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Ham Radio Installation Questions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by K5VMI, Feb 17, 2006.

  1. K5VMI

    K5VMI New Member

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    I am installing a ham radio (detachable face plate with radio under seat) in my '06 and would like some help before destroying something... :blink:

    I need to run power directly from the auxiliary battery to the radio which will be located under the passenger-side seat. I also have the coax cable from the through glass antenna that needs to go the same route.

    1) How do I get the plastic panel removed from over the aux battery?
    2) How do I remove the cushion of the rear seat?
    3) How are the covers removed to access the "cable trays" along the door sills?
    4) Is ther an easy way to remove the center console as well?

    I did a search of this and other Prius sites for this information to no avail. A friendly point to a resource beyond my searching skills or some guidance would be greatly appreciated.

    Details of proposed installation:

    Equipment: Kenwood TM-D700, GPS Receiver, Larsen 2M/70CM Glass Mount Antenna

    Objective: Make a few holes and modifications as possible and make the radio installation "seamless"

    What is done so far: I had B&M Conversions remove a section of my Diamond window film on my passenger-side small triangular rear window for the antenna (metal content of film interferes with antenna characteristics).

    Proposed:
    1) Mount radio on carpet covered plywood and locate under driver's seat
    2) Mount GPS receiver in hatchback area
    3) Run power, GPS, and antenna cables from rear of car to radio
    4) Make mount that fits in the front cup holder for control head and microphone
    5) Route control and microphone cables through center console to control head location
    6) I have no plans at this point to mount a remote speaker

    Any alternative suggestions welcome, as I have not committed myself to anything yet except the antenna location and type.

    Thanks,
    Craig
     
    #1 K5VMI, Feb 17, 2006
  2. priusham

    priusham New Member

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    Here's what I did... a little bit different and perhaps cleaner (since the radio is in the "trunk" ) install than what you have thought up.

    I have an FT-100D. I placed it in the hidden compartment above the spare tire. The 12V battery is right next to it which reduces voltage drop. The antenna is hatchback mounted with a Diamond 400-something mount. MUCH better performing than a glass coupled antenna BTW - and required to use the ATAS 100 for HF operating, although I use a Comet dual band 90% of the time.

    The head is remote mounted and fits almost perfectly in the compartment under the radio. Very clean installation! A speaker sits on the carpet in front of the "secret" drawer in the center console. Almost ANY external speaker will sound better than a built in speaker - especially if you are going to have the speaker under you seat! The microphone is also up front (obviously).

    I ran all the extention cables under the plastic kick panels for the driver's side doors. No need to remove any seats! You just jam the cables between the cushions and the frame. Same applies for the antenna cable on the passenger side of the car.
     
    #2 priusham, Feb 18, 2006
  3. K5VMI

    K5VMI New Member

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    *******

    I retired my FT-100D from mobile use and it is now in my shack. My concern with placing the radio in the hidden compartment is overheating. Obviously you have not had any problems with that, so this will probably be the way I go. I also like your placement of the remote speaker. My old setup ('99 Jetta) had it mounted under the headrest behind my head. Seats are leather this time and my wife asked for me to look at another place to install it. The D700 control head has a higher profile then the FT-100D, so doesn't fit as well in the location you mentioned. I'm still toying with different options. I also have a hatchback mount with Diamond dual bander. I know I will loose a little efficiency using the glass mount option, but I'm goint to try the Larsen first (have both options available in my spare parts box).

    Do the kick panel cable tray covers come off, or did you just stuff the wires up under the plastic?

    Thanks for your input. It always helps to hear what works for others before blazing new trails... :) I'll post what I actually come up with.

    Craig - K5VMI
     
    #3 K5VMI, Feb 18, 2006
  4. GWithers

    GWithers New Member

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    Hello Craig,

    I have to admit that I never got a satisfactory reply to my earlier inquiry and finally decided to not take the chance of throwing a wrench into the possibly delicate electronics of the Prius by trying to install my old radio. No one I communicated with gave me the assurance I needed to feel comfortable with the risk.

    I have a rather ancient TM241 2m Kenwood but would invest in a newer rig if I had confidence that it would work and that it would not fry something when transmitting 50 watts of RF energy.

    So I'm sorry that I am unable to be of any help to you. However, if you are brave enough to risk it and have success, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it.

