Ham Radio Installation

RedSavina · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 12:17 PM

I recently completed installation of a mobile hame radio in my Tundra. I would have preferred an HF model, but since I still have to pass the Element 1 exam and had limited funds I went with a dual band VHF/UHF model. Here is a quick summary of my installation:

Antenna - Diamond NR770HBNMO Dual Band on custom Tundra Stake Pocket Mount. Both mounts in forward pockets; one active, one future/spare with Larsen raincap.

Antenna cabling - LMR240 from stake pockets into cab through grommets at base of rear seat. Passenger cabling runs under door sill covers to area beneath passenger seat (through existing flap in carpet). Driver cabling crosses to passenger side of cab under sheet metal shield at forward base of rear seat, then to area beneath passenger seat.

Powering - Supply cable is 8AWG Monster Cable running from + battery terminal to firewall, along firewall, through large grommet near glove box, under door sill cover, to area under passenger seat. Ground cable is 8AWG Megacable running from area under passenger seat, under door sill cover, through grommet at base of rear seat, to ground on frame (ss hardware, including star washers, to bare metal). Both cables connect to the DC IN port of a RIGRunner 4005. Note that the 45A series connectors are designed for 10/12 AWG cable, but 8AWG cable can be made to work with much effort.

Transceiver connections - Transceiver main unit (Kenwood TM-D707G Dual Band is under passenger seat and draws power from RIGRunner. Unit is fused at transceiver, RIGRunner, and battery. Separation kit (Kenwood DFK-7C Separation Kit) runs under door sill cover, up windshield column, and along headliner to remote head mounted in garage opener/sunglass holder cavity. Microphone is connected at main unit and rests on driveline hump near center console. External speaker (Kenwood SP-50B) connects to main unit and routes under carpet to area under ashtray.

I have photos of portions of the installation for those who are interested. If there is sufficient interest, I'll document the installation as a HOWTO.

73 de RedSavina KC0MVG

PS: I owe a great deal to IZL for his tips along the way. Thanks!

Ben Chase · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 09:00 AM

I would be very interested in a HOW-TO, as I am taking my Technician license test pretty soon. Great post! What does that transciever run? Expensive?

RedSavina · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 09:40 AM

Ben,

I'll collect my notes and start on the HOWTO in a day or so. I was reviewing my photos and realized that some are not real clear and need to be retaken.

As for the radio, it was $299. I checked the bigger online retailers and didn't find a lot of price variation. I recommend shopping your local ham radio store and getting some hands-on before actually purchasing a radio. This resulted in me buying a different radio than I expected. It also helped rule out a radio I was very curious about.

If you decide to purchase online, dont' forget to give some business to your local store, since the hands-on experience costs them $. In my case, the prices were equivalent so I made the entire purchase at the local store.

Good luck!

73 de RedSavina KC0MVG

WL7JA · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 06:37 PM

Ben Chase & Red Savina

Radios I have mounted in my Tundra area Kenwood DM-T700, Yaesu FT-100 and a Yaesu FT-7100. Antennas are 2 Nil_Jon
on Cab, GPS Antenna and a HSantenna HF/6Meter Screwdriver
Antenna's and I think I still have some pictures here at TS, I removed my back seat and mount all three Radios on a piece
of Allumn. sheet. Although I am thinking about taking to 7100 out
and just leave the FT-100 and DM-T700 in. And reinstallating
back seat.

73's de WL7JA

Patrick

RedSavina · #5 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 09:41 PM

WL7JA,

Sweet! Man, you really tore into your Tundra

Were you, by any chance, on IRLP today? There was a WL7 call from Anchorage on and I took note because AK is my favorite state. If I could convince the XYL, I'd move to Anchorage in a heartbeat!

73s,
KC0MVG

WL7JA · #6 (**permalink**) 09-26-2002, 01:38 PM

RedSavina

Probably was me on IRLP, we are putting together a State Wide link with Qlink. I am adding an access point in my truck for my Wireless lan soon as.

73's de WL7JA.....

Good luck on talking to the XYL on moving to Alaska......

Pat

RedSavina · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 12:46 AM

Okay gang!

I've been pretty busy lately with a newborn and a massive travel schedule at work. In fact, I begin a marathon run next week that has me travelling nearly every week through the end of the year...

That said, I still want to post my install details. If the weather permits, I'll get some good photos tomorrow. I sketched out a plan for photos and a write-up tonight, so I should have something in a day or so.

Thanks for your patience!

73
Red

PS: I haven't put an SWR meter on it yet, but I'm getting fantastic reports in the Denver area. From locations 40+ miles north of Denver I'm able to pull in a Colorado Springs 2M repeater (~150 miles) and an 2M Evergreen repeater (~75 miles). Getting out that far is tough at 50W, but I havegotten into the Evergreen repeater at times with weak signal reports. Normal repeater operation has been nearly flawless and I've had good luck with simplex in the 5-10 mile range, generally level terrain.

