UHF install in VX?

[azza77]

Been looking everywhere and cant seems to find anything on putting a UHF in my VX. Main thing i have concerns on is getting power to the radio for starters, how to get the dash out to get to the power and getting through the firewall to put an antenna up. Im planning on following the CD/Radio antenna to install the UHF antenna but what i have to remove to get there has me f*cked. Im not worried about interference between the 2 as transmitting will be limited anyway. In regards to power, im thinking about just piggy backing it up to either the radio or cigarette lighter? Wish i knew a coms techie! All ideas would be greatly appreciated, if i can get some decent info i might do up a DIY post. Thanks in advance.

[MR_VX]

i use to install them as a job 2 years ago, what brand UHF is it mate?

for power just use the mobile phone jack ( if your not using it already ) there will be a 12v there, its the esaiest place to get power from, its located on the left hand side of the center console, just pull the glove box out and you will see the 2-3 ( righthand side) screw to remove the panel.
as for antenna theres a 25mm black rubber plug also on the left hand side in the firs wall, if your looking from the engine bay its behind the strut tower, cutt a tight hole through it and you only need to mount the UHF it self some where in the car.

[SSbeast]

I just installed a Motorola MCS2000 UHF in my VX and a kenwood TM218. I can send photos if u want. I'd recommend getting a remote head unit much easier to install. For power all i did was run a 20A cable from the battery under the car and up there a grommet in the boot near where the fuel tank is. The actual unit is in the boot and i got a lip mount antenna on the boot lid. Then ran the remote head wires under the seats and carpet to the front. To some work and removed the center console and rear seats. Then just make up a ground wire to something metal in the boot. Works great. P.S i ran the wire inside plastic conduit and clamped it to the under floor. Used silicone sealant to seal the hole where the wire came in through the grommet.

[azza77]

i can either put in my icom ic400, or yeasu FT-8900R. I will only be using max of 5 watts and wont be taking either radio up 25/50watt in regards to a power source. Im not worried about placement, as it will be going passenger side near gear stick.

[MR_VX]

I just installed a Motorola MCS2000 UHF in my VX and a kenwood TM218. I can send photos if u want. I'd recommend getting a remote head unit much easier to install. For power all i did was run a 20A cable from the battery under the car and up there a grommet in the boot near where the fuel tank is. The actual unit is in the boot and i got a lip mount antenna on the boot lid. Then ran the remote head wires under the seats and carpet to the front. To some work and removed the center console and rear seats. Then just make up a ground wire to something metal in the boot. Works great. P.S i ran the wire inside plastic conduit and clamped it to the under floor. Used silicone sealant to seal the hole where the wire came in through the grommet.

mate you took the hard road to install this. sorry to say

[SSbeast]

mate you took the hard road to install this. sorry to say

Yeah it was hard but looks neat and i hate having the antenna up front clutters forward vision which is already bad due to the poor A-pillar design. I found the TM218 head fits perfectly where the front compartment try just under the stereo is. Looks like it was made for it. Also i don't trust the wiring from the cigarette or any harness under the dash.

[azza77]

Yeah it was hard but looks neat and i hate having the antenna up front clutters forward vision which is already bad due to the poor A-pillar design. I found the TM218 head fits perfectly where the front compartment try just under the stereo is. Looks like it was made for it. Also i don't trust the wiring from the cigarette or any harness under the dash.

Id rather the antenna mounted on the front though. This is were the trouble of the firewall comes in...

[MR_VX]

theres no troble mate just use the black rubber plug, its rubber so if you drill or cutt a hole on it tight enough it will stop the water getting in.

like i said i use to install theses as a every day job and we always used 12 from under the dash, i would say 95% of any other installer would use them. unless its a VHF and yeah you would need it from the battrey.

[azza77]

Do i have to take the dash off to get to a power supply or put the antenna through the rubber plug?

[MR_VX]

maybe you should re-read what i wrote to you in the second post

[azza77]

I got no clue on electrical wiring man. Anything past 1994 is way out of my league...

[SSbeast]

No u don't have to put the antenna through when u buy the antenna it will come with a pre-cut to length cable and a connector on it. Cut off the connector and thread the cable though the hole. yes you will need to buy a new connector and do some soldering.

[MR_VX]

yea what he said man! you can get a solder type connector but id sugguest going to some one that installs these near you and get them to crimp one on they are better then the solder type, thats what i found when working with them, same price for both as well

[azza77]

yeah i didnt actually mean putting the 'antenna' through, i just meant the cabling and were it actually goes to. Were is this rubber plug, under the glove box, behind the dash, near the pedals etc.. Get me now?

[MR_VX]

pop ur hood, look behind the passenger side strut tower you wont miss it! im pretty sure all vt/vx have it there

[Nanos]

just put new uhf antenna on my 4x4 few months back and it came with pre terminated lead except the plug was a mini fme ( ithink thats what is called) and it had the adpter to change it to a PL259. this meant i did not have to cut the lead or connector . madelife much easier to get it through grommet in firewall.

got the antenna from dicksmith. maybe shop around and you may find similar type antenna and lead.

[shiftySLE]

I cant believe people are still using UHF's, good to see, I always had one in my car then they faded out for a while, after truck driving for a few years I was hooked again, forgot how much fun they were!

[Nanos]

i have it in the 4x4 for trips away. good to be able to talk to convoy while going up tracks etc...

also carry a couple of uhf handhelds int he car for work and also if me and some mates go driving. handy to warn of any problems ahead or when getting sepperated in traffic.

[azza77]

pop ur hood, look behind the passenger side strut tower you wont miss it! im pretty sure all vt/vx have it there

Thanks mate, thats all i was looking for haha. Ill let you know how it all goes.

I cant believe people are still using UHF's, good to see, I always had one in my car then they faded out for a while, after truck driving for a few years I was hooked again, forgot how much fun they were!

I used to be a teenage UHF/HAM rat when i was younger, good to have a decent radio again.

handy to warn of any problems ahead or when getting sepperated in traffic.

Might get flammed for this, but its good to have a little legal warning on the roads for stationary and mobile police on the VHF and mid UHF bands too. Also good to have a chat on those long interstate drives too.