Hi from KJ4OLL in Florida!

[kj4oll]

Recently retired, buying an RV next week. (First time owning one).
XYL is younger, still working for a few more years.
So there is time to set up the RV.
I have a Yaesu 857D that is still in the box, thinking about installing it in the RV. Antenna is a puzzle.
Wondering if most folks stick to UHF/VHF in RV use, or is there any reason to include an HF antenna?
73
Frank
KJ4OLL
PS: Not planning to put any of the boatanchors in the RV, but it would help traction on ice......

[coupevillefish]

I recently set up my very small camp trailer (think VERY little ground plain) with an ATAS 120a behind my FT897. I used a duplexor to split 2/.7 meters. I'm still testing but I have successfully tuned 20 and 40 meters and 2 meters. My first contact on 20 meters was Coos Bay, OR from North of Seattle, well over 300 miles.

I have not been able to get it to tune 10 meters, which I would like to do. Going to keep trying. I'm going to also try 6 meters.

[wa8yxm]

I stick to V/U=HF when in motion for the most part When parked I work 80/40 and other bands... Currently I run a long wire with an auto-turner (Kenwood KAT-1 Marine grade auto-turner) It can feet a "Goat rail" made of 1/2 inch copper pipe. that runs along the roof, 10ga wire connectes it to the tuner (WHy 10ga.. Well. think "What's in the junk box" 14 would work nicely)

Or I have a 50' and 80' 14 ga wires. the 50 (if parked for long enough) goes up a 20 foot fish pole on the back of the bus to a flag pole at the front.

The longer wire to tree limbs

And next week if it is delivered when anticipated an ALPHA portable will be added for all band use.. (I can do rapid switching between long wire and Alpha)

Oh, I( don't know how serious, and this is not for RV use.. at least I don't think it is without more research but talking to Alpha folks last Friday (Dayton-Hamvention) they told me of a new product they are coming out with for HOA afflicted folks.

They will call it the HF antenna (H=Harbor F=Freight) You buy part from Alpha and a flag pole from HF, Fly the flag on Flag day, July 4 and so on.. Your HOA sees the flag pole... If they object to your flying the flag.. Call in the Marines (I am being serious here) to tell 'em why one should be allowed to fly the flag...

[FrederickW]

Did you get it all setup kj4oll?

[Radio]

:welcome: to FrederickW.

Make yourself at home.

[kj4oll]

Hi,
I found the box containing the Yaesu 857D, and appreciate the advice on the ATAS 120A. (Need one).
Discovered all the parts to remote the faceplate too.
But have no idea yet where I can mount the transceiver and faceplate in a 2017 winnebago view 24G. Or if I should power it from the engine battery, which might be under the drivers seat? or the house batteries under the entrance steps.
Also not sure where to cut a hole to run the antenna cable.
I can see that with all the exterior hatches and push-outs, I will need to design/weld up some kind of custom antenna mount.
Probably going to wait until cooler weather, too hot and rainy to work outside just now.
73
Frank
KJ4OLL

[kd6vpe]

I have a FT-847 I'm installing in the toy hauler with a new atas-120a. I can use the manual method to move the antenna up and down but when I try to use the auto tune part it will only move down never up. I have one ground and have heard grounding is important but does this have anything to do with the auto tune. I did find out that my batteries are not big enough to send the 12 volts out to the antenna so have on a power supply and that gave me the up motion. Old stuff I know

73
Jim kd6vpe