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How to Install a 2-Meter Transceiver in Your Car

Before cell phones, ham operators chatted with ham friends using 2-meter transceivers mounted in their cars. All 2-meter radios are relatively compact, but newer models are available with a remote head, allowing you to mount the majority of the circuitry under the seat or in the vehicle's trunk.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 Meter Radio - Ham Radio Equipment
  • Pencils
  • Corrosion-preventive Sprays
  • Phillips Screwdrivers
  • Cable Ties
  • Electric Drill/assorted Bits
  • Needle-nose Pliers
  • Nut Drivers
  • Slotted Screwdrivers
  • Solder
  • Soldering Guns/irons
  • Wire Nippers
  • Wire-insulation Strippers
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Instructions

  1. Installing a Single-Unit 2-Meter Radio

    • 1

      Read manufacturer's instructions.

    • 2

      Determine where you want your radio mounted. Below the dash or on transmission hump are common choices.

    • 3

      Remember that you must ground the radio case to the metal of the car's body or frame.

    • 4

      Temporarily set radio mounting bracket in chosen spot.

    • 5

      Make certain there is sufficient clearance to reach all controls and switches with radio in place.

    • 6

      Make certain there is sufficient room for occupant's legs.

    • 7

      Check firewall for wiring access opening. The power line will run from battery to radio.

    • 8

      Use manufacturer's template (or make a template) to mark points to drill holes for mounting bracket.

    • 9

      Drill holes.

    • 10

      Insert radio and recheck for clearances.

    • 11

      Scrape battery's positive terminal post and apply anticorrosion compound.

    • 12

      Attach positive element of power lead to battery's positive terminal post.

    • 13

      Feed power line from car battery around edge of engine compartment to firewall access.

    • 14

      Secure power cable in engine compartment with cable ties.

    • 15

      Attach negative element of power lead to metal portion of vehicle at firewall or in engine compartment.

    • 16

      Insert radio in mounting bracket.

    • 17

      Attach power cord and antenna coax.

    Install a Remote-Head 2-Meter Radio

    • 18

      Read manufacturer's installation manual.

    • 19

      Decide where you want to mount transceiver module circuitry. Two possibilities are under the seats or in the trunk.

    • 20

      Decide where in the passenger compartment you want to mount the connection terminal.

    • 21

      Check for wiring access to passenger cabin if you decide to mount transceiver module in trunk.

    • 22

      Plan for access not only for power cable, but also for control cable leading from transceiver module to remote-control head in passenger compartment.

    • 23

      Remember that the radio case must be grounded to the metal of car's body or frame.

    • 24

      Use manufacturer's template (or make a template) to mark points to drill holes for transceiver module's mounting bracket.

    • 25

      Drill holes.

    • 26

      Feed cables to battery and to the control terminal.

    • 27

      Mount control terminal in area of proposed operations, making sure proper clearance remains for all controls.

    • 28

      Scrape battery's positive terminal post and apply anticorrosion compound.

    • 29

      Attach positive element of power lead to battery's positive terminal post.

    • 30

      Secure power cable and control cable along route with cable ties.

    • 31

      Slip control cable under trim or under carpeting to prevent being snagged by persons entering and exiting the vehicle.

    • 32

      Attach negative element of power lead to metal portion of vehicle.

    • 33

      Insert transceiver module in mounting bracket.

    • 34

      Attach power cord and antenna coax.

    • 35

      Attach remote-control head to control cable terminal.


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