Any LD Ham Radio Operators? November 16, 2019, 06:24:35 pm Today, after much studying, I passed both Technician and General class ham radio license exams. Yeah!My intent is to take my new found hobby portable when the new 27MB arrives and I go full time. My question is, are there any fellow LDers out there that are also ham radio operators and how do you setup your ham shack in the LD. Any and all comments are welcome.73- John 3 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #1 – November 16, 2019, 09:58:44 pm Congratulations, John! Thanks for the reminder as I need to renew in a couple years. I’ve been licensed at the Technician level since 2001 but am not active and, since I don’t currently have a LD, can’t help with your LD “ham shack” question but there are several HAMs on the forum so hopefully someone will chime in. We do have a local HAM club in our community so I really should get off my arse and connect with them. Are you going to join a club?Anyway, enjoy your new hobby! 73,Greg 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #2 – November 16, 2019, 10:35:10 pm Guilty - general license (I don't publish my call sign online). There are a lot of fun ways to set up an antenna either for simple 10m or for multiple bands. Half the fun is in the alchemy of it. A 10m and simple configuration can be fun. So can a QRP setup. 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #3 – November 16, 2019, 11:08:50 pm Congrats! I just renewed my general license but I haven't been very active lately. I've been thinking of getting involved in ARES (amateur radio emergency service) locally.I don't have any HAM gear in my TK but it did come with a cb radio which I never use. I don't have much interest in punching holes in the roof of my LD for routing antenna cable but perhaps I could use the existing cb antenna cable for a HAM radio. Got to look into that.'73 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #4 – November 16, 2019, 11:13:58 pm Thanks Greg... Probably won’t be joining any local club because I’ll be full timing, but I will be joining ARRL for the QSL service.Matt... I’ll be running HF for the most part. Mainly CW but some phone too. I have my eye on a sdr (no knobs) because it will save space in the LD and it should be somewhat future proof, but boy... are they expensive. I’ve also been looking at this portable 5-band antenna. dxe-tw-2010-p Do you know anything about it? It’s a bit pricey too but looks interesting. I’d rather not mount anything to the roof if at all possible.73- John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #5 – November 16, 2019, 11:28:01 pm Quote from: 73gitane - November 16, 2019, 11:08:50 pmI don't have much interest in punching holes in the roof of my LDThanks 73gitane...Punching extra holes in the roof is my concern too. The one piece aluminum roof would make a decent ground plane but climbing on top of the roof to tilt up an antenna does not appeal to me at all.73- John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #6 – November 16, 2019, 11:31:54 pm "Punching extra holes in the roof is my concern too"You can always take the coax down through the fridge vent! 2 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #7 – November 16, 2019, 11:45:20 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - November 16, 2019, 11:31:54 pm"Punching extra holes in the roof is my concern too"You can always take the coax down through the fridge vent! Steve,At the HF frequencies I want to run the antenna needs to be rather large and not practical leaving up, that’s why I mentioned a tilt up. I think I’ll be avoiding putting an antenna on the roof. But 73gitane was talking about a VHF/UHF antenna which is much shorter and fishing the coax through the fridge vent is a real good idea. IMO a much better idea than reusing the CB coax.73- John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #8 – November 17, 2019, 02:06:29 am Yep, HF would be more involved. As you said John, my interest will be more VHF/UHF. I'll most likely leave the cb antenna alone since its coax is pretty puny. That fridge vent can be put to good use! But I'll probably just clamp an antenna on the ladder and then route the coax down and under the vehicle at the bumper and then route through the bottom of the storage compartment under the couch. 2 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #9 – November 17, 2019, 10:25:55 am There is a LDer Ham person that always goes to the 'Q' during the January camp out. I'll let him out himself. He puts up an antenna. Runs his ham rig from a battery. Then recharges it from solar panels. Also I understand there is a large ham gathering after the 'Q' winter meetup. I don't know the details.glenBTW there are all sorts of holes in the LD roof. Boat Parts, Sailing, Kayaks, Paddleboards and Marine Electronics | West Marine is one of many places that can supply waterproof equipment for this application. 