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Greetings Everyone,
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Introductions first I think:
Josh Beck:? KJ5KBW
I am a high school cybersecurity certification instructor with NEISD.
(Lot's of San Antonio jobs high school students can qualify for with the right credentials.)
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My question:
I'm new to Ham Radio and also a new member. So, newbie stuff.
I'm going to go ahead and do a mobile installation in the next few weeks and the firewall access between my engine compartment and passenger cab is a bit difficult to access.
Although I might decide to go after it some weekend myself, is there a recommended shop that would do a straightforward wiring job?
I just need to get two 10-gauge wires (red and black) routed from the engine to the cab. (The crimping and connections I'm sure I can handle)
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I figure if anyone in San Antonio would have recommendations about good shops like that, it would be SADRC.
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Much appreciated and feel free to give me a call out on the air.
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Josh Beck
KJ5KBW
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Welcome to the hobby, it's pretty addictive.
I've done allot of mobile installs and the firewall is always a big challenge.
Depending on your vehicle type, there may be a wire gland somewhere you can cut into. Run a search on 'vehicle-type firewall wire routing'.
Or! You can bypass the firewall completely and go under then drill a hole up under the diver seat or under the center console. I routed my jeep that way using the frame as a conduit.
Lots of ways.
Good luck!
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Jim-
KI5ESV
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Also try going into the fender well and then into the side of the vehicle where the door wiring goes iin
Randy Thomas - K7RHTAll Hazards COML, AUXC, VE
TX ARES, TX RACES, Sky Warn, CERT WAEOC DEM PACTOR Coordinator
206-255-9510
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”
― Benjamin Franklin
On Monday, February 17th, 2025 at 5:24 PM, Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV <jmiller@...> wrote:
Welcome to the hobby, it's pretty addictive.
I've done allot of mobile installs and the firewall is always a big challenge.
Depending on your vehicle type, there may be a wire gland somewhere you can cut into. Run a search on 'vehicle-type firewall wire routing'.
Or! You can bypass the firewall completely and go under then drill a hole up under the diver seat or under the center console. I routed my jeep that way using the frame as a conduit.
Lots of ways.
Good luck!
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Jim-
KI5ESV
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Good evening,
I did a mobile installation on my truck last year, and my solution was to just go around the firewall.? I put the main unit underneath the rear seat, so the way the power got run was straight down from the battery, through the frame, and up through a hole in the floor.? There's then an ethernet cable run from that main unit up to the front head unit to make the magic happen.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
Steve- KF6MIX-
On Monday, February 17, 2025 at 05:24:13 PM CST, Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV <jmiller@...> wrote:
Welcome to the hobby, it's pretty addictive.
I've done allot of mobile installs and the firewall is always a big challenge.
Depending on your vehicle type, there may be a wire gland somewhere you can cut into. Run a search on 'vehicle-type firewall wire routing'.
Or! You can bypass the firewall completely and go under then drill a hole up under the diver seat or under the center console. I routed my jeep that way using the frame as a conduit.
Lots of ways.
Good luck!
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Jim-
KI5ESV
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Thank you for the responses. Very helpful.
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(If I approach that firewall access from the inside behind the glove compartment. I think I can get it done that way with some patience.)
Going to go with 12 awg wire and 20 amp inline fuse for the positive terminal with the ground directly attached to the chassis.
Further advice is always appreciated!
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Thanks again,
Josh Beck
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Just make sure you know what’s ‘behind’ the glove box. IT’s frequently a god hiding place for computers and brake drums.
Good luck!
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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On that Note; always make sure you know what’s on both sides of the firewall before you drill through it. Just FYI, watch out for any electrical connections that has a yellow plug-ins. They are commonly used for Airbag circuits and any Airbag related components. If your vehicle has any high voltage circuits like a 110v DC plug or inverter, they would normally use Orange wire connectors and in most cases, the harness is also wrapped in an orange color vinyl or cloth tape. Stay away from those two and you should be fine. On Tue, 18 Feb 2025 at 10:33?am, Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV via <jmiller= [email protected]> wrote:
Just make sure you know what’s ‘behind’ the glove box. IT’s frequently a god hiding place for computers and brake drums.
Good luck!
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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Indeed!
I won't be drilling. I'll either find an easy route next to the wiring harness that I can squeeze a long, thin phillips through or I'll hand it off to a custom sound shop!
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Good advice.
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You may want to consider having Industrial?Communications do your installation. They are a long standing professional two-way radio shop offering commercial radio sales and service. They perform many installations for SAPD and other departments. They have done three installations for me over the years and I have not had a complaint. David/K5AQS On Tue, Feb 18, 2025 at 11:14?AM Beck, Josh D - KJ5KBW via <joshbeck2006= [email protected]> wrote:
Indeed!
I won't be drilling. I'll either find an easy route next to the wiring harness that I can squeeze a long, thin phillips through or I'll hand it off to a custom sound shop!
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Good advice.
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Great advice from K5AQS for anyone who reads this thread with a similar question in the future.
I contacted Industrial Communications and they are very reasonably priced and helpful.
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This was helpful so thank you!
Josh
KJ5KBW
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Thanks everyone! I've attached some pictures of the project.
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I did finally get almost everything soldered, crimped, routed and mounted.
(I'm able to hide the transceiver from prying eyes with a piece of fabric that matches my interior. I just happened to have a piece that matches in my garage.)
From the back window, it isn't screaming 'steal me!' (I hope.)
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Technique:
- I pushed a sturdy clothes hangar through the grommet from the glove box side, duct taped the wires to it on the engine side, and pulled the wires back into the cab.? They passed through the grommet remarkably easily.
- The wires are run under the floorboard trim from there to the back.
