Your Rig is??? [Archive] - Open Roads Radio forum for Ham, Amateur Radio and RV camping

Richard Stouffer

12-09-2007, 06:27 AM

I'm curious about what kind of rig each of you have.

I have a Flex Radio 5000A(SDR) for my base station, an Icom 7000 in my Jeep, and an Icom 706 MKII and an Icom 2720 in the RV. Sometimes I put the 7000 in the RV for extended stays.

The reason for two radios in the RV is that I decided to mount the antenna on the ladder in the back and wanted to run as little coax as possible.

N7OQ

12-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Me I don't have very many radios, I have a IC706mkiig, a Kenwood TMD-700a and a TH-F6A HT. I also have a Icom IC-R3 receiver and I know the wife got me a PCR-1500 receiver for Christmas.

I have not put together a base station because of our CC$R's they say no antennas. I do have some antennas up though. When my house was built (15 years ago) the housing market was dropping so the company building them who inforced the CC&R's, auctioned off the homes they had left and sold the rest of their land to another company who never used CC&R's and left town. Now according to the CC&R's when the project was finished we were all to elect a CC&R committee but that never happened and most everyone has violated a CC&R or too so I put up antennas but still try to keep it low keyed. I do plan on buying a nice base station soon.

jagco

12-09-2007, 03:25 PM

I'm not set up well with radios at all. I have a FT-5100 dual band 2M/440 in the house and an old RS HTX-242 mobile for my truck. I had a better setup in the house, but took a lightning strike. The only HF radio I have is a TS-520 that needs some work. I haven't been doing any HF, in years. Things will improve as time goes on. Between lack of health and lack of funds, it's a tough road. Just recently got the radio bug back, so we'll see how it goes.

W8RLM

12-09-2007, 05:45 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum. I have an FT847 as a base station, an FT857 in my PT Cruiser, and I need to install my FT100 in my 06 Winnebago Journey. I also run a Standard dual bander in the motorhome. For a portable, I have a Kenwood TF6A.

W8RLM - Bob

Ret8008

12-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Guess I'm just into the basics. I have one IC 706MKllG I move it between the 5th wheel when parked and set up, and to the Freightliner when we are on the road. I move the antennas (ham sticks) from truck to the ladder on the trailer. I do not move on a daily basis, so it works OK. Someday there will be a rig for each rig.

_L7

12-27-2007, 04:50 PM

The previous RV setup (99 Dodge & 34' Sunnybrook 5th wheel) had just a Kenwood Tri-bander (2, 440, 1.2) in the truck. I did not have anything in the 5th wheel other than an HT. It was too bad too because there was a perfect place for an HF radio to mount in the trailer cabinet where the stereo radio was mounted. Plus it had an easy routing for cable out of the trailer. Just another project I kept putting off for when I had time. :rolleyes:

The MH has a TS2000 that I put on the dash when we are parked. I am still having antenna issues (very little success on HF) and will be trying something besides the Comet multi-band mounted on the roof come spring time (don't usually take vacation during the winter). I am also trying to decide what the best and easiest way to have the cable exit the coach without a big hole in the side. :think:

I had the remote kit for the TS2000 with the remote mounted on the dash of the MH to the left of the steering wheel. It worked quite well (the remote) but having the main radio at my left foot while driving was not ergonomically correct. So I'm weighing the pros and cons of various dual band mobiles to replace the 2000 and remote. I wish there was still a Tri band or even better the old Icom 900/901 with the band modules stacked so I could get 10m thru 1.2 on one radio!!

Any suggestions for a dual band mobile? Anyone suggest a good HF antenna for a MH (that works) while on the road?

w6pea

12-27-2007, 05:44 PM

I my RV I have an IC2720H, in my P/U I have a IC2800H, and a Alinco 220 Rig. (forgot the model number) I allso have a IC706MKIIG, Also Have in the house an IC706MKIIG, and a IC2800H, In the xls van we have a IC2800H

wa8yxm

12-28-2007, 08:01 AM

I use a TS-2000, in my case mounted in the "Half bath" restroom (Handy small room with a door I can close, good ventilation, Convenient to, well, itself, and in my rig the master power distribution panels are in the hall, in the common wall with said room so power is easy to snag, lots of it)

I hung a KAT-1 Marine grate Automatic Antenna Tuner on the back of the rig (outside) and hook assorted long wires to it's screw. Works well on most bands I work.

