Ham Radio Mobile

I finally got 90% of my mobile HF installed yesterday. Once I get the rest completed, I'll take some pics and post them. That'll give me a FT-8800 dual/dual vhf/uhf mobile, APRS mobile (wb1dby-9) and a FT-100D too.

I finally got 90% of my mobile HF installed yesterday. Once I get the rest completed, I'll take some pics and post them. That'll give me a FT-8800 dual/dual vhf/uhf mobile, APRS mobile (wb1dby-9) and a FT-100D too.

Hey, Larry

Looking forward to the pics. I heard you had an ATAS120 for sale? (shhhh, see call sign at QRZ.)


:D :D :D

(shhhh, see call sign at QRZ.)

Why the change to K5END? New Ham call sign? Granted I am not a Ham guy yet - but I didn't know you could change. Cool to know! :D

Hey Larry, Congrats :) on the call sign change. I have to admit, as each year passes, I think about it more and more. But I have had WB1DBY since March of 1977 and it is me. But...It is a huge pain on phone as it's way to long and long on cw too. A nice flowing cw call would temp me greatly. But I haven't found one that jumps out at me yet.

Even my son (KB1NSN) has a faster cw call. But he has no interest in anything but 20m SSB contesting unfortunetly. But he loves that.

How and where did you pick the call? Was it thru Vanityhq.com? That's what I peruse a few times per year.

If you want to see some good ham radio info and Ridgeline related info, go to: Welcome to KØBG's Web Site (http://www.k0bg.com). Alan has a excellent site.

Congrats again, now to hear you on the air someday. Btw, are you participating in Field Day weekend? I'll be on with my club operating as W1NY and probably 20m cw. It's June 23/24th this year.

73, Larry, WB1DBY

I'd be interested in seeing your photos of the Ham radio installations in the Honda Ridgelines.

I was not aware of this forum before today, and happened to find it after doing a search for both "Ridgeline+ham radio"

I did some browsing in the other topics. Interesting stuff.

I have a full hf station set up at home and now as a new owner of a RL, a mobile setup is in the works.
Do any of the mobile hf radios such as Icom,Yaesu etc. have removable faceplates?

Gary VA7YO

The Yaesu FT-857 and Icom 706 both have removable faceplates. I have the 857 predessor, the 100D and it too has a removable faceplace. The Yaesu is nice because the Yaesu ATAS antenna is a small screwdriver type of antenna that tunes by pressing the tune button on the radio. With a duplexer, it'll tune 40 thru 440. W/o a duplexer, it'll still tune 40-6, which is the way I use it.
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I have the FT-100D, A Yaesu FT-8800 dual band mobile, and a old Icom IC-2AT for APRS mobile (WB1DBY-9). I've got the remote kit for the head, but am working on tryingto figure out where the stray RF is coming from or how to remove it. So the full radio is up front, which is not convenient, but works.
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I have a new antenna mount in the works right now. But what I have noe is basically angle iron screwed down between the tied downs near the back windows on the Ridge. With the 3 antennas mounted on it. Once the new mount is ready and installed in a few weeks to a month, I'll post new pictures and where to order the same. It should look and work awesome and be more stealthy than what I have now.

I have a full hf station set up at home and now as a new owner of a RL, a mobile setup is in the works.
Do any of the mobile hf radios such as Icom,Yaesu etc. have removable faceplates?

Gary VA7YO

I have not tried it yet, but it looks like the drop down door compartment labeled "not an ashtray" would be a good place for the detachable faceplates. Lots of models have detachable fronts, and the connector cables are sold as accessories for some.

Then we just have to figure out where to mount the actual radio. I saw a couple of posts where they were mounted under the seat.

PS. One of the posts somewhere...not sure if it was this forum...said the Ridgeline needs to be bonded with RF braid to get better results with HF. That makes sense, considering the composites. It'll give you better capacitive coupling with the (dirt) ground. OR..... you could drag a radial behind you going down the road. :D

Just passed my Technician Class THIS morning.

Now, I'm looking for a good hand-held.... Suggestions (please)??? :cool:

How tall is the Yaesu ATAS antenna? And also does it disconnect for quick removal?

LL, good for you for passing your tech class.

Congrats to LionelLines for passing his Tech! An excellent handheld is the Yaesu VX-7R. It's 5 watts, 500+ memories, 4 bands, dual receive (plus a ton of other features) and most of all mil spec water proof to 3 feet. It goes everywhere with me, like kayaking, camping, etc. It has stayed on for me to listen in the pouring rain and works great! An excellent HT. The external waterproof han speaker mic is a great addition too. What's your call when you get it?
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For Yagimax, the ATAS is about 5 feet with the whip and it tuned about the middle. So it's be taller for 40m and shorter for 10/6m. The whip portion is about 3 feet.

73's and congrats again,

Larry, WB1DBY

Yaesu is about to release their VX-8R. I may have get one ;)

Here's a link: Yaesu VX-8R Amateur HT VX8R (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0008.html)

Thanks, Gents.

I like the look of the new Yaesu.... Might be worth the wait. Would look good traveling in my R-L!