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Took a good chunk of the weekend, but Sunday was a great day to work outside.
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Things left to do:
I --might-- drill a hole in the roof for and SO-239 mount. (The magnetic mount I have now gives me pause.)
I'll need to experiment a bit with control head mounting, but I think I have some parts inbound that will do the trick.
(I was thinking about a seat-bolt mount, but I don't want to intrude on the passenger's space.)
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Again, I appreciate the advice here. Pictures attached.
Josh Beck
KJ5KBW
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Josh,
You really need to clean that corroded battery terminal, it will
spread to your connected wire and cause you problems.
Clean off with baking soda and water, then remove terminal and
clean, then add to prevent future corrosion.
Bill KD2HIQ
On 2/25/2025 12:43 PM, Beck, Josh D -
KJ5KBW via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks everyone! I've attached some pictures of the project.
?
I did finally get almost everything soldered,
crimped, routed and mounted.
(I'm able to hide the transceiver from prying eyes with a
piece of fabric that matches my interior. I just happened to
have a piece that matches in my garage.)
From the back window, it isn't screaming 'steal me!' (I
hope.)
?
Technique:
- I pushed a sturdy clothes hangar through the grommet from
the glove box side, duct taped the wires to it on the engine
side, and pulled the wires back into the cab.? They passed
through the grommet remarkably easily.
- The wires are run under the floorboard trim from there to
the back.
?
Took a good chunk of the weekend, but Sunday was a great day
to work outside.
?
Things left to do:
I --might-- drill a hole in the roof for and SO-239 mount.
(The magnetic mount I have now gives me pause.)
I'll need to experiment a bit with control head mounting, but
I think I have some parts inbound that will do the trick.
(I was thinking about a seat-bolt mount, but I don't want to
intrude on the passenger's space.)
?
Again, I appreciate the advice here. Pictures attached.
Josh Beck
KJ5KBW
?
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Josh,
Instead of a SO-239 - consider
Bill KD2HIQ
On 2/25/2025 12:43 PM, Beck, Josh D -
KJ5KBW via groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thanks everyone! I've attached some pictures of the project.
?
I did finally get almost everything soldered,
crimped, routed and mounted.
(I'm able to hide the transceiver from prying eyes with a
piece of fabric that matches my interior. I just happened to
have a piece that matches in my garage.)
From the back window, it isn't screaming 'steal me!' (I
hope.)
?
Technique:
- I pushed a sturdy clothes hangar through the grommet from
the glove box side, duct taped the wires to it on the engine
side, and pulled the wires back into the cab.? They passed
through the grommet remarkably easily.
- The wires are run under the floorboard trim from there to
the back.
?
Took a good chunk of the weekend, but Sunday was a great day
to work outside.
?
Things left to do:
I --might-- drill a hole in the roof for and SO-239 mount.
(The magnetic mount I have now gives me pause.)
I'll need to experiment a bit with control head mounting, but
I think I have some parts inbound that will do the trick.
(I was thinking about a seat-bolt mount, but I don't want to
intrude on the passenger's space.)
?
Again, I appreciate the advice here. Pictures attached.
Josh Beck
KJ5KBW
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I'll take my time with the antenna to research and get that part right for sure.
(I'll research SO-239 versus NMO based on that comment.)
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Exactly the advice I need.
Thanks
Josh
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I’m an NMO fan just because it’s a fatter thread base. I’ve broken off 2 259 series bases on branches. NMOs seem to have a more solid anchor.
My 2 cents…
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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Just be sure whatever you use, get the exact correct whole punch, and purchase the add on spring for the antenna, this will save you a lot of issues in the future. I use both NMO and So-239 mounts, never had one break so long as the hole is the right size and the spring is on the antenna at the base.
Randy Thomas - K7RHTAll Hazards COML, AUXC, VE
TX ARES, TX RACES, Sky Warn, CERT
WAEOC DEM PACTOR Coordinator
206-255-9510
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”
― Benjamin Franklin
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at 4:28 PM, Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV <jmiller@...> wrote: I’m an NMO fan just because it’s a fatter thread base. I’ve broken off 2 259 series bases on branches. NMOs seem to have a more solid anchor.
My 2 cents…
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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And to add to that…..NMO is 100% waterproof if installed correctly. Best way to go if you can……just don’t think about the hole drilling, lol!
I got the special bit and drilled into my vehicle. No issues and would do it again.
Every public safety vehicle has NMO mounts…….tried and true!
Kyle KA5ZTP On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 16:28 Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV via <jmiller= [email protected]> wrote:
I’m an NMO fan just because it’s a fatter thread base. I’ve broken off 2 259 series bases on branches. NMOs seem to have a more solid anchor.
My 2 cents…
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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Yes NMO is the only way to go. ?It has a rubber gasket and is waterproof. ?A pl-259 is not. ?Plus nmo is basically flush mount. ?Pl-259 sticks up. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Danny
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Show quoted text
On Feb 25, 2025, at 4:32?PM, Koenig, Kyle C - KA5ZTP via groups.io <kyleckster@...> wrote:
? And to add to that…..NMO is 100% waterproof if installed correctly. Best way to go if you can……just don’t think about the hole drilling, lol!
I got the special bit and drilled into my vehicle. No issues and would do it again.
Every public safety vehicle has NMO mounts…….tried and true!
Kyle KA5ZTP On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 16:28 Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV via <jmiller= [email protected]> wrote: I’m an NMO fan just because it’s a fatter thread base. I’ve broken off 2 259 series bases on branches. NMOs seem to have a more solid anchor.
My 2 cents…
Jim Miller
KI5ESV
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Miller, James G 'Jim' - KI5ESV
Craft, G.W. 'Bill' - KD2HIQ