Have any of you hams out there put your rig in the truck yet. Just got the Duramax 2 weeks ago and looking for a hole in the firewall to get the power cord out there....any suggestions....using an Icom 706 (original) w/Comet UHV-6 mf/hf/vhf antenna w/LDG Z-100 tuner....Preferably somewhere on the drivers side....Thanks...73 DE K3MP Mark :help2:

Yea I've got a Kenwood v7 in mine. There's a conduit (spelling?) in the firewall on the driver's side if you dig up far enough...you should be able to see it from under the hood... I use a remote mount kit for my kenwood, I have the faceplate mounted on the compartment in the middle (just below the a/c controls) with the mic jack screwed into the side of that same compartment. I have the business end of the rig mounted behind my rear seat. I'll take some pics and post them here in a bit. :)

Yea I've got a Kenwood v7 in mine. There's a conduit (spelling?) in the firewall on the driver's side if you dig up far enough...you should be able to see it from under the hood... I use a remote mount kit for my kenwood, I have the faceplate mounted on the compartment in the middle (just below the a/c controls) with the mic jack screwed into the side of that same compartment. I have the business end of the rig mounted behind my rear seat. I'll take some pics and post them here in a bit. :)

Yeah, Alinco DR135 (ARPS) & Yaesu FT 100 & a couple of hand helds - careful, that plastic panel in the lower center of the dashboard pulls off when there is too much weight on it (under the power outlets/ashtray). Power for the Yeasu runs into the back of the cab with the head up front - Alinco is through the fire wall as boozefighter76 ran his.

Ran my 12 volt cable through the same hole in firewall to a TS-450 Kenwood. But I have bad RFI problems from 2 thru 7 megs. Use a Hi-Sierra antenna. Jeff

I have a remote mounted 706MKiiG in my 2004 GMC. The best place to get through the fire wall is just to the right of the master cylinder as you look at it under the hood. First unbolt the curved brace between the fender& fire wall. Pull the plastic retainer knob off the fire wall so that you can fold the insulation back out of the way. You will find aspot there that looks like the factory may use for the clutch? ( inside you will also find a precut tab type thing in the insulation- remove this.) Drill your hole from the outside. While you have the curved brace removed , pop the plastic housing loose that fits around the fuse/ breaker box. This exposes (2) ACC posts Labled 1 & 2 You can get your heavy current for the 706 there. I am in the mobile two-way business and this works good. My problem with the Duramax & HF is injector noise on 20 meters is very bad , 40 meters is pretty good . I may have to resort to a DSP speaker if I can't get it licked.
Daryl, WB9DUC behaney@juno.com
PS I got the noise licked today for the most part. I grounded the exhaust pipe front & rear, both back corners of the cab to frame, and added a second strap to the right side of the hood. It took out 95% of the noise on 20 meters where it was bad.

Man you guys run some serious HF in your rigs! One of these days i'll upgrade to tech + (if i could only learn the code!)

Thanks guys....will look for the hole this weekend.....I have the 706 under the back seat, along with the duplexer....gonna run the antenna cable in thru the vent behind the cab. Making a plate out of stainless to mount the UHV-6 on...thanks again...will let you know how it turned out. Will take pics of the installation later. Maybe we can get a Duramax HF club going....73 de K3MP Mark

I may not have made myself real clear about the "hole in firewall" . You will have to drill a hole from the outside in the engine compartment. The only ready made hole is in the insulation inside the cabup under the dash on the firewall. it is a perated piece with a tab on it , about 1.25 inches in dia. I used a hole saw and a rubber gromet ,then silicone around the wires. I also used a 6 circuit fuse block made by Buss and mounted it above the acc.pedal. This unit has a stud on it for a heavy ga. wire to the engine comp. and also a stud for a heavy ga. gnd. This fuse block lets you create up to 6 circuits with push on spade lugs for the grounds and the fused hot leads. For my stake pocket mount- A guy in Calif. Makes dicast Aluminum "2x4" looking unit that fits down in the stake hole. It is available in NMO, 3/8 x24, & so-239 They are good and rugged. Hope this helps you and others.
Daryl WB9DUC

10 meter radio is HAM right?

TO Jhnz71, Yes 10 meters is Ham or amateur radio it is one of many bands that we amateur operators have . You must have a valid amateur license of the proper class to operate on any of the amateur bands. Others will be turned in or caught . This service is totally different than CB . If you want to learn more go to arrl.org and click on so you want to become a ham.
Daryl WB9DUC

Yes, 10 mtrs in Ham radio....starting at 28.000MHZ up into 29. turning into FM...