Anyone install a two-way radio yet?

[Slappy McGee]

I'm FINALLY mostly done with my radio install, aside from adding an external speaker and maybe moving the location of my Yaesu screen (not sure I'm ready to give up the cupholder) and trying to find a better mount for my mics. I'm hoping one of the companies that makes a mount above the screen will do something for this generation soon as that's the route I'm likely to take.

Since there wasn't anything specific to the 2021 I did a quick video showing how I did the install in case anyone else wants to go down this path:

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[BHunted1]

Try these? Can expand with ram mount arms and such. I put one on each vent with different ball sizes. Now my phone and microphone or and held can be mounted and they do not affect the air vents. Lil price but worth it imho.
No-drill phone mount base for 2021 Ford F150 – Offroam (getoffroam.com)

Here are couple shots of how I use them.

 

[jeepin95]

I realize this is an old thread, but decided to start here rather than new. I have a '22 Powerboost that I am looking to add my ham radio to and was looking at the Bullet Proof Diesel 3rd light mount. When fishing the coax cable(s) down through the C pillar I just want to make sure that it doesn't interfere with any of the airbag components as listed in the manual below. I've watched the referenced videos but they don't really go into that detail.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/...owroom/resources/2021_F-150_ModifierGuide.pdf

Thanks

 

[Polish Prince]

2 Radios Mounted in 2022 F-150... Yaesu FTM-400XDR Ham and Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS. Working great.

 

[UGADawg96]

2 Radios Mounted in 2022 F-150... Yaesu FTM-400XDR Ham and Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS. Working great.

Your setup looks pretty sweet. I've been looking at the builtright mount for our Furrion, Garmin, and TPMS travel trailer rig so they aren't all suctioned to the glass.

Dumb question: what is the purpose of your two radios ? Is it for work or hobby or ?

 

[WD8CXB]

Good information! Thanks, gives me some ideas on mounting my equipment. I am normally a roof mount antenna person. I don't mind putting a hole in the roof and using an NMO mount-style antenna, but this truck will have the moon roof. That limits what I can put on the roof. I liked mounting it dead center to use the metal roof as an entire ground plane.

 

[Polish Prince]

']builtright[/URL]Dumb question: what is the purpose of your two radios ? Is it for work or hobby or ?

The radio on the left with the color screen is an Amateur (Ham) radio, and the radio on the right is a GMRS radio. I won't explain the differences here in this forum, but for me personally, they are both hobbies. Radio communications are fascinating to me.

 

[ANZAC]

Bumping necro-thread.

I'm installing an Icom F5061 (Part 90 VHF) in my rig. I'm a volunteer firefighter and sheriff's dept search and rescue volunteer.

Plan so far: (* need advice on last two items)
Comet no-drilling Front fender bracket FO4ANTNCG
Diamond NMO mount C213S-NMO
Comet 16" small NMO VHF/UHF antenna (going a bit for stealth vs range) SBB-1NMO
These are installed and I painted the bracket black.

Builtright Pro dash top mount, for radio faceplate (no balls, mounted direct)
3D print a right angle extension bracket for the mic-holder to fit the dash top mount next to the faceplate.

Radio brick under/behind one of the seats *
Power from not sure where yet*

 

[PaulG]

Bumping necro-thread.

I'm installing an Icom F5061 (Part 90 VHF) in my rig. I'm a volunteer firefighter and sheriff's dept search and rescue volunteer.

Plan so far: (* need advice on last two items)
Comet no-drilling Front fender bracket FO4ANTNCG
Diamond NMO mount C213S-NMO
Comet 16" small NMO VHF/UHF antenna (going a bit for stealth vs range) SBB-1NMO
These are installed and I painted the bracket black.

Builtright Pro dash top mount, for radio faceplate (no balls, mounted direct)
3D print a right angle extension bracket for the mic-holder to fit the dash top mount next to the faceplate.

Radio brick under/behind one of the seats *
Power from not sure where yet*

I am planning a very similar build. Currently waiting for parts to arrive:

NCG FO4ANTNCG mount [Same as yours]
Comet CK-3NMO
Comet CA-2X4SRNMO antenna
+ NMO-5 cap

For the radio brick, I am planning just to use some velcro to put it under the driver's side seat.

For the power part, I am going to use a 25W max radio, so I can safely use the cigarette lighter (7A). But your rig is 14A max; I will draw power from the battery directly with a low-voltage shutoff, just in case.

Have you tested your antenna setup? My main concern during my research is the isolation between metal vs. grounding. Did you use any additional coating/plastic washer during you mount installation?

 

[ANZAC]

I am planning a very similar build. Currently waiting for parts to arrive:

NCG FO4ANTNCG mount [Same as yours]
Comet CK-3NMO
Comet CA-2X4SRNMO antenna
+ NMO-5 cap

...

Have you tested your antenna setup? My main concern during my research is the isolation between metal vs. grounding. Did you use any additional coating/plastic washer during you mount installation?

I also have a couple of the 2X4SR antennas, they are great. I'll probably keep on in the rig just in case.

re grounding, this is very interesting. The FO4ANTNCG is designed for the F-150 and has a layer of insulation (clear tape of some kind) under the bracket to prevent bi-metallic corrosion, as recommended by Ford. But it does also ground the bracket via the bolt from the fender, to the TOP side of the bracket.

I do need to put a meter on it and check the ground.

The NMO mount I used on the bracket does ground directly to the bracket via a big star washer.

 

[ANZAC]

I'm overdue for posting an update.

I installed the Builtright Pro - I use modelling clay to mark where to drill the hole (instead of using painters tape, so was a lot more accurate, otherwise follow their video.

I got a longer cable for the detached head unit and mounted the head unit on the Builtright Pro, put a notch in the console top trim (2nd and 3rd pic) and ran the separation cable down the console and along the left side, need to figure out to get down and under the rear carpet to behind/under the rear seat to mount the main radio box there.

Still need to punch through a firewall harness grommet near pedals to run power and antenna cable.

Big thing I did was 3D print a PETG mounting block to keep the mic holder up and out of the way, only to discover that on a hot day the interior temp of an F150 is above the glass transitient temp of PETG, so it drooped. I'm going to reprint the mic bracket in ASA.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Off camping for a week so won't have time to take it further for a bit.

 

[ANZAC]

Have I been going slow on this!

But here's an update. I designed and 3D printed a bracket to fit behind the underseat storage box and take the radio. Green color is just a draft print, final will be in ASA.

Got the power and antenna wiring as far as B pillar, stillneed to get remote head cable from the console to the back seat. The center console is difficult to deal with!

 

[ThumperF150]

Doubt I will need or use a radio much in this truck but I wanted the option to easily carry one for road trips so I did this.

 

[Kaboom]

Just installed my Yaesu FTM350R. Did it a tad different from others. Waithing on the bluetooth mic. Antenna is not in the best location but the truck would not fit in the garage if mounted up top. may use center speaker for mobile, havent decided yet.

 

[belairbrian]

I installed a Anytone AT-778U. I split the unit anfd put the main part behind the seat and the head unit under the HVAC. Closed both parts with 3D printed covers. They connect by a 10 pin ribbon cable. If you look you can see the remote speaker tucked in behind the mic.

The cover for the front end has a dovetail mount built in that slides into a plate.

Ran the cables under the center console. It's really not too bad to remove just a little time.

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