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Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Discussion in 'Sports, Hobbies & Interests' started by The Traveler, Jan 29, 2013.

  1. Aug 25, 2016 at 6:50 PM
    #2481
    zdauexs

    zdauexs Well-Known Member

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    I'm here and alerted every time a message is posted! Trying to make a decision on a mobile for new truck. I should just stick with the Yaesu 7900 but trying to talk myself into the FTM100 or 400......

    This thread has been very informative and helpful.
     
  2. Aug 25, 2016 at 6:53 PM
    #2482
    O906

    O906 Well-Known Member

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    I have a Yaesu 7800 but sometimes wish I had a 8900.
     
    zdauexs[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. Aug 25, 2016 at 6:58 PM
    #2483
    gray223

    gray223 Well-Known Member

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    So...I was also wondering what antenna I should get to mount on my tuck that i could use with my Baofeng but also be good for a mobile unit when I get one. Was thinking either to mount at end of bed ( next to tailgate) or on the toolbox. Which offers the best ground plane?
     
  4. Aug 25, 2016 at 7:01 PM
    #2484
    O906

    O906 Well-Known Member

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    Neither. Out of the two the tool box is the worst idea. Best ground plane will always be the center of your roof.

    However that being said I have a Comet SBB-5 mounted on a Relentless Fab antenna mount drilled out to 5/8" to accept a UHF connector and have really good SWR results.
     
    CO MTN Steve and m3bassman like this.
  5. Aug 25, 2016 at 7:04 PM
    #2485
    gray223

    gray223 Well-Known Member

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    Dont think I really want something on top of the hood. I forgot about the hood mounts, think I will go that route. I dont know much about antennas.... Can you point me to some ones that will work best for me?
     
  6. Aug 25, 2016 at 7:14 PM
    #2486
    O906

    O906 Well-Known Member

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    Most quality dual band antennas will work just fine. You'll need to get an adapter to use with your hand held until you get a mobile radio.

    You can't go wrong with this setup

    Antenna
    http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo2-70b-1712.html

    Mount
    http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/products/1st-gen-toyota-tacoma-products/1st-gen-tacoma-antenna-mount/

    Cable
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NMO-MOUNT-3...hash=item4ababc09ac:m:mC_Z4q5W2d_mw48iyQ7xRRw

    Washer to convert the 1/2" hole in the mount to 3/8"
    https://www.amazon.com/FireStik-NW-...id=1472177424&sr=8-1&keywords=firestik+washer

    _________________________________________________________________

    This is my setup and it works awesome too.

    Antenna
    http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/3910.html

    Mount (drilled to 5/8")
    http://www.relentlessfabrication.com/products/05-tacoma-hood-hinge-cb-aux-mount

    Cable/Connector
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/371580597241?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2016
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    gray223[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Aug 25, 2016 at 7:26 PM
    #2487
    zdauexs

    zdauexs Well-Known Member

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    I'm going with the Larsen NMO270B and the bed/tailgate mount list further in this thread that will work on 2017. I'm close to a ton of repeaters and more interested in aesthetics than performance. So it just depends on your wants and needs. If you need performance then roof; but if you are willing to sacrifice performance then mount where ever you're comfortable.
     
    gray223 likes this.
  8. Aug 25, 2016 at 7:30 PM
    #2488
    O906

    O906 Well-Known Member

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    Have a good mounting location and a good SWR is about more than performance.

    SWR = Standing Wave Ratio and is the measure of impedance of the load you're radiating from the antenna. Mount in the wrong place and you'll never get the SWR low meaning that all that energy isn't leaving the radio.

    Which means you're slowly (or very fast) killing your radio.
     
    zdauexs[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Aug 25, 2016 at 8:24 PM
    #2489
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    I chose not to drill into mud roof for two reasons, 1) I park in the garage a lot and the motorized mounts have mixed reviews and cost more money 2) I have a sun roof :D

    I have the BAMF tailgate mount for my mobile, I like it. Had good experience with a bed bar, before I got the shell. I have my HT setup for APRS with an antenna on a relentless hood mount. The one used for lights, but drilled out and with an antenna on it. I am able to connect with antenna to my mobile (under driver's seat) or my HT (center console). Having that "backup" for either is a nice peace of mind and didn't cost me extra.

    I am a fan of the Diamond 77 or 777 series antennas, great dual bands. I have had comets and have nothing against them, my motorcycle dual band is a comet. I have tried a few no name ones and didn't like them at all.

    Don't skimp on the cable, it can make or break your setup.

    Seeing I am not roof mounted, I prefer a UHF plug over a NMO. Some people say that NMO is higher quality sound, but the back of my 8800 is UHF (as are most mobiles) so it wouldn't make much difference at all, IMHO.

