Begining the HAM Radio research. Assitance is welcom

[Beowulf]

I have really just started doing a little research. I would like something that has 50 watts and a detachable face. 35 watts is not a deal breaker as long has it has the detachable face feature. What I noticed the most down in Baja was that it all come done to the antenna. There were vehicles that had small handhelds but an external antenna that were getting incredible reception. I’m sure their transmit ability was limited, but it really sticks with me on how well they received from just having that external antenna.

I really want to make sure I maximize my capacity to transmit and receive and figure the best way to start is with a 50 watt unit. However, I don’t know if they make a 50 watt unit with a detachable face. Dual bands are not necessary and just seem to add to the cost, but it seems most 50 watt units are dual band.

Sadly, I have done zero research on antennas and welcome all suggestions. I would like to stay as small as possible, but still have good receive/transmit ability. I don’t want to mount it to the middle of the hood so there really is not a good place to maximize the ground plane. I am thinking of the following for the antenna.

- KC light Windshield frame bracket
- Custom bracket between the flare and fender on the front driver’s side.
- Spare tire bracket that will place the antenna between the spare and the top.
- Purchase an OEM radio antenna mount and use a smaller HAM antenna that fits that mount installed on Drivers side.
- If I ever get a rack, going with a collapsible or quick disconnect antenna on top of that.
- Drilling a hole in the roof is not an option as I switch between Hard and Soft tops with the seasons.

I welcome all suggestions on receivers, antennas, and mounting.

 

[BlackX]

You're right. Antenna is definitely not the item to skimp on. Not sure what kind of truck you have, but I used a mount that goes on the hatch.

My friend did a whole write-up in his blog on the install.
http://thestevenexperience.com/2009/10/01/nissan-xterra-ham-radio-install/

 

[cnynrat]

I have a Kenwood TM-V71A that I like very much. It's a dual band, dual receiver unit with a detachable faceplate and the 50W RF output power you are looking for. Seems like Yaesu's various models are more popular, but there were some things I liked better about the Kenwood:

• All buttons are backlit, easier to see at night
• The Kenwood doesn't duplicate all the keys for both receivers, so the front panel is a bit less crowded. You set up which receiver is "active" by pressing the volume knob for that receiver, and then all the buttons will act on that receiver. Personal opinion, but I like this better than Yaesu's user interface.
• The Mic jack is on the base unit, not the faceplate. This is kind of unusual for detachable faceplate radios, and depending on your installation plans this could be an advantage or a problem. I installed the base unit under the driver's seat and put a mic jack in the center console of my FJ Cruiser.

The Kenwood does seem to have a little higher street price than the Yaesu FT-8800, which would be their comparable model.

I mounted the antenna on a lip mount on my rear door. I have two antennas I use depending on the circumstances.

My primary antenna is a Comet CSB-7500. It's 42" long and has a gain of 3.6 dB on 2M. I get good results with this antenna.

I use a Comet SBB-1 when I an traveling through areas with dense trees. It's a 16.5" flexible antenna. This antenna doesn't have the reach of the longer one, but I still can get into a local repeater that's about 55 miles away on a 7800' high peak, so it's not useless.

 

[BlackX]

Oh, I see you have a Rubicon. Anyway, that antenna mount swivels all around and you can lock it in place so it'll fit on the hood too.

 

[crawler#976]

I don't know of any current production single band radios w/ a detachable head unit. That doesn't mean there aren't any tho..

Take a look at the Yaesu FT-7900 dual band radio. HRO (Ham Rado Outlet) is selling them for $249.95. I like the Larsen NMO 2/70B antenna @ $52.95. All you need to get going after that is a mount and cable, perhaps another $30.00 or so.

Mark

 

[Beowulf]

What is the name of the Ham Outlet store in Denver?

 

[Beowulf]

Found them.

http://www.hamradio.com/web/stores/denver.html

 

[xtatik]

You mentioned Baja..... If you are traveling down there often, you may want to study further and obtain your General Class license for HF privileges. It's not a difficult test by any means. Buyng a full function radio with both FM and HF capabilities could save you some $$$ in the long run.
In Mexico you will find FM repeaters (2m, 440) put in place by some great clubs down there, but there are very few of them and I've never found a functional one in Baja. If you're only concerned with short-range simplex (truck 2 truck) communication, FM will be fine. If you need to make a distance contact for any reason from a remote locale down there, FM won't cut it.

