New RVer - old ham

[K7FL]

My XYL and I are making plans for life on the road in a class A RV sometime in the next two years. This looks like a great forum for learning what others are doing to keep their ham radio interests alive on the road. Looking forward to learning more about the topic in preparation for our own adventure.
Dennis, K7FL
Battle Ground, WA

[W7JZE]

Hi Dennis,

Like you I am not yet an RV owner, but being age 63, with retirement on the near horizon, I see it coming... FAST :jitter:.

Wife and I can't hardly wait!!

I have only been on this board some 8 months or so (I forget) and I have found helpful, friendly answers to all of my naïve, newbie questions, every time I have asked. Lots of information in the archives too.

Nice place. I think you'll like it here. Welcome :hello:.

[Radio]

That's the route I took, was a ham LONG before the 5th wheel arrived back in 2008.

And ham radio played a big part in selection of the rig we finally bought. There simply HAD to be a place to put the radios!

:welcome:

[w5mjm]

Long time HAM, just purchased a 5th wheel. looking forward to many adventures.

Mike w5mjm

[Radio]

:welcome: Welcome aboard and have fun! We chose our 5th wheel because (among other things, including very light weight) it has a floorplan that will accommodate a ham radio station quite well!

[KF5BET]

Welcome aboard Dennis!

Looking forward to hearing all about your escapades!

[wa8yxm]

For VHF/UHF height is might so a flagpole with antenna brackets can help.

For HF, many go the screwdriver route.. I have seen a few put up specially made towers that attach (usually to the rear) of the RV with a compact multi-band beam.

I use a long wire, currently 50 feet, KAT-1 Tuner on one end, up a fish pole (Telescoping ple from Bass Pro Shop) then to another on the side of the rig, then to a flag pole at the front of the rig just now,, Works well for 40, fair for 80, have not tried shorter wavelengths lately.

Normally I use a longer wire (80+ feet) tossed over tree limbs, but no trees where I broke down.

I plan on a 10 meter dipole some day.

[ChuckW5KAV]

:welcome: Dennis

I use a High Sierra screwdriver attached to my F350 dually and
a dual band Diamond mounted on the side of my hood. I run
35ft of RG213 from my truck to the 5th wheel or a table on the
camp site. :beer:

[wa8yxm]

If you have not already made your purchase.... May I suggest a bath and a half floor plan?

Yes, I really could use the extra room....but when my wife and I were alive there were many,many times I was real happy having 2holes..No waiting.

[NN5I]

there were many,many times I was real happy having 2 holes

When I was in my late teens we had a two-holer behind the house. It took up lots less space than two one-holers.