Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I use that antenna for APRS, it's hasn't come off yet and it's only hand tight. Why do you think it might come loose?

 

I think if he is checking it daily and re-tightening it, its coming loose. The rubber wrench strap should get it done. Otherwise maybe run a strip of electrical tape around the antenna and the base to keep it from moving.

 

I think a strap-wrench might lead to over tightening and screw up the threads.
I'm trying to wrap my head around why it would come loose. Or why he is need of re-tightening. I have 2 antennas mounted and I've driven across the state multiple times, light offroading and plenty of washboard roads, not an issue. Just hand tight so I can take them off once in a blue moon. But they never come loose. I've never really heard of anyone using UHF style or NMO mounted antenna needing to re-tighten them daily or even monthly.
If he can upload a pic, maybe he's missing some hardware.

 

It seems to be staying tight so far. The reason I was concerned is I've never had a AM/FM or CB antenna that didn't come loose. This would be a first.

 

The 3rd Gen Tacomas have the holes and bolts inserted to install the back rail, but don't have a back rail because the factory cover gets in the way. The part that the back rail WOULD go is connected to the metal part of the bed. Run a grounding strap from each side rail to the back rail bolts that are there and I imagine it would help with your grounding. They require a Torx bit.

 

The third bed rail actually doesn't get in the way of the OEM tonneau cover, Toyota was just being cheap.

 

So with the tonneau, I don't have a front bed rail?

 

Yeah I agree with you. I have a short stubby on my NMO mount for around town and so I can get in my garage. I swap it out to a longer dual band antenna for trips. Always just hand right and never comes loose.

 

None of the third gens come with the header rail, whether it comes with the tonneau or not. If you want to add it, you can buy the rail. Part number is PT278-35100-BH, screws are already in the bed for it.

$56 Genuine Toyota Accessories PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWVN9CK/
There's some end caps too, if it bothers you to leave the ends open you'll need two of them, part number is 66134-04010.

 

Yep I bought it for like $40ish on Amazon and I installed it in maybe 5 minutes, bolts right up and fits perfect.

 

This is where my VHF/UHF antenna is mounted. It is a Rentless Fabrication hood hinge mount, UHF connector and mine stays tight unless I unscrew it.

 

Antenna might be a good fit for my application. Mind sharing the manufacturer and model number so I can review the specs?

 

hello gentleman. i just stumbled across this thread. i'm extremely new to ham, so much so that I haven't even gotten my licenses yet. I purchased the tech manual from AARL. I hate reading. So I signed up for hamtestonline.com, so far that site is great. Another member also recommended hamstudy.org. Both seem pretty legit. So I'm curious to know how much math is actually on the tests. I'm terrible at math and has a piss poor time remembering the equations.

So I already have some gear that a friend help me install in my truck. I have a Icom 5100a and 2730a. I put them both on a Techdeck. The transceivers are mounted behind the ds rear seat. The only thing im really questioning is how he put the antennas in. I'm so skeptical about the antennas that I already asked a body shop how much its going to be to weld up the holes. See images below. The NMOs are water tight, and they def receive. Since I'm not licensed, I haven't attempted to transmit. I just don't like that he installed the antennas on the channels of the roof. I would have put them in the flat spot going down the center of the roof. Should I just cap them and install them properly?

 

What antenna is that on the passenger side?

 

QRZ.com has a very good practice test section. It will keep track of the results of each test, track what questions you've answered right or wrong and lets you know when you've answered every question in the test pool correctly at least one time.

 

Is this what you're using for the antenna mounts?

John M
Peancook, NH

 

I'm using that same bracket and antenna(I think). I had to get a little creative with running the coax.




Bracket: https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/05-tacoma-hood-hinge-cb-aux-mount (might be easier with the ditch light bracket, YMMV.)
Antenna: SS-680SB http://www.cometantenna.com/amateur-radio/mobile-antennas/ma-dual-band/ can also be had with NMO connector
Coax: https://www.gigaparts.com/comet-antennas-3d4m.html Not sure I can recommend this yet...

 

Yaesu 120A 2 meters to 40 meters

 

Just picked up a Kenwood TM-D710 to put in my 3rd gen. Had a Yaesu FT-7800 in my Jeep which was a great radio but I wanted something with APRS.

Going to go with a Larsen NMO 2/70b on a ditch light bracket for the antenna. Still working on where I want to mount the face plate but this thread gave me some great ideas.