2m/70cm ham antenna Mount options

[cartrouble]

You generally don't need another antenna for APRS. Most radios that support APRS have a built in GPS that works quite well. So you'd just need your 2m antenna (APRS normally happens on 144.390). I think what Ol'Baditude is saying is that the GPS wouldn't get good reception in that location.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

This is a good point...
So if I'm going with a HAM radio that supports APRS, would I need a separate antenna? At which point I will need three mounts. Ham, APRS and CB.

And why wouldn't the mount work with APRS/GPS?

You generally don't need another antenna for APRS. Most radios that support APRS have a built in GPS that works quite well. So you'd just need your 2m antenna (APRS normally happens on 144.390). I think what Ol'Baditude is saying is that the GPS wouldn't get good reception in that location.

Yeah, the behavior of the GPS in the original FTM-400DR does not seem to stretch across all devices, and it certainly may not serve as a good example for all HAM radio head units. My Tablet and phone have no problem when mounted down near the console. The radio head unit, however, got severe interference when I used to use the RAM X-mount even when mounted on top of the dash, to the point where it would not even acquire satellites. For this reason, I have never even thought about mounting it anywhere else but out in the open, even though it may work elsewhere.
This is why I went with the direct mount into the threaded hole in the back of the head unit with the m5/m6 adapter, as shown on pg1 of my build thread. Works like a charm now.
Cartrouble has pretty much covered the rest.

 

[DannyLlama]

So the CB mount would work good with a 2M/APRS antenna

 

[cartrouble]

eh, not so much. typically CB mounts are 3/8 x 24 mounts whereas most VHF/UHF antennas are PL-259 or NMO. HF antennas use the same type of mount as CBs (3/8x24).

 

[Pigeye]

Ok, that's friggin cool!
My FTM-400DR wouldn't fit in there, and the GPS would not work, but most of the other Yaesu models would.

I'm studying for my tech now and I was thinking about getting the FTM-400DR. My plan was to mount the head unit in the sunglasses holder. I don't have the radio in hand so I don't quite know how close the fit would be. Do you think it would fit if I cut the sunglasses holder? Was the GPS just not optimal? If the GPS doesn't connect to any satellites I guess that location is out for me since the APRS is a big selling point for me.

 

[e60ral]

So the CB mount would work good with a 2M/APRS antenna

The mounts are just specific to the kind of the connection, and you can get antennas in any connection you want, but using NMO for both will give you the most flexibility


with aprs keep in mind that it will tie up a band on your radio. also, if you want aprs for safety i'd recommend something like a delorme in reach instead (although if you want it for fun that is a perfectly acceptable reason, most of the ham hobby is playing with stuff to learn)

 

[Ol'Baditude]

I'm studying for my tech now and I was thinking about getting the FTM-400DR. My plan was to mount the head unit in the sunglasses holder. I don't have the radio in hand so I don't quite know how close the fit would be. Do you think it would fit if I cut the sunglasses holder? Was the GPS just not optimal? If the GPS doesn't connect to any satellites I guess that location is out for me since the APRS is a big selling point for me.

I found that if there was any metal near the unit, the GPS would not acquire satellites. I have to infer from this, that it would not be optimal to mount the head unit anywhere near metal or electronics, but have seen them mounted near the headliner or on the dash and apparently they work alright. I prefer to keep mine on a window mount over the dash, with a very minimalistic mount connection, and the satellite acquisition is very solid and very quick every time.
All of this being said, the FTM-400XDR apparently comes with an upgraded GPS module that may be much better at acquiring satellites in less than optimal locations within the vehicle.
As for mounting in the sunglass holder, unless you cut the plastic off the bottom, controlling the radio would be a PITA, since the two bottom knobs would be blocked. You can do a lot from the remote mic, but I still prefer to use the knobs for everything.

 

[MeefZah]

Clean setup.. you said custom? Just making sure I read right

I made brackets to hold the head unit. I cut and bent a couple piece of aluminum to match then drilled mounting holes and painted black. i used 2.6x8mm thumb screws (don't quote me on the size) and nylon bushings to attach the aluminum brackets to the back of the faceplate and actually attached that to the bottom of that cutout in the center console with heavy duty velcro. it's sturdy and doesn't wobble and i can easily remove it if i need to take out the head unit. The velcro and angle of the bracket are strong enough that i can pull the mic or push buttons and it doesn't move and so far i've had good luck for mounting other things that the heavy duty velcro can stand up to car temps without getting soft.

Did you steal my mount idea AND my antenna idea??? LOL. J/K, that's why I posted it.

FYI the bolts are 2.5mm which are difficult to find locally. I have a few extra 2.5 x 12 mm lying around because I bought more than 2, so if anyone has a 2730A and is trying to figure out how to mount the faceplate, I can send you a two gratis, just PM me.

I used a piece of flat strap, 2 - 2.5x12mm bolts, two spacers, and the RAM ball mount.

Basically the RAM is mounted to the flat strap using nuts and bolts; the flat strap is then mounted to the rear of the head unit using spacers (to act as a stand off against the nuts holding the RAM mount on) and the small 2.5mm bolts. The power/data cable is secured to the flat strap with wire ties and the mic cable is routed along the back and secured with wire ties as well.

 

[DannyLlama]

I missed a letter

I meant to say.... the CBI mounts should work for both applications.

