Any ideas for Ham radio products and installation for my FJC? I want simple function, affordable, and ease of installation. Everything I have read on the forum thus far has not helped me to narrow down anything about this. 
Clueless re: Ham radio
- Thread starter Voodoo FJ
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Also, researching quicker ways to air up. I want to go the CO2 route and am considering buying a 20-pound tank kit from Offroad Air (aka, The Source) which would cost about $400 (model OAC-MAXKIT 20 Comp). I also like the Power Tank (model TP 20 5450 package B) for about $600. Any comments on these or other recommendations?
As far as the ham goes, check the electronic toys section of mud, there were a few posts of installs in FJC's. I would highly recommend the Yaesu 8800 for a radio.
Daisy
Daisy
Ditto. The FJ8800 is a great radio. At first I didn't think I would ever need dual receive ... but I learned the silliness of my ways.
For CO2, I would not get a 20# tank and would suggest the 10#. I would also consider Ultimate Air with the simple regulator over Powertank with the dual gauges. For a mounting bracket I prefer the Powertank bracket over the Ultimate Air. I have both if you want to see them.
1911
chupacabra
Any ideas for Ham radio products and installation for my FJC? I want simple function, affordable, and ease of installation. Everything I have read on the forum thus far has not helped me to narrow down anything about this.
FWIW, here is a write-up of my Yaesu FT-2800M installation (since upgraded to a Kenwood TM-D710A) in my FJC: Dual radio (Ham and CB) install - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
Probably not the easiest of installations, but not super difficult either, just takes a little time.
The Yaesu 2900 (superseded the 2800) fits the bill for affordable, but I agree with Daisy and Jon in that I would recommend you buy at least a dual-band dual-receive radio if you can afford it. They are really handy for APRS, organized trail runs, and cross-band repeat. Having said that, a basic 2M radio like the 2800/2900 will always be useful for something even if you upgrade later. I can switch any of my mobile radios into the FJC since they all take the same power connector and PL-259 coax connector and a similar mount.
Finally, here are some updated photos of my Kenwood radio in the FJC:
1911
chupacabra
I love my 10-lb. Powertank, the regulator will get cold but never ice-up. The Powertank top-line tire filler w/gauge is also worth the money IMO. But after a couple of week-long wheeling trips, I now wish I had bought at least a 15-lb. tank - the 10-lb. tank does not last as long as I thought it would for repeated airing-up. One trick I learned is, put your tank in the freezer before you have it filled - if you have it filled in the summer and the tank is warm, it will only take about 7 lbs. of liquid CO2.
this is interesting, since at work we now have higher pressure air bottles for our breathing air. we are finding that filling them too fast gets them warm and the next day the pressure has dropped enough that they need topped up. it wasn't as noticeable with bottles half the pressure (2200 vs now 4500psi).
I like your idea.
ok, hijack off... I have a 10lb powertank that I have never used for tires (I have a different custom 2200psi straight air system
). the CO2 bottle is currently used for dispensing my home brewed beer at my house.
I have a FT2900. works great for me so far. haven't used the 8800, so ignorance is bliss.
alia176
SILVER Star
I also suggest going with the FT8800. You can find them used all day on the various ham dedicated sites like: QRZ.NET, EHAM.NET, etc. Expect to pay around $150 or so.
This radio allowed me to talk on the FRS frequency (with Steve in the red FJ60) and the HDC simplex frequency last weekend. Of course manning the two frequencies AND a CB radio was cumbersome to say the least.
This radio allowed me to talk on the FRS frequency (with Steve in the red FJ60) and the HDC simplex frequency last weekend. Of course manning the two frequencies AND a CB radio was cumbersome to say the least.
alia176
SILVER Star
Here's a CO2 tank with a gauge for $100 on CL. As long as the tank isn't expired and can be refilled, you've got it made in the shade.
CO2 Tank with guages
If the tank is expired just make sure it can be recertified. Usually runs about $50-60.
I temporarily installed my radio. But no matter where you place it, it will take some time to hook it up. For simplicity stay with a 2M rig. However, you will find a dual band is nice. I have a 2M in my minitruck and a dual band in the FJ40. I just posted some photos of my temp. install https://forum.ih8mud.com/nm-high-desert-cruisers/319684-ol-jenny-build-thread-6.html#post6140222.
