Acura TSX FT-90 Install
I decided I wanted to install a dual band 2m/440 amateur radio in my 2005 Acura TSX. I've seen other installs on the web, and after seeing them, I decided my design goals would be:
- Balance - I think the TSX has nice aesthetics, and I don't see the point of screwing them up with a bunch of wires and holes.
- No external holes
- Stealth, so that it wasn't obvious to see that radio gear was installed, particularly when it wasn't in use.
The highlights are:
- Used an FT-90 with the remote mount head separation kit. Note that if you have an FT-90 and don't own a separation kit, try to get one sooner rather than later. They have been discontinued, but some dealers still have one or two in stock.
- Mounted the main radio in the trunk on the under side of the deck near the nav DVD unit.
- Used double-sided tape to mount the control head to the inside of the storage cubby under the nav display. This way, when the lid is opened, the control head is visible, and when closed you can't see it.
- Mounted a Motorola commercial comm speaker under above where the front passenger's feet would be.
- Ran the microphone to come up through the center console so it stores in the top shelf of it behind the change holder.
- Used a very small dual-band mag mount designed for use with an HT. It uses a magnet about the size of a Hershey's Kiss, and I put it on the edge of the trunk lid right behind the center brake light.
Here's the view in the trunk showing the FT-90 radio unit and also the mag mount antenna in stowed position. The radio is mounted into the deck using one existing, unused hole and one drilled hole into the deck.

Here's a shot with the antenna in operating position. This isn't the best antenna performance-wise, but works fine for local repeater work. It also is hard to see unless you're really looking for it.

The control head is installed under the lid of the storage area with double-sided foam tape. For at least the past 6 months, it's held up great. It's also very easy to reach here, especially with your hand being near the shifter on the 6 speed fairly often.
And a closeup of the control head. The control wire for this is run through to the back of the storage compartment. I drilled a small hole at the bottom, right rear corner of the storage cubby to feed the wire through.

Here's the microphone, put in the top shelf of the cell phone/storage area. It fits great, and the storage closes fine over it.
Here's the speaker, mounted above the area of the passenger's feet. Since it's black, and similar texture to the factory TSX plastic, it really doesn't show very much. The flash from the camera makes it appear more visible than it is in real life.

To get the wires from the rear to the front, you'll need to remove the bottom of the rear seat. You can push the seat towards the back of the car with your knee while lifting up on the front edge. You'll feel the seat come loose, then it can be lifted out.
Fish the wires through the carpet with a coat hanger of fish tape into the console area. That's where the microphone connection is. The power, speaker, and control head wires then continue up the side of the console cover to end up under the dash.
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