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Show us your ham radio installations

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by fours, Nov 30, 2019.

  1. May 12, 2020 at 11:10 AM
    #271
    GodlessPro

    GodlessPro Bougie BASTRD

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    I read a couple reviews that mention high SWR in the middle of the roof and that it performs better near the edge with a steep dropping groundplane.
     
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  2. May 12, 2020 at 11:16 AM
    #272
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I am not trying one seems like a silly idea.
    The best performance is just a longer antenna.
    On the other hand they seem to be in stock there at HRO so get yourself down to Iliff and let us know what you think?
    Make those goofballs there demo one for you!
    That will be the day!
     
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  3. May 12, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #273
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    yea, that ain't gonna happen. one, the solar panels and rack don't give me access to the edge and, 2, i have enough holes in the roof as it is...

    :rofl: :thumbsup:

    i'm pretty happy with the ssb-1/ssb-5 combo and it's not like the truck can fit in a parking garage anyway...
     
  4. May 12, 2020 at 1:10 PM
    #274
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Newb question.
    I have the Icom 2730A and I finally get to instal in a few days. The radio itself will go under drivers seat.

    Can I program the radio prior to instal and if so, where do I draw power from to have the radio on while programming? Or should I/ do I wait until it is installed and then program it?
     
  5. May 12, 2020 at 1:16 PM
    #275
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    Last edited: May 12, 2020
  6. May 12, 2020 at 1:19 PM
    #276
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    You need a 12vdc power supply if not using the one that is the car?
    So anything will work for no transmit programming as long as you can light the radio up.
    There are also simple lighter plugs so you can power from the car before installing it too but if using a portable computer bring it to the ca and do it once installed?
    Lastly find another Ham and use his power supply!
     
  7. May 12, 2020 at 1:19 PM
    #277
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Alberta, Canada
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    Function before sparkle.
    Has anyone tried outputting the audio from a ham to the auxiliary audio input of the Tundra radio?

    I never listen to the ham and other audio at the same time and thinking this would be a good option to try.
     
  8. May 12, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #278
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    The audio output from a radio is usually to power a speaker where the audio input of the radio is a lower level input so if you are trying this just make sure that both level controls are all the way down before starting and just slowly raise each a little until you get usable audio.
    Remember these levels and don't go crazy with them when doing this and you might be OK.
     
  9. May 12, 2020 at 1:37 PM
    #279
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    Use the power cord supplied with your new radio and temporally attach it to your truck battery for programing. I always find it better to program radios in comfort of my office due it generally taking me several tries to get best setup perimeters dialed in. And always check your SWR before calling it a day...

    Good luck and pm me if I can be of any assistance.
     
  10. May 17, 2020 at 7:02 PM
    #280
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    I went to batteries plus and got a small 12V duracell and some alligator test clips and it worked perfectly. Now I am debating what freqs and stuff to put in my radio? I have RT systems software and can instantly import local repeaters and stuff into the file easily but there are a lot and I want to trim the fat some so I only have the important ones. Guess I will try to find a local HAM veteran and buy him pancakes at Denny's or watch an episode of Golden Girls with him to see what he suggests.
     
  11. May 17, 2020 at 7:05 PM
    #281
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Make this site your friend

    https://www.radioreference.com/
     
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  12. May 17, 2020 at 7:25 PM
    #282
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    Whatever works for you. Good luck and enjoy! :thumbsup:
     
  13. May 18, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    #283
    shellshock

    shellshock Guy who drives a lot

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    I've been "doing my install" for almost a year now lol
     
  14. May 18, 2020 at 7:17 AM
    #284
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Oh for sure. The cool thing about the RT software is you can import external information from that site and repeater book instantly as well as FRS, MURS, GMRS, Weather and Maritime frequencies also if you want to. I just do not think I will need 189 channels of local and state repeaters loaded into my radio. I will try to figure out which ones are the necessary ones and which ones are fluff.
     
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  15. May 18, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #285
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    the rt software is the only thing between me and insanity while setting up a yaesu...

    finally, wrapping my ftm-400 install. need to stop by hro and pick up the 20' extension cable for the faceplate and it'll be done.
     
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  16. May 18, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #286
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Ground strap question.

    So initial idea was to do center of roof but plan morphed into something different.

    I have a Icom 2730A and a Comet antenna. See pics.

    I have a Cobra CB and Wilson antenna. See pics.

    I have the Rago fabrications ditch light antenna brackets which will allow me to put one antenna on one ditch light and one antenna on the other so that both will be visible to me while driving, both will be above roof height and both will be easily removable. They also are both about the same height and will be proportional in that aspect.

    Now I will have CB, FRS, MURS, GMRS and HAM bands covered if necessary.

    My question prior to instal is do I need to dremel or sand the powdercoat off the black bracket as well as the ditch light bracket as well as the hood bolts the ditch light brackets are attached to and so on to ensure proper ground or do I just get two ground straps and run them from (not sure where exactly) to the truck under the hood somewhere?

    Hopefully my wording describes my situation.

    3C6943BF-AC2C-427B-978B-4F85027B20E0.jpg
    69417FFC-63A7-4D9B-9515-78D7DA596FC5.jpg
    DB4446F4-A6F8-404D-9E15-452FFE46A5D7.jpg

    3798A947-2CC9-4D03-9543-CA8829002750.jpg
    E0CBA003-ACE5-4DE8-AFA2-2316D6FDC33B.jpg
     
  17. May 20, 2020 at 5:14 PM
    #287
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    almost back on the air...

    63A51C60-F1BB-4D30-A61D-E0B6B51E00A4.jpg

    i’d be totally done but the pl259 connectors i picked up were for rg-8 cable not rg-58. once i grab the right connector, we will be all set.
     