3 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #10 – November 17, 2019, 10:54:58 am Quote from: colddog - November 17, 2019, 10:25:55 amAlso I understand there is a large ham gathering after the 'Q' winter meetup.Thanks Glen, I just found their website... Quartzfest. Like you said, they advertise it as a HAM Radio RV'ers Boondocking event that coincides with the Quartzsite RV Show. My LD won’t be built yet for the 2020 meetup but maybe for 2021. Thanks again!- John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #11 – November 17, 2019, 12:57:52 pm I have been ham since my teenage years. More recently my activity have been limited to 2-meter/70CM operation.Our LD has a Kenwood TM-V71A mounted on the console and can be easily removed for use in the Jeep.Radios-2M/70cm and CB | FlickrTo run coax through the roof, there are many methods.Take a look at the high-tech method LD uses to bring the solar panel wiring into the interior.It's just an electrical cover plate, screwed to the roof with a hole drilled in it. The fittings are common exterior water-proof flexible electrical conduct. Everything is sealed with polyurethane sealant.In the twenty plus years of working on LDs, I have used dozens of Blue Sky clamshell electrical thru fittings, bought from West Marine and other online marine stores. If you want a more professional looking installation, pass on the electrical plates and use a marine-rated fitting, they are available for a wide variety of coax diameters.Cable Clams - Blue Sea SystemsHere are a couple photos of wha they look like installedOur LD's rear camera ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/1416465334/in/album-72157602095131020/Cell antenna lead-in, Andy's Skylark clamshell | LMR-400 cable enters through a BLUE SEA SYSTEMS … | FlickrAnother type.Thru roof connection | Marine cable cap | lw5315us | FlickrFor HF, there are several multi-band, small transceivers available, the hassle is dealing with the large antennas needed.There are dozens of potential multi-band antennas available. Mounting larger antennas can be difficult to securely mount in a way that will not damage the roof. The ladder is often used and mounting crossbars is another option.Years ago, for HF mobile operation, I would run a long-wire and use an antenna tuner to match to the transmitter. For mobile use, an antenna tuner can be beneficial.Crude but it worked.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #12 – November 17, 2019, 02:13:39 pm "I'll be running HF for the most part. Mainly CW but some phone too. I have my eye on a sdr (no knobs) because it will save space in the LD and it should be somewhat future proof, but boy... are they expensive. I've also been looking at this portable 5-band antenna. dxe-tw-2010-p Do you know anything about it? It's a bit pricey too but looks interesting. I'd rather not mount anything to the roof if at all possible."John, since you mention HF and CW, I'll tell you what we did. Our operation (XYL and I) (XYL is ham talk for wife) operated HF from our LD on all our trips. Cathy (W7JVI) was a high speed CW nut, by high speed I mean 50 WPM ++ and would operate while I drove down the road. I loved it as it made sure I kept my speed up a little (I'm more the 30 WPM type). She was almost always on 40 meters, as that was where the high speed conversations were going on. When we parked, I would operate 20 meters, SSB or CW, usually looking for DX. For a rig, we used a TS-480 and moved the "head" from the doghouse while on the road, to the table (we had a MB) when parked. For an antenna, we used a N9JMX Predator which I bought from Bob (N9JMX) at the Dayton Hamvention. Google "N9JMX Predator" for more information, but it was one of the few mobile antennas that could compete with the monster Bugcatcher at the shootouts they used to have in the Midwest. Ours was one he made especially for motor homes with an 8 ft long 4in diameter stainless steel base section below the screwdriver coil. I made a bracket to mount it on the bumper of our LD and operated while underway toploaded. When parked, I could add an 8 ft whip on top and operate on 40, 80 or 160. I mounted the bracket on the bumper of the LD near the ladder so that I could use it to mount the whip on top and use it for a support near the top. Would have preferred to mount it on the driver's side, but didn't think that was practical. Never had a problem tho. I still have that Predator, but just use a Hustler mag mounted to the roof of the truck now that I pull a trailer. I've given a lot of thought to putting that Predator up at the house, as I'm sure it would work better than the 40 meter dipole I have mounted on a wood fence 6 ft high. No trees and HOA to deal with, so probably couldn't do much better. We'll see if that ever happpens. Congratulations on getting your ticket, I've been a ham since 1956, first KN9INW, then K9INW (the N used to stand for novice) then