HF, VHF/UHF antenna (for HAM radio) install on my Cybertruck, works really well! 📶

[Jager]

I tried the Lido mount. It doesn't quite work for the IC-705. It is too heavy and clip is too shallow.

Aye, the IC-705 is a much larger rig than most mobile VHF radios. I wouldn't expect any kind of suction cup mount to work, given its weight. You'll probably need a fixed mount.

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[Paul Scott]

Aye, the IC-705 is a much larger rig than most mobile VHF radios. I wouldn't expect any kind of suction cup mount to work, given its weight. You'll probably need a fixed mount.

Yeah, I was hoping to find something that would hang around the screen for support and then allow the radio to slide in and use a tripod mount at the bottom to hold it in place. I might have to get something 3D printed to do it.

 

[Seagrave7]

Yeah, I was hoping to find something that would hang around the screen for support and then allow the radio to slide in and use a tripod mount at the bottom to hold it in place. I might have to get something 3D printed to do it.

There has to be a way to mount radios under the screen. Take a look at this. Not a solution but clearly other people are thinking there should be away to mount other items under the screen. I would love to mount a CB radio under the screen in the same position that you are proposing the Ham Radio mount. Are there any attachment points under the screen?

 

[Paul Scott]

There has to be a way to mount radios under the screen. Take a look at this. Not a solution but clearly other people are thinking there should be away to mount other items under the screen. I would love to mount a CB radio under the screen in the same position that you are proposing the Ham Radio mount. Are there any attachment points under the screen?

I bought one of those shelves. It only provides 1.5" and I need about 3" of clearance. But something like that.

 

[Seagrave7]

I posted this in another Thread. The Tesla Engineers clearly mounted a radio under the screen for their Baja run of the RC trucks.

From Testing down in Baja, looks like they mounted the antenna up at the top next to mounting a starling receiving antenna. Maybe the Antenna is suctioned onto the glass roof? On the inside, either a CB or Ham is mounted on the underside of the dash right under the Center Display Screen. Link to Tesla Youtube video below as well as screen shots.

 

[area51]

With just 1 watt I was able to reach Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Morocco, Spain and Denmark! Cybetruck makes the perfect ground plane for an antenna! Previous experiences with Model Y were not so good. Cybertruck is def. the quietest electric vehicle, RFI-wise.

I managed to install an HF and a VHF/UHF lip mount antennas on my Cybertruck by removing the aeroflap. Easy install. Still researching a way to route the coax in the cabin but my RG-316 cable just snakes easily through my rear door seal.

I used the Diamond KS-400 (heavy duty, 'super-gainer", lip mount), works like a charm, super stable. Select the 16ft coax option, 6ft is not enough. I used the 3/8x24 for HF and or UHFmounts for the rest.

Antenna: Little Tarheel (500watt capable) for 0-30Mhz, Comet for 144/440Mhz
Radio: IC-705, looking into installing an HF power amp as well.
Battery: floating battery for now, will try a USB-C 'trigger' for 15V, the IC-705 has no problem with 15V PSU, I used it before.

40m band --Not tested yet.
20m band -- S1-2 when truck stopped, S9 when in motion (not usable)
10/11m band -- S1-2 when stopped or in motion, almost no noise. CB radio (11m band) also works very well!.
144/440Mhz -- S1-2 clean, can be used in motion, no problem
NOTE: HVAC puts out a lot of noise on HF but not as much as on Model Y.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Ask me any question, I will be glad to help,
'73s

Can one mount this to a roof rack?

 

[area51]

Additional note: The KS-400 lipmount is kinda expensive ($89), if you want an IDENTICAL heavy huty mount in stanless steel (has much better chassis ohmic resistance), buy this one, it includes a VHF/UHF high gain antenna ($35 for both!)

Which one? There’s no link.

 

[ituner-HF]

Which one? There’s no link.

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KMSNL66?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_17

 

[area51]

Thank you.

 

[BigJackXLT]

[...]into the door jamb where there is a grommet you can pop out to run the cable inside the dashboard. [...]

I got as far as this grommet, but when I pop it out, there doesn't appear to be a path behind the dash at all; the hole opens up into the frame, nothing but a steel channel up and down behind it. Did you have to pop off panels inside the cab to find another hole in the frame to fish it through? If so, which ones?

 

[BrockN]

I got as far as this grommet, but when I pop it out, there doesn't appear to be a path behind the dash at all; the hole opens up into the frame, nothing but a steel channel up and down behind it. Did you have to pop off panels inside the cab to find another hole in the frame to fish it through? If so, which ones?

