Anyone interested in starting a Tundra Ham Radio Operators club on here? I'm sure there are a few of us that own a Tundra.
I would really like to see how you have your VHF/UHF/HF rigs mounted in your trucks, as well as your antenna mounts and anything else related to ham radio and the Tundra. Heck, how do you have your straight key mounted on the dash?
Haven't got that far yet, very interested in Amateur Radio but don't have the license because apparently until you have the license you have no clue how to push a button and talk LOL. Working with a guy here locally about getting a club going and getting a few of us that are interested up to speed in order to be able to pass the test...problem for me is trying to remember all the numbers for the frequency questions and such...never been good with tests to begin with. Amateur Radio has always been interesting, just never have been able to study good enough to be able to pass even the practice tests. Hopefully this year I'll get the test done.
I haven't mounted my mobile yet. Got a Kenwood TM-733, but until it warms up enough to run the power cord straight from the battery I'll carry my HT. As far as the antennae I have a thru the glass mount that I used in my other vehicle before trading it in. Seemed to work great, have pretty decent range with it but I have a Diamond that I'd love to use for the distance it has.
Ham operator here. I have my Kenwood TM-V71a installed in my truck, mounted my mfj 1/2 wave dual band antenna on my Back Rack (NMO) with a custom mount I made (Back Rack bars are too thick).
Club sounds good! I don't talk too often on my rig. It's more for hunting/woods communications....and SHTF preparedness.
Let's get it going.....probably should require licenses if it's going to be a "HAM Radio" club.
The Truck is an overland build. A GOFAST overland build lol I plan on using it to explore the remote parts of the Americas. Comms is part of the package. I started with a CB, but realized that the CYA aspects of HAM could be valuable in the back country. So I pulled the trigger on a Kenwood TM-V71A dash radio and a TH-K20A handy. The dash radio is a full dual bander and I can use it as a mini repeater. My thought was that I could leave the Truck at a campsite and multiple handhelds can all stay in touch using the Truck as a shack. I havent actually done this as the situation hasnt come up yet, but I enjoy having a flexible comm system.
I also unlocked both of my radios. So now I can access virtually every freq out there; police/fire/aviation/rangers etc. Its only legal in a MAYDAY situation, but that could actually save my life.
I was going to get my license, but I never use the radios to just "talk". That aspect of HAM I just dont understand lol
Yes. KC2UIZ
Have been for years.. But I would call myself a novice.
Want to install a rig in my new 2015 CM.
Working on a cap and Bedrug First.
Kilo Charlie 2 Uniform India Zooloo..................
November-nine-tango-romeo-zulu (N9TRZ) here! I've got my antenna installed, I popped a hole in the top for an NMO mount and have the coax ran under the drivers seat. I've mounted my Kenwood TM-V708 remote head on the center console in front of the shifter but the weather and free time hasn't been cooperating to run the power and control cables, I'm hoping things will warm up here a bit when I have a couple days off work at the end of the month.
Sorry I just realized Grim-Reaper and MT Madman had posted on here. Grim - you are #7 and MT Madman #8 .
My call is KN3A. I got licensed as a Novice in 1983. I'm one of those who was a CBer in the 1970s (and proud of it too!). I got my 20 WPM Extra in 1992. There were a few years from the mid-1990s until 2003 that I was QRT. When I got back on the air I found out so much had changed and code requirements were revamped and eventually dropped altogether. I don't have anything in the truck except for a cheap Baefeng 2/440 HT and no external antenna. I am considering a detachable faceplate and installing 2 meters in the truck eventually. I'm also not much of a talker. I enjoy contesting and mostly CW and RTTY contests. I have all wire antennas in my yard and never ran more than 100 watts since I was licensed in 1983. I have 211 countries confirmed on Logbook of the World now. There was a very rare station on the past week or so K1N in Navassa Island. Last time a ham station was on the island was like 30 years ago. I was fortunate enough to work them on 10,12,15,17,20,30,40,80 and 160 meters this week
So good to see there are hams, ham enthusiasts and those who understand the hobby.
I am just trying to start out on the Ham radio, will go for my license when I track down were to do it. Not up to date on all the technology yet but what would you guys recommend for starters as a mobile setup
Well first of all, congratulations on the studying and I'm sure you'll get your license and find a local place to get VE testing.