The problem is the KAT-1 is expensive, they used to make a different one KAT-3 or 300, forget which, which is electronically identical but NOT a marine grade. It was much lower in cost too.

I've looked at a few competitior's Auto-tuners and kind of wonder if they are compatable (NO, I'll not suggest a brand name)

I'm still working on my portable antenna farm. But 100 ' works well on 80 40 and 20

Nothing, just now, works well on 10

I run VHF/UHF antennas up a flagpole (Sunsetter drive on base, the duals are also right close to said room, just behind it)

I've also used a 35 foot copper mast, fed by the KAT-1

One of the things Ham Radio has in common with Real Estate is the phrase "Location, Location, Location" Sitting here in Detroit, with the antennas about 35 feet from the power overhead power lines, I can work 80 SSB around the state and down into northern Ohio or Indiana most evenings, but true DX is limited to PSK31 antennas consist of an 80 mtr dipole and a 100' long wire on the KAT-1

I've never been able to detect the folks on the FMCA net (40 or 20, forget which)

Sitting in Pender, NE. the Blue Ox campground, Using the copper mast fed by the KAT, I had a good signal into Michigan and north Ohio for the Wolverine SSB net and into Texas for the FMCA net

From Las Vegas, NV, and Quartsite, AZ. I was unable to reach either net.

No surprise with Wolverine, But I'd have thought I could get FMCA from QZ

WA6IRQ

12-28-2007, 09:45 AM

I Have a Yaesu FT -847 for the home. 2 stacked 11 element VHF, 1 15 element crisscross for UHF, inverted V for 80 meters and a R7 for the rest of the HF bands.

In the F250 I have a Yaesu FT-857D with an ATAS-120 HF antenna and a Larson on glass Vhf/Uhf antenna.

Also a quick mount Alinco DR-235T for 220.

In the Trailer I use a Yaesu FT-897D w/ LDG auto tunner with assorted HF and VHF/ UHF antennas including a Buddipole. The selection allows me to use the best antenna for where I am camping.

With any luck I will be adding a ICOM IC-2820 D-Star to the truck as well.

In addition to the above, I have a assortment of HT's as well as Yaesu FT-817 QRP HF/Vhf/Uhf.

While It appears that I am a dyed in the wool Yaesu fan, I am not.. It is that a lot of the software and assorted cables and misc equipment are interchangeable.. That saves $$$ in the long run....

Wes

WildOne

02-04-2008, 08:53 AM

I should buy stock in Icom................
IC 746 & IC 821h at the home base. Connected to 1 6mtr cushcraft verticle, 1 Diamond x-300 verticle, 1 Cubex 2 element 6mtr quad, 1 Cubex 4 element 2 mtr quad, 2 stacked Antron 70cm 4 element quads.
IC 706MKIIG, at camp, attached to a comet tri-band verticle (6,2,440) and an expanded discone for working on marine bands. (and frs when we have unlicensed guests), a Van Gorden shorty (70ft dipole), and a very old Shakespere Big Stik 11mtr verticle. (was there when we bought the place and works well on 10mtr)
In the trucks (xyl is a ham too) are 2 Icom IC 2100h's.
In the boat is an IC 207h attached to an NMO mount. On that, mounts either a dual band comet or a tunable Antenna Specialists set for the marine bands.
In the saddlebags of the sleds/4wheelers (depending on the season) are 2 IC T7h's.
On the shelf in my office is a stand-by IC 207h that I bought from a local that was in a little financial crunch. This one is there in case any of the other mobiles quit!

