Mobile Ham Setup Planning (2M/70cm)

[rbeau30]

The length is not that far. The engine compartment fuse block to just rear of the driver's side. I would say 6 feet.

[hobowh]

the scale has to to with length*2 against % loss and voltage and amperage. there is an actual calc just don't rem off the top of my head

then you have to rem that dc uses the entire area of the copper to travel, not just the outer surface, allowing more transmition through smaller guage

[ChadAmberg]

On that radio, I never needed more than low power to hit any repeater I could hear.

[streetglideok]

Thanks for all the information guys. I'm studying mobile to see the best way to set it up. Looking at a Yaesu 857 with the motorized screwdriver antenna on a rear bumper mount. Trying to determine if an ICom unit with Dstar might serve better. Great info in these posts!

Street - how did the Pike Peak climb go?? Great pix...

The race was very interesting. Got to see some cool cars very up close and personal. Got there at 0200, and left at 1900, so it was a very long day. And typical Colorado, we saw all 4 seasons at 13k feet sunday.

[hobowh]

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

Yeah they leave out the part about the ambient temp too, and with it running through the engine comp that may have an effect. Alway best to use half of rated load to stay on the safe side.

[streetglideok]

Yep, heat is an enemy, and you always want to be 50% of the rated capacity. Fuses in cars are typically double the load.

[rbeau30]

So the Cup Holder will serve as a ready made mounting bracket. After all this equipment is mounted, drinks will not go anywhere near the center console anyways.

Left is the new, Right is the old! (Baofeng UV-5R + large cap battery + mic + 14" antenna)

[gnihcraes]

Looks good to me. Plenty of room there on the dash with that cup holder thing folded down.

[rbeau30]

I think the CB (eventually) will get mounted underneath the fold down cup holder, or even perhaps above everything bolted to the black trim. Since I just want a CB for monitoring pretty much, being able to talk to truckers who are on the road is a great way to be aware of what is going on.

Went to HRO today. Got a new lip mount for the antenna, some power wire, and an extension kit for the head unit and the microphone.

looks like I'm going to install on the 4th!!!

more pics to come!

[zteknik]

Looks good!
Who needs cup holders anyway?