Ben Chase · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 12:55 AM

I'm getting ready to take my Technician test.....any specific areas I should concentrate on?

mskaj · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 09:07 AM

Hey Ben,
I'll be taking my tech plus test Feb 2nd. Here is a link to a good site to take Practice Tests
If you can consistantly get more than 30 or 31 correct you'll do fine. I also bought the Now You're Talking book from Radio Schack. I found it to be very helpfull. I've also been listening to the Gordon West audio tapes to study for the Morse Code test.

I usually take 3 to 5 practice tests a day just to get good exposure to all of the questions in the pool. Good luck and maybe we'll cross paths on the air someday.

I'm actually looking at getting one of these radios for my Tundra after I pass my exam. Either an Icom 706MKII-G, YAESU FT-100D or an Icom IC-2720H.

If anyone else here has an opinion about the choices, I would love to hear it.

mustang67408 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 05:29 PM

I just installed this in my Tundra, CB's just dont do the job anymore. There are to many people on the CB and they just KEY UP so you can't talk. No courtesy, and ya try to get help if you ned it. LV is bad for communicating on CB.
Getting a HAM license, usually keeps the riff raff away. Opens up alot of possibilities and frequencies to communicate on.
Icom America - Amateur Radios - IC-706MKIIG Main
Icom 706 MKII -G

Comet UHV-6

Icom remote face kit

Comet CF-530 Duplexer

I used the headphone port on the face plate and connected it to my NAV and plays thru the truck speakers.

My buddy used my mobile to chat to someone in CHILE the other night.
Distances are almost limitless.

The radio fits under the drivers seat and I will be getting the auto antenna tuner and mounts it under the drivers seat as well, on top of the radio.

Mr.Ham · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 03:02 AM

I just might try the same ham radio setup.

_____________________
AES Ham Radio Catalog on aesham.com - Download the AES Ham Radio Catalog by AES Amateur Electronic Supply

trd4jt · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I just installed this in my Tundra, CB's just dont do the job anymore. There are to many people on the CB and they just KEY UP so you can't talk. No courtesy, and ya try to get help if you ned it. LV is bad for communicating on CB.
Getting a HAM license, usually keeps the riff raff away. Opens up alot of possibilities and frequencies to communicate on.
Icom America - Amateur Radios - IC-706MKIIG Main
Icom 706 MKII -G

Comet UHV-6

Icom remote face kit

Comet CF-530 Duplexer

I used the headphone port on the face plate and connected it to my NAV and plays thru the truck speakers.

My buddy used my mobile to chat to someone in CHILE the other night.
Distances are almost limitless.

The radio fits under the drivers seat and I will be getting the auto antenna tuner and mounts it under the drivers seat as well, on top of the radio.

Mustang,

Nice set up. The trade off for me was too great, as I must have

cupholders

for my java fix. I put hook (one half of hook and loop fasteners, aka Velcro) fasteners on the bottom of my FT-1500 to prevent it from sliding around on the tranny hump. We use it mostly for travel radio (simplex to the desert) or camp radio through a repeater on Palomar Mtn here in SD County. Nice to see a few hams on TS.

73's,

KD6DCI, John

trd4jt · #13 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 02:08 AM

BTW, one more thing, I used a Comet antenna mount on my access door pass side to mount my 2M/440 antenna. It was a trunk lid/door mount that tightens with allen nuts onto a rubber mount. Works great!

mustang67408 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trd4jt

Mustang,

Nice set up. The trade off for me was too great, as I must have

cupholders

for my java fix. I put hook (one half of hook and loop fasteners, aka Velcro) fasteners on the bottom of my FT-1500 to prevent it from sliding around on the tranny hump. We use it mostly for travel radio (simplex to the desert) or camp radio through a repeater on Palomar Mtn here in SD County. Nice to see a few hams on TS.

73's,

KD6DCI, John

Thanks, I am lucky and have a bench seat w/console and 2 cupholders for my java.

I also used the Comet mount on the front of my bed, makes adjustability and removability a snap

I also just added a AT180 Antenna tuner, it fits under the seat as well.
I also added a SMALL fan to the back of my MKIIG ( see pics) It is quiet and should help keep things alot cooler under there. I got the idea from a YAHOO GROUP site I just recently joined. It works well.

Anyone else have any cool ideas or mods?

73's
KE7WLF

trd4jt · #15 (**permalink**) 04-11-2007, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Thanks, I am lucky and have a bench seat w/console and 2 cupholders for my java.

I also used the Comet mount on the front of my bed, makes adjustability and removability a snap

I also just added a AT180 Antenna tuner, it fits under the seat as well.
I also added a SMALL fan to the back of my MKIIG ( see pics) It is quiet and should help keep things alot cooler under there. I got the idea from a YAHOO GROUP site I just recently joined. It works well.

Anyone else have any cool ideas or mods?

73's
KE7WLF

Great mods with the fan. Your Icom is a great unit, although I am partial to Yeasu. I own and ICOM dual band HT, and have had trouble free performance for four years.

JT