Mobile Ham Radio Truck Install in RAM 1500 with Yaesu Radios, ATAS-120 and Tarheel antennas

A couple of folks have asked me about my mobile setup, so I put together a quick video to show some of the highlights of what I have going on. Im set up for SSB, FT-8 and CW, as well as FM on 2m and 440. My main rig is the FT-891 that I have the face remote mounted on a custom mounting rig (that I also sell in my etsy store, but just contact me if interested).
I mostly use my ATAS-120 antenna and have had great results with it. I just worked Russia the other day (see some of my "shorts" here on youtube).
The hitch mount for the Tarheel is custom and designed to also be used to accept my push up mast. I wanted to keep the installation as stealth as possible, and when the antennas are stowed, its hard to tell that I do anything with radio.

Any questions - let me know.
73 and CW on!
TJ

[CORKO]

nice set up my man! the wiring give met a but of anxiety but over all very impressive.

[Kdbpy]

Btw....im thinking your engine is already grounded (usually) to the frame....and seems to me the cable for the tailgate might be a ground as well. But you could pop a grpund strap from engine mount to frame and run a strap behind both bolts and shrink wrap to the tailgate cable a thought

[RockyMTHirvi]

Where did you run the 30 amp power supply from/route/through for the FT-891 ? I have the same radio. Hesitate to drill a hole through existing wiring boot in the firewall. Wasn't sure if there's an extra female power connection under the dash or did you run new wires directly from battery? I have Ram 2017 SLT. Very much like you truck. Just no center council. Thanks

[mark.]

Another reminder that 3D printing is pretty amazing. Solutions to all kinds of mounting issues! What's your Etsy account/store?

[rjmendoza]

So you think the ground is causing interference with the shunt and element?

Have you tried the coil connected with out ground from the hitch?

[Kdbpy]

Pretty sweet!....im gather stuff to do stealth ham on my Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle. Wanna get busy doing POTA from the bike. Love the thought process....well thought out.

[brokebit]

Sweet setup! Smart move on the grounding straps. Does your truck's stereo have an AUX input? Maybe you can pipe the audio from the radios through that and get rid of the speaker box and few more cables?

[stahpit]

Thats a great setup. The ram boxes almost make me want to buy a fiat HAHA just kidding I would never buy a fiat LOL they really are perfect for ham radio though. Thanks for posting, I'll be stealing several of your ideas.

[dj_saint]

How can we find you on Etsy for the mount? Is it your call sign

[warrenbryant]

how did you run your 12volt dc. I really like your set up we have a 2020 Ram ECO diesel that we plan on running mobile, my last mobile was a 95 Dodge 2500 that ran a screw driver ant. we also grounded everything like you did

[terrymeyer]

For the life of me I don't understand why being able to talk long distance in a vehicle is fun. Mobile is for local. I run a cb and vhf/uhf in my truck only. I want info when driving, not chasing dx.

[heiser_bill]

Thanks for sharing. Could you also mount the ATAS-120 to the hitch mount (instead of the Tarheel)?

[marcusalancate]

Is your truck hood steel or aluminum? My 2015 Ram hood is not steel.

[davidcampbell]

Beautiful install. Gives me so many ideas for my ram rebel radio install. May take you up on the cupholder for the 891. Great job!

[McGerkFishOutdoors]

Very clever installation. You've given me some cool ideas for mine. My only question is where do you put your coffee when you're broadcasting...lol? 73's from Florida

[sweetbushstudiochannel]

How did you secure the FT-891 mounting plate to your floorboard? Did you use self taping screws? Velcro?

[homeaudiosecuritydesign.]

Nice setup I had this same set up on my ram, now in a Silverado and grounding everything like you did makes a huge difference in Swr and noise .. I never did my bed gate or engine, or doors, but now from
Watching your video I’m doing it.. that’s why I watched .. thanks

[idostuff-nfpc]

Really nice.. How did your route your ATAS/Diamond coax to the radio... being on the back side of the door

[Subgunman]

I like the anti tailgating device you made. Made a similar device going to a square tubing about 3’ up to the Little Tarheel II mount. Somewhere I have another adapter that allows me to use the stackable aluminum military mast. Also have a ring that fastens to the last mast piece that allows me to do a tension guy for the mast every 120° around the mast.
Camera!? 😅😅😅 if they believe it!

[JOHN_COSMO]

Pretty awesome shtf is coming... Should mad Max it up get a grill cow killer lol