I've had this set up for some time now, but I thought I'd post a couple of pics for those of you that may be looking for an alternative install location for your Ham or CB radios. I used the "pocket" kit that gives you a worthless 3 CD case pocket and used a Dremel to cut off the back end of it so that the pocket had no back end. I then took a coping saw and ran the blade through the body and cut off the little tabs that seperate the CD's from each other.

After this the Yaesu FT-7800 was a perfect fit. I did put a couple of strips of double sided mounting tape on the bottom just to keep things from shifting on the bumpy roads, but it's a pretty tight fit already. This radio has some heatsink on the top, but it also has a fan on the backside. I don't run on high (50 Watts) very often, but I think it would be fine from time to time. I'm not too concerned about it.

Of course, on top is the Panasonic DXZ-545MP with the SIR-CL1 external Sirius tuner. This combo has been with me for a while, and while outdated by today's standards, it's still dependable.

 

Do you have an external speaker attached? I've thought about something similar on my 85 for my TMG-707a but was worried about cooling and the speaker. I'm thinking about adding an external speaker above the seat just behind the door if I go this route.

 

id be worried about cooling. my FT-8800 is mounted to the top of the dash and regularly has the little fan cut on to cool it...

 

I thought about a similar mounting location as well. I figured I'd try this location first, and if I needed it, I'd remount it. As for heating, I'm not too concerned. I have a FT-5100 with even less heatsink, and though it runs warm, it's never hot enough to do damage. Unless you're really long-winded and talk on high power all the time, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the time I'm on one of the mid ranges if not low power (5W). Here's a pic of the current speaker location.



And a recommendation of a good affordable external speaker.
http://universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/3472.html

 

My Kenwood is mounted under the glove box right now with my CB, but it gets in the way if I have taller people riding with me. I hardly ever use anything other than low power since I use mostly repeaters, but do occasionally if using simplex freqs. I need to look into a speaker anyways, and I like the one you linked to. How's the quality? A lot of guys in my area use the Radio Shack speakers. That is a nice price on that one.

 

I've been extremely happy with it. The link I sent you isn't the same as the one in the pic, but I use that one in the main hamshack on my FT-5100 mobile. The one in the pic is smaller than that one, but the MFJ has a far superior sound quality. I happened to have this one around, but if I had to purchase one all over again, that MFJ is the one I'd buy.

I do a little simplex work on high power as well, but as long as you aren't long winded, I don't think there is anything to worry about.