GMRS / 2WAY RADIOS -INSTALLS

[NKYHUNTER]

So I have been thinking about installing one in the xp, but not sure where to place it in cab, anyone install their radios yet, if so, please post some pics and helpful ways to install have no idea how or where yet.

 

[JTBarlow]

Iirc yours is a Northstar so it limits dash space. If you’re only doing a radio and not coms there may be enough space under the A/C controls to cut it into the lower switch spots. You could also mount it on the top center panel on the dash. If you’re doing coms as well, the 696+ Remote 696 PLUS REMOTE HEAD High Fidelity Bluetooth Intercom would probably work well as it only takes one switch spot for the controller and the unit can be mounted under the dash.

 

[NKYHUNTER]

Ok well I would have liked to mount the antenna in the back post by drivers' side a little above the bed but decided to go with the front bumper mount and run under the tunnel into the cab, maybe under the dash or somewhere in the cab, still undecided at this point but getting there. However I do like the way this guy mounted his antenna but those clamps seem like they would fall off if a tree limb hit it.

 

[DRK47]

I mounted my VHF / GMRS radio on my ADV2 northstar to the center of the middle section rollll bar and the antannas to the left and right side on the same roll bar
I made my own mounts for all.
Pictures to follow as soon as I down load them..

 

[JTBarlow]

Ok well I would have liked to mount the antenna in the back post by drivers' side a little above the bed but decided to go with the front bumper mount and run under the tunnel into the

I just mounted the antenna through the rear of the roof. It has an o-ring seal on the base so there’s no leaks and it’s a non-ground plane antenna so no issues being mounted to plastic

 

[DRK47]

Make sure to run a groung wire to antanna per radio brand instruction. You have no ground plain.
Make sure you do not go off road in a forest area as low hanging limbs ect. will knock the antanna off or crack the roof and start a leak.

 

[JTBarlow]

Make sure to run a groung wire to antanna per radio brand instruction. You have no ground plain.
Make sure you do not go off road in a forest area as low hanging limbs ect. will knock the antanna off or crack the roof and start a leak.

It’s a non ground plane antenna. There’s no transmission or reception issues and the Swr reads good. Had it the same on my general and my radio was one of the farthest reaching in our group.

I’ve also driven through low hanging trees and shrubs that scrubbed the roof pretty good without incident
If I actually scrub a tree limb it’ll take out my scene lights long before the antenna.

 

[johndeerefarmer]

It’s a non ground plane antenna. There’s no transmission or reception issues and the Swr reads good. Had it the same on my general and my radio was one of the farthest reaching in our group.

I’ve also driven through low hanging trees and shrubs that scrubbed the roof pretty good without incident
If I actually scrub a tree limb it’ll take out my scene lights long before the antenna.

Your non ground plane antenna will never work as good as one with a real ground plane.

 

[JTBarlow]

Your non ground plane antenna will never work as good as one with a real ground plane.

Haven’t had the chance to go out with a large group of our friends yet but no communication issues with the ones I have ridden with so far. As stated previously, I had it the same on my old General, just through the plastic roof with no ground wire. There was only 2 other machines that could transmit and receive farther and one of those was another General with the antenna mounted through the plastic roof. That was out of a group of 16+ machines. Some of which I did the installs on and know they were grounded.

 

[SteelBoss]

The back mount looks great... some great ideas on places to put antenna

 

[Patyacht]

PCI is getting really close with completing their radio installation. Mounts are in fab now. Rugged just got a vehicle to work with so they are a tad behind. It will be interesting to see what they both come up with. I've seen PCI's install but not at liberty to release yet.

 

[browettm]

PCI is getting really close with completing their radio installation. Mounts are in fab now. Rugged just got a vehicle to work with so they are a tad behind. It will be interesting to see what they both come up with. I've seen PCI's install but not at liberty to release yet.

Can you at least offer up whether in your opinion it is a clean install or does one just have a radio head hanging out like a 1980's trucker?

 

[Patyacht]

Can you at least offer up whether in your opinion it is a clean install or does one just have a radio head hanging out like a 1980's trucker?

I think it looks clean. With the ADV 5 there is not a lot of options because of the AC and heater ducting etc. I think you only loose 1 switch location also.

 

[twa8000]

I think it looks clean. With the ADV 5 there is not a lot of options because of the AC and heater ducting etc. I think you only loose 1 switch location also.

What's the difference with the ADV Northstar vs the XP Northstar? 2 vs 5 seater as well. Both have the same vents and ducts?

 

[Patyacht]

I think the differences come in when comparing an AC/Heater unit vs. a non-AC/Heater unit. But I've not done a side-by-side comparison.

 

[JTBarlow]

There’s a ton of space under the dash on the Ultimates where the fan and ducting would go.
With Rugged Radios new 696 Rocker the com unit can be mounted anywhere under the dash and the controller just uses a switch spot.

Possible options for a radio mounting spot would be to cut out the switch bank under the a/c controls or they could fab an enclosure that mounts on the center panel of the dash above the Ride Command.

 

[SteelBoss]

I have PCI ... the North Star is going to make a much more challenging to come up with a radio location

 

[NKYHUNTER]

im having an issue getting the central dash out any advice of pics of it out??

 

[Slimgutrich]

Here is my set up very simple and works well

 

[NKYHUNTER]

here is the antenna setup so far ran it thru the bumper into the hood area then will run it thru the wire hole area leading into the dash, and at this point I'm stilling thinking of where to conceal the radio. plus, I only got one good arm, had surgery on the other and is making this a very slow process for me. also added front cube lights to the front bumper but Polaris hasn't released the wiring for it yet. and the dash itself having hard time figuring how to get it out without breaking it.