Mobile Ham Setup Planning (2M/70cm)

[rbeau30]

Updated OP with what I got today! Thanks Chad!

[streetglideok]

Not bad, I'm a little envious of the 710. You're all set for APRS. If the job situation hadn't turned political and dramatic as it had this last couple of weeks, I had planned on picking up a v71a.

[rbeau30]

Thanks!

Instead of going under the carpet, I am going to get some of these SafCord covers.


They work well at work in our conference room with a lot of traffic, so I figure they will work well to run to the back seat where the radio is going.

[ChadAmberg]

We want to see pics of the install!

[rbeau30]

We want to see pics of the install!

I have to figure out the power routing and the head unit/mic extension. Will post pic for sure. Thanks Chad for the head start on my project!

[zteknik]

We want to see pics of the install!

Yes please!

[rbeau30]

So, Brainstorming today. HRO isn't open, and I couldn't go yesterday.

So, I got a blade fuse Distro block for future expansion. Ran the Power from where the battery connects to the fuse block under the hood into the cab through a grommet in the firewall that the previous owner used to wire a brake controller. I figure I am going to use the SafCord when I get it to run the power under the driver seat to the distro box. I used 10 gauge wire, I hope that is good enough.


What I did was get a Project box that the distro box fit good in. I affixed a master shut off, just feel better with that extra switch. Ran the power cord to the switch, and a jumper to the distro block. Nuttin Fancy, but I think It will work. I'll have to think up a way of getting a good ground. I have another Distro block that I'm going to use for that.



I don't know, I never even did any power work in a car before. What do you all think?

[gnihcraes]

Looks good to me. 10ga is plenty. If you're not running an HF rig on 100 watts, the 10ga will be fine for most any other radio. Most mobile radios I think some with 12ga leads on them.

[hobowh]

10ga wire will handle 100 amps on a 10' run with 12v DC between 10' and 20' it drops to 50 amps if I remember my scales correctly

edit:at up to 300 watts usage

[gnihcraes]

10ga wire will handle 100 amps on a 10' run with 12v DC between 10' and 20' it drops to 50 amps if I remember my scales correctly

edit:at up to 300 watts usage

Plenty of wire gauge charts on the net. one down on this page, doesn't really cover the length though, just says increase size with distance. http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/WireCapacityChart.htm