Inside the '89 Jeep Cherokee

Close up photos with more detail are available by clicking on the radios.   Check out my '98 Wrangler radio installation too!

This is an interior shot of my Cherokee. Both radios are detached from their front panels. They and the 2 meter amplifier occupy space underneath the rear seat. The tri-band (TM-742) Kenwood FM rig was the first radio installed and it got the "best" spot adjacent to the steering column. I use a Diamond mobile antenna that covers 6M, 2M, and 70CM. It is a great antenna, and the fold-over feature allows me to park the Jeep in the garage (as long as I remember to fold it over when I am suppose to).

The Icom 706 was installed later. The HF output of this radio is handled through the the SG-230 automatic HF antenna coupler, which is located in the rear of the Jeep. The coupler feeds a 9' mobile whip that is mounted on the right rear quarter-panel. I picked the antenna coupler up shortly after putting the 706 in the Jeep.  I tried a few resonator type monoband antennas (aka Hustler), and was not overly impressed with the results.  I also tried a manual tuner w/ SWR meter and found that to be a dangerous distraction.   With the 230's microprocessor tuning and some 500 memories, it is really fast and easy to use when rolling down the road.  I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a safe and easy mobile setup. 

The NIR-12 digital signal processor is mounted behind the passenger seat and drives the speaker mounted on the shifter housing.  Quite a bit of my SSB mobile operation is done while driving around town. The DSP was a must in order to get rid of the power line and industrial RF noise. I recently installed a M2 6 meter SQLOOP antenna and a 2 meter mini-loop for sideband operation.. A 100W Mirage power amp gets the 2 meter signal up to full output. I am having a lot of fun with this mobile setup.

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