I'm looking to install a simple 2m ham radio in my R56 and I've been reading through the few posts out there but none seem to be in an R56. I'd like to hear from anyone who has put a radio in their car. I wanted something inexpensive and simple so I'd like to avoid a detachable head unit if possible (although it is looking like my only option, really).

-Do any of the new radios out there fit in the cubby in front of the cup holders?
-Has anyone put a 2-way radio in their upper glove box?
-Is there some other clever place to install that I haven't thought of?

My car does not have a CD changer, navigation, HK, or any other high-end AV. It is also an automatic.

As for an antenna, I'm going to go with a window mount on the side.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hey there Wesley,

I just put in a Yaetsu FT-8900R in the car and it's working great! I hid the unit on the left side of the boot and ran the coaxial cable out to a hatch mount antenna on the back. I ran a cable from the unit to it's faceplate in the front and mounted it with 3 screws to the bottom-right of the steering column. For kicks I installed a switch which will activate/deactivate my APRS tracking system too. I'll post pictures later tomorrow if you'd like. I think the setup is discrete and slick! I can clearly see my radio from where I sit by looking down past the steering wheel. Controls are just within arm's reach.

As for sound, I built an analog mixer and mixed the audio signal coming from the fronts with my radio's audio signal. I have an aftermarket stereo system.

 

war6763: this sounds excellent and I'd love to see some pictures - especially of how the antenna mounts and how you did the audio mixing.

I started down the path of getting my ham ticket because I was tired of driving in to heavy thunderstorms on my long commute over the plains of Kansas. All I really wanted was a weather radio but now I've found myself in the ham world. I bought a Yaesu FT-1900R but I think I'll quickly want to upgrade to something with a detachable face and dual-band. So, for now, I think I'm going to settle for screwing the radio down in my lower glove compartment until I move this radio to another car when I upgrade to something more integrated with a detachable face.

Thanks for the info and I look forward to your pictures.

 

Flint! I'm sorry it took so long to get you the pictures! Here they are! I'll be watching this thread if you have any questions!!!

Pictures