All radios have had the diode mods done to open availability of marine, frs/gmrs and murs freqs.. all my rigs have either tuners or special antennas to use the extra freqs.
I had some custom made rubber ducks for the ht's to be able to use all those other bands too!

So, as you can see, I'm sorta patial to Icom! I've only had 2 Icoms ever fail....one was a 2710 that went out for repair, the repair failed within 30 days, sent it back, it failed again so I sold it for parts! Also, my 746 is set to ship, later this week, for a "tune up" and a reciever problem. I think that's a pretty good record considering some of these radio are 12 years old and get used daily!

Snell

02-04-2008, 09:13 AM

The home station is a Icom 746 and a SB-200 sitting alongside an Icom 910H for satellite work. In the truck is a FT-857 with an ATAS 120 on the bed rail. Inside the TT will go my old reliable TS-430S as soon as the weather breaks and I can decide what kind of antenna I will use. I'm considering a dual band mobile vhf/uhf radio for the traliler as well. Time will tell.

Art

Dizzy-Dick

02-05-2008, 06:34 PM

Back in the early 70's I built a HW-101, which I still use as a base station. When I had a travel trailer, I had UHF and VHF radios I used alnong with an Atless 210 HF rig.

Well today, I went to the Ham store and since it is quite a little drive, I took my wife with me. I wanted to purchase antenna mounts and cable for mounting to my recently acquired motorhome. I was almost ready to give up and mount all the antennae on the toad and run cable into the MH. That is why I was looking for marine mounts or anything that I could use.

My wife asked me if I needed a new radio. When I told the dealer what I was using, he said they were older than he was. My wife suggested that I get a new radio for my upcoming birthday (02-14). I almost called an ambulance, thought that she was sick (grin). Wellllll, I brought home an Icom IC-706 MKIIG, an automatic antenna tuner, and lots of mounts, cable, and hardware. How was that for a surprise?

Now, if only I can find the time to get things installed and up and running. Don't know if I can use those new modern gadgets (grin). I am now reading the book.

Happy camping and 73's

ke7fsv

10-28-2010, 12:53 PM

L7,
I would suggest the I-COM 208H for your mobile.
I have on in my truck and it is a great 2m rig.
I don't use the 70 cm except to listen
Bill

mudpuppy

10-28-2010, 05:00 PM

I have a Kenwood TS-570 in the basement attached to G5RV and a Kenwood TS-480HX attached to a Tarheel 300 screwdriver in my Class A MH. The Saturn VUE has a Kenwood dual band mobile for use around town.

KE5ZRT

10-28-2010, 06:34 PM

...I would suggest the I-COM 208H for your mobile...

I agree 100% The Icom 208 is a tough dual-bander. I have one in my toad/storm chase truck with a Comet SBB-7nmo 55" whip and it has served me well. My base for the motorhome will be a yaesu 7800 with a Cushcraft dual-band rotated beam. My mobile bicycle rig is an Icom T7h handy-talkie with a Tram 33" dual-band whip. I also have a Radio Shack HTX-10, 25 Watt, 10 meter all-mode and an Antron 99 vertical that I don't know what to do with. I will probably donate it to the local ARC when I move into the RV. I have not pursued HF other than 10 meters although I am a General and my wife is an Extra...maybe one of these days!
violin

W5DOK

10-28-2010, 08:08 PM

I use an Icom 736 in the motor home and an IC V8000 in the toad. I have another 736 at home behind a bunch of antennas. Kinda like those old 736's. For antennas in the mh , I use a Comet 250 on a short extension pole attached to the rear ladder of the mh or a Tarheel 200 screwdriver if I don't have the space to put up the Comet. The Comet is easy and quick (20 minutes or less) to install and works great behind the mh. I spend about 8 months out of the year in the mh. Winter in South Texas and summer in South Colorado.
73
Doc
W5DOK

TXiceman

10-29-2010, 07:48 PM

Base unit is a Yaesu FT 950, with Signal Link USB interface, Carolina Windom 80 at 50' and a Butternut HF9V ground mounted with 12 radials. It runs HRD with my netbook (Windows 98) computer.

