Ham Radio Install

[exodus0784]

I just did a ham radio install. Wired straight to the battery (inline fuses). If you're interested in seeing pics, let me know.

I ran the wires through the firewall at the grommet in the passenger foot well, up, then over and around to the battery. 12 AWG oil/gas resistant wire, temp rated for 90C. Trickiest part was finding places to secure the wires. I ended up pulling a bolt that holds on the firewall insulation, and using a bolt-tie on that. I also poked a hole in the insulation right above the intake manifold (right below the washer channel) and attached a tie there. I know I'll need to find better locations to secure the wires, but it should get me through rally WV without any issues.

Wires were tied to the battery clamps using simple ring connectors.

[MikeC06]

I'd be interested in pictures, I'll be getting a CB radio, and plan on hardwiring, same concept in wiring I suppose. :P

[NYChevoo]

Lets see those pics!

[exodus0784]

Bacon bacon bacon.

CB install should be very similar. The biggest difference is that I think you're limited to 10 or 11 watts on CB, whereas the 2-meter has 50 watts of transmit. You could probably get away with 14 or 16 AWG wire with that, as long as your not TXing like crazy.

I'm hitting repeaters a good 20 to 30 miles away with good Rx and Tx on a cheapish magnet mount antenna.

Edit, callsign: KK4SRB

[MikeC06]

Awesome exclamation exclamation space roughly how much was your set up question

[exodus0784]

I got the Radio and Antenna for free from a buddy. It's a Yaesu ft-1802 transceiver. It's a couple years old and today's equivilent would be the Yaesu ft-1900, which is around $130. The antenna probably around $30-50.

The Wiring was $0.38/foot. I got 10 feet for both hot and ground.
Butt connectors: $3 for a pack of 20 I think.
Ring connectors: $5 for a pack of 10.
Fuse holders: $2 each
Electrical tape: already had.
Fuses (15amp each, btw): already had.
Zip ties: $3

So even if you had to buy the tape and fuses, you could probably get it done for less than $25 not including the radio and antenna. Just DO NOT, DO NOT buy wire at autozone or advance. They charge outrages prices per foot. Lowes had the gas/oil/heat resistant wire for less than $0.40 per foot. Autozone wanted something like $7 for a couple foot of 12AWG wire. Just also be certain that your connectors are good for the wire gauge you're using. You don't want to use 12 or 10 AWG connectors with 16AWG wire, it'll fall out, you'll have a poor connection. Even if you can jamb a 12AWG wire into a connector for 16/14AWG, you're likely overloading the current the connector can handle. It'll start to heat up, and you'll lose a lot of power to heat. You'll notice the longer you transmit, the worse your signal gets, because of the connector heating up and gaining more resistance.

[MikeC06]

Is there any way to prevent the heating up? Also sorry about the words exclamation and whatnot, siri didn't work right :P

[exodus0784]

Yes, use connectors and wire appropriate for the current you'll be pulling.