Position of fixed radio in different vehicles.

[Paul#25]

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With the club radio policy advising the use of a fixed radio on ORRA frequencies, a few members have now bought radios for their vehicles.
The positioning of the radio for ease of use, available space and doing as little damage to the interior trim is a hot point of discussion at the moment.
Post a description or photo of where you have your radio fitted in your vehicle and the reasoning behind it's placement. This could assist others with a similar vehicle to follow your example or modify it for their needs.
There has been discussion on antenna placement with some of the pro's and con's for different places but you can add info like that too. Another point is where have you taken the power feed from and is it switched or un-switched with the car's ignition switch.

I have fitted the small radio I have on the side of the centre consul just ahead of where my knee is when driving. It's out of the way there and the antenna, power and extension speaker wiring are easily routed to under the dash. The mike clip is further back closer to the seat on the side of the centre consul. Power to the radio is from a switched 20 amp accessory feed on the Disco's fuse panel below the dash. The antenna cable and speaker wire route from under the dash up the right "A" pillar to behind the ceiling panel. The speaker is attached to the plastic trim between the rear view mirror and sunroof that houses the sunroof switches. The speaker is attached directly to the panel with 3 small self tapping screws into the back of the speaker, not using it's supplied bracket. The antenna cable is routed along the right side behind the edge of the ceiling panel then to the standard Land Rover antenna hole in the aft roof area.
This installation works for me in the Disco 2 for ease of operation and doing the least damage possible to the interior of the vehicle.

If anyone needs a hand with wiring, plugs, fuses and bits to install (not MOUNT Manny) their radios, give me a shout. I have a good stock of some of the stuff that was given to me.

[Saxj]

I have a radio with a remote face. The unit is bolted under the passenger seat, the face is screwed to the gear lever surround, i.e between the seats of the Jimny. The mic just lies on the transmission tunnel for now. The unit is permanently powered by the auxiliary battery (shuts off automatically if not used for a while). The antenna is mounted on the roofrack. I still need to fit an external speaker, the Jimny makes quite a noise at highway speeds. Pics to follow.....

[KurtG]

Paul’s installation in his Disco 2:

[Paul#25]

Fanks Kurt.

[BushWacker]

Position radio wrt
reading and adjusting station controls etc
it not being ‘in the way’ or easily damaged
avoiding excessive installation damage to car
it being readily connected to power source
sheathed aerial line pathed to it (& not kinked ...)
the coiled mike line not too long/stretched
an accessible anchor pt for the mike on its bracket

One can get nice ‘small’ mikes that clip on
your breast pocket and one talks to them there
whilst depressing the button ...

... possibly , in 4*4AG. , a microphone should be
a conferred privelege rather than being universal ...

[Paul#25]

Position radio wrt
reading and adjusting station controls etc
it not being ‘in the way’ or easily damaged
avoiding excessive installation damage to car
it being readily connected to power source
sheathed aerial line pathed to it (& not kinked ...)
the coiled mike line not too long/stretched
an accessible anchor pt for the mike on its bracket

One can get nice ‘small’ mikes that clip on
your breast pocket and one talks to them there
whilst depressing the button ...

... possibly , in 4*4AG. , a microphone should be
a conferred privelege rather than being universal ...

On the radio I've got the mike and cable are part of the radio and not a plug in type.

[KurtG]

To solve the problem of where to place my handheld microphone jobbie I removed the knob from the back of the handheld jobbie and superglued a washer to the back.

I then let it magnetize to my dash dock magnet that I use for the phone.

I am contemplating another dash dock magnet so that I can use the phone and handheld simultaneously within easy reach while travelling.

Genius pappa!

[XJ Junkie]

Kurt will that magnate hold it during off-roading, whilst your vehicle is bumping around?

[KurtG]

Yes, it is surprisingly strong. And the hand unit is very light

[XJ Junkie]

Interesting. I hope it works because I also don’t want to drill holes in a dash for the microphone holder.

I usually just throw the mic over my rear view mirror when not in use. When offroad, I just put the mic in my lap.

I learned this from Radio Helfrich.

[Bugger]

To solve the problem of where to place my handheld microphone jobbie I removed the knob from the back of the handheld jobbie and superglued a washer to the back.

I then let it magnetize to my dash dock magnet that I use for the phone.

I am contemplating another dash dock magnet so that I can use the phone and handheld simultaneously within easy reach while travelling.

Genius pappa!

That magnet dock is Clever Genius Pappa

I also hang my mic over my Rear view mirror when not in Use in my Syncro

But need to look at getting a Base radio install for my Suzuki SJ410
Any Ideas there and Radio options
I do have my ORRA license
Sorted


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[Mike Nel]

29Mhz on left and and Vhf on right

[BushWacker]

Pictures showing Kenwood radio Mike bracket
and its positioning in Defender...

Radio itself can be seen to left and lower
than gear-change lever boot ...
sits vertically on side of the transmission tunnel ,
on passenger side.