🔧 Build Thread First antenna and radio install

[PaulL]

This is a bit of a quickie install. I needed to mount my VHF/UHF ham radio with an antenna.

- The antenna is a lip mount, which works well. Fortunately Honda did not try to make their panel gaps too small. lol. At the moment, I have not figured out how to get the coax through the firewall, so its just snuck in the door. It is not squishing too much and works fine.
- I ran power from the trailer harness, under the rocker cover trim and out under the seat. When I have time I will get it under the carpet so its not visible. Just needed to get it done
- The radio is under the seat. When the seat is in the normal position, you can't see the radio.
- The control head is mounted to a small metal bracket on the wireless charging pad. I took the pad out, and made a notch in the back so the cable that goes from the control head to the radio body could be hidden. The cable goes down the center console and comes out under the seat. Had to remove the "rear" of the console to route the cable. It just pulls straight off towards the back.

I know it ain't pretty yet, but it works!

 

[PaulL]

FYI two other items. The trailer brake connector up under the dash was NOT wrapped in orange tape like many are. It was just hanging. Took a while to find it. Popping the left kick panel out was the easy way to find it.
- I was thinking of leaving the guts out of the wireless charging pad and disconnecting it. But worried it would set a code. The position of the circuit board under pad restricts where I could drill for my bracket.

 

[El Chorizo124 80]

Looking good Paul, I'm sure some other members will have some ideas and suggestions for improvement!

 

[Antman9 6]

FYI two other items. The trailer brake connector up under the dash was NOT wrapped in orange tape like many are. It was just hanging. Took a while to find it. Popping the left kick panel out was the easy way to find it.
- I was thinking of leaving the guts out of the wireless charging pad and disconnecting it. But worried it would set a code. The position of the circuit board under pad restricts where I could drill for my bracket.

I like that spot! I have to learn more about the "new" radios. I have always had CB's for off-roading. I can walk you through a spot to route that antenna into the cab if you like.
That charger just plain sucks. I will probably be addressing that in the future lol.
Thanks for posting!

 

[PaulL]

I like that spot! I have to learn more about the "new" radios. I have always had CB's for off-roading. I can walk you through a spot to route that antenna into the cab if you like.
That charger just plain sucks. I will probably be addressing that in the future lol.
Thanks for posting!

Yes, let me know your thoughts about routing a coax through! Getting your ham license (at least the first level, technician) is not hard. Practice the tests a few times, learn some theory and rules. But honestly not sure how much use it would be. I've been a ham for almost 50 years, and unless you are in an area with a nice ham radio club and your friends are on VHF, its kinda dead. the real fun comes with the General license where you can talk around the world and have fun with Parks on the Air. Any questions about ham, let me know. w1ip!

 

[Antman9 6]

Awesome!

So most that I have found are running the wire into the cabin from the drivers wheel well. Towards the back (by the firewall) if you pull the liner down you will see the rubber plug. Honestly, just take the wheel off pop a few clips and your life will be so much easier.
I have been doing stuff like this since the 90's and I find the best way to get through that grommet it to take something like a metal coat hanger and tape the coax to it with electrical tape. Make sure to wrap the tape around the front so it's like a sort of gradual ramp. Tape it really good. GREASE IT! Carefully push it through. You can see the plug on the firewall from the inside. Remove the drivers kick panel.
Done.
Here's a pic of the plug in the wheel well.

 

[PaulL]

Very cool. I will give it a shot soon. Too bad you don't live closer, we could do a video on how to take all the interior panels off and share it. I bet a lot would be interested! We'd be Honda stars, lol