Ham Radio in a RX400h
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
Heya Herb, my callsign is VE3XXO up here in Canada.
What are you using for an antenna btw and how do you have it mounted?
I've got a Comet tri-band 36 inch antenna on a mag mount, but I find that with it on the RX400h roof, it is too tall and always hits the garage door on the way in and out.
I have the 2007 ARRL manual, and there is a picture of somebody with their antenna mounted at bumper level. I'm trying to figure out how to get that done for the RX400h and wondering how that will affect performance.
I think I'm just going to stick with the Icom handheld for now for car use.
I haven't been on the air much because I am pretty well new to this and I don't belong to a club or organization so I have a lot to learn. Plus the equipment is so expensive too and I'm really interested in doing HF and DX type stuff.
What are you using for an antenna btw and how do you have it mounted?
I've got a Comet tri-band 36 inch antenna on a mag mount, but I find that with it on the RX400h roof, it is too tall and always hits the garage door on the way in and out.
I have the 2007 ARRL manual, and there is a picture of somebody with their antenna mounted at bumper level. I'm trying to figure out how to get that done for the RX400h and wondering how that will affect performance.
I think I'm just going to stick with the Icom handheld for now for car use.
I haven't been on the air much because I am pretty well new to this and I don't belong to a club or organization so I have a lot to learn. Plus the equipment is so expensive too and I'm really interested in doing HF and DX type stuff.
Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Thats cool. There are lot of RX models around here, but few people have the 400h it seems.
I haven't really got too much gear yet since everything seems to be rather expensive. I usually shop at RadioWorld, but I think I am going to wait for their inventory to match prices with the American dollar.
Are you very active? There doesn't seem to be too much chatter here. I usually listen in around 450 MHz, but I don't really know anybody so I don't really say anything.
I haven't really got too much gear yet since everything seems to be rather expensive. I usually shop at RadioWorld, but I think I am going to wait for their inventory to match prices with the American dollar.
Are you very active? There doesn't seem to be too much chatter here. I usually listen in around 450 MHz, but I don't really know anybody so I don't really say anything.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Australia
Hi jerryray
how did you manage to mount the ic706 head without drilling any holes into the console, or did you drill some holes?
where did you end up mounting the 706 body
cheers Lee VK3GK
how did you manage to mount the ic706 head without drilling any holes into the console, or did you drill some holes?
where did you end up mounting the 706 body
cheers Lee VK3GK
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: USA
K2VDH
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: CA
Thanks!
Has anyone gone discrete with their antenna? Like running the length of it curved along the roofrack or something? Using the wiring in the vehicle? I know signal is lost, but I am going for a 100% stock appearance on the exterior.
Has anyone gone discrete with their antenna? Like running the length of it curved along the roofrack or something? Using the wiring in the vehicle? I know signal is lost, but I am going for a 100% stock appearance on the exterior.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
Loving bringing back old posts... But I have a GS400 and that is one of the most unfriendly cars for radio. I haven't found a place to put an antenna yet that won't break the back window when the trunk opens...
And I haven't figured out where to put a radio inside yet either....
I am doing antenna design/testing at work and I can say, wider tape in most cases helps a LOT for Radiation Efficiency. Don't run narrow. What I see is don't necessarily design for low VSWR, it is good for a match for the TX, but not good for the radation itself. Almost a complete inverse relationship. And keep away from anything that is grounded. Far away.
Any other hams out there?
73's
N0DIH....
And I haven't figured out where to put a radio inside yet either....
I am doing antenna design/testing at work and I can say, wider tape in most cases helps a LOT for Radiation Efficiency. Don't run narrow. What I see is don't necessarily design for low VSWR, it is good for a match for the TX, but not good for the radation itself. Almost a complete inverse relationship. And keep away from anything that is grounded. Far away.
Any other hams out there?
73's
N0DIH....
Hi Guys
Finally i have found some other hams with a Lexus RX.
I have just bought a late 2004 RX330 Luxury sports off a friend of mine.
But now i find out it seems to be the most Ham radio unfriendly car.
