Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Sorry to move off of MARS for a minute, especially to get back to my newbie needs. I'm leaning toward sticking with my original plan of using a FT-2980R in the truck and maybe occasionally in the garage with a power source and an antenna in the attic. Can anyone recommend a good mag mount antenna for the truck that is a good match for that radio? Planning on mounting the antenna to the roof.

 

I ran a Wilson 2m. Just check that SWR periodically. Mine died after being knocked off by low branches. Left nice scratches in paint and dent on door. Made me just drill hold in roof.... Best thing ive ever done for radio.

 

That's a long one... Are you running something else in the hole with the same radio?

 

I'm very new to Ham also, so others might have better recommendations than me. What are you going to be using the radio for? If mainly for trail comms, then I think you could get away with a short 1/4 wave antenna. If you want to hit repeaters that are further away, I think you would need something longer.

Antenna farm lists a bunch of mag bases with NMO mounts. You just put what ever NMO mount antenna you want on the base. However, I don't know if a mag base would have an issue holding up a 40ish inch antenna at highway speeds.

I'm going to use a Diamond 770 antenna over a Comet SBB because I read about the plastic parts of the Comet breaking. I'm putting mine on a ditch light bracket.

Why a single band 2m radio over a dual band 2m/70cm radio?

 

This is my plan if I do a mobile setup.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-rail-cb-antenna-install.225111/

I might just stick to my HT though. Hasn't let me down yet, no need to overcomplicate things.

 

Thanks for the info. I am open to the idea of alternate mounting locations, but almost everyone seems to say a rooftop mount makes a world of difference. Single band because that's really all I need around here, and I prefer initially to get something simple set up well than to work with gear I don't know how to use. Then if I need more I can expand with a good idea of which direction to go. I'm interested in the idea of a cross-band repeater setup, but I'm a ways away from having the knowledge and experience when I'd be better served by focusing first on getting a good basic setup for mobile and home.

 

The 1/4 wave works just fine for all scenarios. I'd stick with a 1/4 wave. They're cheap and readily available.

 

What's your application?

Are you doing APRS and trying to talk to the space station? If so, you'll want a roof top or better, etc.

Are you trying to talk to the other truck in the trails at most 1/4mi away? If so, mounting it anywhere will do - hell, an HT will probably do it (as mine has for my uses at least). A mag mount is great but can scratch the paint, which is why I am going to and advise to avoid them. A bracket to the bed rails is just as good for what I am doing with my radio. So, why damage paint when a 5$ bracket does the same job? Plus, roof top stuff gets knocked around in the trails. Bed mounts are a bit lower and can be better contained.

 

@Baby I am using a 1/4 wave dual band antenna on my 1992 pickup. No complaints with it so far. It isn't quite as good as my 1/2 wave on my Tacoma but oh well. I drill the roof of my vehicles as soon as I get them so I can't recommend a mag mount vs. bed mount other than saying a mag mount (in theory) will be better. You can put down some vinyl tape first if you don't want to scratch your paint. Drilling my roof for an NMO mount is kind of like a stamp of ownership for me. If it isn't drilled, it isn't mine.

This is the short antenna I have: https://www.gigaparts.com/larsen-nmo270sh.html
Looks like it is out of stock though.

That radio you are considering looks nice. I have the comparable model from Kenwood for my home; TM-281.

 

Thanks for the recs. What I'm getting from all of the reading I've been doing is that there is some trial and error involved with gear and setup in order to get the results you want. It's hard to say if I need that extra that the rooftop offers as opposed to a hood mount, tailgate mount, etc... because I haven't tried anything yet. BTW, I'm not as concerned with paint as I am with a mag mount getting knocked over by branches. (Two days after I brought this truck home in 03 it got hailed on.)

Thank you--I hear you about the holes. If you're committed, why not do it right? I'm looking at that Kenwood, too... Thanks for the link!

 

Keep in mind those results may shift over time too.

Right now, I only give a rip about talking to other peeps in the trails. I got my amateur license (Ham tech) for S&G and so I could be better suited for lead/tail should it ever come up, but I have no plans to collect QSO cards and try to communicate with Wyoming just for fun. At most, I would use APRS to beam up my camping spots for my wife when I don't have cell signal.

5 years from now I might decide to volunteer for field days with the scouts etc. So, I could end up having a rolling fortress of ham equipment. Or visa versa, I trade in the truck and buy a nissan leaf and won't be taking it off road and talking to other trucks

One of those scenarios is much more likely than the other....

 

I am betting it is the Nissan Leaf.

 

Totally coming across as a Leaf guy.

 

I attached my dual band Diamond SG7900 to my Total Chaos bed stiffeners. This is the best picture I have as of right now (it’s a screenshot). I can post another picture tomorrow as I am not with my truck right now.

 

I should reference this site with every post I make in this thread.

http://www.k0bg.com/options.html

http://www.k0bg.com/

The great starting point for anything mobile HF or V/Uhf

 

Oh man I thought that was a fishing pole but I don't see a Sand Life diecut sticker anywhere

 

It’s with my Yeti sticker, which is in a warehouse somewhere.

 

This appeared in the mail Thursday afternoon, seems to be a great little HT for the money. I planned to use it just on my motorcycle for APRS but after playing with it for a little while I may use it for more.





Still waiting on the new antenna, it's supposed to be here today.

 

I also noticed on Thursday the FCC database was updated, no longer W5BSC/AG.