W7JVL in 1973 when we moved from the Chicago area to the Pacific NW. Back then you had to have a call that designated you area. 9 was IL, IN and WI, Washington was in the 7 area. Now it doesn't matter.Hope I've given you some ideas, good luck, and lets hope those sunspots get going so the higher frequencies are useable again soon.Rich W7JVL - Former 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #13 – November 17, 2019, 04:36:26 pm Larry - Thanks for the info on cable clams. I didn’t have any plans on 2M/70CM, but... my daughter has a 30ft Newmar and if I can convince her to get her Technician, we could stay in touch via repeater. I’ll have to work on that Rich - Very good information, thank you. First of all, I’m in awe of your wife. I can’t imagine sending 50 WPM ++ under any conditions let alone while bumping down the road as a passenger. I’ve thought about mounting a screwdriver antenna to the rear bumper but I thought the slanted back wall of the MB would get in the way. Did you experience any problems with that? Also did mounting the antenna at the back of the LD with that big aluminum roof on one side make the antenna directional?Thank you all...John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #14 – November 17, 2019, 05:28:32 pm "Rich - Very good information, thank you. First of all, I'm in awe of your wife. I can't imagine sending 50 WPM ++ under any conditions let alone while bumping down the road as a passenger. I've thought about mounting a screwdriver antenna to the rear bumper but I thought the slanted back wall of the MB would get in the way. Did you experience any problems with that? Also did mounting the antenna at the back of the LD with that big aluminum roof on one side make the antenna directional?"Yes, John, It was always pretty amazing to me too. This was normally with a paddle, with full QSK, full conversational mode. When at home, or parked, she used a keyboard to be able to send faster....like 70 WPM or more, still receiving WORDS, not letters in her head. But, back to the subject at hand....my bracket was about 6 in wide and a foot long made out of aluminum plate about 1/4 in. thick. It stuck out far enough that the slanted wall was not a problem. It only required four 1/4 in. holes in the top of the bumper which I filled with short bolts when I sold her. As far as directivity goes there was probably some, but never really found it to be a problem. The aluminum walls and roof of the LD is one heck of a counterpoise, so I would look at something mounted on it rather than a portable antenna that you have to set up each time. Almost any antenna (especially if you can get the loading coil above the roof) mounted on the ladder will perform well on a LD with that counterpoise. I probably shouldn't talk about it, but since you are ordering a new LD, I'll let you know that I was able to talk Steve into running two cable runs for me while mine was being built. This was a long time ago, not saying he would do it now, but, it might not hurt to try. One was a 30 AMP DC circuit and the other was a coax run to the bumper near the ladder. Both ends terminated in the front end of the cabinet above the dinette. I had to provide the coax, and I found some on the net that had RG-8X and 2 wires together which I provided. The wires were for the screwdriver power. I then built a case on the side of that cabinet that had connections for power and antenna from the transceiver and a switch for up/down middle off for the screwdriver. I mounted the base for the TS-480 on a small shelf behind the passenger seat and short cables were all that was needed between it and my new case. I wish I had pictures, it really worked out nicely.You stated you plan to full time.....and while Quartzsite hamfest is interesting, I attended a couple of times, try to plan to be in the Midwest in mid May to attend the Dayton Hamvention at least once. It's been a few years since I attended, and I hear it has gone more toward the internet lately, but it is still the one thing every real ham should attend at least once.Let me know if I can be of any help in your plans for RV hamming in the future.Rich - LD alumni - Birch Bay, WA 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #15 – November 17, 2019, 06:32:48 pm Rich,You’ve given me a lot to think about. I had given up considering a screwdriver because I didn’t think a ladder or bumper mount was practical. Given that the whip would be too high for driving and I wasn’t interested in a tilt over. But you’ve got me thinking that if the whip was easy to attach and remove from the loading coil... that may be a good solution. I just looked at a Hi-Q Piranha 5/80 and the coil is only 11.5” tall. That wouldn’t be much to stick up above the roof while driving at all. And I don’t think it would take much to fab a mount to the ladder either. Plus a screwdriver would support the lower bands unlike a portable.I can ask about running cables when I get the call to order, but from what others have said, it doesn’t look good... couldn’t hurt to ask though.I will check out the Dayton Hamvention... sounds like a lot of fun. And thank you for your offer to help with future planning. This newbie could use a wise Elmer like yourself (note to others: Elmer = mentor)73John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #16 – November 17, 2019, 08:19:07 pm Quote from: JohnR - November 17, 2019, 10:54:58 amThanks Glen, I just found their website... Quartzfest. Like you said, they advertise it as a HAM Radio RV'ers Boondocking event that coincides with the Quartzsite RV Show. My LD won’t be built yet for the 2020 meetup but maybe for 2021. Thanks again!