Ham radio, mobile mixed with portable

MadeInMaine

MadeInMaine

New member
Good morning everyone,

I am looking to install a ham radio into my rig.
I would like the strength of a hard wired mobile unit, but also have the ability to unhook and throw a portable in my pack and go hiking away from the rig.
I know I can get an external antenna mounted on the roof with a portable to extend range, but that doesn't up the power. Portables are usually only 5Ws I believe and mobiles can get 20w.

So, any suggestions on a unit that I can hard wire in for mobile use, but pop out and go for a walk with a portable. I am hoping not to have to buy 2 separate units, but I may have to.

Cheers

Owen
 
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MadeInMaine said:
Good morning everyone,

I am looking to install a ham radio into my rig.
I would like the strength of a hard wired mobile unit, but also have the ability to unhook and throw a portable in my pack and go hiking away from the rig.
I know I can get an external antenna mounted on the roof with a portable to extend range, but that doesn't up the power. Portables are usually only 5Ws I believe and mobiles can get 20w.

So, any suggestions on a unit that I can hard wire in for mobile use, but pop out and go for a walk with a portable. I am hoping not to have to buy 2 separate units, but I may have to.

Cheers

Owen
Click to expand...

Most mobile are in the 50w range. For dual band, I believe that that is the max output you can find. There is a 2m unit that has 75w of output. If I remember correctly, there is only one unit that is is mobile, but can be removed and carried, but just imagine the early 1990's cell phone in the carry case. Not exactly that portable. Your best bet is two dedicated units. You can get very inexpensive handheld's for under $75.
 
Look for a dual band transceiver for the T4, I have a single band and I can't use 440/70cm.

For a portable, try a handy talkie like this one. Dual band and only $62. Mine works well, I can hit a repeater 8 miles away on low power.
 

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I have a Yaesu 7800 in the truck, with a Yaesu FT-270 in the center console. Best of both worlds, and actually has come in very handy.

I've found that being able to communicate back to the truck for numerous items, or have an HT to lend is great.

(I've been in the practice of calling, "(call sign), controlling mobile and HT."

-H-
 
I have been pondering the same. Do I mount a mobile unit in my new rig or do I just get a handheld?

I live in the city, so I don't need range, unless I am on a trip. Having a mobile unit and a handheld would be nice, but twice the price...

I have considered a linear amplifier like this: https://www.gigaparts.com/mirage-bd-35.html mounted under the seat and an antenna mounted on the roof rails or back hatch. It would give the a boost when out in the woods.
 
Just buy a cheap hand held. If you have a need for long range from portable.. Might consider a wired unit for your truck with cross band repeater capability.

Mine has it and I've played around with it... Pretty cool in that it lets your truck act as a repeater.

Output impacts range.. but nothing like ant style and location.....
 
There are some inexpensive options for both mobile and HT radios...heck, I think some of the Chinese 2M radios are sub-$100.

While wattage isn't the end-all of radio...heck...a cw unit on HF can get you darn near around half the globe at less than 1W with a good antenna and atmospheric conditions, and when you're within repeater range (IRLP or the like) you've got tons of options, I went with a hard mount in the truck for those times I'm not in a good area...aka most of my outings.

Having a bit more power is nice when I'm around mountains and valleys, or need to try and up the "line of sight" signal the 2M allows. (Death Valley and Mexico come to mind.)

Having the HT means I can go out and scout trail, or switch drivers while I'm assisting another rig while being able to communicate with my truck or other drivers.

While I have a mobile HF unit, it's in a go pack with 40M dipole...I've always found trying to use HF in the car to be frustrating.

-H-
 
Motorola used to offer a commercial / public safety radio that was mounted as a mobile but had the actual "radio" as a portable that snapped into the mobile base. When the mobile was in use you had a normal mobile mic and the radio transmitted on 45 (?) watts via the mobile antenna. Pull the portable out and the mobile was disabled and the portable now transmitted using the built in speaker/ mic and used the rubber duck antenna. It was known among coppers as the "jerk and run" because when you bailed out of the car you snatched the portable radio out of the unit... and ran.

ntn6513-2.jpg


With that history lesson out of the way, I am unfamiliar with any manufacturer that offers this in a HAM variant.

