[ICOM] New car. New 2/440 radio?

[Ron Hashiro]

Regarding mounting an IC-208H, I solved the problem this way.

(1) I used a length of CAT5 network cable (RJ45 8-pin module connectors 
at each end) to extend the mike from the radio chassis to the desired 
location.  Then, I use a female-female CAT5 coupler to adapt it into an 
extension cable.  You can get these parts at Radio Shack, or Home 
Depot.  If you use Radio Shack, make sure the coupler is the one 
designed for CAT5 computer cables, and not "telephone" applications as 
you want Pin 1 on one side to match Pin 1 on the other.  You jack in the 
mike into this CAT5 extension cable.

(2) Run an extension for the speaker cable, if that's what you desire.  
I have the radio sitting under the passenger seat, and it's adequate 
enough that I don't need to run an external speaker.

(3) Ran the control head cable to the passenger compartment and into the 
mounting position for the control head.  I fastened the head in front of 
the ash tray -- which makes it out of site for most casual car thieves.  
I put "urban camouflage" -- scraps of paper or what nots -- in front of 
the ash tray to make the control head less obvious.

(4)  I used 10 gauge wire from the battery to the passenger compartment 
and terminate it using 45-amp Anderson Powerpoles.  The battery line is 
double fused -- one 30 amp fuse on the red and one on the black lead.  
There's a 5 position Rigrunner at the end for distributing 12V to other 
radios or accessories as needed for mobile/field operations.  This past 
weekend, I used the DC to power an Icom IC-910H to listen to EME from 
KP4AO Arecibo, PR -- 539 on CW and WSJT.

The DC and mike lines were used for my *ahem* Kenwood TM-D700 until the 
control head was lifted from the vehicle.  I went back to an Icom 
IC-208H because all the controls except the POWER button are on the 
hand-mike.  It's getting to the point where I can't quickly read the 
buttons while driving but I can memorize the key button sequences I 
need.  Remember the first rule while driving a vehicle -- Safety first!

Ron Hashiro, AH6RH
Honolulu, HI
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/cellular-phone-ordinance.html
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/in-hawaii.html