Yaesu FT-7900R install in my 2020 Jeep JLUR

[JL Lou]

I thought I would start a thread to document my install. It is still in progress, so I will be updating this as it gets done.

First I bought a Yaesu FT 7900R on ebay, as it is not made anymore, but it is a nice, compact dual band Ham.

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I modified (aka cut up) my soundbar for an external speaker.

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I had to make a spacer for the speaker grill, so I drew it up and 3D printed it. (Circled below)

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This is what the sound bar looked like from the inside with the speaker and grill installed

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I ran the wire down the passenger side B-pillar, I plan on putting the radio under the passenger seat.

This is the speaker that I chose. And then tore apart.

2.75x4.5 Universal CB Extension Speaker with Swivel Bracket

This CB extension speaker has a durable metal mesh grill and includes a swivel bracket.

www.roadprobrands.com

I want to mount the radio face on the A-pillar on the drivers side, so I installed a 20mm ball mount on both A-pillars with a nutsert (rivet nut or rivnut).

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Passenger side 20mm ball.

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The antenna that I picked is a low profile chinese one,
Bingfu Vehicle Ham Radio Mobile Radio Antenna Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-470MHz Amateur Radio Antenna

I am planning on mounting it on the back of the roll bar inside the cab

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[JL Lou]

I will update this as I get more parts in the mail and get the install done.

 

[M Rose]

Are you up and running @JL Lou ? In bound DM

 

[El-Dracho]

Great write-up so far! This comes at the right point in time because I will start to install my Yeasu FTM-100 which looks quite similar with the detachable head untit, soon. Thank you!!!

The antenna looks interesting. Not so prone to defects due to low hanging trees and so on. How do those low profile antennas perform?

 

[M Rose]

Lou, you’re going to want to make some kind of enclosure for that speaker... it’s going to sound tinny.

 

[JL Lou]

Great write-up so far! This comes at the right point in time because I will start to install my Yeasu FTM-100 which looks quite similar with the detachable head untit, soon. Thank you!!!

The antenna looks interesting. Not so prone to defects due to low hanging trees and so on. How do those low profile antennas perform?

I will have to report back to you on that, I haven't used it yet.

 

[JL Lou]

Lou, you’re going to want to make some kind of enclosure for that speaker... it’s going to sound tinny.

Thanks for the advice, the sound bar is enclosed, but if it does not sound good, I can figure something out. Maybe poly fill or something.

 

[El-Dracho]

I will have to report back to you on that, I haven't used it yet.

Thank you!

 

[4L_Warrior]

Hey JL Lou..
You probably already purchased that antenna, but if you haven't or can afford to get another one, I would look into the Larsen dual band or similar.
The antenna is the most important part of a radio system. The best radio used with a cheap low quality an only going to perform poorly at best. A cheap Chinese radio with a quality antenna will out perform most radios out there. I've been running the Larsen dual bander hitting many branches and have had no damages to it.

 

[JL Lou]

Yeah, I had my eye on a COMPACtenna 2M/440 but found the cheap chinese one when looking for an NMO mount. got the mount and antenna for about $30.00. thought I would give it a try.
It looks like it wont cut the mustard though. Talked to Mike Rose about it and we will see...

COMPACtenna 2M/440

Compact High Performance 2M/440 Mobile Antenna 7.5 In. NMO Connector

www.hamradio.com

 

[JL Lou]

I got some more of my install done. For power I am using the aux switch number 1. it is a 40 amp power supply.

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[JL Lou]

The head unit will live under the passenger seat

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[JL Lou]

The radio from the back seat

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[JL Lou]

There looks to be some room below the center console, but I dont want that headache figuring that out.

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[JL Lou]

I attached the mounting bracket to the carpet using large washers for reinforcement.

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[JL Lou]

the excess wire went in the passenger side outer footwell

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[JL Lou]

I had to tap the back of the seat belt stud for the antenna mount

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[JL Lou]

I may replace the Janky antenna mount

 

[JL Lou]

I hid the wires in the molding on the roll bar, now I have to put my tools away. Also I am going to move the microphone mount, just waiting for the UPS guy again.

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[El-Dracho]

The head unit will live under the passenger seat

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Again great write-up which helps others to install their HAM I guess! Thank you for that!

From these pictures it looks like that there is a lot of the rigs electric under the passenger seat anyway, right?