Installation of UHF in GU Patrol - Suggestions.

The higher you mount the aerial the better it will perform. You won't be getting a very good signal behind you with the aerial mounted at bumper height. I would be getting a tag welded on the bar, and mounting an elevated feed ground independent aerial such as a GME. -Steve

I've mounted the head of my GME 3400 where the ashtray sits. I removed the ashtray, fitted a dummy panel and mounted the UHF head there. The main part of the UHF sits under the passenger's seat. A speaker is mounted under the dash. If the unit is later removed, I just put the ashtray back and no holes are evident anywhere.
Re antenna, if you are only using it for convoy work, where range of only a couple of kms is required, then you can get away with the antenna mounted wherever you like. I just use a 3db whip on the bull bar and it works fine for my needs. If you want range, then a 6db or 9db whip, pref on the roof, with, say, a mag base. Also remember that the longer the coax cable, the more the losses.
Gerry

Another option is to mount the main unit to the back of the centre console where the ashtray is and mount the remote head on the side of the console near the gear lever.

if your patrol is without passenger airbag, you can remove the panel, after the glovebox is temp removed to access screws. this area can be used to mount the main body. i have had the remote head fitted at the bottom of the dash, under the heater controls, with solastic for several years.
there is a kit for converting the airbag space.
a search of the archives might reveal the makers.
cheers howie.

I used a dash pod, available from most 4WD shops, try consoles.com.au. GME sell clamp on aerial mounts for your bullbar so that you do not have to weld one on.
Regards Rob

Take the opportunity to replace the crap radio with an MP3 player, single din, then place the UHF on the dash below that.

As for ariel, get a tab welded to the bar, and never have to worry again.

Currently have the same problem of where to fit the uhf to a GU4 patrol.

Did not really want to drill holes if I can help it, so was looking at installing the body under one of the seats and the head on the console just in front of the gear stick (probably held in place with double sided tape).

However saw one yesterday with the head mounted just under the heater controls (which would involve drilling some holes), but it looked very neat. Not looking at getting rid of the car any time soon anyway so what is a few little holes (it just hurts to start drilling holes into a 3 month old car and the missus will kill me).

I put my Icom in an over head console...

I wish now, however, that I had replaced the stereo with a half decent MP3 jobbie with the money I spent on the console and put the Icom in a DIN mount in the dash.

I also have one of the 'false' units. after living with it for 6 months I believe that they are a great idea, but I could have done a better job myself.

Good luck with it

EBAF,

The 'main box' for my 3400 GME Electophone is mounted in the cavity below the ash tray in the rear seat. Completely out of site.

If you remove the rear seat ash tray and have a look below inside the cavity, you will see where I am referring to. By removing 4 screws the panel comes off. The bracket for the radio is mounted against the back of the centre console bin.

Regards

nrb748

Hi EBAF,
If you haven't already got your radio, then consider a comercial radio like the Motorola Syntrx. It has all the controls on the mike, so you only have to mount the mike onto your dash and the rest goes under the seat, or like mine, on the cargo barrier. Also the Syntrx can be programmed for almost any UHF frequencies and is 25 watts. They usually sell on ebay for around $150, but go for the "Plus" model with scan and duplex features.

Chaz

TX3400 GME with the remote head....
Mount the head at the bottom of the middle of the dash where the underhang touches the centre console....
Two little screws can easily hide under there with the main part of the unit cable tied under the dash because it weighs nothing it can be tied around a big loom...
How easy is that?.....
When it is taken out you would see no evidence of anything...

Just a thought, marine systems have a vhf/amfm radio in the one - I think someone should go about inventing one of these for uhf - huge market out there, unobtrusive, fits in all vehicles std cavity etc etc. One may already exist, but I haven't seen it. (someone will go and make one now and make squillions, 1 in most trucks and 4wds in the world, what a market!)

Cheers Andrew

Another option is where I have mounted my UHF above the overhead console with the controller at the back of the console. The main unit is basically above the sunglass holder between it and the mirror.

The mic bracket is on the side of the controller with the lead looped around the rear view mirror. I can usually speak into the mic with it on the bracket.

Its out of the way easy to use and has minimum holes. originally it a quick fit when i bought the radio on holiday to Perth but it has become a permanant setup as I now dont need to buy another console.

JamieMac

I put my remote head GME under the driver seat for the main unit and velcro'd the head unit under the overhead console where the reading lghts are. I fixed the microphone holder into the head lining and wrapped the cord around the mirror. This did not interfere with rear vision.

Cheers

A few pics here:

Radio mounting in Patrols