HF Radio Location

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Hi All,

I am looking into purchasing a Codan NGT HF Radio, but before I do, Where do you locate it neatly in a 120 Series GXL Auto?

Also, what is the ruling on the Big Codan aerial being mounted on the bullbar?

Has anyone fitted one and can show pictures?

Please advise

Stuart

[01Rod Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 01Rod]

Re: HF Radio Location

Not sure about mounting the radio or the bullbar..

But you might want to consider the kaymar rear mount for the aerial.

http://www.kaymar.com.au/press%20releases.php
scroll down the page to the prado bracket..

Rod

[jarrah7rally Member Find all posts View Profile Close jarrah7rally]

Re: HF Radio Location

Most Hf antennas are mounted near the spare wheel carrier - exception seems to be the troopie where it is fitted to the bullbar

WAPOl have been using a cradle mounted behind the centre console between front & mid row seats. Ok when travelling two up, not so sure how it would go with 2 or 3 sitting in the back seat though.

No pics - just what I have seen, nor can i take pics of them either for security reasons

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Re: HF Radio Location

Hi,

It can't go behind the centre console as that is where the rear A/C controls are on a D4D 120 Series.

Stuart

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Re: HF Radio Location

Hi Stuart,

Check with Vic Roads to see if it's legal to mount on the bull bar, some states alloy it others don't.
I think it is legal in VIC dendening on how many antennas and there size.

I you are putting draws in the back, ie Redback, Outback etc. You can mount the radio in one
of the side pods, keeps it out of the way and out of sight. It will just fit in and then if you mount
the antenna on the back door you will have no problems with the cables reaching the auto tune.

Cheers

LeighW

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: HF Radio Location

WA authorities are planning a blitz on bull-bar mounted antennas in the not too distant future. They are currently "educating" other government fleet owners to mount the Codan antenna to the rear of the vehicle.

Our Prado and Patrols have a bracket coming from behind the spare wheel carrier. Our Hilux and sedans/wagons have a bracket coming off the towbar or reece assembly. Our troopies currently have the antenna mounted on the bullbar but our fleet builder is looking at a rear mount for this vehicle also.

Having the antenna on the bullbar often results in it copping a hiding, breaking the leads, cracking the housing, smashing back into the bonnet, etc.

Most cars have the control box mounted either on the cargo barrier or under the seat. The handpiece hangs off the dash or centre console like any other 2 way handpiece.

[vk2ss55 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vk2ss55]

Re: HF Radio Location

G'day,
I'm a radio ham and fitted my Icom radio under the passenger seat with the remote head velcroed onto the centre console.
I ran the power cable from the aux batt down through the chassis and out through a convenient hole just under the passenger seat . There's an existing grommet that goes through the floor straight under the seat . I've run the cable into a little junction box with cables going to the radio and out to the fridge in the back .
Cheers
Ross

[Monty Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Monty]

Re: HF Radio Location

Hi,
I mounted the main part of the NGT under the fron seat. It is supported on aluminium U section which ensures a good earth.
A custom made bracket on the rear tyre carrier works OK New kaymar one looks good. I drilled a hole through the read door, removed the lining and all cables were then routed throught the flexible grommet in the door. All cables are out of sight behind panels until they reach the front seat area.

[PradoGXL08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradoGXL08]

Re: HF Radio Location

Hi All,

Thanks for information.

Where is the best place to locate the hand piece, given that a 120 series has a very curvey dashboard and no that much space anyway?

Stuart

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Re: HF Radio Location

I have my Codan antenna on the spare tyre bracket

The guts of the radio (an Icom IC7000) are in the left cutout.

I have the mike for another radio which is mounted under the drivers seat next to the car radio. I made a thin bracket the comes out between the trim and bends in a right angle and stuck the mike holder to it.


The head unit and mike for the IC7000 are now mounted in the sunglass holder in the roof lining. I took out the the bit that folds down and used a small RAM mount to attach the head unit. sorry no photos of that yet but can take some if anyone's interested. Its a good spot thats out of the way and if the missus is driveing I can tilt it my to sue . Also it blocks out the sun that manages to sneak through between the sunvisors.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Re: HF Radio Location

Sorry about the typing :shock:
Bit harder when standing up!

[Fredster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fredster]

Re: HF Radio Location

G'day Stuart,
Not familiar with the Codan, but I have a GME which have mounted as follows:
Main box in glove box, in small area above main glove box (box drops down for easy access with removal of a couple of screws).
Remote head is in opening in front of gear shift and screwed upward in to dash so screw holes are not visible if removed. Mike mount is screwed to front of ashtray. Power is bought through from main unit straight into the cig lighter. I have mounted a remote speaker under the passenger seat.
I now have a fully functional unit, but easily removeable, and with the purchase of a replacement ashtray from the wreckers at minimal cost, you wouldn't know it had ever been there. I can shoot through some photos if you want them, just let me know. Cheers, Mike

[Mick R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mick R]

Re: HF Radio Location

For $43 dollars you can get what is called a 'Clic-on' mount from Contact communications that you screw your mic mount to. The clic-on then slots into a gap in the dash panel just under and to the right of the drivers left side A/C vent with the assistance of some double sided tape provided. Saves making un-necessary holes, but limits the places to hang the mic. I have one and find it handy in either passenger or drivers position.


Mick

[mcgonical Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcgonical]

Waking up this old thread, I'm about to fit an HF radio (Codan 9323) in my Prado 120 and would like to see some photos - especially of the dash set-up people have settled on. I understand the sunglasses holder idea but has any done this and can they post some photos? Above the dash clock and near the ashtray are other options. I don't like the lower mountings as it makes it harder to see... Any suggestions or photos would be appreciated.

Thanks for the photos posted so far, if I go with the Kaymar spare wheel mount I can see that I'll probably rip the auto tune antenna off when I forget about it and drive into the garage. I'll need to make a point of fitting the taller front UHF antenna whenever the auto tuner is on the rear of the car!

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Hi mcgon, I have the head unit of my icon mounted in the sunglasses holder. I had to remove the swinging down part of it and made a bracket from an old phone mount. The wiring runs around under the headlining back to the unit in the back.
My mike is easily removable and just clips into the bottom of the head unit when I need it. SWMBO does not like swinging mike cords and they can be a distraction.
Will tale a photo and post ASAP.
Cheers Strahan