HAM Radio

[bigfella]

I have been considering getting my Amat. Radio (aka HAM) lic. Anyone else have this or thought about it? It would be cool to have out on the trails and such.

 

[n3qik]

Current testing is very easy, its mutiable choose and you do not need to lean mores code for entry level license. If you have basic electronics then all you need is to learn some RF info.

Here is a link to get you started
http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html

 

[Skidplate]

Yeah, I have one. The wife is having a real difficult time with me putting a roof mount antenna on her '03. She doesn't mind the magmount but putting that hole in the roof is really freaking her out...

 

[bigfella]

Yeah I have a BS in Aerospace Engineering so the test should not be too hard. I just need to read through the material

Hey skidplate, what kind of unit are you going to mount in the Jeep and how?

 

[Skidplate]

At the moment I'm using an IC-T7H dual band hand held with a Radiall Larsen NMO 2/70 magmount antenna. I'd like to mount the antenna in the back and run the cable up to the seats. That way I could still hide the end when the radio is not in the Jeep and switch it back and forth from it to my truck. Oh, to make it esier I use a hand mike.

 

[Corwyyn]

Get your ticket, you'll have a ball. I have worked Europe, South America and the South Pacific with 100 watts mobile. Here is a pic of my install:

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My Alinco DX70 unit. The head is remoteable and the body of the radio is under the drivers seat. The antenna is currently on a door mount but I am planning on taking the am/fm antenna off and getting a ball mount and splitter; the fuel pump just spews RFI and I think the easiest solution is to re-locate the antenna. Once I get everything figured out I'll do a write-up with all the trials and pitfalls I have gone thru and post a link.

 

[BluPhant]

Nice. Maybe I'll dust off my 2m.

73s de N2UOV

 

[GerardSchlundt]

Antenna

But where the heck can you mount an antenna on this thing?

I've seen wranger mounts that go 'behind' the tail light assemblies...has anyone seen simular approaches for the liberties?

BTW, I like the Alinco solution -- that helps me a lot. I've been trying to figure where to mount my 'head' -- this is a perfect location!

-Gerry

by the way, this is my first post on this forum -- I like what I've seen so far. Definately plan to hang around a while.

 

[Corwyyn]

Re: Antenna

But where the heck can you mount an antenna on this thing?

I have seen many people mounting their CB antennas back by the tail lights. As I mentioned in my other post I tried a similar location with a clamp-on mount (made by Diamond) but the RFI from the fuel pump was horrendous - I'm talking S9 noise up around 10-15 meters! I finally bit the bullet and drilled for a ball mount on the front left fender:

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I still have noise on 11 meters, but only around S2-3; nothing the squelch can't handle =P~ I think the Alinco is a bit more sensitive than the average CB and thats why most people get away with mounting their antennas off the back.

BTW, I like the Alinco solution -- that helps me a lot. I've been trying to figure where to mount my 'head' -- this is a perfect location!

Thanks. I figured it would keep it out of direct sunlight (something to seriously consider in AZ in the summer) and make for a cleaner install. There is a plastic brace behind the headliner in this area that I drilled into and the head is nice and stable. Only thing is I am considering installing an EVIC, and if I do I'll have to relocate the head.

Good luck with the install.

73s de AD5VG

 

[GerardSchlundt]

I'm going to be using 2m ad 440 -- I'm curious what problems the fuel pump would have there....I've also got a CRD, so the design is different completely.

Do you by chance have any photos of the Diamond mount -- or at least a description of the model you were using? I've not seen one that will work...

How does the 'trail rated' badge come off -- that would be a porential mounting location since I think that badge is silly anyway

When you say the 'EVIC' unit I assume this is the factory option that gives you the trip computer and all the jaz? Whats involved with installing one of those -- how much is the option? I really liked that but the step up from a sport to a limited was substantial. Too much for me to pay...I'm cheap!

-Gerry

 

[Corwyyn]

I'm going to be using 2m ad 440 -- I'm curious what problems the fuel pump would have there....I've also got a CRD, so the design is different completely.

Yes, I am sure the diesel is a different animal as far as RFI si concerned. I have a dual-band Alinco as well - the antenna is currently mounted to the right rear quarter-window:

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Do you by chance have any photos of the Diamond mount -- or at least a description of the model you were using? I've not seen one that will work...

Here is a link to the mount I have. It is actually the Comet RS-730 mount (look at the bottom of the page). I had it installed on the lip of the swing gate. I am thinking of using a larger dual-band antenna that I have on this mount because the one on the window keeps getting knocked by trees when I go out wheeling.

How does the 'trail rated' badge come off -- that would be a porential mounting location since I think that badge is silly anyway

Mine didn't have the badge on it, so that wasn't a problem. I suspect that a bit of work with a hot-air gun would loosen the adhesive on the badge so you could remove it.

When you say the 'EVIC' unit I assume this is the factory option that gives you the trip computer and all the jaz? Whats involved with installing one of those -- how much is the option? I really liked that but the step up from a sport to a limited was substantial. Too much for me to pay...I'm cheap!

Theres a thread on that subject - it is in the How-To section. You can normally find them on e-bay for around $75, or maybe scour your local pull-a-part yard to see if they have one that will work.

Good luck with the radio!

 

[Root]

RFI on the CRD isn't TOO bad. Much better than my Ford Ranger was .. those "in the tank" fuel pumps are terrible... and Ford's are the worst.

In the CRD, ANL takes most of it out but there is still what I want to call Ignition noise in my recieve. (sounds like what WOULD BE spark plug noise -- if I had spark plugs)

It's worse when it's cold, once it warms up it's better.

When I get the time I'll pinpoint the source of the noise but I can live with it for the moment..

 

[GerardSchlundt]

Radio / Mount / Antenna

What radio do you have? Where did you mount the radio, and/or the 'face'

How about your antenna?

I fabricated a bracket over the week end -- I'll post photos as soon as I have a minute for my 'face' but I'm still not sure where I want to mount the radio.

Initially I was thinking below the drivers seat -- but after looking at under the dash, I think there is enough room in there...although I'm not sure what 50 watts of transmitter will do...

-Gerry

 

[Corwyyn]

Re: Radio / Mount / Antenna

Initially I was thinking below the drivers seat -- but after looking at under the dash, I think there is enough room in there...although I'm not sure what 50 watts of transmitter will do...

As long as you aren't transmitting continuously I don't think it would be a problem - just be careful if you are going to mount it on the passenger side because the plastic peice under the dash isn't held up that well (at least on my '03). What radio do you have? It may be that it is light enough to mount there, or it may be small enough to mount in the empty pocket on the right side of the dash (where the fuse box goes in the UK/Europe models).

 

[GerardSchlundt]

Installation

I've got an Icom 2800H -- large color display from about 3 or 4 years ago. Its replacement will likely be the 2700.

I want the 'head' that is separate from the main unit to be the only thing visible. I think I've got a mount that will go in near the map lights.

The radio itself...no idea yet. My night blew up last night so i wasn't able to work on this project. But I am fairly certain it will go under the drivers seat. It just seems the cleanest.

Under the dash (inside) is just too crowded under there...under the dash is visible to thugs.

I love my liberty. The thing is just clearly not designed for Ham's....it is also lacking in storage space. Oh well...