Earlier this year, I decided to downsize from my crew cab 4th generation RAM 2500 to a quad cab 5th generation RAM 1500. This new-to-me truck was smaller in size, and I prefer not to have a lot of wires everywhere. I was considering not putting a mobile ham radio in this truck. Recently, I became interested in APRS and decided I wanted a mobile in my truck, but with the limited space, the install was going to need to be super clean.
This install would be performed over a series of smaller install sessions, and I would take my time and not rush through it. I decided I would install my Yaesu FTM-510DR with a separable faceplate; the body would go in the very rear of the truck. The first project I decided to tackle was power. I ran power directly from the battery, through the brake booster grommet, to behind the driver’s side kick panel.
Behind the kick panel, I installed dual 25-amp fuses, one for each side of the circuit. The circuit then continues to the rear of the truck, where it eventually connects to the radio body. This wire was hidden under the door molding trim. All of the electrical connections have crimped connectors installed and are shrink-wrapped for extra durability. The body factory mount was bolted to the frame, and the body slid into the mount securely.
On my last truck, I had a mag mount. I didn’t like the look of it, and it left some fine scratches on the top of the truck. I also had the cable dangling in the door; I just shut the door on the cable. THIS IS A BAD IDEA, DON’T DO THIS. Take it from me, I had an ICOM 5100 burn up from water traveling down a mag mount cable that was shut in the door.
On this truck, I decided to go with a TRAM 1191 through the glass antenna. This was a super easy install, it looks great, and after a few QSOs, it seems to work great. I was able to route the cable from the interior module of the TRAM 1191 through-the-glass antenna directly to the radio body just a couple of feet away. Super clean and minimal wire routing made this super convenient.
To get from the body of the radio under the rear seat to the radio head in the front of the truck. I purchased a 20-foot CAT-8 cable from Amazon. I ran this cable under the center console to the driver’s side area behind the dash. I popped the dash off and pulled the cable up from behind the dash and down into the center console. I mounted the head using a custom s-hook that grabs the spot in the rubber designed to hold smartphones. So far, so good. I love the clean look of this install, and it works great.
Below is a demo of the FTM-510DR in action.
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