Picked up the '05 today! - and, Ham Radio?

[eorange]

Got my '05 4WD Sport V8, in Galactic Grey. It's a beautiful SUV and a nice ride. Man, that V8 growls...

Also - in the first few pages of the manual, there's quite a number of warnings regarding 2 way radios and how they could interfere with the electrical system. I assume you hams out there don't have any problem with that?

Erik

 

[kglueck]

Nope, no issues. I can't remember the exact advice I got from Toyota in regards to how far to stay away from the actual computer. I've got two RG58 runs running to the engine compartment through the passenger side gromit there near the top. works fine. didn't run it through the dash area though, just up from the floor...Those antenna runs have two 50W mobiles hooked up to them. rarely operate at full 50W, but have been known to. I did have rather nasty sound on my transmit audio while I was being lazy and powering from 12v acc port...once I ran my 6 gauge wire from the battery, my signal reports improved greatly...

Kev

 

[eorange]

Thanks, that's what I guessed. I already found at least one unused grommet that may not stay unused for long! And you're braver than I trying to run 50W HF from a 12v power port. :

Erik

 

[kglueck]

hehe...not as brave as you might think. never actually hit the transmit button on 50W via the acc stuff as I was sure I'd prolly pop a fuse. With a dedicated circuit, the vhf radios can operate on full 50W--which I don't do often as we have good repeater and digipeater coverage around my town. I do also have the hf radio, which will do 100W on HF frequencies, but I haven't finished the upgrade to general on my license, so the mic stays unplugged for now. :

 

[wb2fcr]

kglueck

What are you using for antennas?

I'm looking to install a 2 m / 70 cm Icom and don't know what to do about the antenna.

I don't want to put any holes in my new baby. I looked at glass mount, but where to put it? The rear side windows have the AM/FM antenna built in so they won't work.

I guess I'll have to use one of the roof rack mount antennas I saw in the AES catalog.

Dave

 

[eorange]

kglueck: I was laughing as I read your post. I am taking my general theory on April 3 at a local hamfest (I already have my code thanks to my Novice license). But, I don't see myself doing mobile HF, though. I have enough trouble coordinating UHF/VHF QSOs when I drive!

Regarding antennas: I have a Larsen mag mount that I attach/detach as needed, with a high gain 2m and a nominal 2m/70cm antenna. I drive a real short distance to work, so there's no time for me to make a contact during my "commute". Plus the antenna twangs my garage door roof when I pull in and out. So I don't have a permanent mount yet.

But - I don't even like the thought of plopping a mag mount on that nice new roof paint!

Erik

 

[kglueck]

my daily radios are the vhf/uhf and aprs setup. they both run on 1/4 wave nmo antennas mounted on comet rs720-nmo hood mounts. I, too, couldn't bring myself to cut any holes...

here's a link with pics of the mounts I took a while back

I also pop a magmount on the top w/ a 5/8 wave 2m antenna when needed. I have been using this antenna as the receive only antenna on the hf radio, recently. However, as I park in a parking garage at work, I can't leave that one up, so the hood mounts have to do for now. I can't even stick a 5/8 wave on the hood mounts as it'll bang all the way through the garage.

I'm prolly going to get one of the nice dual band 2M/440 antennas and an atas-120 (or some other screw-driver type HF antenna) at some point and mount down on a bumper guard.

I will probably always carry the magmount in the back for times when I need the antenna on the roof for best coverage...

as for damage to the paint, that's a real problem. All vehicles I've used a magmount on semi-permanently have ended up with scratches. I've been using a clean shop-rag that's cut in a square just bigger than the magmount to put between the magnet and the roof. So far, this has worked well. It does get wet and need to be pulled off and cleaned, tho...you can just barely see it in the "dirty pic" on the 3rd page of my gallery thread that's linked in my signature here... you can also just barely see one of the 1/4 wave antennas/mounts there too.

Kev

PS good luck with the test, erik...you'll prolly have no trouble! 'specially since you're a full novice/techician class...I got my license right when the no-code tech rules were adopted...so I still have cw to deal with... :

 

[eorange]

Thanks, I am looking forward to the test. I bought the ARRL "General" book and have been studying it religiously, along with taking the eHam.net tests online. Actually, the hardest part is memorizing all the exact HF frequency bands! They don't fall on nice even boundaries...

You know, I thought about the same thing...putting a soft cloth under the mag mount. Until then, I'll just be poking my extra long whip outside the driver's window, lol.

Erik

 

[wb2fcr]

Kev
Thanks for the antenna info. I guess I'm going to look at the roof rack mounts to see how they work. I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up a little (we had snow in Western New York yesterday).

Erik
Good luck in the test. I got my Extra class a couple fo years ago by repeatly taking the online tests at QRZ.COM. Most of it is memorizing stuff. I'm sure you'll pass, no problem.

Dave