Ham radio install

[Elbert]

Manu-

Inspired by your bracket I started messing around with the install and thought I'd show you what I came up with. I used existing holes and gave up a few inches of height.

The coax is routed into the tail light enclosure and from there to the front of the truck.

Anyway-thanks for getting me going on this.

That looks like a good solution.

 

[theazfj62]

I saw that you are rocking dual batteries, could you post on how you set it up?

 

[IndianDoc]

Nicely done Sir!!!

 

[MANUCHAO]

Cruiserdrew that location looks good with the benefit of no additional holes... Good job on the install.
I never thought of running the cable through the rear signal housing...clever...

AZFJ62. I got the info to run my double battteries from this thread on expo

Basic wiring question - Expedition Portal

 

[TicoCafe]

Not hard at all.
I bought a speaker that fits on the OE location.
All you do is pull the glove box cover/compartment .

two nylocks n you good...

Nice Setup!
More info on the type Dash Speaker used...model #/Brand perhaps. Looking to do a similar setup. Thanks in advance!

Cheers

 

[ashack2004]

Awesome install!

 

[MANUCHAO]

I'll look it up but it was a cheap set from Fry's Electronics...
Will let yah know..

 

[TicoCafe]

Manu-

Inspired by your bracket I started messing around with the install and thought I'd show you what I came up with. I used existing holes and gave up a few inches of height.

The coax is routed into the tail light enclosure and from there to the front of the truck.

Anyway-thanks for getting me going on this.

Really nice bracket...can you make me one and Ill pay for it...??? haha!

I used a similar bracket (firestik) on the hood lip similar to the Gamiviti. I had to drill the hole to 3/4 to accommodate the NMO mount/Antenna. So far its been holding.

Cheers

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Really nice bracket...can you make me one and Ill pay for it...??? haha!

I used a similar bracket (firestik) on the hood lip similar to the Gamiviti. I had to drill the hole to 3/4 to accommodate the NMO mount/Antenna. So far its been holding.

Cheers

Sure,come by my house and I'll help you make one for free!

 

[daveIT]

Manu...how's this working out for you? I have the FT-2900R that I'm thinking of mounting (if I don't get another dual-band rig), but not sure if heat will be an issue inside my ammo can console. I was thinking I could maybe vent it with a computer fan or something. Not sure I want to install it on the outside in sight of thieves...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Dave, I have only used it a handful of times.
It does not get hot at all..
I think this particular model builds up heat only when transmitting.
The tuffy console has a few little holes on the side but I really don't see a need for a fan....
Maybe some one else will chime in...

 

[daveIT]

Dave, I have only used it a handful of times.
It does not get hot at all..
I think this particular model builds up heat only when transmitting.
The tuffy console has a few little holes on the side but I really don't see a need for a fan....
Maybe some one else will chime in...

I'm just wondering if it sits in a hot truck all day and has that ambient heat built up & you had to use 75W (not that I've ever needed that much power.... That sucker has a huge heat sink...it'll probably be alright.

 

[darthvincor]

Slightly off topic, and maybe a silly question, but why do you have 2 demister switches?

 

[MANUCHAO]

The two defrost switches are going to be used to control the compressor and rear locker...
I dont like the look on those ARB switches... Stealthy is mo-betta.....

 

[ntsqd]

There are times in the desert when the Icom V-8000 in my Xcab is running it's cooling fan even though I haven't recently transmitted (fan always comes on during TX) just due to the ambient temperature.
A friend has his V-8000 stuffed into a cubby in his truck's dash and there are times when his TX's are very faint. I suspect during those times that his unit has reduced it's TX power to protect itself.

Those heat sinks are there for a reason and they need air exchange if they're going to be of any value.

 

[FishNinJay]

I have similar setup.. I ended up bolting the ham radio to the external drivers side of the console and it sits between the drivers seat and the console, I used a 90 degree mount attached to my bumper-gas can mount for the antenna. I like the idea of the mic extension.

Ham is a huge improvement over CB in clarity / quality and range.

The problem around "here" is that many of the trails we run have large overgrown areas and low hanging limbs...etc. I've already lost two antennas to the "tree monster"..

Sorry if I'm reviving the dead..

Can someone go over the basics of CB vs HAM.
My simplistic understanding is that CB is like my VHF radio, and limited by line-of-sight?
That's about what I know. I see a lot of rigs for sale with these installed. I think mainly
CB, but not sure. How many people actually use these? Especially with today's mobile
phones, and handheld GPS?

THanks

 

[cruiserfj45]

Here is a good video I use when I am explaining the basics to someone new to ham. It is a little long (8 min) but it is good. There are lots of videos that help, just spend some time on youtube. If you start getting more into ham join a local radio club, I always find them more than willing to help.

 

[FishNinJay]

Here is a good video I use when I am explaining the basics to someone new to ham. It is a little long (8 min) but it is good. There are lots of videos that help, just spend some time on youtube. If you start getting more into ham join a local radio club, I always find them more than willing to help.

No link?

 

[cruiserfj45]

sorry.

 

[Elbert]

Sorry if I'm reviving the dead..

Can someone go over the basics of CB vs HAM.
My simplistic understanding is that CB is like my VHF radio, and limited by line-of-sight?
That's about what I know. I see a lot of rigs for sale with these installed. I think mainly
CB, but not sure. How many people actually use these? Especially with today's mobile
phones, and handheld GPS?

THanks

Remember that in many remote places you can simply turn off your cell phone because you have no reception. You can find thousands of articles on HAM via google searches. But you can check out eham.net and arrl.org among various others for ham info. A mobile 2meter ham radio can put out around 50watts on high power a cb does a lot less. The simple reason people are going to 2 meter ham is range, clarity of comms and quality of the comms.... 2 meter ham gear is not too expensive and even on simplex the range is impressive...with a repeater in the mix its doubled or tripled.

CB has limited range but a fairly large user base....

really all to know between comparing cb vs ham. Ham wins in every category ...and is a little more expensive to buy equipment and you need a license to be legal. For the bands 2 meter and 70 centimeter...that's about all there is to know...except that using a repeater can extend your range with ham on the order of 2 or 3 times greater distance or more.

Cell phone no good in many remote places, gps is only good for navigation... boils down to the other line of radio communication cb vs. ham.... no comparison between the two.

Very easy to find numerous articles on the web even youtube, google...etc. many off-road clubs are going to ham and folks generally now have cb and ham. Once you see how even a 2 meter ham works on simplex vs your cb you will think you've been in a cave for the last 50 years...its that much better.