HAM Radio Install Cable Pass-through Questions

[Wdaniels85]

Just got a brand new 2025 Megacab and want to start setting up my FTM-300 (HAM radio). I have two questions, one of which I think I have the answer to from reading other threads.

First, I need 12V power in the cab for it. I think, from reading other threads, there may already be power pass-throughs? I will look under the hood to see if I have what the other thread was talking about. If that is not the case, then my second question will be answered (hopefully) with this one. Second question: I need to run an antenna wire from the cab to the front left fender. In my 1500 tradesman, it was easy. I just poked a hole in a rubber grommet in the firewall and pulled it through. What are my options to run a wire from the cab to under the hood?

Thanks for any help y'all can provide.

 

[oppizzippo]

There is a block-off plate made of plastic where the clutch would bolt up. I drilled a hole in that and used a rubber grommet like this: https://daystarproducts.com/products/daystar-ku20041bk

Info on my steup:
I have a 2m Ham radio in the cubby at the bottom of the center stack. Because I don't have the center console, lots of room for a radio down there. Here is a post I did a while back with a picture of where it is: https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?...o-to-your-ram-today.1987/page-396#post-283522

For power I'm using aux switch 2 and and using a aux switch buss bar setup from NH Overland, here's a post I made with a picture of it: https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?...o-to-your-ram-today.1987/page-396#post-283387

I ran a pair of 10awg wires out through the clutch plate. I don't have a picture, but NH overland has one on his site: https://www.nhoverland.com/products/nh-overland-wire-loom-dash-plug I'm using the aux because I want it to turn off and on with the truck and that's easy to do with the factory aux switches. If you don't have them you can run your wires through that same hole direct to the battery.

The antenna mount is a Comet brand "no-hole" fender bracket: CMA-DG3ANTNCG. I've used these on my 2 previous RAMs with great success. I plan to add NH overland's tailgate mount to add a place to mount a HF antenna. https://www.nhoverland.com/products/14-ram-hd-taillight-antenna-mount

FYI If you have a console NH overland has this: https://www.nhoverland.com/products/19-ram-hd-console-radio-mount

 

[Brutal_HO]

Thread 'In Cab Power FAQ -- AUX Switch power info -- Chassis power info'

Apr 1, 2022

This is a roll-up thread that should answer most if not all questions regarding power availability in the cab.

A lot of the credit for technical detail goes to @Jimmy07 without whose help and guidance much of this info would be hard to assemble.
There are other contributors, you know who you are. If you recognize a photo as one of yours, shoot me a PM and I'll add the credit.

PDC and AUX PDC Fuse worksheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=105565244363658163151&rtpof=true&sd=true
or here...

• Brutal_HO
• 12v power aux power dashcam fuses in-cab power radar
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Modifications and Accessories

• 
• 

 

[Wdaniels85]

There is a block-off plate made of plastic where the clutch would bolt up. I drilled a hole in that and used a rubber grommet like this: https://daystarproducts.com/products/daystar-ku20041bk

Info on my steup:
I have a 2m Ham radio in the cubby at the bottom of the center stack. Because I don't have the center console, lots of room for a radio down there. Here is a post I did a while back with a picture of where it is: https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?...o-to-your-ram-today.1987/page-396#post-283522

For power I'm using aux switch 2 and and using a aux switch buss bar setup from NH Overland, here's a post I made with a picture of it: https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?...o-to-your-ram-today.1987/page-396#post-283387

I ran a pair of 10awg wires out through the clutch plate. I don't have a picture, but NH overland has one on his site: https://www.nhoverland.com/products/nh-overland-wire-loom-dash-plug I'm using the aux because I want it to turn off and on with the truck and that's easy to do with the factory aux switches. If you don't have them you can run your wires through that same hole direct to the battery.

The antenna mount is a Comet brand "no-hole" fender bracket: CMA-DG3ANTNCG. I've used these on my 2 previous RAMs with great success. I plan to add NH overland's tailgate mount to add a place to mount a HF antenna. https://www.nhoverland.com/products/14-ram-hd-taillight-antenna-mount

FYI If you have a console NH overland has this: https://www.nhoverland.com/products/19-ram-hd-console-radio-mount

Very helpful, thank you! I will more than likely use the clutch hole as you suggested. I am going to have to do some work, though. It is very accessible from the inside. I can't even see it under the hood. There is so much stuff. My last truck was a 6-cylinder 1500 Tradesman, and I had so much room under the hood because of the lack of an engine.

My radio has a detachable faceplate, so I am going to put the main unit under the seat and put the faceplate on the dash. I ordered the mount from Bullet Point Mounting Solutions.

My truck doesn't have aux switches, so I will run power to the battery. Well, I will run it to a fused bus panel that will be connected to the battery. Does it matter which battery I use?

I had the same antenna mount on my last truck that you mentioned, and that is what I am going to use again.

Tuesday will be back into the 50's so that will be my install day. I'll come back with an update.

 

[Wdaniels85]

Thread 'In Cab Power FAQ -- AUX Switch power info -- Chassis power info'

Apr 1, 2022

This is a roll-up thread that should answer most if not all questions regarding power availability in the cab.

A lot of the credit for technical detail goes to @Jimmy07 without whose help and guidance much of this info would be hard to assemble.
There are other contributors, you know who you are. If you recognize a photo as one of yours, shoot me a PM and I'll add the credit.

PDC and AUX PDC Fuse worksheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...ouid=105565244363658163151&rtpof=true&sd=true
or here...

• Brutal_HO
• 12v power aux power dashcam fuses in-cab power radar
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Modifications and Accessories

• 
• 

Thanks! I'll get to reading.

 

[oppizzippo]

Very helpful, thank you! I will more than likely use the clutch hole as you suggested. I am going to have to do some work, though. It is very accessible from the inside. I can't even see it under the hood. There is so much stuff. My last truck was a 6-cylinder 1500 Tradesman, and I had so much room under the hood because of the lack of an engine.

My radio has a detachable faceplate, so I am going to put the main unit under the seat and put the faceplate on the dash. I ordered the mount from Bullet Point Mounting Solutions.

My truck doesn't have aux switches, so I will run power to the battery. Well, I will run it to a fused bus panel that will be connected to the battery. Does it matter which battery I use?

I had the same antenna mount on my last truck that you mentioned, and that is what I am going to use again.

Tuesday will be back into the 50's so that will be my install day. I'll come back with an update.

The positive side won't matter. For the negative, I suggest not going direct to the battery; you don't want to bypass the Battery Monitor on the negative post. There should be a short ground wire that goes to the body near the battery; use that post for your negative.

 

[Chezehead]

If it is a crew cab you can run a cable under the cab to the rear seat storage there is a body plug that you can pop out. Ive been using that for all my radios in several Rams over the years.

N9OIG