Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

No the existing switch is a piece of shit. Here is my write up in the Clean VHF/CB radio installs thread:

Problem:
Yesterday I installed the Power Antenna tilt motor and mounts and it really is great (see my hog of posts above). While the motor and mounts are a good balance of durable and affordable, the provided switch which reverses polarity for up/down, is really questionable and of course power plugs for installed accessories is not my full definition of "installed":



Solution:
Make a reversing switch with a power window switch (DPDT with cross jumpers): Yes I did a "professional" wiring diagram as well to show my kids how it works!:



Using the latest lithium powered - lazar guided - GPS enabled - self powering adaptable tools, create the proper opening in some place on your truck that "you" like. I chose console for right handed person:



Stick it in the hole before you make all your connections:




Enjoy your earth-shattering mod in ways hard to describe even to us Taco-nuts:

 

Awesome thanks. So I assume you hold the button down (in the correct direction) when you want to raise or lower it?

 

Down to Lower
Up to Raise

The switch is a "momentary on" power window switch.
Once you wire it, just test it to figure out which way is up and install it in the whole that way.

There are 4 posts on https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-vhf-cb-radio-installs.415584/page-54 showing my whole setup.

The switch is a DPDT.

• you cross wire the 1 & 6 and 2 & 5 leads.
• you power 3, 4
• you load 1, 2 (or 5, 6)

1. when you push "up" the polarity on 1, 2 is the same as 3, 4
2. when you push "down" the polarity on 1, 2 (linked to 6, 5) is reversed

 

Great price on a dual band DMR radio right now if you’re interested in DMR. The price is right and it’s not a Baofeng.

https://www.retevis.com/rt3s-dual-b...e=FB&utm_medium=Springsales&utm_campaign=RT3S

 

Whats wrong with them? Haha J/K..

I was checking out the Anytone AT-D878UV GPS , I just don't know why I would need a DMR

 

I use a local DMR repeater here mostly. Easy when I’m out of town to communicate with the local guys here when the locals there don’t talk to the out of town guy. Haha

Honestly I may even get D-Star eventually to see what it’s all about. DMR is popular over this way.

Our local DMR and analog are linked full time here.

 

Ok cool. Got it, thank you.

 

Awesome! 73, K8JLW

 

Great pic! That location is where I am thinking of putting the head to my Icom IC-2730. I was thinking I could pull the trim out, then just zip-tie a plate in that my head can attach to (it has magnets). That is what i did in my previous truck. How is your's attached?

 

I have it attached to this https://www.ballsoutoffroad.com/product-page/3rd-gen-tacoma-accessory-mount. It's designed for ram mounts, but it works good for a head unit also. It's a little on the expensive side for what it is, but if your not the best a fabrication (me) then it might be worth it.

 

Came across this today...

 

For folks mounting HAM stuff check out the DMM thread.

Just installed it this past week and will post up pics on Sat...let me find a link.

 

I have one of these. It’s pretty sweet.

Here’s a video @boogie3478 (Tacomaholic) did of the install in my truck.

https://youtu.be/O3q2vhYt_UI

 

NICE! The DMM is awesome!

My ONLY complaint is the RAM Balls from fresh Mex are silver but that is an EASY mod with heat shrink!

 

Yup we did that in the video. They look good now. Whole thing is very clean in the end.

 

YES! DMM is the best for this! ROCK SOLID!

 

Hey everyone. I can't remember if I posted in here before but I've been a ham for a couple of years now. I'm not very active and I'm hoping to change that up with a go-box and a mobile setup. Mostly I just use a HT on the local net when I'm free to catch it. Luckily, the Empire State Building has a repeater that's pretty easy to hit, even when portable.

I picked up a vanity sign not too long ago, KD2TRD. I'm pretty sure a few of you have -TRD callsigns too.

 

Hey John, I monitor 440.550 during my commute, maybe I'll catch you on it sometime.
KD2QIW

73

 

Yay! Winter Field Day results are posted, and my team placed 2nd in our category!
K8MD / 3I / 19,219pts

We were beat only by a Canadian team: VA3WW.

 

DDM only works on 3rd gen Taco...