Amateur Radio Install

I saw someone posting some info about a CB Install and asking questions. So here's the alternative. I'm a licensed amateur operator and here is my Tacoma install. There are MANY benefits of amateur radio over CB that include much much much more range even on vhf/uhf frequencies with the use of repeaters. Internet linking of repeaters allowing talking around the world. It requires a test and has rules so its much more civilized. The first level test is actually pretty easy and only requires a few hours of studying. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about amateur radio. so heres the list.

Tranceiver: Kenwood TM-D700 Dual band 2m/440 50W/35W with built in TNC (allows automatic position reporting!)
Antenna: Diamond Super Gainer
Mount: NMO mount Fed with RG-8X coax
Speaker: MFJ

Here is the antenna mount called a NMO (New Motorola)


Here is the mount with antenna attached


Here is the whole antenna:


The Kenwood has a remote face plate. allows you to mount the radio elsewhere in the cab.



And finally the brains. The Radio body. mounted in the rear storage.

 

Hate to bump a waaay old thread but How hard was that set up to tune? I am going back and forth between that type of antenna and a mag base but i am leaning towards this type as i dont like to see wires. But i also dont want to punch a hole in my roof and then not be able to tune it.

 

There is no tuning with amateur radio antennas. They are specifically designed for the bands.

 

*sigh of relief* I am taking my tech and general test this saturday. I have been F***ING with my cb antenna for like 4 months now and im sick of it! lol

Thanks for the quick response.

 

No problem.... what radio you lookin at?

 

One of the guys on here has a kenwood TM-271A i am thinking about but i would really rather go dual band but dont quite have the money that right now.

 

Dont want to go dual band? If youre in the market for a single band you cant go wrong with the yaesu radios. If you want dual bandwith dual receive then i think you can do better than yaesu. remember the single band radios dont have remote mount faces like you see in my install above.

 

No thats what im saying is the one he is selling is a single band, and i would much rather go dual but am looking for something dual band and affordable.

 

For new the FT-7900R is the best option, but look on qth.com classifieds. You might find a FT-7900 or FT-7800 a bit cheaper.

 

looks good man. i'd like to get my hands on a ic-2820h...

 

These are actually old pictures. I have an IC-2820 with D-Star Module Installed now.

Not the best pix.

 

nice. yea i think thats the radio i want to get and get the gps antenna with it also.

 

They make cb antennas for the NMO too right?

 

yup

 

So i found a guy selling a New condition 7900R for 220 shipped. Good deal?

 

how involved is the test?

 

Not very, We have been waaaayy slow at work and so with about 4 days of studying im ready for both the tech and general. Check out hamtestonline.com

 

its easier than I thought

 

Yeah.. not bad at all.

 

and that includes the remote mount kit.