User Tag List

Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Amateur Radio Mods

    Post your amateur radio mods here!

    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    First setup and thinking about mods

    Here are our amateur radio mods. We are on our 2nd or 3rd generation.

    The first was a 2M Jpole mounted on the top of the ladder with the cable run through the window, done on our maiden voyage in Dec 2013.



    In Feb 2014 here is the 33' fiberglass push up pole (kite pole) with a wire and an AH-4 antenna tuner.



    Now we have spent enough time in the rig to figure out the setup. Back at home, make a box that holds the portable station.


    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Drilling coax access

    May 2014 camping with a drill and caulk and getting the station set up. Drill through the bottom and into the street side end table by the couch to run cables inside.



    Drill a hole in the top of the end table to run the cables through.



    Use a computer table grommet on the top of the table.


    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Portable station setup

    Set portable station on top of end table. The ICOM 706 has since been replaced with an ICOM 7100.





    Store the station under the table when traveling.


    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Comet H-442 Antenna

    If you want to get lots of comments from folks around the campground, install a Comet H-442 Antenna, mounted to the ladder using a flag pole buddy.





    Long support pole for antenna is in the back of the truck, remainder stores under the nose.


    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

  6. #6
    Site Sponsor 2hams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Posts
    764
    Blog Entries
    21
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Current Generation Setup

    The Comet antenna takes more setup and covers fewer bands than the wire on the push up pole. The wire is run through the middle of the pole and captured at the top with a cable tie. The setup is also somewhat less noticeable, and works in most campsites unless there is a lot of tree cover. It takes Dave about 10 minutes to get everything setup (or down), and then it is just plugging into the back of the portable station.

    Some of you may have seen this setup at the rally last year.



    Here's another view from last fall



    Here is a close up of the revised pole mounts and permanently mounted tuner last winter in Florida. The coax on the curb side is from the JPole on the top of the ladder.



    We will be at Anchor Down and also at this year's rally. Look forward to sharing our mods and seeing yours.

    Kay & Dave - Virginia Beach, VA
    Golden Retriever Molly - Been swimming in 28 states
    2019 Solitude 310GK
    2019 GMC Denali CC/LB SRW
    Previous rig: 2014 Reflection 303RLS #314 and 2008 Silverado 2500 D/A

Similar Threads

  1. Amateur Radio Operators
    By 2hams in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 11-21-2018, 08:22 PM
  2. Amateur Radio
    By 2hams in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 46
    Last Post: 10-06-2017, 11:03 AM
  3. Removing Estone Surround Sound/Radio/DVD system
    By GaryLee in forum Electrical System and Wiring
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-16-2014, 12:28 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

DISCLAIMER:This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Grand Design RV, LLC or any of its affiliates. This is an independent site.