Ham radio and installation

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

So I'm on way, passed the Foundation Licence test last week, just waiting for
paper work so can obtain the call sign.

Mostly going to work mobile, in the past had a CB loose in the Terrano and
with a mag mount.

Looking for ideas on a more permanent home for the radio and antenna.
Lack roof rails, so wonder how others have gone for a fixed 2 way mount.

The radio I have in mind has a separate front panel though may go for it
being mounted on top of the centre dash.

73s

 

[jims-terrano]

Congratulations mate.

Mounting the radio front panel looks a little tricky so in my original terrano I removed ashtray. Then cut a piece of plywood the same width so that it slides into the ashtray slot. I cut a piice of 1” square and screwed to end of playwood. I covered the whole thing in black material but could be painted. Screwed the front panel mounting bracket to the block of wood. After that simply run the cables to where ever you mount the radio. I ran a good power source into the boot so main radio just lived in the boot. Fixed an extension speaker to bottow of the wooden block too.
All my trucks have the roof rails so mounted antenna on them and ran cable down side of tailgate aperture with a drip loop behind bumper before bringing coax in at bottom of tailgate.

I put velcro on the speaker for the 3litre and fitted speaker above drivers seatbelt mount on the b post so it’ near enough at side of your ear.

I’d of shown you photos but no radios fitted in any of the cars these days.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Thanks for that. Found a video of an m6 t2 owner that had a similar face plate radio had used the ash tray with body in boot. Suppose keeps feeder shorter too. Will have another look as think took feeder up door hinge too but to a mag mount though think he had rails available.

Have seen a vehicle with face plate above rear view mirror. Like idea of speaker on b pillar. Something more critical with remote radio.

 

[jims-terrano]

What radio have you got mate?

I’ve got the FT8800 not as sort after as the 8900 but I didn’t have a use for the extra two bands. Of course there is digital repeaters out there now but it seems a little like betamax and vhs at the moment with Dstar, Fusion and DMR.
You can get a tiny little dual bander but I’m not sure front panel removes for about £90 but you get what you pay for as with most things.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Currently only have a little Baofeng dual band held kindly gifted by Pete Briggie.

Next one should be an Icon 208h that I had on reserve until passed FL. The seller in local club has offered a 10A psu which may be handy if decide to set up the house or caravan.

What sort of antenna were you using on the truck?

 

[jims-terrano]

Just a simple watson dual band antenna though I believe the chinese have copied these too.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

so 2 weeks on got my certificate, now registered with OfCom
and my call sign is M6YTB, 73s!

 

[solarman216]

So well done M6YTB, if ever I transmitted it was illegal but I would never admit to that of course, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

Now at one time friends in the ham radio world used to invent daft sort of phonetics for each other. So Yorkshire Terrano B****** struggling to think of a B that’s not swearing :lol
Have you had a QSO yet or got any kit yet?

A huge congratulations because you’ve put some hard work into getting this far, Briggie will vouch for that. Now you can start enjoying the fruits of your labour and having some fun.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Now at one time friends in the ham radio world used to invent daft sort of phonetics for each other. So Yorkshire Terrano B****** struggling to think of a B that’s not swearing :lol
Have you had a QSO yet or got any kit yet?


A huge congratulations because you’ve put some hard work into getting this far, Briggie will vouch for that. Now you can start enjoying the fruits of your labour and having some fun.

Jim, I tagged you on FB thanks for your encouragement over the years, Pete too and
so many more along the way.

Just in process of setting up account on QRZ.com, for now have a little Baofeng Pete
gave me, I've added a tiny mag mount with antenna, and a hand held mic.

Acquired a nice UHF/VHF SWR meter from a silent key club member, sounds like there
might be a Yagi to follow that would otherwise be scrap!

On a promise to get a s/h Icom 208H from another club member, with PSU though
mainly intend it for in the Terrano, be handy to be able to have home set up too.

Still looking for a dual band or more mobile antenna and mount, likely magnetic to start
with then get nerve up to drill roof! As not found anything s/h looking at the dealers.

 

[jims-terrano]

Yeah saw the tag but not had chance to look as I’m at work.