HF install in 80 series

[george_tlc]

I've just finished doing the initial writeup (i.e. work in progress) of my HF radio and antenna install in our 80 series.

You can find the writeup and pics at Home Page and click on the HF install tab.

One picture for the folk that like pics in threads



cheers,
george.

[Miescha]

Always interesting to see what you come up with George!

Just curious, why did you go with the 857 over the 8900? I'm looking for a second unit and I'm curious as to your thoughts.

[george_tlc]

Originally Posted by Miescha

Always interesting to see what you come up with George!

Just curious, why did you go with the 857 over the 8900? I'm looking for a second unit and I'm curious as to your thoughts.

The 857 covers HF (and 6m/2m/uhf) and all modes i.e. SSB, AM, FM, etc etc. The 8900 is FM only and covers 10m/6m/2m/uhf only. Only a tiny bit of the 10m band is set aside for FM and thus is only marginally useful. Bit tough to justify the extra $ they charge for the 8900 versus the 8800...

ALSO, to use the 10m FM capability of the 8900 you need a General class license since the FM section of the 10m band is above the technican subset of the 10m band... If you have a General license why not get a rig that opens up more of the HF options? Anyhow, that was some of the thoughts that led me to the 857.

cheers,
george.

[Miescha]

Exactly the comparison I was looking for George - thanks!

I haven't taken the exam yet (next easy nearby option in my area is June 7), so I don't even have the 8900 connected yet. I purchased it 'on the spot' when I came across a good deal on it (new in the box with remote face plate kit for $300).

I guess I'll look into the 857 as a future rig. I'll do some research on the Yaesu site to see if the 857 has the cross band repeat feature, which sounds pretty neat to me for using a hand-held while out of the truck but still getting full power transmit.

Thanks again George!

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by george_tlc

I've just finished doing the initial writeup (i.e. work in progress) of my HF radio and antenna install in our 80 series.

You can find the writeup and pics at Home Page and click on the HF install tab.

One picture for the folk that like pics in threads



cheers,
george.

I would be very interested in how that antenna functions on 40 or 75, if at all

[george_tlc]

Originally Posted by FJ40_owner

I would be very interested in how that antenna functions on 40 or 75, if at all

Tunes fine on those bands. The longer 56" whip would likely do a better job - so I'll pick one up at some point when I've had enough fun with the current whip

I'll update the the thread as I use it more and make more contacts on various bands.

cheers,
george.

[groucho]

I have done something similar to 2 80's with HF rigs. One (For my father, WØDW) has the Icom 706MKIIG, a Turbo Tuner and a Hi-Q 5-80 antenna, and the other has a FT-857D, a Turbo Tuner and a Hi-Q 5-80 Antenna. Hi-Q 5-80 is a 5" loading coil and does 6 through 80 meters depending on which whip is used, cap-hats, etc. Both antennas have custom mounts, the body's are bonded and I even went so far as to shield the plug wires with 3M copper tape. I did that because I had an S7 noise level when the car was running. My next attempt at the noise suppression is to put .01 and.1 uF caps paralleled to further suppress RFI.

If you (or anyone else here) were ever in the market again for a mobile HF antenna, I personally would recommend the Hi-Q antennas due to the fact that they use a plunger inside the coil to go up and down to change the resonant frequency of the antenna instead of changing the height of the antenna similar to how the little tarheel does. 'Course the Hi-Q is approximately $200 more than the Tarheel, so I understand that.

[groucho]

Just for those guys who want to see. No photos of the FT-857D install yet, as it is a work in progress.

Hopefully more folks get interested in the HF mobile stuff. We had a blast at Cruise Moab 2007 on Elephant Hill talking to Europe. Good trail, fun radio stuff.

[BC_FJC]

I have a hard enough time trying to keep my VHF/UHF and CB whip antennas attached to the truck when on the trail. I keep my screwdriver in the back of the truck with a tripod mount that I can deploy quickly when stopped, but am always looking for mounting ideas to go mobile HF.

I just might have to fab up a mount to keep the coil centered and below the roof line. I've bent my VHF/UHF antenna a few times mounted on the back corner.

With my current setup I'm good from 10m to 80m but if you add a Cap-Hat and/or a longer whip you don't have to use as much coil to get 80m and should be able to get a good SWR on 160m.

[Agamenon]

In a few days Me and a friend ill be mounting 857d's in both 80's also. We have the ATAS 120 antenna and it should be a fun install...

See you around!
YY5DCV