Radio install gets a little closer to done….
So since I got back from Dayton, I’ve been trying to finish the radio install in the truck. As of this week, I’ve gotten far enough to actually start beaconing on the 9600 ARPS system again with the D700. I got the main body of the radio installed before leaving for Ohio, but still needed to run the cables for the microphone and radio head. (I also pulled a stereo speaker cable) I got the cables pulled the weekend after I got back and then just needed to figure out where to put the control head.
I actually hate this part, since there is rarely a perfect spot. I lucked out with the Pathfinder and mounting it on the window was obvious and easy. I finally decided where I was going to put it and went hunting for something sticky to attach it. This is when I realized I was out of both the double sided tape I’ve used and the velcro stuff. So the whole thing had to wait a couple days until I could get to the craft store. I ultimately ended up using this weird putty stuff. You warm it up by rolling it around in your hand then use it to attach what you want. After a while it ‘sets up’ and hold stuff pretty well. In the process of doing this, I changed my mind again and ended up mounting the control head on the center console in front of the shifter. So far I’m happy with the location, except you really have to take your eyes of the road to see it.
Once the control head was installed, I had to attach the GPS puck. This was the ultra simple install actually. I simply put the little box I built to get the right power to the GPS and used a little double sided tape to attach it in the window and presto, GPS data. I’m quite happy with how it all turned out. When I get the ID-880 mounted and working, I’ll spend a little time wrapping the cables in fancy wire wrap stuff, but for now it looks pretty good.
NOTE: That is my temporary antenna until I run the coax for the real one through the back door. I suspect it might be limiting my abilities to be heard, but oddly enough I am getting into the 9600 ARPS system on 70cm in Seattle just fine. I’m only putting out 1 watt, but my report is getting into the system nearly 100% of the time. Amazing actually. When I’m done, I’ll grab some better pictures. These were just grabbed with my iPhone and in poor light the pictures suck.
NOTE: The white wire that is dangling is for the speaker. I haven’t figured out where to mount the external Kenwood speaker yet, so for now I’m just using the built in speaker. It honestly does a pretty good job from the back of the truck.