- First Name
- Dimitar
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2020
- Threads
- 15
- Messages
- 371
- Reaction score
- 737
- Location
- Orange County, CA
- Vehicle(s)
- 21 Bronco
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
In preparation for the upcoming @EXO Bronco expedition, I decided to install a dual band radio which can work on both GMRS and HAM frequencies. Most of the content out there is focused on GMRS only or compact radios so I figured I'd post this and maybe this will inspire somebody.
The neat thing about this radio is that the controller unit detaches which allowed me to mount the radio above the glove box and disperse the remaining components (controller, speaker, microphone + antenna).
Let me know if you have any questions.
Main Parts:
Radio: ICOM-2730A (50 Watts) + MARS Mod
Antenna: Comet SBB-5NMO 2M/70cm Dual Band
Antenna Cable: Midland NMO Antenna Cable
Antenna Mount: LOD Offroad Spare Tire Mount
Controller Mount: M2M Overhead Basket
Mic Extension: DONG 3 Meter Mic Extension
Speaker: 5W HAM Radio Speaker
Optional:
Center Console Mount: 1" Ball Mounting Plate
NOTE: I don't really love the center console mount. I didn't want to pay $100+ for Archetype Racing's mount so I grabbed some Amazon off brand one and made it work. You don't need it for this set up but I wanted to also have a ball for mounting an iPad in the future. Looks like there's some good options lately, maybe I'll 3D print one.
Total cost was about $650.
The main radio unit is mounted above the glove box. It doesn't interfere with the glove box and it doesn't block the air filter. I mounted it using some basic $3 corner brackets from Home Depot (M2M does make a bracket but it's $50 and I don't think it will actually do the job because the unit is so much bigger).
Pictures:
YT Short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E1CqnVO0ucw
The neat thing about this radio is that the controller unit detaches which allowed me to mount the radio above the glove box and disperse the remaining components (controller, speaker, microphone + antenna).
Let me know if you have any questions.
Main Parts:
Radio: ICOM-2730A (50 Watts) + MARS Mod
Antenna: Comet SBB-5NMO 2M/70cm Dual Band
Antenna Cable: Midland NMO Antenna Cable
Antenna Mount: LOD Offroad Spare Tire Mount
Controller Mount: M2M Overhead Basket
Mic Extension: DONG 3 Meter Mic Extension
Speaker: 5W HAM Radio Speaker
Optional:
Center Console Mount: 1" Ball Mounting Plate
NOTE: I don't really love the center console mount. I didn't want to pay $100+ for Archetype Racing's mount so I grabbed some Amazon off brand one and made it work. You don't need it for this set up but I wanted to also have a ball for mounting an iPad in the future. Looks like there's some good options lately, maybe I'll 3D print one.
Total cost was about $650.
The main radio unit is mounted above the glove box. It doesn't interfere with the glove box and it doesn't block the air filter. I mounted it using some basic $3 corner brackets from Home Depot (M2M does make a bracket but it's $50 and I don't think it will actually do the job because the unit is so much bigger).
Pictures:
YT Short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E1CqnVO0ucw
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