 

[Beowulf]

I only mentioned Baja as it was the first and only time I have been with a group using HAM and it just so happened to be with the extremely HAM educated Overland Training Alumni group. It was an EYE OPENING revelation in truck to truck communication. There are no immediate plans for international travel in the next 5 years so I am focusing on a HAM set up for the lower 48.

 

[thallca]

A good option would be the Yaesu 8900R radio. It is a quad-band radio that operates on the normal 2-meter, 440 Mhz bands but also has two HF bands, 6-meter and 10-meter. It is 50 watts on the 2-meter, 6-meter and 10-meter and 35 watts on 440. It has remote head mounting, cross-band repeat, and over 800 memories.

Plus Diamond makes the HV7A Multiband HF/VHF/UHF mobile antenna that works great with this radio.

 

[Beowulf]

Where does the Mic attach on the Yaesu units? Depending on where I mount the receiver I may prefer a Receiver attachment instead of a face attachment. But, it would be good to know ahead of time for planning.

 

[xtatik]

I understand, although the point I was making would also apply to remote locations here in the States as well. In all likelihood, these same "extremely HAM educated" guys you're mentioning were operating on the FM side of the same types of rigs I'm suggesting. Most who hold a General or higher license will have HF with them if they venture far from home.
If someone could have foreseen my progression in this hobby (having spent countless money on countless radios) and my propensity for seeking out remote places....they might have directed me in a less circuitous and much less expensive route toward the radio that best fit my needs.

 

[xtatik]

A good option would be the Yaesu 8900R radio. It is a quad-band radio that operates on the normal 2-meter, 440 Mhz bands but also has two HF bands, 6-meter and 10-meter. It is 50 watts on the 2-meter, 6-meter and 10-meter and 35 watts on 440. It has remote head mounting, cross-band repeat, and over 800 memories.

Plus Diamond makes the HV7A Multiband HF/VHF/UHF mobile antenna that works great with this radio.

Actually, this is incorrect. I've owned one. It only covers the FM virtues of all four bands. 6 and 10 meter repeater systems are rare and I doubt the casual user would appreciate the FM use of these bands. Also, a better antenna for this rig would be the CR-8900a which Diamond engineered specically for the 8900. As mentioned by someone earlier, the 7800 or 8800 would be a better choice for someone whose interests won't require communications beyond short-range FM targets (other trucks or repeaters).

 

[cnynrat]

Where does the Mic attach on the Yaesu units? Depending on where I mount the receiver I may prefer a Receiver attachment instead of a face attachment. But, it would be good to know ahead of time for planning.

Pretty sure all the Yaesu's with detachable faceplates have the mic jack on the faceplate.

 

[gary in ohio]

I really want to make sure I maximize my capacity to transmit and receive and figure the best way to start is with a 50 watt unit. However, I don’t know if they make a 50 watt unit with a detachable face. Dual bands are not necessary and just seem to add to the cost, but it seems most 50 watt units are dual band.

The only radio's with detachable faceplate are multi band radios. You will find most dual band are 50watts VHF and 35 watts UHF. This is more than enough power with a good antennas.

[/quote]
Sadly, I have done zero research on antennas and welcome all suggestions. I would like to stay as small as possible, but still have good receive/transmit ability. I don’t want to mount it to the middle of the hood so there really is not a good place to maximize the ground plane. I am thinking of the following for the antenna.

[/QUOTE]

small is a relative term.. A GOOD dual band antenna is going to be 3-4ft in length. Anything shorter is becomes a compromise. The mount should be as high on the vehicle as possible. Mounting on the light bar or roof rack is a good location assuming you have a good ground to the mount. Anything below the roof line will greatly affect the range and add a directional pattern to the antenna.


As for what radio thats very much a personal choice. If your buying new then you really only have 3 major choices, Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu . There is also alinco but there current models are not worth the asking prices compared to what the other 3 are offer.