This is a Yaesu FTM-10R, combination VHF/UHF ham radio and scanner. The radio is mounted on a metal bracket that I attached to the back of the cubbyhole...



What you see is just a detachable control head/faceplate...the main base of the unit is mounted underneath the passenger seat. For 12v @ 8 amps I tapped off the unused phone 10a amp fuse off of the interior fuse block. The antenna is a Larsen 2m/440 through glass mount...



A fun Sunday afternoon project! I enjoy scanning our local peace officers, McDonald's drive-in, and nearby casino announcing jackpots throughout the day...as well as talking to my ham friends on the coastal repeaters..



John

 

thats awsome!! just one question, can you get CB radio frequencies also? that would make it more enticing

 

Sorry, this one doesn't cover CB, good buddy!

 

Hi John, any SWR issues with this car's glass? I have significant induction problems on my Ford Ranger P/U that uses hi-E glass. They use a metal-particulate right in the glass that makes it energy efficient but causes nightmares for inductive antennas. I had to go to a lip-mount.

I'm still planning my install and haven't made any solid decisions yet.

BTW: Great installation; nice and clean.

Rgds, N2XEX

 

Very nice installation! I haven't done mine yet, so it's great to see how you handled it.
73,
N0VXY
Fred

 

Looks pretty good! I'm trying to get a similar setup going with my IC-207 but I'm hesitating on:

- routing the coax
- routing the power cable
- mounting the faceplate

I only hesitate because I'm afraid of sullying my MINI. I'm curious to hear details on your installation.

73 de N9TAN

 

SWR is 1.2 to 1 at 145MHz...as measured w/ an MFJ 259B analyzer. It doesn't measure above 170MHz, so not sure about the 450MHz range...

I just went with Larsen's pre-cut whip...

John

 

I chose the new Yaesu xcvr specifically for its size, of lack thereof knowing the MINI would be a tough installation. Also, the detachable faceplate is a must...

Power cable comes off the interior fuse box. I just tapped into the side of the 10 amp fuse (unused telephone power source in MINI) not connected directly to battery. This puts the fuse between the ham radio and battery...and there's fuses in the Yaesu power cable as well. So I'm double fused...maybe overkill. Cables run under anything I could find...plastic door sill moulding, etc...to the xcvr base unit placed under & behind the passenger's seat.

Antenna coax is all indoors...thanks to the Larsen through-glass antenna. Coax runs down from the back side driver's window along the seat, floor, and on to the transceiver...

The control cable from the xcvr base to faceplate runs from the back passenger side foot well tucked up along the center console between the seats. There's a bit of a slot in the cubby hole so you can run the control cable up and to side behind the radio...

Depending on what radio you choose, you'll have to be creative! Just take your time and map out your plan of attack...

John

 

Nice setup. I plan on installing a TMD-700 in mine ( well, the wife's ) and I like the remote head in the cubby hole but am afraid I would be looking down all the time. So I might install the head in the roof. Still looking.

73, KF6HJO

 

I thought this was a decent looking install:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...ateur%20radio/

Nice and removable, with no holes drilled.

KD8FKT

 

Wow, didn't realize how many hams were also motorers! I've been wondering what I would do once I got my MINI... got an ICOM IC-V8000 and a mag mount, and I've seen what the mag mount does to my Neon, and surely don't want that on the MINI. Would love to see more pictures, and perhaps get a MINI Echolink session goin sometime!

73s de KI4CLM