 

[Pigeye]

I found that if there was any metal near the unit, the GPS would not acquire satellites. I have to infer from this, that it would not be optimal to mount the head unit anywhere near metal or electronics, but have seen them mounted near the headliner or on the dash and apparently they work alright. I prefer to keep mine on a window mount over the dash, with a very minimalistic mount connection, and the satellite acquisition is very solid and very quick every time.
All of this being said, the FTM-400XDR apparently comes with an upgraded GPS module that may be much better at acquiring satellites in less than optimal locations within the vehicle.
As for mounting in the sunglass holder, unless you cut the plastic off the bottom, controlling the radio would be a PITA, since the two bottom knobs would be blocked. You can do a lot from the remote mic, but I still prefer to use the knobs for everything.

Thanks
I have no problem cutting a little plastic from the bottom of the sunglasses holder. I guess I'll wait until I get the unit in hand to see how the reception is and where I can mount it.

 

[e60ral]

Did you steal my mount idea AND my antenna idea??? LOL. J/K, that's why I posted it.

lol yeah copied your antenna mounts and CB antenna choice, my radio is mounted a bit different though (used the area behind the cupholder). The mounts area great, very secure and very low profile with the antennas removed. I've been through a couple carwashes with no issues with rain caps on the mounts.

That CB antenna works well but it took a lot of tuning, i probably cut 1.5" off that thing

 

[MeefZah]

lol yeah copied your antenna mounts and CB antenna choice, my radio is mounted a bit different though (used the area behind the cupholder). The mounts area great, very secure and very low profile with the antennas removed. I've been through a couple carwashes with no issues with rain caps on the mounts.

That CB antenna works well but it took a lot of tuning, i probably cut 1.5" off that thing

Yeah, the rain caps are great for when you aren't using the antennas, for sure. In black everything is pretty unobtrusive.

I also had a hella time tuning that antenna, it's still at like 1.5 on the lower channels and around channel 30 - 40 it spikes up to 2.5 or so. I basically quit caring after spending an hour taking off a millimeter at a time. 19 is tuned okay and for any trail work we'll just use lower channels anyway. It is a good antenna though, despite the tuning issue and especially for the price.

 

[Orbital Debris]

This is a good point...
So if I'm going with a HAM radio that supports APRS, would I need a separate antenna? At which point I will need three mounts. Ham, APRS and CB.

And why wouldn't the mount work with APRS/GPS?

The newer APRS radios have the integrated GPS mounted on the back side of the control head. So the back side of the control head should have a 'clear view of the sky'. Glass is ok, but metal tends to interfere with the GPS signals. Since the sunglass holder is directly under the metal of the roof, it does not work as well as directly on top of the dash. This would also follow for mounting down low in the cubby like e60ral. Incidentally, the gps antenna for the factory Nav system is just under the top of the dash in the center.

I have the older Kenwood D710 (no GPS) and I spliced in a globalsat BU-355 puck (33.95 on amazon) and it works like a charm and gets a fix within seconds. I put my V71A in the lower cubby, it fits very nice there.

 

[CharlestonFisher]

I have the CP-5m mount as above, but my version is the SO-259. For normal day to day, I have a Comet SBB-2 attached, and it works very well hitting the local repeaters. With the mount at this level, it sticks up above the roof about a foot, and it clears my garage door which is 7ft. If I need more gain, I carry an SBB-5 in the car, stored in a 1 inch pvc pipe.

Any flex to this antenna like the SBB-1?


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[4Running303]

Any flex to this antenna like the SBB-1?


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I have the same setup and Sbb-2...no flex that I've noticed.

 

[4Running303]

I thank you all for this thread...and now that I installed my ham today, I realized it is a combination of what is in this thread!

Icom 2730A with a Comet SBB-2, with the CP5 lip mount on the driver's side hatch. I already had the CP5 with PL259...ran the cable through the top of the cargo area liner, down the d-pillar on the passenger side, through the plastic over the rear wheel, under the kick panels on the passenger, and under the front passenger side seat to the Icom brains. I ran the cable to the head unit through the center consoler9 and up behind the ac controls and out the dummy switch cover inside the glove box. I drilled a hole and put a grommet to protect the cable. Power cable also runs through the center console, up and under the steering column and through the driver side firewall. Haven't installed a hanger for the mic...and just using my magnetic cell phone holder that fits in the vent. Pretty secure actually, not sure if I'll leave it there.

 

[tck4x4]

Just installed my TYT TH-9800 quad band and Tram magnetic 2m/70cm antenna. I ran power direct from the battery through the firewall rubber grommet on the drivers side, used 10ga wire and a 40 amp circuit breaker. The hvac part of the dash pops of easy and allowed me to hide the wires. The head unit is just velcroed to the carpet under the passenger seat.

 

[CharlestonFisher]

Comet SBB-2.

How physically flexible is the SBB-2?



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[USKTog]

I have the CP-5m mount as above, but my version is the SO-259. For normal day to day, I have a Comet SBB-2 attached, and it works very well hitting the local repeaters. With the mount at this level, it sticks up above the roof about a foot, and it clears my garage door which is 7ft. If I need more gain, I carry an SBB-5 in the car, stored in a 1 inch pvc pipe.

Ugh…every time I see things like this, it reminds me I need to get my ham radio installed and usable again. Haven't used the radio since I uninstalled it from my F-350 prior to purchasing my T4R in Aug 2014.

Might upgrade the radio from the Anytone AT-5888uv to something a little better.

 

[4Running303]

Its really not flexible at all (in my opinion...I guess it does bend a little, but I'd be afraid I'd snap it on a sturdy tree limb)...you could add some flex to the mount with a spring, similar to the rigid firestik antennas for CB.

How physically flexible is the SBB-2?



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