I would concur with above posts that the easiest thing to do would be to buy two dedicated units. I'd look into decent brands, a Kenwood 2M is not a whole lot more than whatever the Ebay Chinese stuff is, but that's just me. I personally run a Kenwood 2m portable and a Icom dual band mobile for pretty much the same reason as noted by you and other posters... and it is very convenient to be able to talk back the truck.


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Alternatively, you could get a good quality portable and then install the best mobile antenna you can get for the frequency range you'll be using, and connect that via a patch cable to the portable. Run the portable off 12VDC power (not all can do this, some are internal batteries only), add a remote speaker / mic, and run it at full power in the truck... then remove it, install the rubber duck antenna, and go hiking with it... that's about the best you can do.
 
Last edited:
Smiley said:
I have been pondering the same. Do I mount a mobile unit in my new rig or do I just get a handheld?

I live in the city, so I don't need range, unless I am on a trip. Having a mobile unit and a handheld would be nice, but twice the price...

I have considered a linear amplifier like this: https://www.gigaparts.com/mirage-bd-35.html mounted under the seat and an antenna mounted on the roof rails or back hatch. It would give the a boost when out in the woods.
Click to expand...

This is the route I plan on going. I picked up a Baofang BF-F9 V2+ and a 15" Nagoya antenna to help out with range in the meantime. It's works great now. Being able to use it outside the truck on trails is a definite plus.
[MENTION=171195]Smiley[/MENTION] - that amplifier you linked, is it "the best", "the cheapest", or "best quality" one out there? I am just now starting to shop for an amplifier and don't know what to be looking for.
 
MadeInMaine said:
Good morning everyone,

I am looking to install a ham radio into my rig.
I would like the strength of a hard wired mobile unit, but also have the ability to unhook and throw a portable in my pack and go hiking away from the rig.
I know I can get an external antenna mounted on the roof with a portable to extend range, but that doesn't up the power. Portables are usually only 5Ws I believe and mobiles can get 20w.

So, any suggestions on a unit that I can hard wire in for mobile use, but pop out and go for a walk with a portable. I am hoping not to have to buy 2 separate units, but I may have to.

Cheers

Owen
Click to expand...

Leave your vehicle mount alone - of course there are quick disconnects you can use, but should just leave it in the truck setup. Grab a mobile / handheld to bring with you and set your dual bander in the truck to cross band repeat your transmissions. I've left my Yaesu 8900 on (with the screen dimmed and volume off) for days and have never seen any significant battery drain.
 
sigepbiker said:
This is the route I plan on going. I picked up a Baofang BF-F9 V2+ and a 15" Nagoya antenna to help out with range in the meantime. It's works great now. Being able to use it outside the truck on trails is a definite plus.

[MENTION=171195]Smiley[/MENTION] - that amplifier you linked, is it "the best", "the cheapest", or "best quality" one out there? I am just now starting to shop for an amplifier and don't know what to be looking for.
Click to expand...

I don't have any experience with it yet. It's the only dual band I saw.

Here is another option for 2m:
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts...IRnJMmnAoJan_0kZgBb7-OOrQdYX-3ogaAuawEALw_wcB

I figured on something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M...X236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sma+antenna+cable+3'

And then something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072...ic+antenna&dpPl=1&dpID=416ZhMKV2YL&ref=plSrch

I'm still researching myself...
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone

Probably end up with 2 units. Seems like being able to talk to the 4Runner is pretty handy.
 
wfo9 said:
Just buy a cheap hand held. If you have a need for long range from portable.. Might consider a wired unit for your truck with cross band repeater capability.

Mine has it and I've played around with it... Pretty cool in that it lets your truck act as a repeater.

Output impacts range.. but nothing like ant style and location.....
Click to expand...

X2 Get a cheap hand held and invest in a good mobile unit
 
MadeInMaine said:
Ow does anyone have any good suggestions for free online study guides to take the ham license test?
:)
Click to expand...

There are several free online test preps. I believe ARRL offers one, as does Hamexam.org, and eham.net. Although eham appears to be a year out of date. I bought the General class book from ARRL, and used the free online test preps. Worked fine for me.
 
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