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Finally got my radio installed - it's my first mobile HAM unit. Purchased off of CL for $50, it's a pretty simple single-bander (Kenwood TM-261A) but it should work for now. When I upgrade to a dual-bander this one will probably find its way into my DD. Trying to install this, I realized...

I'm finally getting enough time to start getting serious about the amateur radio equipment I bought back in August, and am hoping to get my 2m unit installed this weekend (knock wood!) I do have a couple of questions for those who might know (and especially those in the Denver area.) First...

Just sort of daydreaming/wasting time here, but I've often wondered if anybody was running (or making) a swing-away rear bumper without a tire mount? Reason I ask is that I like the looks of some of the tube or plate bumpers with swing aways, but to be honest, I'm fine with having my spare...

Looking for alternatives to sleeping in the vehicle or sleeping on the ground. Has anyone tried one of those large, inflatable mattresses that they sell at outdoor stores? They often have a built in 12v air pump to pump them up. Some are quite tall. Wondering if anyone has tried one and...

With winter coming (we got our first dusting of snow on Saturday), I figured it's a good time to ask this question. The mats in my 3rd gen 4runner are wearing out (well, the driver's mat is) and it's time to consider some options. I've pretty much always "cheaped out' in the past figuring...

Okay, now that I've decided to keep my 4runner a little while longer, I need to start addressing some of the nagging little 'issues' that I've had with it. First and foremost is the dreaded and well-known "rear sag" problem. As you can see from pics like this: I do suffer from the...

Last month I picked up (Dirt cheap!) a nice Kenwood 2m mobile unit (TM-261A.) Hooked it up to 12v power last night to confirm that it works, and it does. :wings: It does have a minor "issue", the DTMF keypad on the mike doesn't work, although all other mike features do. Still, for $50 it was...

Doing idle research on my (potential) next vehicle. Though I like my 4runner it will be approaching 150k soon. Thinking of switching up, maybe next year. Reason I'm looking at Nissan is that I've decided I want to go back to a manual tranny - getting irritated with the 4runner's slushbox...

So I scored a couple of Ham radios last night off of CL. :wings: They're not new but they'll do for now. At the price I couldn't pass them up! Now I just need to figure out how to get them working. :ylsmoke: The mobile is a Kenwood TM261A, 2m. The mike is not 100% functional (the...

Does anyone here know the URL of the web page about FJ-series wagons? I think I saw a link to it several years ago when I was on the Rising Sun 4x4 club web site, but I don't see it now. It was basically a history of every LC wagon from the 1950's (FJ-25?) to the curren UZJ-200. It listed...

Anyone have them? Pluses/minuses? How do they wear? How do they perform in snow and dirt? I need new tires this week. Default choice is the BFG AT KOs like I have now but if I can save $40/tire without losing too much performance and longevity, I'd be tempted. The Dyna Pros look good...

Question for the Subaru knowledgeable: What is the consensus on the "problem years" for the 2.5l engine's head gaskets? I know the early (1995-99) Outbacks were known for blowing HGs in the 2.5 motors. I owned a 1999 OBW from 2003 - 2007 (42k miles to 120k) and never had any problems...

Couple of questions. For reference, the vehicle in question is a 3rd gen 4runner (1999), 3.4 V-6, auto, E-locker, running 265/75/16 BFG AT KO's. Recently I've been hearing a "thump" or "clunk" coming from the front end when driving slowly or backing with the steering wheel at or near...

(Xposted on Colorado4x4.org.) Wife and I decided (at the last minute) to go 'wheeling on Sunday. She asked me to choose the trail and I chose Mosquito Pass. Why Mosquito? Well, a few reasons: 1. Mosquito pass is the highest continuous road in CO (13,185'.) Anything higher and you have...

More questions from a relative nOOb to the Ham world: Is it possible to tune a magnetic-mount antenna? I heard from someone that you can "tune" these antennas to a better SWR by adjusting the length of the feedline - does that make sense? How does adjusting the length of the feedline affect...

I'm still planning on getting a mobile unit for my 4runner, but since it will be awhile before I can install a mobile unit, antenna, etc (I'm not mechanically inclined and will probably have to seek help), I'm thinking I should pick up an HT to have a radio I can use immediately (or as soon as...

...the Technician test. Should be getting my C/S this Thursday. Not that there was any question about it, really. :D Super easy. I got one book and then took multiple practice tests at AA9PW.com. Now to start shopping for that dual band mobile! :drool:

With any luck I'll have my Tech license in just a couple of weeks. I've been taking the practice tests on AA9PW.com and passed every one. :wings: I've pretty much settled on a dual-band mobile for my radio, my question is: How to mount it? I'm not much of a "fabricator" so I'd be looking...

For those of you with more than one vehicle, how practical is it to have some sort of removable mount for your mobile radio? Reason I ask is because I have two vehicles (a DD and my 4x4) and it would be nice to have a mobile in whatever vehicle I'm driving at the time. I guess it would...

On my recent DVNP trip I had some "issues" with the 3G 4runner's lack of fuel capacity (18.5 gallons in a vehicle that gets ~13 MPG off road.) My way to deal with this was the same way I did it with my Taco, which was a plastic 5 gallon "blitz" can. Problem, of course, is that in the 4runner...