Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Is yours mounted on a Panavise like NotRed's above in post 2852?

 

You could also go this route.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mod-a-pillar-ram-mount-gps-phone-holder.372250/

 

Hi all!

I am studying to get my license and should be taking the test next month I think! I am going to try and make it all the way to general and was wondering what would be a good radio to mount in my truck! I was reading about the ftm400 and wonder if there is any other radios. Also how would you mount them in the truck? I have a CB in there now on the passenger side and don't have any issues from my CB hitting people's legs. I'm new to this but really want to learn!

 

Welcome! There are several good radios you can go with. I have my CB in the cubby in front of the shifter, so mounted my mobile HAM rig underneath the passenger seat (partly because I have a stereo amp already mounted under the driver's seat) and just ran the connecting cable from the radio to the faceplate up through the center console to the dash.

 

I just got my license this month and went with the Kenwood TH-D710G. Mounted the head unit to the vent using the Hondo Garage setup and mounted the transceiver to the left side of the brake pedal bracket up under the dash.

 

Do you guys have pictures of your setup? I'd really like to see how they're mounted

 

I will try and get some tonight. The radio is hard to take picture of install because of the location. The Hondo Garage mount is this thread post #2853.

 

@Sleipnir, here are the pictures the radio is mounted under the dash on the left side of the brake pedal bracket.

 

Thanks Glen ! That looks awesome!

 

My pics are one post behind his, #2852. My mounting method may not work as I have a 2nd Gen. and the mount bracket from Panavise would be wrong for your truck. Not sure whether they make one for yours or not.

 

No I have a 2nd Gen. Same year and body as yours just no 4x4 yet

 

Got my technician license in March and studying for the general now. I got a Kenwood TM-V71A that I'm using at home now with a 2 meter quarter wave ground plane antenna I mounted in my attic. My plan is to get my general license and an HF radio and use my HT or my Kenwood in my truck.

73 - KG5SHY

 

congrats on getting your license. hope you enjoy the hobby

 

(This thing has probably been mentioned in the thread at some point, but doesn't hurt to bump it...)

For the folks interested in getting into APRS as simply as possible, check this thing out: https://www.byonics.com/mt-rtg

$220 and has everything you need (including antenna). You give them your callsign when you order and it's pre-programmed in there (you can change it later with a programming cable and PC). Just provide power (comes with a cigarette lighter plug) and it starts reporting your location. There are a couple of links to walkthroughs that show you everything in the box and how it's connected.

P.S. You still need to be a licensed operator to run this thing. Tech license at least.

 

I just took my Technicians Exam today, and PASSED! I look forward to learning from you all.

 

Congrats! Welcome to another hobby that helps you spend all your money as quickly as possible.

 

Never had any interest in having a base station at home before but I got this for the low price of "haul it away" and now I'm flipping through the HRO catalog again.

 

Right, so my wife who has her technician ticket wants to get a GMRS license and while I think they are "neat" I can't really think of a benefit to having them in the truck. Do that many people use them to make it worth it as a "just in case" expense?

She's wanting to buy these middle of the road Midland mobiles.

 

GMRS is interesting...while technically you're supposed to have a license, you can go to Walmart and buy radios that use those frequencies. Half of the GMRS frequencies overlap with the FRS (Family Radio Service) frequencies, which you don't need a license for. The difference is that FRS is a max of 500mW while GMRS is 5W.

I got my GMRS just to be official (it's like $10 from the FCC site, no test or anything). But I wouldn't worry about being "caught" if you don't have it. I put the GMRS frequencies in my radio just in case I end up wanting to talk to someone with a handheld. They're also fun to scan through in public because you'll often find random businesses using them. Check out the MURS frequencies for the official business-use ones. Scan those next time you're at an amusement park or other large, public business.