Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I just ran my cable this morning! I went from a BAMF driver side tailgate bracket through the small gap between the top of the taillight and bed side. I then ran along the top of the frame to the large grommet under the driver seat. From there I went under the carpet over to the center console then up to the small cubby in front of the shifter. 18' was exactly long enough! I literally had zero excess, I was very pleased with that.

Fishing the large coax plug through the grommet was the hardest part. I couldn't get it through by spreading it open with needle nose pliers so here's what I did. I cut a small wooden plug to a pretty sharp point with a draw knife and some sanding. The wood was lightly lubed with bacon grease, of all things! I then worked it through the grommet opening next to the oem harness. Once the wooden cone was halfway through I pushed it all the way through using the actual coax plug to back it up. I worked really well, got it on the first try. It was almost like using a marlin spike or splicing tool for rope work. Here's a pic of the thing I made. The hole is to accept the pin on the coax plug so I didn't risk bending it.



I got the idea from watching this animated knot tying sequence, which is also really cool! Make your own soft shackles!

http://www.animatedknots.com/softsh...png&Website=www.animatedknots.com#ScrollPoint

 

I bought a Road Pro for $14 from the local Wilco store and it works fine....Matter of fact it looks just like the Kenwood one but doesn't have Kenwood silk-screened on it. Rebranding?

Kenwood:
http://www.radioworld.co.uk/second_hand_sp-50b_mobile_speaker

Road Pro
http://www.roadproonthego.com/sp/234-x-412-universal-cb-extension-speaker-with-swivel-bracket/

 

Thanks, I already ordered the

$16 Roadpro RP-108C 2-3/4" CB Extension Speaker with Swivel Bracket

Roadpro RP-108C linked earlier, but if that doesn't work out I'll check out this one. It does look identical to the Kenwood one.

 

Love it! Thanks for sharing your install and pics!

I have three of the tiny Roadpro ones for $10 each. I like them for mobile install.

 

Tarheel 200A-HP on 3rd Gen, Kenwood TS-480HX

 

Got the TM-V71A earlier in the week and finally got it mounted today. Full write-up with more pics here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/page-5#post-12678986

 

Can you give some specifics on the switch & relay you used for this? I'd like power to the radio to automatically cut off when I shut off the truck, but also want the option to turn it on manually if necessary, but I'm not sure what kind of switch / relay this will require.

 

Yaesu ft 857D with atas 120a antenna

 

You want a SPST On-Off-On switch. I just put two into my rig to control the 12v sockets, one on the dash, and one in back of center console. Position one is factory battery, position two is off, position 3 is auxiliary battery power. A 30 or 40 amp relay, and you're good to go.

The difference is on the switch and has three terminals one terminal will be wired for constant power directly to the battery. The second terminal will go to the relay and the third terminal will go to switched power which is only hot when the ignition is on and running.

 

My first HF contact. Today was field day and I got to play. I learned just how nice amature radio folks are, and how quick you need to be to make a contact on a contest day.

I talked to folks from Colorado and California. I could hear people in Florida, but could not make a contact.

I look forward to learning some radio manners.

 

Did anyone participate in field day or do any contesting etc this weekend ?

Any pics of your field day experience at your local club in the field ? Portable setups ?

I participated from my station at home and logged all of the contacts on the computer but I was not trying to get as many as I could, I just sat down for an hour here and there to give the other stations contacts that they could enter with.

I did work Paul, the owner of DX Engineering and Summit racing on Saturday.

 

Field Day was a good time. I moved out east from Queens recently and joined the Peconic Amateur Radio Club. Field day was held at the Horton Point Lighthouse in Southold, NY.

 

Thinking of a more "permanent" mounting solution for my FT-7900 head unit. Right now I have it mounted with Velcro in the front cubby behind the cup holders. I have read through this thread and seen a few options. Right now I am leaning towards a mount that would stick the faceplate below the heater controls or a gooseneck off the passenger seat. I think the gooseneck might not be the best offroad though. Thoughts?


-KG7APZ

 

I did field day. We made over 900 contacts.

 

I totally need that sort of covered tent for camping.

 

Impressive antennae!

 

Here is some useful info for the new Hams and possibly even older Hams that are looking to go HF mobile, many Hams that operate mobile know this information in the link but do not always follow the basics, the result sometimes is a lot of money is spent on a less than average transmitting/receiving mobile.

I have been running HF mobile for a long time, I really enjoy working from the mobile and enjoy working other mobiles as well, a mobile with a good signal on HF is something that is appreciated by all Hams that I have ever known because it entails more than just mounting an antenna and hooking up radio wires and a piece of coax.

2m mobile is fairly simple, you can get away with less bonding etc because most of the time you are only trying to hit a repeater or maybe talk on simplex 10 to 20 miles, but it still helps if you take the time and do a good install.

K0WJ has put together a great pdf file for those that are interested, I`m glad he did it, because I don`t have that much time.
http://www.3905ccn.com/files/pdf/mobile_installation_clinic-notes.pdf

http://k0bg.com/ is another good site full of knowledge.