P500 GMRS/HAM antenna mounts

[Kilroy]

I am going to install a GMRS mobile and maybe a 2m/70CM dual band radio in my P500. I am curious where everyone mounts their antennas at.I have a roof and back shield on mine along with an aluminum toolbox mounted directly behind the cab on the rack.

 

[Admin]

 

[Remington]

Lots of info like crazy up top in the 🔍 heres one of many. You have to scroll through the pages to see where some have mounted them.

P1000 - Ham Radio / Comms Installation

Looking at mounting a APRS dual-band radio into the Pioneer 1000-5. I have a FTM-400 in my truck and really like it, but I'm having trouble finding a mobile unit with a IP67/67 or any type of IP rating for dust & moisture. Generally speaking, after a week of tooling around, everything in/on...

hondasxs.com

 

[Scoop]

On my P1K5, I run a Tram 1181 Dual Band NMO Mount Antenna (140-170/430-470 MHz) using an Axia Alloys Adjustable Angle 2 way Radio antenna mount (1.75" clamp for my ROPS). It's mounted on vertical ROPS back by the tailgate on the driver's side. I've oriented it so that the antenna is about 85% below the roofline and completely inside the ROPS (so nothing hits it on the left, especially if I end up leaned up against a rock wall).

You might be able to do something like that on the P500 ROPS - just make sure you get the correct sized clamp.

 

[Scrappapotamus]

The mount on your rops offset from the LED light doesn't interfere with how your radio works? Those lights throw off all sorts of noise and usually scramble radios

On my P1K5, I run a Tram 1181 Dual Band NMO Mount Antenna (140-170/430-470 MHz) using an Axia Alloys Adjustable Angle 2 way Radio antenna mount (1.75" clamp for my ROPS). It's mounted on vertical ROPS back by the tailgate on the driver's side. I've oriented it so that the antenna is about 85% below the roofline and completely inside the ROPS (so nothing hits it on the left, especially if I end up leaned up against a rock wall).

You might be able to do something like that on the P500 ROPS - just make sure you get the correct sized clamp.

View attachment 409988

The light next to. your antenna doesn't cause issues with your radio?

 

[Kilroy]

I don't know if I have room for a ROPS mount with the back and roof on my P500. I read through that thread on P1000 installations already. I was curious what P500 owners were doing.

 

[Scrappapotamus]

I would keep any antenna away from a LED light. Led lights emit some sort of noise that plays havoc with most radios that receive of transmit signals like radios were years ago if you didn't install a noise suppressor.

 

[Kilroy]

I should be good as far as lights go since I have not added any to my P500 and am also still running the stock light bulbs.

 

[Scoop]

The mount on your rops offset from the LED light doesn't interfere with how your radio works? Those lights throw off all sorts of noise and usually scramble radios

The light next to. your antenna doesn't cause issues with your radio?

Negative. All worked perfectly fine @ TO23.

 

[Kilroy]

I decided that I will go with a Comet CA2x4SRNMO antenna with a magnet mount. I will place the antenna on the metal rack for everyday use so that I can get in and out of the garage easily. I can always move it onto the tool box if I need it higher. The rack and tool box will work fine as a ground plane.

 

[Kilroy]

I got my Wouxun KG-XS20G GMRS radio mounted in the 500 last night. The radio is 25 watts and I am going to try running it from the accessory plug on the dash for now. I tested it with a short antenna and it worked okay. I will be ordering the 40" Comet CA2x4 antenna for it soon.

 

[Mudder]

My radio mount using a ROPS clamp, and the antenna on the right front fender.

 

[Kilroy]

I decided to put my radio on the dash since my current windshield does not go all the way to the roof and water comes in when I get caught in the rain. The rain is IP67 rated by I don't want to push my luck. I decided to use the metal rack in back for a good ground plane for my antenna. Even no ground plane antennas benefit from having a ground plane.

 

[Scoop]

The rain is IP67 rated

Our rain is IP69 rated. Your rain must be sissy rain.

Seriously ... IP67 will stop complete dust ingress and withstand being submerged in 1M of water for up to half an hour, so rain coming up under the roof shouldn't matter.

My AnyTone AT-778UV hangs off the ROPS in the upper left corner using RAM Mount bits.




Also use one of those Hammerhead Industries retractable microphone holders so the mic is always where it should be unless I'm using it. I connect it to the middle ROPS crossmember (behind my seat) and it keeps the mic cord above my head.

 

[Kilroy]

Seriously ... IP67 will stop complete dust ingress and withstand being submerged in 1M of water for up to half an hour, so rain coming up under the roof shouldn't matter.

This is very true. But Murphy likes to visit me at times and I like keeping him at bay.

 

[Mudder]

This is very true. But Murphy likes to visit me at times and I like keeping him at bay.

Yep, Murphy makes as many visits as Santa Clause. BTW, I chose the ROPS clamp for ease to use the radio in my truck, found a 9005 headlight plug that fits, so made a power pigtail for the trucks accessory socket.

 

[Kilroy]

I have a Wouxun KG-100G+ GMRS and a TYT TH-7800 2m/70cm radio in my Ford Escape. I am also using another KG1000G and TH-7800 as my base station radios.

If I were swapping radios to different vehicles, then I would have made everything quick disconnect.

 

[Scoop]

I have a Wouxun KG-100G+ GMRS and ...

KG-1000G Plus



That's a super nice radiddio.

 

[Kilroy]

KG-1000G Plus



That's a super nice radiddio.

Yeah sometimes my fingers don't work and I don't catch my errors. 🤪 I definitely like the KG-1000G Plus

 

[Kilroy]

Well my Comet CA-2x4RS antenna came in today and I have it mounted on the back rack of my 500. I checked SWR and the highest I got was 1.8 to 1 on the repeater channels and 1.0 on channels 1-7 and 1.5 on channels 15-22. I was getting into the local repeater just fine with the setup at 21.5 miles away.

The Comet CA-2x4SR I a multi band antenna used more for 2m/70cm but also works for GMRS. Now I just need to get a good external speaker for the radio and my setup will be complete.

 

[Scoop]

I just need to get a good external speaker for the radio and my setup will be complete.

I ran a cable with a 1/8" male jack on one end and an RCA jack on the other (put in a Y splitter to feed L and R) from the mobile radio (output jack) to the AUX inputs on my stereo head unit.

Cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097NB97YL?tag=sxsweb24-20

Y splitter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TW72KZH?tag=sxsweb24-20