2012 Nissan Frontier: Yaesu FT-7900R Install

This page details the installation of my Yaesu FT-7900R Dual Band (2m/70cm, 144MHz/430MHz), Mobile, Ham Radio in my 2012 (Gen2) Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. I wanted a clean, professional, looking install but I didn't want to make any permanent modifications to my vehicle. I doing this project I took advantage of my recent DIY Utili-Track.

Assumptions

1. You want a really clean looking install and are willing to put in a bit of extra work
2. You don't want to make any permenant modifications to the vehicle

Grocery List

• Yeasu FT-7900R Dual Band Mobile Transceiver
• Yaesu YSK-7800 Separation Kit
• Comet SSB-5NMO Dual Band NMO Antenna
• A right angle Trunk Mount NMO Bracket
• A 17' NMO to PL-259 RG58 Cable (Don't go too much shorter than 17'. 15' would be the absolute minimum)
• (optional) NMO Weather Cap
• Liquid Electrical Tape
• Zip Ties
• Factory Installed Utili-Track™ or a DIY Utili-Track solution.
• 2x 10-24 Spring Nuts
• 2x 10-24 Pan Head Screws (approx 1" long)
• 2x #10 flat washers
• 2x #10 split (lock) washers
• a piece of scrap metal at least 1.6" x 1.6" inches square (see The Antenna)
• 1/8" Hex Key
• A Drill & a 13/62" Drill Bit
• Wrench/Socket Set
• 130W+ Soldering Iron (possibly optional, see Basic Information)
• Solder
• (optional) Solder Braid
• (optional) Solder Flux

Basic Information

• If you don't know how to solder or don't have the soldering tools available you can try a cable like this Comet CK-3NMO which *SHOULD* allows you to complete the install without cutting & resoldering the NMO connector. This might be a good idea anyhow as the solder was a huge pain in the ass. The large chunk of metal that is the NMO connector is a terrific heat sink...
• If you decide to mount the antenna anywhere else but where I've selected you'll need more RG-58 Cable!

Directions

Click on any photograph for a larger view.

The Antenna

I chose to use an NMO type antenna because I think they are the most professional looking install. Additionally I decided to mount the antenna on my recently installed Strut Channel. This had a couple advantages: 1.) I didn't have to drill any holes in the vehicle. 2.) I could use my cool new Strut Channel :) 3.) It placed my antenna such that it is almost exactly the same height as the factory AM/FM Radio Antenna. The broad order of this install isn't too important. I chose to figure out the NMO mount 1st and the move on to running the cable.

1. The NMO Mount
   1. Drill out the 2 bottom holes on the NMO Right Angle Bracket using the 13/64" Drill Bit. This will give clearance for the 10-24 screws.
   2. Make a washer plate
      1. Cut out a 1.6" x 1.6" square from a piece of scrap metal (I used a Guillotine Sheet Metal Shear for this).
      2. Draw a line across the center of the square.
      3. Use the NMO Right Angle Bracket as guide to mark where to drill 2 holes in the square (along your center line).
      4. Drill out the 2 holes you marked off using your 13/64" Drill Bit.
   3. At the end of all this, you should have the following parts: 2 #10-24 screws, 2 #10 flat washers, 2 #10 lock washers, 2 10-24 spring nuts, washer plate, NMO Right Angle Bracket, & 1/8" Hex Key
      
   4. Take everything to the back of the truck and install the NMO bracket into the Strut Channel on the Driver's side.