- JohnJohn, don't let the lack of the rig stop you from attending a get-together. The Caravan Club has periodic meetups within range.Joel 2 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #17 – November 17, 2019, 10:54:15 pm John,Congratulations on the new General class license. I am the amateur radio operator that Glen referred to earlier that operates a station at the Lazy Daze gathering at Quartzsite. I have too many recommendations to detail them all here, but I will offer the following.1. Marine cable clams are just the thing you need to run coax back into the LD from the roof. I only have such coax runs servicing VHF/UHF antennas. Any HF antennas work best in a camp setting. I use a rather complete Buddipole kit.2. Consider quickly mastering DSTAR, Wires-X/CF4M, and DMR as ways to give you global amateur communication from a single dual-band VHF/UHF transceiver permanently installed in the LD. This capability will also give you access to APRS which is a very interesting way that amateur radio is melded with GPS technology.3. All good quality amateur radio VHF/UHF transceivers now come fully equipped with complete NWS frequency coverage along with alerts and therefor give you excellent weather intelligence - something you will most definitely want as a full-timer. The NWS access also mixes well with the NWS Spotter program as most avid spotters use amateur radio to report observations in real time. Once dialed into the local spotter network in a severe weather situation, you have the benefit of instant weather updates that the general public does not have. Very valuable for an RV'er.If you find yourself near Quartzsite in January, make your way to the Lazy Daze gathering. I'll be there starting on December 27 this year. I'll also be attending the huge amateur radio meeting call Quartzfest which happens about 5 miles south of where the Lazy Daze group gathers.First licensed in 1966 while in high school, amateur radio has provided me with a life-long hobby that has so many different areas to explore that it is impossible to do them all in a lifetime. I hold an Extra class license. When you upgrade to Extra class, there is a group of us that meet every morning on 40 meters at 7155 Khz. Most of the group are also RV owners and there is a "7155" gathering at Quartzfest. Lots of good information here about RV'ing with amateur radio, especially antennas. My mode preference is CW. I'm a member of CWOps and that is one of my most thrilling achievements in amateur radio.73,Dan 5 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #18 – November 18, 2019, 10:50:01 am Dan,You are a wealth of knowledge... thank you! I’m familiar with some of the things you mentioned but not others. There’s a lot to learn for sure. APRS sounds interesting and was on the test, which I answered correctly, but other than memorizing the answer, that’s all I know I hadn’t thought about the real-time weather aspect of ham radio. I will certainly look into that. The local ham club, where I took the tests, meet once a month. I’ve got some time before my LD is built, so I think I’ll go to some meetings and meet/learn from the local hams.I am studying for the Extra exam now. Next test date is Dec. 21st. Hopefully I’ll be ready by then. It may be some time before I get setup because I’m starting from zero, but I look forward to QSO on 7155 KHz.A little before you first got your license, I was 12-13 and the Jr. High Electric Shop teacher ran a ham club, which I was a member. It was a lot of fun but soon other things such as girls and sports took my attention away. But now I’m ready to go again I appreciate all the feedback, knowledge and help. In many ways, Ham radio is a lot like this group... friendly people, sharing a common interest and eagerly helping others. Thanks again!73John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #19 – November 18, 2019, 11:41:25 am I'm not a Ham Radio op, but I do have a New Mexico cousin heavily into it, and I am an LD owner, and I have an incidental/anecdotal Ham Radio story that might be of interest to folks on this thread (if it doesn't get pulled as too far off-topic). Way back around 1980-198-ish, I was sent to an old