    Thanks, and 73s
    George
    N3LRO

     
    #4 GWithers, Feb 20, 2006
  5. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    Limited
    You can go to http://www.laaudiofile.com/bta6100.html and scroll down about 1/2 way to the paragraph beginning with Just What We Needed. There's a link in that paragraph for the installation instructions to installing an XM radio. That shows how to remove the cushion of the rear seat (there's a couple of clips) and access to some areas.
     
    #5 aaf709, Feb 20, 2006
  6. craigcush

    craigcush Member

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    Craig,

    This is another Craig...

    I used the center speaker above the mfd since It was disconnected anyway, (Stereo sounds better with more separation, test for yourself).

    One less thing to clutter the interior.

    Using a portable I noticed it is a lot quieter to locate the antenna in the rear.

    Craig C
     
    #6 craigcush, Feb 20, 2006
  7. K5VMI

    K5VMI New Member

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    This is an outstanding document!!! Many thanks to Eddie Bell for what must have taken hours to piece together.

    Thank you for bringing this to us.

    Craig-K5VMI
     
    #7 K5VMI, Feb 20, 2006
  8. K5VMI

    K5VMI New Member

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    Craig,

    Looking at your past vehicle bio reminds me of the toys (too many to count) that my brother Glen has. :)

    How much dash disassembly did you need to do to gain access to the center speaker wires? Hopefully they would be accessable by removing the lower center finish panel only (probably wishful thinking)? Did you have a resource that ID'd which wires were which (see that I have not dived head first under the dash yet).

    Thanks foryour response.

    Craig - K5VMI
     
    #8 K5VMI, Feb 20, 2006
  9. craigcush

    craigcush Member

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    Sorry about the late response, been too busy to pop in.

    Believe it or not, I just lifted the speaker grill and you have access to the back of the mfd and you can use a stiff lead wire to snake it where you want.

    The speaker has its own proprietary plug and I replaced with a salvaged motorola mobile.

    Pulling the glove box down near the air filter helps too. So does a 12 year old for help guiding!

    Craig
     
    #9 craigcush, Feb 23, 2006
  10. Widdletink

    Widdletink Member

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    LE
    If you contact Toyota directly, they can supply you with an official bulletin that deals with installing ham radios in the Prius. Yes, it's quite possible, according to them. They state that you can safely run up to 100 watts on any frequency. It's been awhile since I read the bulletin, but as I recall it describes where to get 12vdc, and offers suggestions on where (and where NOT) to run RF cables. Essential reading, I'd say.

    Mel, WA6JBD (Mr. Widdletink?)
     
    #10 Widdletink, Feb 23, 2006
    1 person likes this.
  11. thorn

    thorn Member

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    The ARRL has some info on automotive interference:
    http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/carproblems.html

    Others who installed HF in the Prius:

    http://www.eham.net/articles/12338

    Anyone else run HF yet?

    Greg, KD3SU
     
    #11 thorn, Mar 1, 2006
  12. DCDura

    DCDura Junior Member

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    Mel,

    What is the contact address, telephone ore-mail you used to get the information bulletin?

    K2DCD
     
    #12 DCDura, Mar 2, 2006
  13. thorn

    thorn Member

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    I found that my FT-8900R head with mobile bracket slides perfectly into the compartment under the radio. I need to fish the wires like the XM doc shows to the back. The door almost closes - I'll see if they have a longer cord for the mic. so I can route it down below.


    [Broken External Image]:http://www.xecu.net/thorn/Prius_FT8900R.JPG


    Greg, KD3SU
     
    #13 thorn, Mar 7, 2006
  14. tadyergey

    tadyergey Junior Member

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    2006 Prius
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    II
    Guys -

    Thanks for the info. Not a HAM guy, but a volunteer firefighter and I am looking to install my scanner in much the same way. I've only had my Prius a week or so and I want to install some red lights and my scanner but an scared to death to play with electrical system...

    I'll definitely have to take a look at utilizing the center speaker...

    Thanks!

    Tad
     
    #14 tadyergey, May 3, 2006
  15. K5VMI

    K5VMI New Member

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    My 2006 did not have a center speaker. I'll take pictures of my final install and post them. BTW the center console and front center trim piece remove easily.
     
    #15 K5VMI, May 3, 2006
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