Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Thanks iKONiK. I wanted an analogue radio for the truck. I have a FTD 400 in the Jeep if I want to do digital.

 

Hey, I know the immediate answer is going to be "drill a hole in the roof", but with my roofrack that won't fly -- what are peoples thoughts on steel vs aluminum for grounds for antennas? I am going to move my antennas to the bumpers [either front or rear], but want to upgrade to aluminum bumpers for the weight. Should I just start looking for a non-ground-plane antenna instead?

 

Dont bond steel with aluminum. Galvanic corrosion

 

Also true, I didn't even consider that. I'll probably look at some NGP antennas then.

 

I would just bond the fenders, doors, and hood. Use a puddle light mount for antenna. or use flat spot where fender meets base of A pillar/mirror

 

Ohio NVIS Day. Lots of contacts!!

 

Homemade or commercial antenna?

 

Microphone mount (because I didn’t want to put holes in the dash)...

 

Homemade. The one you see in the photo is a Ed Fong DBJ-1. Just beyond is a 80m / 60m / 40m turnstile dipole. I 3d printed the center insulator.

 

I signed up only to respond. I was checking to see if WB1CDR was alive by searching for WB1CDR and seeing if his license was active. I found this thread. WB1CDR still lives in the house he grew up in and he just renewed his license. EXP 2030. Since WB1CDR lived in my home town, he drove me home for vacations. I’m in Florida, he’s still in the Boston area. I was at Cardigan 79-81. I’ve had no contact with Cardigan really, but my best friend went there as well. His son is now 24 and I was his best man at his wedding. We both lived in Brewster (1 me and 2 him) and after that we went to Brewster Academy. Actually two people went to Cardigan, Brewster academy and college with me. All sailers. I go back to Brewster Academy yearly; we have a very close class. I haven’t been back to Canaan since the 1980s. WB1CDR is 87 now.

 

What is everyone using for a mount on roof racks? I just installed an UpTop Overland with the same load bars as the Prinsu. I'm looking over the thread but haven't seen roof rack mounts yet so I thought I'd ask while looking.

 

If you mount the antenna to the Rack it will throw the capacitance and inductance.
Better choices for antenna mounts have been mentioned by me and others in this thread.
Roof Best
Fender
Ditch Light Mount.
Bumpers

Every location has its pos/neg

Its all about what your willing to do and want from your radio system.

Every mount is a compromise

 

Hi Tim,

Great radio for sure! I’m a new(ish) ham licensed back in September 2020. I snagged a ICOM 2730A for my truck and I’m in the process of installing it now. I’ll post more details when it’s all finished but here’s a few pictures.

I know the antenna is mounted in a less than ideal location but I haven’t really had any issues in my initial tests. I didn’t want to use a mag mount or drill any new holes. The radio itself is mounted under the passenger seat using a bracket.

Patrick

 

Comes down to if it works for you, then it's perfect. You might not get the most range, etc but if you need to talk to someone only a mile away and you can get 3 miles range, then who cares? looks good.

 

Well I guess I'll join in here...
I've been a Tech for 5 years now and am currently studying for my General.
My mobile rig is a Yaesu FTM300DR using the Multi-Mount from Taco Garage. I still need to mount the base of the radio but unfortunately the supplied power connection is not long enough to reach the battery so for now I have it plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet and sitting on the floor. I should have everything I need to finish the install this week so hopefully it will be mounted by the weekend. The antenna is still a dilemma. I have it on the roof with a mag mount and the wire goes thru the back window, I know not the best but it works. I don't want to drill any holes in the roof so I'm looking for a bed mount solution but having a tonneau cover makes things difficult.
Call sign: KD2LCH

73
D

 

1/8 steel backer plate from an ARB air compressor with an NMO sized hole cut in it. Already sized for 1/4" hardware. Works flawlessly to tens of miles.

 

How do you clear drive thru bars? Nice though

 

The diamond antenna folds down at the top of that thicker part of the vertical a few inches up.

Just don't forget to fold it down before backing into the garage...



twice

 

Now that is rad! Looks great too man!