cottage in San Francisco to conduct an interview. That home had always been a curiosity to me because it had all of these huge antennas all over the roof which made it really stand out in that neighborhood -- or elsewhere in the city for that matter. As it turned out, the old-timer who resided in that house was a Ham Radio operator, and he had one entire room dedicated to just the equipment and other stuff relevant to his hobby.After my business was concluded, I remarked about the antennas array, and how I had always wondered what it was all about. That began a fascinating conversation, and a tour of his home by the man's elderly wife. She proudly showed to me old photos and preserved newspapers that showed and explained her husbands direct link to one of our most infamous historical events -- the attack on Pearl Harbor. The morning of the attack, her husband was on the radio "chatting" with one of his counter-parts in Honolulu when the attack started. The Hawaii Ham was providing to her husband blow-by-blow accounts of the attack. Her husband quickly phoned a couple of newspapers and apparently was one of the very first persons on the mainland to learn of the attack, as none of the papers were aware of it. Long story short, I saw all of these preserved newspapers and old photos taken as the local press converged on this couples home, packing the house, all intently listening and rushing back and forth to call in the news to their editors. One photo showed the exterior of the home with it's towering antennas, and all of the old cars double and triple parked on the streets all around it (the home was on a corner lot) as the media swarm (newspapers and radio) of the day literally camped out at this couples house for hours because he was one of the only local sources for updates. I can certainly see the value in Ham radio in this regard. It is a noble endeavor in many respects. 2 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #20 – November 18, 2019, 11:56:59 am Don't worry, John. Before you know it, your LD will look something like this: 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #21 – January 20, 2020, 02:45:24 pm Just found this post today. It was started before I knew of LD's. I have been a ham since 1983. Active on and off. Been active again for about 8 years. I upgraded to Extra a few years ago, I was a General since the late 80's. 3 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #22 – January 20, 2020, 05:00:24 pm Hi Steve and Jill,Welcome to the LDOF... are you an active ham while out in your LD? If so, what is your setup?I’m the one who started this thread back in November when I passed my Tech and General exams. I have since passed my Extra Class and bought my first radio. A Kenwood TH-D72A dual band HT for some repeater and satellite work. I’m also waiting on a new vanity call sign that I will hopefully snag next month. I didn’t bother upgrading my call sign when I passed the Extra exam because I knew I wanted a 1x2.I’m on the list for getting a new LD and my current living situation doesn’t allow for setting up an antenna or shack. I did get an Arrow II handheld yagi to point at LEO satellites and that’s been a lot of fun.People on this forum have been great and have offered some good advice. I can’t wait until the LD is ready and I can start building my ham shack on wheels. All it takes is time and money 73- John
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #23 – January 20, 2020, 06:01:46 pm Here's a little ham story. Back in 1976 I was taking an evening class in 8080 assembly language programming at Trenton State College. One night the professor, Dr. Al Katz, showed up looking excited and happy. When we asked him what was up, he told us that he had just gotten his WAC (Worked All Continents) on 432 MHz... and that he was the first ham to do it via moon bounce! When I asked him how he'd pulled that off, he answered, "Well, I have this really big dish..." I could only imagine.Years later I was driving through a nearby town when I saw a house with a veritable antenna farm on the roof--obviously a ham. As I passed the place, I caught a glimpse of a gigantic dish in the back yard and knew in a flash exactly whose house that was. Yup, Al had a twenty-eight foot dish in his suburban back yard.For anybody who might be curious, here's the full story. 1 Likes
Re: Any LD Ham Radio Operators? Reply #24 – January 20, 2020, 08:34:32 pm Hi Andy,Thanks for the story... A 28ft dish at 432MHz and 50% efficiency has a gain of about 28.7dB. That’s a lot of gain! Today there are hams running EME (moon bounce) in a portable setup consisting of a laptop, single yagi antenna, preamp, receiver and 600W transmitter. There are probably some hams doing exactly that at Quartzfest right now. It’s fun reading about what hams had to do in the “old days”. Technology is a wonderful thing John
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