trim. They need to come off in the 1,2,3 order shown in the photo. None of this messed with the airbags. Ford cut a one inch notch in the pinch weld above the aux switch console to leave room for wires to come through. I was able to use a coat hanger to go from the aux switch console notch to the A pillar. Don't try to pull the aux switch assembly out. I broke a clip and never did get it out. Then I had to figure out how to mount the remote head unit. I didn't want to drill holes in the plastic, so I fabricated an aluminum mounting plate and used 3M Extreme double sided tape to mount it. I had to bend the plate slightly to match the contour of the plastic, but the tape was padded so it was forgiving on an exact contour match.
The next piece of the puzzle was the handset mic. Since I don't transmit often, I opted for the center console box. The Yaesu can even run without the handset and use a bluetooth headset on vox (haven't tried that yet).
The last piece of the puzzle was the antenna. I looked at all kinds of mounting options for the rear door, but I didn't see any options I liked. So I went with a front option. I chose the same mounting location as the AM/FM antenna, but on the driver's side. I should still have ditch light options later. I use the stubby antenna for around-town APRS stuff and convoy communications. I switch to the 40" antenna for the camp site and emergency needs. It uses a standard PL-259 connector so I may play with some other antenna options.
For power, I used the AUX 2 circuit. The Yaesu uses about 12 amps on max transmit power so I didn't have too many choices. The Bronco has a nice rubber plug to handle passing the power and antenna through the firewall. Once I get some real electrical diagrams for the Bronco, I may find a different permanent power source, but this works for now.
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