Ham radio install

[FishNinJay]

Ok.. 1 follow-up dumb question.

If I have a ham radio, and I'm stuck in the hills with no reception, I know I can probably
send out an emergency call via ham radio (being a licensed technician). That call would
go to? Is there an emergency band? Also, would my family be reachable? They would
need the same equipment, right? Here's my dumb question.. I have a handheld, marine
VHF radio, for kayak fishing. Would it receive my call? I know probably my wife wouldn't
be able to send back to me, but would she at least be able to receive a message on a pre-
arranged channel?

 

[MANUCHAO]

I think your best bet would be to take the tech class..
Here is another video that explains the different radios and types of licenses

Have you also looked at getting a sat phone ?

 

[Elbert]

Ok.. 1 follow-up dumb question.

If I have a ham radio, and I'm stuck in the hills with no reception, I know I can probably
send out an emergency call via ham radio (being a licensed technician). That call would
go to? Is there an emergency band? Also, would my family be reachable? They would
need the same equipment, right? Here's my dumb question.. I have a handheld, marine
VHF radio, for kayak fishing. Would it receive my call? I know probably my wife wouldn't
be able to send back to me, but would she at least be able to receive a message on a pre-
arranged channel?

all these questions are relative to where you are talking about in regards to geography... Ham radios don't solve all the problems, neither do marine radios..etc. You have to be within range of the receiving station... I believe most ham bands have a designated call frequency for initial contact which may be different given different areas of the country.

No...the marine radio is dedicated to marine frequencies...which are dedicated/reserved for marine use.

There are some sat phones and sat messenger type devices you probably need to go research, most are $$

The best thing to do is not to be out there by yourself... and make sure someone is aware of generally where you are and when you are expected to return.

ham gear is like any other "gear"...it takes two stations to work...one to transmit and one to receive...although many scanners can receive ham frequencies as well as marine frequencies.


have you surfed around here? https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/electronic-toys.129/ or the arrl link or other sources for ham stuff.

 

[JHE4601]

I finally finish my ham radio install...
Here are some pics.

Installed the radio inside the tuffy (put a coat of white paint inside the tuffy) for a stealth look and used/ran RJ12 wire (phone wire extension) to the dash board.

Pics tell it best......

Made my own antenna mount and nutsert two wholes on the rear for it and ran the antenna cable into the rear vent on the driver side.

Antenna looks crooked on this shot but it points straight up...

Now is time to go get that ham radio lic.

Real nice set up. So yea I dug up this thread and am also very interested installing a HAM Radio in my 60. How is it working out for you? You did a great job with the install. Does it overheat in the Tuffy? Also another question. Love the dual battery set up. Which system are you running and how do you like it? Thanks

 

[MANUCHAO]

@JHE4601 Yeah that's a back from way back then thread
Thank you... the set up has been great from day one... The radio never overheated even when in DV....
I did however changed to a smaller radio (Yeasu FT7900R)... Just because it had a remote plate...
So the radio being smaller in size I was able to place it in the front of the Tuffy, which gives me more functional space.....
I also switch to a smaller antenna, but do keep the bigger antenna in the rig....
It has not overheated either...but maybe that's got to do with that I dont talk much on it...mainly monitor certain channels...
I only use it when Im with a group, or another vehicle.... which is hardly ever.....
My thinking back then as it's still today... I have it for the just in case of an emergency...
Here are some pics...

 

[JHE4601]

@JHE4601 Yeah that's a back from way back then thread
Thank you... the set up has been great from day one... The radio never overheated even when in DV....
I did however changed to a smaller radio (Yeasu FT7900R)... Just because it had a remote plate...
So the radio being smaller in size I was able to place it in the front of the Tuffy, which gives me more functional space.....
I also switch to a smaller antenna, but do keep the bigger antenna in the rig....
It has not overheated either...but maybe that's got to do with that I dont talk much on it...mainly monitor certain channels...
I only use it when Im with a group, or another vehicle.... which is hardly ever.....
My thinking back then as it's still today... I have it for the just in case of an emergency...
Here are some pics...

[/QUOTE

Wow!! Thanks for the update with pics. Looks pretty awesome! What dual battery system are you running? I saw a switch on the council. Also are you running an inverter for the HAM?

 

[MANUCHAO]

What dual battery system are you running? I saw a switch on the council. Also are you running an inverter for the HAM?

See below...

Not really a system, but odd parts from BLue Sea....
No inverter on the HAM it does have a dedicated connection to the Aux battery......

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

Basic wiring question - Expedition Portal

EDIT: @JHE4601 Relay Isolator vs. Diode Isolator