[Mobile-Portable] HF/VHF/UHF Mobile in a Toyota RAV4?

[Gary Pearce KN4AQ]

Thanks, Ramon

There was a pretty big redesign of the RAV4 in 2006, but most of what you 
describe is still in place, and you've given me some good ideas.  I'd 
appreciate seeing the pictures.

I'm not sure we have the same engine, but I wonder if you have ignition 
noise, computer noise or other car-generated noise?

73,
Gary KN4AQ



At 01:59 PM 4/9/2007, "(KP4TR)Ramon Gonzalez" <kp4tr at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:

>I have a Toyota RAV4 2004 model which may be different than the 2007 on
>the interior.
>
>All I have is a Yaesu Ft-857D and a High Sierra Sidekick screwdriver
>antenna (left side) and a Diamond dual-band (2m/70cm) antenna (right
>side) on a Diamond K9000 motorized mount. The 2 antennas cover every
>band the Yaesu can transmit on. The only problem is the High Sierra
>needs to be unmounted before I drive into my garage. I installed a
>Hustler quick mount for that.
>
>In my case my RAV4 came with a roof rack mount that is round and
>metallic, making it very easy to put the HF and motorozed mounts on it.
>I grounded the HF antenna with a small braided ground strap bolted under
>the roof rack's mount where it bolts to the car's frame.
>
>The radio is installed on the trunk/cargo space area hidden from view.
>On both sides of the cargo area is a panel snap-in door that was
>designed to store small items. The space was perfect to install the body
>of the Yaesu FT857, and an extra bonus was that the area has a small
>snap-in cover to access the tail lights which was perfect to route all
>the cables out of the storage area. Under the left (passenger side)
>storage is another snap-in cover where the spare tire wrench is stored
>in a bag. This space was perfect to install a N2VZ Turbo tuner, and a 1
>farad capacitor for power regulation. Also this area is where I bring in
>the coax and power cables to connect to the radio which sits just on the
>top of this space.
>
>The radio's head mount is installed on a standard mount that fits into
>the square cup holder in the front of the car.
>
>Overall I found the 2004 Toyota RAV4 a delight to install my Yaesu
>FT-857D without any ugly cables showing and all tucked away under the
>carpets. If I have time I'll take pictures and post it on my site
>(http://kp4tr.org).
>
>Not a 2007 model but hope this helps.
>
>
>Gary Pearce KN4AQ wrote:
> >
> > Any tips on mobile in a Toyota RAV4 (2007, V6, 4WD model)?
> >
> > I've got a lot to stuff in:  706MKIIG, Yaesu 8900, Icom ID800, Alinco
> > 220 MHz, maybe a scanner and even a CB rig.
> >
> > I'm contemplating a RAM system for mounting control heads, etc., and
> > putting the radios under the back seats.  I think there's still room
> > when they're in the lower folded-down position, but I'll
> > double-check.  Tarheel screwdriver for HF (those three bolt holes on
> > the frame at left-rear look good for a mount), and a slew of short
> > dual-band and mono-band antennas on the roof that'll clear the garage
> > door.  I need to figure out where to put a six-meter antenna, or two
> > (706 and 8900 both do 6).
> >
> > And sorry, Rick N1RL - I went with the RAV instead of the Subaru
> > Forrester!
> >
> > 73,
> > Gary KN4AQ
> >
> >
> > ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News
> > Gary Pearce KN4AQ
> > 508 Spencer Crest Ct.
> > Cary, NC 27513
> > kn4aq at arvidnews.com
> > 919-380-9944
> > www.ARVidNews.com
> >
> > ----
> > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net
> >
>
>
>--
>____________________________________
>Ramon Gonzalez (KP4TR)
>Tampa Bay, Florida
>IRLP Node 4085
>http://kp4tr.org
>
>----
>Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net

ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News
Gary Pearce KN4AQ
508 Spencer Crest Ct.
Cary, NC 27513
kn4aq at arvidnews.com
919-380-9944
www.ARVidNews.com