The mobile unit is a Yaesu FT 857D, ATAS 120 antenna for HF and a Larsen dual bander for VHF/UHF.

Ken

wa8yxm

10-29-2010, 08:45 PM

Home is Motor home. Kenwood TS-2000, KAT-1 Tuner, assorted "long wires" Primary is a 100' with 2 pounds of concrete on the far end. I toss it over any handy tree. Mobile is about 6 feet of 10ga wire, followed by 30 feet of 1/2 inch copper tubing mounted like a luggage rail followed by a CB-Fiberglass wirewound whip at right angles to the pipe.

I also have a hustler 4bTV bolted to the bike carrier (Well the base is bolted, I only use the upright when other options fail)

For other bands I have a six meter quarter wave, 2 meter "J" pole, These are on the back of the rig, A 70cm NGP with a PL-259 mount is on a bulkhead connector the goes from a cabinet wall up through the roof. I also have a 25 foot "Tower" (Flagpole) that can support T-Poles for 2 and 70cm and a six meter dipole

What is a T-pole.. Basically two J's Look at the SUPER J in the antenna book, drop the matching stub and feed the phasing harness.

AE5BI

11-07-2010, 09:25 AM

I have a webpage dedicated to radios at http://www.fulltimerv.us/ham/ham.html We too are fulltimers. :waggle:

The MH is set up with two desks, on mine is the Kenwood TS-2000 to an SGC-237 Tuner on the roof to Long Wire when it is set up. The park has a no CB, no HAM rule so I have been off the air since I read the rules.

My Jeep (we have a his and hers, http://www.fulltimerv.us/jeep/jeep.html) is set up with the iCom IC-706MKIIG, AH-4 Automatic Antenna Tuner to a 102" Radio Shack CB Antenna. The pictures don't show it but the whip and short wave antenna have both been moved on top of the roof rack along with the tuner.

Andy N1ORK

11-07-2010, 03:00 PM

At home, I have an Yaesu FT-847 & FC-20 ATU into a G5RVjr inverted V in my attic. Also have 7el 2m, 3el 6m rotatable and 2/440/6m vert all in attic. Elevation is 420' above sea level.
At camp in NH I use an Yeasu FT-857D & LDG YT-100 into a G5RVjr 40' up in the trees. Also use an Arrow 2/440 jpole above the camp park model. Elevation is 680' above sea level.
73
Andy - n1ork

KG5UN

11-27-2011, 03:49 PM

Kenwood TS-2000 serves me at home as well as in the TT. It really is a complete shack in a box.

Radio

11-27-2011, 04:00 PM

Kenwood TS-2000 serves me at home as well as in the TT. It really is a complete shack in a box.

It is, as was it's predecessor the TS570. It's hard to buy any accessories for those radios, as everything you can think of is already built in.

Antenna tuner, antenna switch, DSP, speech processor, on and on. It's all in there already.

I guess you could get the desk mic, but I personally have never liked desk mics. I have a D-104 that goes with my HW-101 and that's the only one I have ever had. I really like a HEIL headset. :headphones: That's the way to go!

KG5UN

12-03-2011, 02:52 PM

Very true, there is not much to add to the 2000.
In 23 years of hamming I have only bought 3 HF radios brand new, and this was one of them!

Radio

12-03-2011, 07:28 PM

Very true, there is not much to add to the 2000.
In 23 years of hamming I have only bought 3 HF radios brand new, and this was one of them!

Licensed since 1981, I built a HW101 as my first HF rig. Then when the TS-570 came out I bought one of those, new. I figure a guy is entitled to a new HF radio every 25 years or so, whether he really needs one or not. :radio:

BTW I still have the HW101 and it still works.

W3TWG

04-03-2013, 11:38 PM

Wow, need some activity here!

