Old Fart

[kb0ou]

Yes, I am a Newb on this here FORUM
But I have been around, as the old song goes.
Please handle me carefully, I may be FRAGILE

I just purchased a 1997 Southwind 35P motorhome and am trying to make it RADIOACTIVE so to speak.
Any and all help will be appreciated.
Looking at using a FT-8800 for VHF/UHF FM and my IC-706 for HF and VHF SSB.

73
John kb0ou

[KF5BET]

Good morning John

Welcome to the site! Glad you found us. Bunch of great folks on here and lots of help too. Lots of information here (just have to dig a little deep with the search function).

My recollection is that the two main things people ask about on here is grounding and antennas. Lots of advice and helpful information dealing with both.

Hope you enjoy your stay and please visit often.

Galen

[W9WLS]

Welcome aboard John !
As Galen said , Grounding and Antennas are big concerns here.
With a Motor Home ,as with any mobile instal grounding is a major operation sometimes argument-ed by the fact that so many motor home's employ a great deal of fiber-glass which present's problems for "shielding" .
H.F. Antennas present other interesting problems on Motor Homes , let us know how you think you intend to operate and we'll try to help .
73, John W9WLS

[W5DOK]

Hi John, and welcome aboard. Let us know what you're trying to do and we'll give you all kinds of useful (and useless) opinions. My ID 880 uses a dual band antenna mounted in place of the cb antenna when running down the road and the IC 736 uses a Tarheel screwdriver or a Comet CHA 250 when parked.
Doc

[Radio]

Old fart, huh?

Yeah, you'll fit right in. Welcome aboard!

[kb0ou]

Thanks guys, I feel so warm and fuzzy all over....
Maybe I forgot a pill!!

[wa8yxm]

I use a 100' Long wire with an auto tuner so I can change bands from my operator's chair without going otuside.

The Ham across the drive from me (Well he was getting ready to leave BEFORE I pulled in) he uses a portable crank up tower mounted to the rear of his rig with a pair of Ham Sticks in "Dipole" configuration.

There is one called the "BIG EAR" that is.. based on what he uses.

I like being able to operate 80/40/20 without goign outside but some parks object to the long wire..

A Screwdeiver, or a mini dipole on a mast.. That works

I also have a 25' Flagpole for VHF/UHF antennas when I care to put it up.

[N3LYT]

Here is my home made dipole by sliding the elements in and out I can do 10,12, and 15 meters. If I add two I can do 17 but that pretty well maxes it out!

[kg6rzc]

Been awhile since I have checked in, but lately, I have been fooling around with a mag loop mounted on a tripod. Seems to work OK for all the HF bands.....


BTW, I have several mag loops, two for QRP, and two for 100 watt hf. (One is coax loop, one is copper tubing loop, both of the QRP ones are flat aluminum commercially made)


hank

[ChuckW5KAV]

Welcome Old Fart

I am also a newer member to the group, was warmly welcome
and have learned many new tricks

[NN5I]

Welcome aboard, Old Fart, and happy Thanksgiving from another.

[N3LYT]

Old Fart? Hey I resemble that remark!