HAM Equipment in a 24' FL May 04, 2010, 03:25:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 112346Having noticed there are other amateur radio operators in the group, I'd like to pose the question: If you were going to install HAM equipment in a new 24'FL, what would be your "perfect" setup? What equipment, installed where, and would you have the factory install any of it as part of the "build"? I'm a retired, really rusty avionics technician who's new to amateur radio. I know there's no perfect answer, but am open to all suggestions and particularly would like to know if there's things you wish you woulda/coulda had the factory install...antennae suggestions, etc.Lori and the girls wannabees in Washington state KE7KXN Current equipment: old Alinco DJ580 dual band handheld w/magnetic mount antennae
Re: HAM Equipment in a 24' FL Reply #1 – May 04, 2010, 06:24:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 112351Hi Lori, Having installed ham radio
Re: HAM Equipment in a 24' FL Reply #2 – May 04, 2010, 07:45:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 112354Lori, This is one of those questions that really can't be answered because everyone's needs and uses are so different. I'll let you know what I talked Steve into when we bought our Midbath back in 2000. I managed to get him to run several coax runs for; me one from the cabinet above the dinette in the Midbath to the base of the ladder, and two more from the roof near the front to behind the driver's seat. In addition, I talked him into running a 30 AMP circuit from the coach battery to that same cabinet above the dinette. By the way, the "coax" I had him run to the base of the ladder was High Sierra's HS-12 which is really RG58 with a pair of power wires all in one sheth. If you have any plans on upgrading your license and possibly running a screwdriver type antenna in the future, I really recommend this cable. For a rig, I run a Kenwood TS-480 with the base part mounted near the dinette and the "Head" part on the doghouse while driving, and on the dinette table when parked for awhile. I have a BIG scrwewdriver antenna mounted on the rear bumper near the ladder for HF. (The "Predator" see http://www.kj9t.com/N9JMX_PREDATOR_DETAIL/pres0000.html if interested.)But like I said, you need to analyze your needs, if you just want to stick to UHF/VHF it's easy...HF a little more of a challenge. The Lazy Daze is the ideal rig for a HAM, as that aluminum shell acts as one heck of a counterpoise for any antenna you choose. I wouldn't omit thinking HF, even if you do not plan to upgrade your license, as solar activity increases in (hopefully) the near future, 10 meters can sure be fun under ideal conditions.Rich Gort - W7JVL - 2000 MB - Not too far from you in Birch Bay, WA
Re: HAM Equipment in a 24' FL Reply #3 – May 04, 2010, 09:43:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 112359"What equipment, installed where, and would you have the factory install any of it as part of the "build"?"LoriKind of hard to know what you want without more information. What bands are you interested operating in? Is on-the-road communication important or are you into DX? Today's HF equipment is miniaturized but the antennas are still large. UHF and VHF antennas are smaller. I have a dual band Kenwood UHF rig that is used in both the LD and Jeep. It is useful for local and regional communications through the use of mountaintop repeaters. It is not at all useful for DX. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157622095993436/> Radios can use a lot of power so you should be thinking about how to maximize power production and storage If ordering new, you will want as much solar as possible unless you plan on adding even more, then I would have it all done in the after-market.Determine if you want any extra 120-VAC or 12-VDC outlets. The wiring needed for a radio and the associated antenna wiring is probably best done after delivery. LD does not like doing this type of wiring and probably will limit what they are willing to do to one thing. The Front Dinette has room for adding additional batteries under the dinette seat. You will want to use AGM batteries for the entire battery pack if any are mounted inside unless a ventilated compartment is built, allowing the use of lead-acid batteries.Larry
Re: HAM Equipment in a 24' FL Reply #4 – May 05, 2010, 10:16:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 112382Here is the set up
Re: HAM Equipment in a 24' FL Reply #5 – May 11, 2010, 03:39:42 am Yahoo Message Number: 112469Thanks to all for the many ideas on what, where, and how to install HAM gear in a LD. Please post again, if you have any further thoughts.LoriKE7KXN[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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