Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Welcome to the Amateur radio BS thread.

I have an interest being a backpacker and hiker. However, I am severely time-limited. If I engage in this, I'll be sure to share about it. I know someone in my area who is active and when I hear about his adventures it sounds awesome and I'm envious.

 

CQ KD0JXB

 

It's very popular in NH and ME several of our club members are quite active there were several yesterday on the peaks it was not a warm day and winds pretty strong on the summits. It was nice in my shack though. VHF is popular they do pretty well at altitude and QRP HF when the weather is a bit nicer.

 

Hello,
We just got our 2015 Tacoma and we know we will really enjoy it! Will need to install a dual-band (2M/70CM) antenna soon. Thinking of a Comet or Diamond lip mount on the front hood drivers side. Really don't want to drill any holes in the roof. Not sure what we'll use for a radio yet. Been using a Yaesu VX5R HT as a mobile rig for years in our 2006 Highlander Hybrid with a dual-band antenna mounted on the rear hatch. Works good for us. Might do something like that in the Tacoma. Dual-band amateur rig or tonneau cover? Dual-band amateur rig or - - - well you get the idea. Need to purchase a few more items with a limited amount of extra money to complete our Tacoma.
73 de KA7EII (Rocky) and KD7OTJ (Cindy)

 

Welcome to TW.

Can't help you, I spend too much on my Tacoma one year and then on Ham equipment the next. It is a never ending cycle.

73s

N7MCS

 

I have a yaesu 7800 mounted under my seat with a remote kit. I habe a Larsen dual band thru the window it works great

 

No matter what you use either a lip mount or a hole in the roof both will have at least some effect on the truck body. With a lip mount it has to puncture the paint or it won't work so what's the problem with a hole? Both of my antennas are rear mounted, a roof mount antenna where I take my truck would have a life expediency of about a week. I never thought too much about holes in the body work by the time I sell them it's not a deal breaker at that point no one cares. Go for the ham gear it's a lot more fun than a tonneau cover.

 

Thinking about upgrading to a dual band radio in my truck. BUT I cant decide if I want to go with another glass mount antenna or a body mount on the roof..Ive never done a body mount before. Thoughts? Advice?

 

Any recommendations for a roof top 2M antenna? I run a Wilson 1000 for CB and would like something similar for the HAM set-up.

 

If you dont mind glass mounts, I run a Larsen antenna for my Yaesu 2900 (I have pics in my build thread) and I love it. But it looks like you have a topper so Im not too sure if it would fit between the back glass and the topper.

 

All 2/440 antennas are going to be shorter than a CB antenna that's a good thing from the looks of your truck you like to go into the woods height is going to be an issue a very efficient antenna for 2 meters is a 1/4 wave they are short and can be had with nothing more than a thin whip that won't get into much trouble. If you put a full size antenna on the roof you will at some point driving through the woods do one of two things, break the antenna or buckle the roof even yank the thing right out. The glass mount antennas are just OK but don’t expect stellar results they are ½ wave antennas because they have no ground plane they make up for that with a matching network that is lossy. They can be stuck on the windshield as long as it’s flat enough. Diamond is a good brand and the fold over requires it to be lifted then folded over Comet makes a similar one. The one on the back of my truck is a 4 band antenna and is a quarter wave on 6 meters it is 61” tall I have lost the top radiator coil and all to a tree branch so after the $90 loss I no longer go into the woods without folding it over. My suggestion a ¼ wave on the roof if you need a dual band they do make them with the 2 meter at ¼ wave it is only slightly longer try to find one with an enclosed matching coil not one with a curly “Q” twist in it they attract tree branches.

 

I put heat shrink over mine.

 

Sorry if these are elementary questions. What base would be used with these antennas? Looks like the coax needs to be ordered seperately as well?

 

NMO mounts come with the coax attached in various lengths. SO239 types probably come with the cable but it's up to you to install it. The NMO is the most popular.

 

The S0239 usually don't come with anything. You buy the length and termination end to your specs.

 

Here is what we use with great success http://www.ripley-tools.com/tools.php?tool=HSK&category=Wireless they are nice because they will not plunge through the hole they only go in about a 1/4" often refereed to as Motorola hole saws.

 

This combined with an antenna should be all I need to get a mobile antenna set up? I have the Tram mag mount but want the permanent solution in the truck and I'll use the mag mount in the DD.

http://www.amateurradiosupplies.com/nmo-hole-mount-p/11509.htm

 

Cool tool!

 

They make a "special" NMO now that only requires a 3/8" hole.

Wilson 3/8" Nmo Hole Mount for Wsn301104 with 14-Foot Rg58U Cable and Fme Female Connector (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-8-Inch-Wsn301104-14-Foot-Connector/dp/B0006VSHDU

 

I do not recommend ordering from Amateur Radio Supplies. They have less than stellar reviews on some of the ham radio forums. Go with Ham Radio Outlet if you can.