[HCRA] Mobile installation help

Thu Jun 7 10:08:47 EDT 2007

Well talk about forgetting a number!

It's the FT-1802

That two makes a difference.

KB1JVI

> [Original Message]
> From: Rick Linguist, N1RL <n1rl at earthlink.net>
> To: <sandmanofcs at earthlink.net>; <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: 6/7/2007 9:47:08 AM
> Subject: RE: [HCRA] Mobile installation help
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> Hi, Eric
>
> I had to look that one up on AES; that's quite a lot of radio for not much
> money at all! And we OTs like to talk about how great it was in the "old
> days" of ham radio, when, if we were fortunate, we might have a big, green
> Heathkit with crystal control (or that later model where you set the
> frequency using "convenient" thumbwheels). 
>
> At first I thought maybe you were talking about an HF mobile installation;
> that can sometimes get a bit more complicated. The manual for the 180
should
> give you some installation instructions, considering that radio is most
> likely gonna end up in someone's car.
>
> The 180 looks quite small, especially for a 50 W radio, so here are my
> suggestions:
>
> (1) Find a suitable location where you can easily operate the radio while
> not having it pose a safety hazard. Most of today's vehicles don't have
room
> under the dash, but I have my TS-480HX mounted on the passenger side of
the
> shift console. This works better if you don't have frequent passengers,
> although my wife doesn't mind the somewhat reduced knee room - much. It's
> not that hard to read the sort of vertical display. 
>
> (2) Dunno what you've got planned for an antenna, but you can use a decent
> mag-mount and run the coax right through the back door (the one you use
> less).
>
> (3) You always want to connect the power cabling directly to the battery
> when installing any mobile radio. You also should install a good ground
> right to the frame at the radio itself (a good spot to do this is to
attach
> the frame end of the ground braid to one of the bolts that secures the
> passenger seat to the floor). 
>
> (4) Getting the power cabling through the firewall is always fun and often
> involves working while lying on your back with your head upside-down for
> long periods. 
>
> >From the engine side, look for any rubber plugs that fill unused holes in
> the firewall. Most cars have at least one or two of these to accommodate
> accessory equipment you didn't order because you were too cheap (hams, as
a
> rule *are* cheap, let's face it) or for export model styles. These make
> great pass-throughs for power cables, and if you're really clever, you can
> modify the rubber plug to fit back into place around the cabling (usually
> cutting a slit from the outside edge toward the center will be sufficient;
> then slip the wires into the slot and push the plug back into place).
>
> (5) Make sure your fuses are as close to the battery as possible. I would
> suggest installing some suitable lugs on the ends of the wiring to attach
to
> the bolt that holds the battery connector in place on the positive side.
> Attach the negative wire lug to a suitable spot on the frame, using a
> convenient bolt that's holding something in place. You may want to add
some
> star washers on these connections. When your done, spray 'em with T-9 or
> some kind of goop to help prevent corrosion.
>
> (6) At 50 W on VHF, it's possible that your radio might cause RFI to some
of
> the car's electronics, so you may want to consider shielding your power
> cabling or installing some good ferrite cores as it leaves the radio. The
> latter is easier, of course, and, in fact, Yaesu may already have done
this
> or supplied snap-on cores (not as good as *real* donuts) to install.
>
> Anyway, these are some tips I've found useful. I hope they help. The
> Handbook likely has more. The League also publishes a mobiling book, but
I'm
> not sure how deeply it delves into installation issues. Sorry, I don't
have
> one.
>
> 73, Rick, N1RL
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On
> Behalf Of Eric Richardson
> Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 10:48 PM
> To: HCRA at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [HCRA] Mobile installation help
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> Greetings all!
>
> I just purchased my new mobile rig and I need a little help installing it.
> I have all the equipment, except for the knowledge on mobile radio
> installations. All I would need is a helping hand (or just someone to walk
> me on through it). If you would like to help me, please respond.
>
> Thanks everyone and see you at Field Day!
>
> 73's
>
> KB1JVI
>
> Eric Richardson
> Proud owner of a Yeasu FT-180
>
> ------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> An ARRL Special Services Club celebrating 60 years
> ------------http://www.hcra.org------------
> ________________________________________________________
>
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> Address any comments to:
> -Jim, KK1W  -  jmullen at rockys.com
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>
> ------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> An ARRL Special Services Club celebrating 60 years
> ------------http://www.hcra.org------------
> ________________________________________________________
>
> To unsubscribe from the list please visit:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
>
> Address any comments to:
> -Jim, KK1W  -  jmullen at rockys.com
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