Beyond the pain of drilling holes for antennas on my new truck, has anyone heard of a way to connect a ham radio to the Uconnect audio? Specifically, how to get a convenient PTT function?
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Amateur radio and Uconnect
- Thread starter edrclark
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NortherLee
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Making use of the U4C's Aux-mode provides a simple solution. You'll find the details on page 38 of the Uconnect U4C manual. It requires a 3.5mm audio cable that plugs into the Aux-In Port. On my Ram the Aux-In port can be found between the USB-1 and USB-2 input ports where the center console and dash merge. Basically, connect your radio into the Uconnect system using the 3.5mm audio cable. Press the "Aux" button located on the left hand side of the touch display. Adjust the volume with your radio and/or the Uconnect U4C's volume control. 73's OM de N7RV, dit dit.
That gets the audio out of the amateur radio, now how do you get audio into the amateur radio with a push to talk, with out a microphone.
NortherLee
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There are elegant solutions available to implement remote PTT for radios such as Motorola's XTS5000. This involves a blue tooth accessory attachment to the XTS5000 that comes paired with a PTT switch one can attach to the steering wheel. I went with a wired PTT solution from a tactical radio equipment supplier. If you decide to go that route, look for a supplier that offers "strength hardened" wires. My reasoning for choosing a wired PTT is: 1) eliminates BT drop outs, and 2) fewer battery issues to manage. Oh, and I sewed a button onto my safety vest for attaching the PTT switch whereby I could operate it, in a pinch, "hands free." N7RV
That would work. I was hoping for a more integrated solution using the trucks microphone and speakers, with ptt on one of many buttons on the steering wheel. Probably too much to ask for?
The other option I was thinking of was an Apple iPhone application that would work with Apple car play, but I question whether that would be reliable.
I had to give up my Motorola toys when I retired, am now strictly amateur radio.
The other option I was thinking of was an Apple iPhone application that would work with Apple car play, but I question whether that would be reliable.
I had to give up my Motorola toys when I retired, am now strictly amateur radio.
What radios are you using and where are you mounting them in the truck? I have a 2004 Wrangler that I have a quad-band installed in... no regrets there. But drilling and cutting my 1500 Limited is a bit intimidating... I’d love to see some photos if you have them.
I setup my radio (Icom ID-880H) in my 2019 Ram... only holes I needed to drill was the one through the rubber grommet near the brake pedal for 12 volt to battery and one in the bottom connector (which was a blank on my Ram) of the right rear door of the factory harness . The worst part was fishing the antenna wire and the power wires through the factory harness and removing the right rear door panel.... lots of clips! I have the remote of the radio under the dial shifter being held on with 3M tape and have the base Velcro to the side of the center console. The mount is a diamond 9000 which has been on my last Ram the same way. I love this mount because I can go off road to go hunting or exploring a trail or a parking garage and can power down my antenna from my seat so that I am not whacking the branches with it.
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