Anyone have any experience mounting any kind of communications gear in a
2001 (or later) Nissan Frontier? I've found that its very hard to find
anywhere to mount the radio (FT-100D)... Looking for any and all
suggestions!

Thanks,

Jason
KB5URQ

Jason,
Though not HF, I did install a 2M/70cm rig in a 2001 Frontier ........
after much thought and snooping for a way to feed the cables. First
off, do you have an extended cab or crew cab?

What I did was use the space under the jumpseat (I have the extended
cab model) to mount the 'rf deck', it is attached to the metal that is
the sub-structure for the jump seat. Then to get power to the radio I
hooked up to the battery (each lead fused - of course) out from the
engine compartment and into the channel used for the frame. Pulled
the wire through the frame and as luck would have it there is a hole
almost right under the extended cab. Luck was going my way as there
were two holes already drilled (and tapped for gosh knows what
accessory) and ran the positive through one and the negative the
other. Having only the 'basic radio/cd player' there is a nice cutout
below the radio that the remote head now sits in and the mike comes up
next the the driver's seat. That part was the easy part, then it was
on to installing an antenna without drilling. This is much easier on
VHF/UHF as I used a Diamond mount on the hood, no drilling needed
there either. To route the cable, there is a removable plate about
1.5 inches square near the steering column, removed the plate &
drilled a hole & voila the cable was in the cab. Routed the cable
under the plastic trim on the bottom of the door opening and then into
the back of the cab and to the radio. Do everything possible to keep
your antenna leads away from the the main electrical harness which I
recall being near the shift console. Works fine for me, no alternator
whine on the radio and no failure of vehicle elctronics when I
transmit. On my last Nissan I had to move the UHF antenna as keying
up would drive the electronic ignition berserk - nothing like keying
up and dropping 20 MPH in speed while on the freeway!

I realize that you will have a few other issues to work with the HF
installation vs VHF/UHF, but I do hope that my installation gives you
a good starting point and allows you to minimize drilling.

Best of Luck & 73,
Howard KE6MAK
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 19:28:48 -0600, "Jason Dugas"
wrote:

Anyone have any experience mounting any kind of communications gear in a
2001 (or later) Nissan Frontier? I've found that its very hard to find
anywhere to mount the radio (FT-100D)... Looking for any and all
suggestions!

Thanks,

Jason
KB5URQ

Jason,
Though not HF, I did install a 2M/70cm rig in a 2001 Frontier ........
after much thought and snooping for a way to feed the cables. First
off, do you have an extended cab or crew cab?

What I did was use the space under the jumpseat (I have the extended
cab model) to mount the 'rf deck', it is attached to the metal that is
the sub-structure for the jump seat. Then to get power to the radio I
hooked up to the battery (each lead fused - of course) out from the
engine compartment and into the channel used for the frame. Pulled
the wire through the frame and as luck would have it there is a hole
almost right under the extended cab. Luck was going my way as there
were two holes already drilled (and tapped for gosh knows what
accessory) and ran the positive through one and the negative the
other. Having only the 'basic radio/cd player' there is a nice cutout
below the radio that the remote head now sits in and the mike comes up
next the the driver's seat. That part was the easy part, then it was
on to installing an antenna without drilling. This is much easier on
VHF/UHF as I used a Diamond mount on the hood, no drilling needed
there either. To route the cable, there is a removable plate about
1.5 inches square near the steering column, removed the plate &
drilled a hole & voila the cable was in the cab. Routed the cable
under the plastic trim on the bottom of the door opening and then into
the back of the cab and to the radio. Do everything possible to keep
your antenna leads away from the the main electrical harness which I
recall being near the shift console. Works fine for me, no alternator
whine on the radio and no failure of vehicle elctronics when I
transmit. On my last Nissan I had to move the UHF antenna as keying
up would drive the electronic ignition berserk - nothing like keying
up and dropping 20 MPH in speed while on the freeway!

I realize that you will have a few other issues to work with the HF
installation vs VHF/UHF, but I do hope that my installation gives you
a good starting point and allows you to minimize drilling.

Best of Luck & 73,
Howard KE6MAK
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 19:28:48 -0600, "Jason Dugas"
wrote:

Anyone have any experience mounting any kind of communications gear in a
2001 (or later) Nissan Frontier? I've found that its very hard to find
anywhere to mount the radio (FT-100D)... Looking for any and all
suggestions!

Thanks,

Jason
KB5URQ