The gromet hole takes you into the black steel structural member. There's another hole like that one on the other side, an inch or two lower than the one you're looking at. That hole will get you into the area under the dash, but inside the panel at your knees. I opened up the small panel at the end of the dash, visible when the door is open, and used an antenna whip to fish between the two holes. I was able to flex the lower panel under the dash at the carpet enough to get everything to fit through. It would have been easier if the underside of the dash could come out more easily.

 

[BigJackXLT]

The gromet hole takes you into the black steel structural member. There's another hole like that one on the other side, an inch or two lower than the one you're looking at. That hole will get you into the area under the dash, but inside the panel at your knees. I opened up the small panel at the end of the dash, visible when the door is open, and used an antenna whip to fish between the two holes. I was able to flex the lower panel under the dash at the carpet enough to get everything to fit through. It would have been easier if the underside of the dash could come out more easily.

Thanks for the info about the interior hole a few inches lower. I popped loose the door trim and located it from the inside. It took some contorting, but I was able to connect the dots with a piece of pull wire. I finally have a path inside the cabin. Yay!

 

[BrockN]

Thanks for the info about the interior hole a few inches lower. I popped loose the door trim and located it from the inside. It took some contorting, but I was able to connect the dots with a piece of pull wire. I finally have a path inside the cabin. Yay!

Nice... the struggle is real! ?

 

[Millimho]

With just 1 watt I was able to reach Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Morocco, Spain and Denmark! Cybetruck makes the perfect ground plane for an antenna! Previous experiences with Model Y were not so good. Cybertruck is def. the quietest electric vehicle, RFI-wise.

I managed to install an HF and a VHF/UHF lip mount antennas on my Cybertruck by removing the aeroflap. Easy install. Still researching a way to route the coax in the cabin but my RG-316 cable just snakes easily through my rear door seal.

I used the Diamond KS-400 (heavy duty, 'super-gainer", lip mount), works like a charm, super stable. Select the 16ft coax option, 6ft is not enough. I used the 3/8x24 for HF and or UHFmounts for the rest.

Antenna: Little Tarheel (500watt capable) for 0-30Mhz, Comet for 144/440Mhz
Radio: IC-705, looking into installing an HF power amp as well.
Battery: floating battery for now, will try a USB-C 'trigger' for 15V, the IC-705 has no problem with 15V PSU, I used it before.

40m band --Not tested yet.
20m band -- S1-2 when truck stopped, S9 when in motion (not usable)
10/11m band -- S1-2 when stopped or in motion, almost no noise. CB radio (11m band) also works very well!.
144/440Mhz -- S1-2 clean, can be used in motion, no problem
NOTE: HVAC puts out a lot of noise on HF but not as much as on Model Y.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Ask me any question, I will be glad to help,
'73s

I wonder if Elon's mind is so bored without new things to focus on that he has designed the Cybertruck to multi-function as the perfect land-based version of AWACS, like a remote electronic surveillance platform.

Probably just a happy result of the other design considerations (like corrosion resistance).



I'm curious what were the main considerations with regard to deciding upon a left or right side mount.



Also curious why all the lines appear to terminate somewhere around Vancouver, BC. while your profile says you live in California.

 

[Millimho]

With just 1 watt I was able to reach Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Morocco, Spain and Denmark! Cybetruck makes the perfect ground plane for an antenna! Previous experiences with Model Y were not so good. Cybertruck is def. the quietest electric vehicle, RFI-wise.

I managed to install an HF and a VHF/UHF lip mount antennas on my Cybertruck by removing the aeroflap. Easy install. Still researching a way to route the coax in the cabin but my RG-316 cable just snakes easily through my rear door seal.

I used the Diamond KS-400 (heavy duty, 'super-gainer", lip mount), works like a charm, super stable. Select the 16ft coax option, 6ft is not enough. I used the 3/8x24 for HF and or UHFmounts for the rest.

Antenna: Little Tarheel (500watt capable) for 0-30Mhz, Comet for 144/440Mhz
Radio: IC-705, looking into installing an HF power amp as well.
Battery: floating battery for now, will try a USB-C 'trigger' for 15V, the IC-705 has no problem with 15V PSU, I used it before.

40m band --Not tested yet.
20m band -- S1-2 when truck stopped, S9 when in motion (not usable)
10/11m band -- S1-2 when stopped or in motion, almost no noise. CB radio (11m band) also works very well!.
144/440Mhz -- S1-2 clean, can be used in motion, no problem
NOTE: HVAC puts out a lot of noise on HF but not as much as on Model Y.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Ask me any question, I will be glad to help,
'73s

Hi from over here in W5 land. I purchased the Diamond mount (NMO). How do you remove the Aeroflap to get access to the set screws on the mount? A closeup photo might help. Anxious to get the electrons outside the glass!

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