Amateur Radio Mods

[2hams]

Post your amateur radio mods here!

 

[2hams]

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.

 

[2hams]

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.

 

[2hams]

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.

 

[2hams]

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.

 

[2hams]

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.