I am totally stumped where to mount my hf mobile, either the ic706 or my ft857 and a ft8100 control heads?
somewhere on the front console, but where and how?
without defacing the lovely interior
the wife recons i dont need a radio in the car anyway.
i have thought of a fender/front guard mobile mount on the passenger side with an atas120 and using the other guard to mount a dual band 2/70 antenna for the ft8100
btw my call is VK3GK
Cheers Lee
Finally i have found some other hams with a Lexus RX.
I have just bought a late 2004 RX330 Luxury sports off a friend of mine.
But now i find out it seems to be the most Ham radio unfriendly car.
I am totally stumped where to mount my hf mobile, either the ic706 or my ft857 and a ft8100 control heads?
somewhere on the front console, but where and how?
without defacing the lovely interior
the wife recons i dont need a radio in the car anyway.
i have thought of a fender/front guard mobile mount on the passenger side with an atas120 and using the other guard to mount a dual band 2/70 antenna for the ft8100
btw my call is VK3GK
Cheers Lee
Last edited by RamAirRckt; Apr 20, 2012 at 09:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: USA
Loving bringing back old posts... But I have a GS400 and that is one of the most unfriendly cars for radio. I haven't found a place to put an antenna yet that won't break the back window when the trunk opens...
And I haven't figured out where to put a radio inside yet either....
I am doing antenna design/testing at work and I can say, wider tape in most cases helps a LOT for Radiation Efficiency. Don't run narrow. What I see is don't necessarily design for low VSWR, it is good for a match for the TX, but not good for the radation itself. Almost a complete inverse relationship. And keep away from anything that is grounded. Far away.
Any other hams out there?
73's
N0DIH....
And I haven't figured out where to put a radio inside yet either....
I am doing antenna design/testing at work and I can say, wider tape in most cases helps a LOT for Radiation Efficiency. Don't run narrow. What I see is don't necessarily design for low VSWR, it is good for a match for the TX, but not good for the radation itself. Almost a complete inverse relationship. And keep away from anything that is grounded. Far away.
Any other hams out there?
73's
N0DIH....
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
My favorite disposable antenna is the MFJ-1742B dual-band mag mount. Works on any vehicle, and only costs $25, so I don't care when it eventually deteriorates. However, since I got my SC430, I've had no apparent way to mount a ham radio cleanly.
Back in the old days, I had a Volvo 240, and I really didn't care what I mounted on it. I had an Icom 706MkII with a variety of hamsticks and dual band antennas. Now, I've sold the 706, and am paranoid about ruining the 430's paint with a mag mount or by drilling into it to wire a radio in.
Fred
W3UHX
Back in the old days, I had a Volvo 240, and I really didn't care what I mounted on it. I had an Icom 706MkII with a variety of hamsticks and dual band antennas. Now, I've sold the 706, and am paranoid about ruining the 430's paint with a mag mount or by drilling into it to wire a radio in.
Fred
W3UHX
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: GA
Another ham here... callsign is N5PRE. I just bought a CT200h. I just read in the manual that the 12v battery is in the back, so maybe I won't have that much trouble powering a mobile rig.
73 de N5PRE,
Kevin
73 de N5PRE,
Kevin
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 24
From: IL
I have a 98 GS400, would love to move the battery to the back, makes weight distribution sweet.
I just can't figure out where to put a rig in the GS.... I got an antenna on (10M) and it is fine, but no place to mount a rig that is usable and not passenger intruding.
I just can't figure out where to put a rig in the GS.... I got an antenna on (10M) and it is fine, but no place to mount a rig that is usable and not passenger intruding.
Last edited by RamAirRckt; Sep 18, 2012 at 12:14 PM.
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: MA
Another ham here.
Greetings all.
I am now starting to think about radio installations now that I picked up an LS. Normally, I break out the drill as soon as I get the car to show it who is in charge. It keeps the car from breaking down. :-).
Thanks for posting here on this issue. Doing a radio in this car is much different than doing it in an F150.
Chris
N1AUP
I am now starting to think about radio installations now that I picked up an LS. Normally, I break out the drill as soon as I get the car to show it who is in charge. It keeps the car from breaking down. :-).
Thanks for posting here on this issue. Doing a radio in this car is much different than doing it in an F150.
Chris
N1AUP
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