If you are on a very tight budget, then yes, I recommend the Chinese dual band HTs, you can get one for about $50. A real pain to program unless you use the "Chirp" program and then it's easy. If you are not on a tight budget, then I do agree with MT Madman that you want to look more towards the Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom HTs or mobile rigs.
If you are having problems finding a local place to test, let me know and I can see if I can use my VE resources and see if there are some volunteer examiners in your area that you could contact.
I was looking at possibly mounting a 2 meter mobile rig in my Tundra today. I at least want to have it in the truck in time for the Dayton Hamfest in May. I have a 10 minute commute to and from work each day so I really don't have time to be talking much on the radio while driving so it's not a big deal to me I guess. However, I've seen where people have mounted their mobile rigs inside the center console and apparently it's not too difficult to run the RG-8 from the back into the cab. For me, I think I'd just throw a 1/4 wave mag mount on the center of the roof and just bring the coax into the truck and bury it under the carpet if possible.
Good luck if you do install something in your Tundra, and post pictures of the install.
Studying for my Tech now and I am going to try to get my General before June 30 so I don't have to get another book. Will post back one I get my call sign.
I got my tech license a few year ago, because the group of off-roaders I hang with, many switched to ham instead of CB. If I never use my CB again I would be good with that.
I currently have a Toyota FJ Cruiser, but am purchasing a Crew Max Platinum, this week .
I have a Kenwood 710-G dual band and run APRS on one of them. I also run a diamond antenna
I will be interested to see solutions for a antenna mount .
My Call sign is W1KDD
Congratulations to you and your gang for getting ham licenses. You know the benefits of a repeater vs. short distances on 11 meters. Looking forward to seeing pics of your new CM!
I have 4 radios currently installed, accompanying antennae, etc. in/on my 2014 CM for both ham and professional purposes. The ink wasn't even dry on the paperwork and I had the 3/4" hole saw out and was up on the roof.
Radio advice for new guys: Buy something respectable but not necessarily the most expensive or feature-laden. Don't buy a Baofeng/Woxuon etc. either as there is a reason that stuff is $40. Amateur radio is a hobby that is whatever you make of it, but have a reasonable expectation to spend some money.
SurfinBird - the Baofeng/Woxuon are good if you want a disposable radio. I have a UV3R and UV5R and they are a bear to program. I just like the convenience of it being so small and if I lose it, big deal. I'm really mostly into HF myself anyway, so I don't even have a permanently mounted antenna on my truck or a mobile rig installed. I will hook something up when I make my first trip to Dayton in May though.
What is your callsign? I'm KN3A. Mostly a DXer and contester and CW is my first love. When not contesting I'm monitoring JT65.
Finally got around to updating my install (hoping these pdf pix come through. I mounted the head on the center console just ahead of the shifter, the radio under the drivers seat, the mic on the center console on the drivers side, and I popped a hole for the NMO type antenna. Oh I put a remote speaker under the drivers seat.
I don't currently have an HF rig at all - sold it with the sailboat.
I do have a VHF HT but haven't set up anything mobile other than that. I haven't been on the air much in the last few years. Last time was on my motorcycle. Had a nice little setup running the HT through my intercom system and into my helmet. Worked sweet! No range but with VHF and all the repeaters around here it wasn't an issue.
I got my Basic and Advanced tickets up here in Canada 7 or 8 years ago with the intention of using the HF rig on my ketch as we voyaged in Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
A divorce changed those plans...the boat sailed away to Australia without me (after being sold). So, here we are. Swallowed the anchor 6 years ago and now I'm a small business owner (print shop) and hobby farmer (4 horses, 2 dogs). My wife and I live off-grid in a modern little house more than 1,050 metres above sea level. It is an awesome spot for a nice HF rig and I intend to do just that one day. We generate our electricity with solar power (and a backup diesel generator) and store it in a ton (literally!) of batteries in my basement. Nice, clean, noise free power!
Room for one more? Got my Tech a few years ago so we could use amateur radios in our Command Post (for Okla DPS / Hwy Patrol). Been radio repair / communications for the last 18 years for them, retired now. Was Army, infantry until after desert storm, then re-trained to radio repair. Worked on everthing from ge master pro's to moto trunked 800 mhz. Now mostly run the remote to the tv! Have a kenwood TH-22AT and a crappy ADI, which I may put in, have a comet antenna on a mag mount. Need to get a new mobile unit. Anywho, glad to see a few ham guys here!
KE5JBN
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