2020 TRD Pro: Mobile Communications Platform Build

This is seriously impressive! wow! nicely done. looking forward to any updates. and here i am sweating over where to install a midland mini haha

 

Mod #11 - Audio Out
This is a temporary setup to get the receive audio to the front of the cab since the radios are tucked away in the vault and their internal speakers can't be heard.

The VHF/UHF Kenwood radio speaker is tucked up pretty far under the driver side dash - so far it was difficult to get a decent picture. I was able to use an existing bracket to directly attach the speaker. This is my primary radio so having it on the driver side made the most sense


The HF/VHF/UHF Icom radio speaker is mounted under the passenger dash. There wasn't much room under their so if a long legged passenger decides to stretch out they can give it a kick. This was also mounted to an existing bracket so no holes had to be drilled.

 

Mod #3.1 - Accessory Mount Update
The Kenwood control unit comes with a nice mounting plate that allows you the ability to fix it to any angled surface and then adjust the head to the proper alignment. The Icom didn't have this option, so I ended up using a RAM mount to hang it off the accessory bracket, which gave a rather wonky view of the radios.


The fix for this came from an unlikely source - my older brother! A retired military aircraft mechanic, and car rebuild enthusiast, he had every sort of tool and material to fabricate a mounting bracket for the IC-706MKIIG control unit.






Far more secure and cleaner looking mount.

 

So what mobile rigs are still laying in a pile somewhere. I know you’ve got to have some that didn’t make it into this build

 

Actually, I only have one mobile radio that was purchased for this build that didn't get installed. A Yaesu FT-857D. It got nixed because it didn't play well with the LDG auto tuner so I used the ICOM. But it's definitely not going unused either - currently on my workbench running digital modes through a Raspberry Pi, and its my portable rig when I do Summits On the Air Activation's (SOTA).

Thanks for the post.

 

Very cool install! I also love that D710. I am hoping soon they update it with DStar.. I guess a mobile version of the D74.

I find it interesting you run a 706 and the d710.. there is some freq overlap.. why not a more dedicated HF radio.. like the 891? You also mentioned a more modern version of the 706... what about the 7000, although i don't think it is nearly as reliable.

 

Thanks for the nice comment.

Regarding your question about the frequency overlap between the two rigs.

One reason is to provide simultaneous voice and data capabilities during ARES missions. For the Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb event I work the finish line station and need to have one radio for transmitting the timing results back down the mountain to the start area, with another using voice for mission coordination. We do this with Winlink Express peer to peer on 70cm running on the 706, and the other on the 2m repeater.

The other reason is the ability to do 2m SSB on the 706. We hold regular phone and cw nets on 2m in our region and the 706 is the only way I can do that. I've also been testing out using JS8Call on 2m SSB to provide keyboard to keyboard chatting with others in the area.

I'm a bit disappointed that manufactures seem to be abandoning radio configurations like the 706. Yaesu recently discontinued their FT-857D, and Icoms new IC-705 has a lot of bells and whistles but is only 10w and does not have a front panel remote head.

73,

Dan, KN0MAP

 

WOW! Nice build, this is so far above what I've done radio wise...its definitely inspiring.