Radio mounting question

I mounted mine using the small holes beneath the cubby hole I believe they are there so you can hear your radion when its installed in the cubby may need to customize your radio bracket a little to line up with the holes that you want to use but better than drilling holes in someone elses truck

 

stryker or galaxy doesn't make a radio that will fit in the hole anyway , I wouldn't put any radio I wanted to work right in the Cascadia cubby hole put a thermomometer up there some time during a sunny day and you will see why

 

Yeah a buddy of mine put a connex 4600 turbo up there and dang near cooked it.

 

Have you considered using a slip-seat box like the linehaulers do? Fully self contained, just sit it on the passenger seat or the floor depending on how you have it configured, connect the power and antenna leads and away you go! Bonus: You can easily remove it when you are off duty, minimizing the risk of theft.

Doesn't take much to make one- I've seen them built into plastic tool and tackle boxes. Shop around and you can find a nice aluminum box if that's what you want.

If you are considering a higher-power rig I'd include a separate fan and vents to keep the thing cool

 

The 980 is a good radio for what it is. They greatly benefit from a good power mic, are stable on SSB and have good audio. Unfortunately they are locked down tighter than a liquor store in Salt Lake City on a Sunday morning. To date no one has successfully made any mods to them.

If all you want is a stock SSB radio then the 980 is a good choice. But if you are thinking about expanded frequency coverage, open clarifiers, greater output and all the other fun stuff we like to do with our radios then you will be disappointed.

 

You could get one of those little KL 203 amps to run alongside of that 980 and it should get out good. You can find the 980 at Amazon for about $130.

 

I wish I had some pictures for you but I don't. Freigtliner makes a dash mount, but you have to make holes in the top of the dash to use it, but it is a factory option.....check a WalMart truck next time you see one. If that is out, you can take a piece of 3/8 plywood, cut it fit on top of your dash as big as you need it. Make it deep enough to rest against the windshield so it doesn't scoot back and forth. If you can, put a little velcro on the dash and the board to help hold it in place, or use some of the kitchen shelf material under the board to keep it from scooting if you can't stick velcro to the dash. Run a tarp strap or bungie cord from each side of the board to opposite sides of the dash to hold it all in place. Since the dash is slanted, you will have to put something under the board to hold it up level with the front. Oh yeah, cover the board with some of that stuff they wrap those big speaker boxes in. this can look very neat if you take your time. Plus you can make the board big enough to mount other stuff on if you want to.

I prefer the radio on the dash anyway because you can see it better to make adjustments. If you plan on using a SSB while rolling, that would be helpful

 

Use bolts and nuts and use the existing holes if you open up the cubby you can put a but and washer on the top side