For the CO2, I just bought this last week. It was $239.75 shipped. From TRDparts4U
.
For the CO2, I just bought this last week. It was $239.75 shipped. From TRDparts4U
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- #13
What about a 15# tank? Do you like the 10# due to ease of storage? I was hoping to get a tank that would fill my tires at least 3 times or more before CO2 refill.
1911
chupacabra
10 lbs. should do that easily. the one time I ran out was a week-long trip where I aired 34" tires down to 10-11 psi and back up to 30-40 psi almost every day. And because I had it filled in heat of summer, it only had about 7 lbs. of liquid CO2 in it.
I would also like 15 lbs. to have extra to run air tools if needed.
i just have a used yaesu HT (VX5) i use until i pull the trigger on a dedicated rig radio... i am oscillating btwn the ft8800 and the kenwood 710.... both great radios. i do enjoy the portability the HT gives me (btwn vehicles), and 5W(HT max) plus my mag mount antenna is never as issue on runs, i usually run on min pwr when we are lined up (which is ~1W IIRC). just something to consider, shrug. you know more options is what we all need 
good luck.
good luck.
- Thread starter
- #16
this is interesting, since at work we now have higher pressure air bottles for our breathing air. we are finding that filling them too fast gets them warm and the next day the pressure has dropped enough that they need topped up. it wasn't as noticeable with bottles half the pressure (2200 vs now 4500psi).
I like your idea.
I have a FT2900. works great for me so far. haven't used the 8800, so ignorance is bliss.
Is that home brew pretty good?
You have no idea. I don't drink much, but I'll sample anything Shawn makes.
Any ideas for Ham radio products and installation for my FJC? I want simple function, affordable, and ease of installation. Everything I have read on the forum thus far has not helped me to narrow down anything about this.
I went with the Yaesu 7900... its way smarter then me, but the biggest reason is because of remote mounted head - gave me a ton more options for mounting. The next one i buy will be the FT2900: simpler, more watts, no cooling fans. downside... its huge! I have never used the vhf portion of my rig other then to listen to local FD chatter. For your FJ i'd get some thing Yaesu and remote mounted. There's enough radios in the club to get an idea - check em out!
Ultimate air all the way, good time to buy. I picked up there handle, no gauge regulator, hose and chuck. Then went to an online beverage supply house and bought a new aluminum 10 pound cylinder. For the bracket found a surplus fire extinguisher mount laying around.
Buy a 10 lb and if its still not enough, buy another 10 lb then you can swap them out when need be. I haven't ran into problems with a 10lb.
Gauges are kind of a waste... it'll read 700 lbs till is empty then drop. Weight is the key factor.
If you want to check anything out let me know.
I'm sorry, but I am going to be the contrarian to this conversation.
I bought and installed the simplest set-up that would allow me to hang with my wheeling group.
I am not interested in talking to Sweden with my set up, or even talking to two different groups with my set up.
I am interested in keeping simplex communications with the group I am traveling/wheeling in, possibly using a repeater every once in awhile, keeping up with the local weather in the vicinity of the places I wheel and travel in, and in the end, that's about all.
I am not interested in lots of fancy options and features and parameters.
I got a new Yaesu 2800 and it has worked flawlessly for me in everything I have done....including meeting a group of people in the middle of no where both in Southern Utah and in Death Valley based on some loose idea of where they were going to be. The Yaesu performed flawlessly. It was an easy install and an easy set up.
Good luck.
I bought and installed the simplest set-up that would allow me to hang with my wheeling group.
I am not interested in talking to Sweden with my set up, or even talking to two different groups with my set up.
I am interested in keeping simplex communications with the group I am traveling/wheeling in, possibly using a repeater every once in awhile, keeping up with the local weather in the vicinity of the places I wheel and travel in, and in the end, that's about all.
I am not interested in lots of fancy options and features and parameters.
I got a new Yaesu 2800 and it has worked flawlessly for me in everything I have done....including meeting a group of people in the middle of no where both in Southern Utah and in Death Valley based on some loose idea of where they were going to be. The Yaesu performed flawlessly. It was an easy install and an easy set up.
Good luck.
alia176
SILVER Star
I suggest going with the same brand as the club for local support. As Jarrad stated already, these radios are very capable and take some effort in learning to use them effectively.