Home has an FT-101E station w/FL-2100B linear amplifier, YC-601 digital display, FV-101V external VFO and SP-101 external speaker. Love the hybrids! I also have an FT-847 for the fixed station VHF/UHF duties, and general listening. There is also a dedicated 2m rig parked on the call freq. My daily driver has a Kenwood TM-733 and Midland ST2 6M convert. Since I can't find the perfect mobile rig for the truck, I always throw in whatever is available when we use it, usually a dualbander. For traveling, I have a shack in a box that includes an FT-897D, and LDG tuner, a portable 80(?) thru 6M vertical antenna and various other pieces to make the whole station. I have an Arrow clone dual band j-pole for the ladder and will experiment with long wires in the future for 80 and 40M.

Andy N1ORK

04-04-2013, 05:52 AM

Nice setup Mike! I also have an FT-847 for the home QTH into an LDG-847 tuner into a G5RVjr (40-6m) in the attic. The LDG-847 allows CAT control with the FT-847 at the same time. At camp in NH I use a FT-857D with an LDG-100 tuner into a G5RVjr and an Arrow 2/440 J pole.
73

N3LYT

04-04-2013, 08:33 AM

I have two handfuls of HT's from 6 to 432 a 706MKII G in the truck with a LiL Tarheel and a 4 band Yeasu 8900. In the shack a 736R Yeasu 2-6meter hooked to long boom Yagi's for each band an Icom 737 that I use on AM with a mixer and quality mike and a new Icom 7200 that doubles as my camper radio. Oh yeah assorted amps for 6-432 I prefer to do HF bearfoot resonate wires.

stevemaclin32

05-14-2013, 01:09 AM

wa8yxm

05-14-2013, 09:41 AM

House:2005 Damon Intruder 377W
Main Radio: Kenwood TS-2000, KAT-1 Auto Tuner (mates with the 2000) 100' of 14Ga wire, several poles and two 2 pound concrete weights, some nlyon or cotton cord (no wire center).

Additional antennas for 2 mtr 6 mtr and 70cm

Cockpit radio: Currently Yesau FT-51R with 35 watt Mirage Brick.
Diamond dual band NGP antenna

Jeep: Not yet purchased (The jeep that is) but when it is it will likely get either the FT-51 or one of those new el-cheapo HT's with a brick.

In need of repair (Anyone know of a good shop) Kenwood TM-733.
Symptoms: IT is froze solid, only volume and on-off work.

N3LYT

05-14-2013, 07:47 PM

"11" Tacoma. Yeasu 8900 Icom 706 MK2G and Lil Tarheel with Ameritron controller. The camper, I use my Icom 7200 (that I also use in the shack) with all kinds of antennas from the Lil Tarheel to 120+ foot 40 and 75 meter dipole. The shack sports a Icom 737, Yeasu 736R, Icom 7200 Yaesu 8800 two computers for digital stuff. 6 meter long boom 6 element, 432, and 2 meter beams for SSB coupled to Teltech amps. Resonate dipoles for 40 and 75 meters R7 vertical and an LDG tuner for the 7200. Several HT's 6, 2, 1.25, .7 meter.

TXiceman

05-16-2013, 07:04 AM

Well, the status of the rigs ahve changed since we are n ow full-time RVers.

The portable shack, is a Kenwood TS480HX with an LDG AT200Pro tuner and a Comet CHA250B antenna. I also carry a 20/40m fan type dipole and a push pole for use and an inverted V.

The truck has the Yaesu FT857D, TurboTuner and a Lil' Tarheel II antenna with lots of Ford supplied diesel injector noise.

Ken

KF5BET

05-16-2013, 09:10 PM

I have this rig. I'm using it on transformer hauling (http://edwardsmoving.com/haulingSensation.html). I can move heavy equipments to another place easily, because of this truck.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2yw9sw1.jpg

Steve:

That rig looks "VERY" familiar to me. The paint scheme is exactly like the paint scheme that was on trucks I used to drive based out of Cornelius, Oregon many years ago.

Welcome to the site!