  18. May 20, 2020 at 5:17 PM
    #288
    GodlessPro

    GodlessPro Bougie BASTRD

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    For the Comet 2x4 I wouldn't bother with grounding unless you find that you are having a problem.
     
  19. May 20, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #289
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I agree I imagine you realize that the Antenna should be grounded through the shield of the feedline and grounding the Antenna is mostly a Mobile HF thing but not usually for VHF/UHF.

    And I mean this for the O.P. not you Godless.
     
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  20. May 20, 2020 at 7:11 PM
    #290
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Thank you sir.

    So...

    DO ground the Ham radio antenna
    DO NOT ground the CB antenna.

    Correct?
     
  21. May 20, 2020 at 9:28 PM
    #291
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Both re already grounded through the Coax when connected so I would start off not grounding them again and see if you have any noise issues and if so figure out if they are grounding related and go from there.

    Do you already have your Ham Ticket?
     
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  22. May 21, 2020 at 3:00 AM
    #292
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Yes. I have a technicians license. It’s as new as toilet paper recently stocked at wal mart.
     
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  23. May 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM
    #293
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Well please try to not confuse the two!

    For everyone's sake.

    I would just install your stuff and see what you get. Then if there is noise or another issue figure that out and keep going through until it is where yo want it.

    I bet you will be fine with the Ham stuff this way as there is rarely a Grounding issue working with FM signals but the CB system working with AM on 11 M may well be another story.

    But why wonder or worry until you know there is trouble,yo can always do more to mitigate problems as they arise.

    Meanwhile I have no idea where you live and I imagine the last thing you want to do is what I am about to suggest but go find other Local Hams and sponge knowledge from their experience.
    I promise they are waiting for you to just ask and there is no better way to learn the basics than from Elmer himself no matter how bad that might seem from here.

    Also try to read on Eham,QRZ and QTH online and the ARRL and ARES sites are also crammed with info and answers if you just spend some time trying.

    I would also find a few Nets that are in your range and listen in and learn how to participate in them and soon you will be able develop a simple list of repeaters to load into your radios manually by hand because this act will be the best way to learn the radio and you should be able to do this without needing a computer to do it for you.

    You will also eventually get a home station with power supply,antenna and radio which will make you realize how silly your battery/programming question here was I hope and then you might be on your way to being more comfortable with all of this new stuff in your brain?!

    If we can help mre from here feel free to ask too but it is the Amatuer Way to let the smoke out experimenting for yourself too and there are so many resources available online it is crazy these days too!

    73
    Ed
     
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  24. May 21, 2020 at 7:08 PM
    #294
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    @ezdog
    Thank you so much. You and @pfactor have been a colossal amount of information and help.

    The driving factor for all these minor issues and questions I have is due to the fact that I like to have all my parts and pieces ready to go for a project before hand. A grounding strap for example may or may not be necessary but like a tourniquet, I’d rather have it and never need it than need it and not have it.

    Additionally (and ironically), I got the grounding strap information from the ARRL chat room rabbit hole. So then I said, wait. Only experts are on Tundras.com. So I came to where the actual experts where. This thread. Hahaha.
     
  25. May 22, 2020 at 3:19 AM
    #295
    P-Factor

    P-Factor New Member

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    Sounds like it's time for a good ol' Denny's breakfast and few episode of the Golden Girls i.e. "a dinner and a movie".

    Good luck @Zero One Actual and be safe out there!
     
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  26. May 22, 2020 at 4:31 AM
    #296
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Now thats funny!

    The Dennys next to my Shop is where they meet here too,not a scene that I take part in.

    I am always surprised that a lot of them spring for such a lavish feast too.

    But regardless of this there is still a whole lot of knowing to be had if you can find the right path to it too.

    I am mainly involved in Emergency Comms and learn by doing/experimenting as much as I can but there is a niche of the hobby for anyone who is interested really and more to soak in than anyone could possibly ever know.
     
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  27. May 22, 2020 at 5:31 AM
    #297
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Well I am certainly no expert but I have setup probably hundreds of Mobile Radios in cars and for FM work rarely have an issue that requires Antenna Grounding but in fact it is so easy to create bad effects from Ground Loops with too much separate grounding on a typical FM Mobile Radio in my experience.

    Hopefully you will soon see too that Ham as a hobby is all about figuring things out by trying them,really the best way to learn them and have the info stick I think too?

    So while I understand your thoughts about having it all ready to go I think that these days figuring things out for myself is more than half of the reason I stay with the hobby.

    So again we still do not know where you are?
    Also curious why you decided to get into Radio in the first place?
    Just wondering really.
     
  28. May 22, 2020 at 2:22 PM
    #298
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Charleston, South Carolina. I already have all the local repeaters and local club information for that stuff.
    I got into radio because by trade, I deal with them quite a bit, just not for personal fun or communication. More work based stuff. Also, since I am in a hurricane prone area, it is a good back up to have and I use it for hunting with friends in the general area and I am somewhat of a prepared citizen and I would rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

    https://www.wa4usn.org/

    https://www.wa4usn.org/repeaters/
     
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  29. May 22, 2020 at 2:33 PM
    #299
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    :thumbsup:
     
  30. May 22, 2020 at 5:22 PM
    #300
    Zero One Actual

    Zero One Actual Member among Members

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    Like I said, work based stuff. Cancer from all directions. Hahaha. I can't drive this rig to Dennys, especially if there are no grounding straps.

    fullsizeoutput_521.jpg
     
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