Dualband ham radio in 2010 Prius

I have the same radio in my Prius and have had no glitches at all. Happy hamming! tom

 

While I have a 2008, I have the same rig, with a Diamond dualband whip mounted on the hatchback lip, NO problems at all!!!

What type of antenna did you go with, and where did you mount it????

Welcome to da group!!!

 

I would like to know where you mounted the radio in the 2010? I can see how to get antenna and power to the unit mounted below the rear floor, but finding a good place to mount the control head and speaker seems much more difficult in the 2010 than in the Gen II Prius. The new console doesn't leave any space to fit in the usual remoted control panel.
-- Thanks -- Ken (N6EN)

 

Pictures would be nice. I can't think of a good place to mount other than glove box?

 

Since the Control Head detaches from the radio body, I mounted mine above the mirror using a Mgtmotorsports.com Blend Mount.... I used the ScanGuage mount, worked perfectly!!!
Here is the URL...

http://www.blendmount.com/scangauge.html

AND because it's Christmas, here's a pic!!!
HoHoHo!!

 

Here are a few more ideas on where to mount a radio...

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Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!

I can't think of anything else to say........

 

I just hope that the ham radio users are taking the same precautions that are afforded cell phone users. That there's a whole lot of buttons to muss about with when you're driving.

 

I'd be interested in knowing how you power the radio. From the SLI battery? Add a second battery? I'd really appreciate any info. I want to install lmy 2m mobile rig.
KC9HSY

 

The 12 volt battey in the Prius is capable of handling a 50 Watt 2 Meter rig..
Just dont keydown for hours at a time...
I replied to your PM...HiHi OM

 

Pat, Really nice clean install! Where did you mount the radio and how did you route cables from head to radio? I assume you used one of the remote power connects (cigarette lighter)? tom

 

NEVER use the Cig lighter for a 50 watt mobile!!!
I put the FT-8800 body in the left rear pocket in the back. Then ran the power wiring along the back wiring channel directly to the 12v battery. Both + and - power cables. The remote head gets its power from the 8800 body, and the cabling went up the drivers side wiring channel, up the piller channel behind the driver seat, through the headliner to the mirror area. The remote speaker is mounted under the dash dead center, and "Y" corded to the powered speaker, it also shares the output of the Uniden 996xt that sits under the JBL radio. I pulled the useless plastic CD holder, and it's a DIN sized opening the 996xt slipped into quite nicely. I put a antenna splitter from the factory FM antenna, works great!! I left the little door in place, so I close it up, you can not even see the scanner!!! The antenna followed the factory wiring harness into the hatchback, following the harness and I drilled a small hole in the side of the hatch and used a Diamond K-400 mount to hold the dual band Diamond black antenna. A grommet with a little black silicon waterproofed the install!!!
I see you have a 2010, but the placement of head unit should be about the same. Bury it in the back of the car, I do not know if they left the pocket area the 08 had, but the spare tire well would work just as well.

Lets see some pics when you get yours installed. I always enjoy seeing what others can do on a custom install!!!

 

The 2010 has that PAITA center console that runs between the seats up to the dash. No room to mount the speaker that I have figured out yet. Where did you run the mike cable from the controller? You can't leave it hanging in front of the window, can you?

73 de N6QGK

 

I ran the cables up the center of the car under the carpet.
The mic lives in the little pull out drawer under the center console.
The speaker is a powered unit a Clr Spkr,
West Mountain Radio CLR/SPKR Speaker
it is mounted under the dash in the center of the car.
The plastic shroud that covers this area is cut to accommodate the speaker!

 

I put some velcro on the back of the FT60 and the opther piece of velcro on the cover of the cup holder. Cable for the magmount whip goes under the seat and out the rear door. Use the Yaesu speaker mike.

The point about the distraction is valid.

 

You guys have any pics of your mounted antenna?

 

This is my first try inserting a pic. Don't know if it will show. Our Kenwood dual bander control head found a neat home in the lower part of the center console. The radio is under the passenger seat. An angled bracket attached with Velcro makes it easy to see. Power comes from the accessory cig. lighter outlet under the arm rest. Anderson Powerpole cabling provides additional power access. Antenna is rear hatch lip mounted.

 

Has anybody done any HF in a Prius? I thinking of a Tarheel Jr and an ICOM706. Any issues that anybody knows of about 100w or so of RF getting into any of the Prius systems? (I trashed an Acura airbag computer when I first installed my Icom on a 2002). I figured the Prius would be a nightmare.

 

It's complete except for the missing ScanGauge II. Sheesh, some hams are just so single mindedly focused.