Ham Installations, Radios, Antennas, etc...

[Magnetic]

While I used CB's for many years, I recently got my Amateur (ham) license and I have been experimenting with both HT and mini mobiles.


Initially various temporary mounts (for both radios and antennas) have been used while I figure out what direction I want to go.

I am aware of the CB threads and the older Ham threads, and I am hoping for some fresh feedback from forum members as to their choice and to their reasoning for these choices.


I assume that suburban use, vs. overland, will lead to different equipment, installation strategies and investments.

Also as budgets vary, so will approaches that reflect the bang for the buck in each category (Cheap/temporary, Intermediate/mildly invasive and High cost/high performance/highest effort).


Please share your solutions to the best on-road and off-road compromises which justify the costs and return the best performance for the investment.


Extra points for photos and detailed write ups with model numbers, links and honest evaluations of the performance vs cost... :thumb3:

 

[BobsTrail]

I did not want a permanent mount, so I use a mag mount for 2 meters and 440. I don't like calling attention to what may be in the T4 and the mag is good for me.

I run the cable through the back hatch and let the gasket hold it in place or run it through the left passenger door the same way.

I moved up to a Tram dual band with medium gain and it seems to work well for repeaters. Not ready for HF and the larger antennas.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Handheld units are limited on power. But they are good for spotting and walking outside of the truck. Put a good antenna on it.

For truck to truck I would definitely have a hard wired unit. You get more power, which equals more distance. Also a quality antenna will help.

I am running a Yaesu FT-8900 in my truck linked to a Diamond trunk mount located on the hatch nice and high. Then have a Diamond NR770 antenna. Good system and way more advance then I know what to do with. Then I have a cheap handheld with a Diamond antenna (if I remember correctly) for outside of the truck.

 

[DannyLlama]

Lots of good info here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/188802-ham-off-road.html

Also just found this section at Expedition portal https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/communications-ham-cb-2m-sat-frs-gmrs.47/

it all comes down to what you want to do with your radio.

I have the Kenwood D710G which has APRS (GPS tracking over HAM frequency) and it helps my family know where I am and track me when on the move. This alone is one of my favorite mods on the truck!

 

[proimion]

You want detail, here you go.

I've had my permanent install now for 2 years. I use it frequently. Yaesu FT-7800R dual band VHF/UHF. Diamond K400S heavy duty trunk/hatchback mount with a UHF base (SO-239) and PL-259 connection. Antenna: Comet SS460SB 146/446 MHz for in town and their 1/2 wavelength version for trips.

What I like:

1. Power, performance, convenience of hard-wired setup
2. Pre-set repeaters where I travel (this was a pain to setup on the 7800R but well worth the effort)
3. Short antenna for in-town and garage, long antenna for in the wild
4. External speaker on console

The FT-7800R is older (much older than my vehicle) and I wish it had:

1. Dual frequency capability. Even cheap handhelds have this now.
2. Ability to act as a "simplex repeater" for larger campouts where we have a big scout group.

 

[teotwaki]

Here are a couple of other threads about installs:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/88151-ham-radio-5th-gen-4runner-help.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/218118-pictures-my-ham-radio-install.html

I would like to see more pix of how the radio control heads are mounted in 5th Gens. In my 4th Gen I was able to use a nice Panavise "in Dash" bracket that bolted in by the left side of the glove box

 

[Magnetic]

Current Ham setup...

So far for handhelds I have a couple Baofeng BF-F8HP's with extended 3800 MAh batteries and Diamond SRJ77 antennas.


After a having a problem with a BTech UV-25x2 mini car rig, I returned it and replaced it with a UV-25X4,

which currently is running to a Nagoya UT-72 Super Loading Coil 19-Inch Magnetic Mount which also came with an adapter to use it with the BF-F8HP's.


As the UV-25X4 is a tri-band radio, I have Nagoya TB-320A Fold-Over 39-Inch PL-259 Mount Tri-band 2m/1.25m/70cm antenna coming tomorrow.

I will mount it on the Nagoya RB-50 (5" Base) 5/8 NMO Mount Magnet.

I have a small sheet of automotive vinyl wrap that will be installed where the mount will reside to protect the paint.


My only concern with the mag mounts is the risk of damaging the cable or the rubber seal running (compressing) the cable through a door/hatch seal...