    The 7900 is a good radio, but if you can, get an 8900. You might not run 4 band, but being able to play on 6m when it is really open, is really cool. Same for 10m.
     
    gray223 likes this.
  10. Aug 25, 2016 at 9:38 PM
    #2490
    gray223

    gray223 Well-Known Member

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    thanks!

    well at school i have to park under a parking garage and the antenna will be getting hit all the time
     
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  11. Aug 25, 2016 at 9:48 PM
    #2491
    gray223

    gray223 Well-Known Member

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    hmmmm....guess i will think about it other concern would be tree limbs and such....
     
  12. Aug 26, 2016 at 2:47 AM
    #2492
    BenMara

    BenMara That Asian RedNeck

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    TRD Blower, Ham Radio, DBA T2 Rotors
    I have a 2/70B Larson mounted in middle of roof, never regretted it. 2/70 is a tough antenna...
     
    gray223 and Crom like this.
  13. Aug 26, 2016 at 1:09 PM
    #2493
    kalieaire

    kalieaire i didn't know they stacked sh*t that high.

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    I run a Diamond MR77 with my IC-T70A with no problems. With 5W get as good, if not better, transmission quality as a UV82 HP or F8HP at 7/8W respectively. There may be situations on the freeway where pushing 50W on mobile will help for an extra 1/2 mile or so. Commonly, the biggest issue is terrain, which, we can't get around, but if we setup a repeater somewhere, we'd be good to go.

    With Antenna <-> UHF <=> BNC / BNC <=> SMA (m/f) <-> (HT)

    I've never had any SWR issues. Always <2 by a large margin when mounted on my roof for 70cm and 2m.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2016
  14. Aug 26, 2016 at 3:13 PM
    #2494
    mud390

    mud390 Professional Amateur

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    Do floormats count?
    I've got a clamp on lip mount on my old truck. The hood is fiberglass, so I ran a grounding strap from the mount to the fender, which has great continuity. Antenna is mounted at the rear of the hood on the driver side. SWR was solid at 1.5 or less across 2m/70cm. Antenna is a Tram (model escapes me at the moment). I've had no problems with it, and it's less than 6 inches taller than the factory radio antenna on the opposite side of the hood so no worries in parking garages.
     
  15. Aug 28, 2016 at 5:05 PM
    #2495
    O906

    O906 Well-Known Member

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    Snapped my Comet SBB-5 on the trails this weekend :( RIP was a short run with that antenna. I think I'm going to suck it up and buy a Larsen 2m/70cm now and be done with it.
     
    Crom likes this.
  16. Aug 28, 2016 at 5:19 PM
    #2496
    BenMara

    BenMara That Asian RedNeck

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    TRD Blower, Ham Radio, DBA T2 Rotors
    I'm finally starting to rebuild my hexbeam
    20160822_213401.jpg
    20160823_172606.jpg
    20160823_172542.jpg
     
    2016BBP, Crom and Chipskip like this.
  17. Aug 29, 2016 at 6:11 PM
    #2497
    zdauexs

    zdauexs Well-Known Member

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    I've gone back 10+ pages in this thread and I can't find the antenna mount someone said worked on 2016 Tacoma, between tailgate and bed for 2m/70cm antenna. I think company started with an "f". Anyone remember?

    Also, what type coax are you guys using for 2m/70cm mobile just pushing 50 watts?

    I've been back and forth on what to purchase for my first mobile and was set on Yaesu FT-7900 but might just bite the bullet and go FTM-400 so I can learn/play with APRS/Fusion.

    Thanks for replies.
     
  18. Aug 29, 2016 at 7:22 PM
    #2498
    dedmouse

    dedmouse Well-Known Member

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    Dammit
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    New to the forum...just picked up a 2010 Taco last week...I've been a ham since 1983 and hold an Advanced Class license, KB1MM.

    I installed an old Alinco DR600 dual bander tonight. I separated the front and the rest of the radio...Radio part is in the cavity behind the driver's side passenger seat...the front part is double lock "velcroed" to the front console right under the AC/heat controls.

    I need to go back and clean things up (dress up the wiring, etc). I'd like to do a permanent mount to the roof for the antenna but if I put my canoe on the rack I'm in the middle of building, I'd have to remove the antenna. Decisions, decisions.
     
    PeterVICEG, G.T. and Chipskip like this.
  19. Aug 29, 2016 at 8:20 PM
    #2499
    Chipskip

    Chipskip N7MCS

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    Welcome and if you thought ham was expensive .... now you have the Tacoma ... hide your wallet from yourself.

    73s
    N7MCS
     
    BenMara likes this.
  20. Aug 30, 2016 at 4:55 AM
    #2500
    dedmouse

    dedmouse Well-Known Member

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    Believe me, I was a Jeep Wrangler owner not that long ago...I know what expensive is :eek:. I plan on keeping the Taco relatively stock. I don't have the space to do major modifications to my Taco any longer. When I had my Wrangler, I had access to a lift but my friend that owned the garage moved south. The new owner is a dick so I ain't gonna get the use of that lift again.
     

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