Ham Radio Mount
More motorhomers are using ham radios for caravaning or keeping in touch with contacts. It sure beats CB or FRS for caravaning and distance communications.
I have a ham radio (2 meters and 73 CM) that has a detachable head. My obsession does not allow me to make more holes inside or outside. So, I made a bracket for the control head. (See photo.) I took a piece of aluminum and bent it into a V shape. Then, I slid a portion down between the vinyl siding and the door/wall. I used hook and loop fasteners to attach the head to the bracket.
The microphone is hung on a long U shaped wire bent with the ends slid down behind the vinyl. For the non-purists, a bracket could be easily screwed (Oh that hurts!) in. Wires were loomed (along with the trans cooler gauge wires) forward and under the dash.
The main unit of the radio easily fit above the engine just inside the dash. I held it down with plumbers tape and screws.
Most suggest wiring (with fuses) directly to 12 volts (battery). I found this near the fuse panel. Then, I installed a small external speaker above the engine doghouse just under the dash.
A long antenna cable feeds through an existing firewall hole and carefully under the coach along the frame and up the ladder. A bracket on the roof rack holds a 18" flexible antenna. Because it is 12 feet up, it is surprising how well it works considering the length of the cable and short antenna. (See photo.) This works great and fits with my mantra: NO NEW HOLES
Darrell Fevergeon
