anyone out there have a ham radio in their truck...

i just installed the ICOM v8000 and was looking for some info and tips.

thanks

drj

 

Shouldn't you be asking for tips BEFORE the installation?
I haven't installed my radio yet... but will probably place it in the dash beneath the stereo, when I buy something to replace the stock cassette deck that currently resides there.

 

not THOSE kinda tips...u know - RADIO tips.

the install was cake - i just mounted it under the cup holder & cig. lighter (clean open area with nothing behind it) - and i opted for a window antenna mount - so - no holes to drill in my truck (woohoo!) AND i can take it off when need be.

so which radio did you pick up?

drj

 

I have a few, but the one that'll be going into the Superduty is a Motorola Spectra VHF. 128-ch, 8-character alpha-numeric display, 50w, DIN-sized face. After years of banging radios around in a 4x4, I've found the Motorolas to be the most reliable. Yeah, it's not really a "ham" radio but it's being used as such. If I was to buy an actual ham radio, it would be an Icom (probably a 2200H) as they make a good product, and the Canadian service centre is local to me.

I was thinking that a Larson WBQ in the middle of the roof would be a good antenna. Wide-band to cover all the freqs, and it has a shock spring for when it gets whacked by branches. Quarter-wave keeps the height short and has a better radiation pattern for use in the mountains. I can always keep a 5/8-wave behind the seat if I need a lot of range in an emergency. Mounting on the roof means no L-bracket screws or rivets to work loose, the coax cable won't wear against the hood and the fender, great ground plane, no metallic obstructions, and I won't be blasting 50w of RF energy into the cab.

What sort of radio tips were you looking for?

 

cool - i think you just gave me a few tips......im kinda new to this radio stuff and am trying to learn what i can. i do a fair amount of camping and love to follow desert racing - so - getting a radio seemed like a no brainer - if for nothing else than safety.

drj

 

Glad to help! If you have any questions related to 2-way radios in a 4x4, ask away, and if I can't help you hopefully somebody else will be able to.

 

well - right off the bat - it seems clear that although my antenna setup works fine for my vanity - it isnt the best possible setup...top dead center of the cab seems ideal, right? (i have a 146/446mhz dual band antenna)

unfortunately i havent really had a chance to mess around with my radio too much...(no one to talk to yet - but there IS a big 4wheel jambo in 2 weeks!!)

ive monitored other folks and have had 3 unsuccessful "mic checks".

i was also looking up mods for the v8000 and other than a few resistor changes on the logic board (cant remember why - something to do with improving the mic audio clarity)- i came across a hi-pass filter. (i think thats right)

is that going overboard...is the radio just fine by itself?

i appreciate you lettin' me bend your ear.

thanks
drj

 

There are a few mods for that radio... the radio works fine without them, just like your truck works fine stock.

Here are some of the mods:
http://kb2ljj.serveftp.com/icom/Expanding_Function_for_the_IC-V8000.pdf

I would do the expanded-transmit mod (for emergency use only), the mic-gain level mod, and the wide/narrow deviation mod if it's not already present in USA models. The RX mod is already present in USA models. You probably don't need to do anything else.

Btw, the V8000 TX power drops off a LOT outside of 144-148 MHz. So if you think you might need to work out-of-band then you might consider a different radio.

Also, the Icom microphone PTT switches are known to fail... Icom wants you to buy a new mic, but you can just replace the PTT switch for about $2 from one of the big suppliers... maybe Jameco or somebody; I can't remember. I found that tip on the 'net somewhere. Buy a few switches to save on shipping.

Yes, electrically-speaking, the unobstructed center of your roof is the best place for your antenna. But some people have issues drilling a 3/4" hole in their roof, or have a power sunroof, overhanging camper, etc., so it isn't always possible or feasible.

As far as looks goes... if I need to use my 2-way radio in an urgent or emergency situation while out in the bush, it had better dang well work, and work well! A permanently-mounted antenna means one less thing to worry about. Btw, when out in a group, we are ALWAYS on our radios. Advising of trail obstacles and oncoming vehicles, giving directions, splitting up to check a branch or side trail, etc.

Everybody should have VHF.

 

i concur wholeheartedly!!!

i prefer to be a little OVERprepared when im out in 'the nowhere' (which is where i prefer to be - but i do have to eat and keep the lights on too!)

thanks a bunch for the tips...it looks like i WILL be drilling a hole in my roof afterall...i mean when youre right, youre right...and what good will it do me if its not setup optimally.


thanks again!

i wll no doubt be picking your brain on this subject in the future.

happy wheeling!!

drj

 

a ham radio?sounds like something to eat.LOL

 

they can be quite boney if you get the cheap stuff.

drj

 

Hey Flatdeck, do you have your ham licence? I am VE7JFO, but am still saving coin for a base station.

 

Yep, VE7WAR.

 

Right on. I forgot to ask you when we were having coffee.

Are you set up? I use my buddies station until I can get going.

 

I keep a 2M Icom in the Bronco, but there is very little if any chatter in my area... use it to listen to local LE/FD and FS ..... I keep it scanning when I am in a new area.