HAM radio antenna mount options

[rolfl]

Cool. I’m debating Icom 5100 vs ftm-500d. Any suggestions?

I’ve not used the icom so can’t really comment on it.

The FTM-500d having a speaker in the head unit is great plus.

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[area51]

I’ve not used the icom so can’t really comment on it.

The FTM-500d having a speaker in the head unit is great plus.

Are you running a Yaesu?

 

[BrockN]

Lido Windshield or Dash Mount for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L7KYXR1

One of the reviewers said it seemed to be losing the adhesion quality over time. Are you seeing that? I'm up the end of 10 km of gravel road, with plenty of washboard and jarring potholes. Do you think it would hold?

They don't seem to make it for my 8800, but I might be able to adapt somehow...

 

[area51]

I picked up a 30 amp switching supply from AliExpress. It looks like a server or desktop computer supply. It's sitting in the bottom of the console between the front seats and plugged into the AC supply that's also inside.

I have an old FT-8800R with a separation kit. The radio sits in the removable tray in the console. The head is wedged in an aftermarket underscreen tray...the one with a strap and buckle, not the magnet connection.

I like the suction mount used by the OP in the post linked above, but I haven't had much luck with the one I have. The plastic seems to be too rough to seal for very long. I wonder if there's a trick to this?

I have one of these laying around. Do you think it would be ok for the ICOM or FTM500.

Powerwerx PA-12-6A, 13.85V, 6 Amp, Compact AC-to-DC Power Adapter/Supply

PA-12-6A

 

[area51]

I have one of these laying around. Do you think it would be ok for the ICOM or FTM500.

Powerwerx PA-12-6A, 13.85V, 6 Amp, Compact AC-to-DC Power Adapter/Supply

PA-12-6A

I think I can an answer my own question with a NO. Looks like these radios draw much more current than 6 amps.

 

[rolfl]

Are you running a Yaesu?

Yes

 

[BrockN]

I think I can an answer my own question with a NO. Looks like these radios draw much more current than 6 amps.

Yeah, most modern VHF and UHF mobiles need 10 or more amps if you run full power. A 100 Watt HF rig will need at least 20 amps at 13.8 Volts.

 

[area51]

Yeah, most modern VHF and UHF mobiles need 10 or more amps if you run full power. A 100 Watt HF rig will need at least 20 amps at 13.8 Volts.

Wow so looking at another $140 bucks. And I thought $600 for a FTM500D was already a lot.

 

[rolfl]

One of the reviewers said it seemed to be losing the adhesion quality over time. Are you seeing that? I'm up the end of 10 km of gravel road, with plenty of washboard and jarring potholes. Do you think it would hold?

They don't seem to make it for my 8800, but I might be able to adapt somehow...

It held for 12 months before falling off, stuck it back on and it has been good after that (2months). Not used it on gravel roads.
Worst case you could get one of those metal discs that come with some suction cup mounts and VHB tape it.

 

[BrockN]

Wow so looking at another $140 bucks. And I thought $600 for a FTM500D was already a lot.

No, I paid about $30 for my supply on AliExpress. It seems fine. No RF noise that I've seen. 30 amps, so big enough to run my HF rig if I want to. I put Anderson powerpole connectors on it, so I can power whatever I want... including a cigarette lighter *socket* that allows me to plug in my little air compressor, etc. So many legacy items need the old lighter socket...

It held for 12 months before falling off, stuck it back on and it has been good after that (2months). Not used it on gravel roads.
Worst case you could get one of those metal discs that come with some suction cup mounts and VHB tape it.

Thanks, good information. My original plan was to use the underscreen tray I bought as the support point... I will go back to that idea I think. I wedged the radio front piece in temporarily until I come up with a good mechanical mounting system idea.

 

[sefar]

I use a cell antenna booster plugged into the 120v port. I ran the antenna wire outside the window, up to the lightbar mounts. My cell antenna is magnetized and holds there fine. I ran it over the cant rail so I can take the antenna down and put it inside the vehicle at carwashes and the like. I toyed with taking that cant fairing off and running the wire under it but for the car wash concern.

 

[USMAMG]

Can someone PLEASE clarify what power supply you all are using with the FTM500D and HOW to wire it up to it.

I am using a through the glass antenna, easy routing and a 110V power supply that sits at the rear of the lower center console. I have a cupholder mount for the head. Install took 15 minutes.

 

[usernamepasse]

Coming soon. I worked with a manufacturer to make custom NMO antenna mounts for the Cybertruck. Both dedicated Driver and Passenger side specific.

Seems I installed mine the wrong way. Nevertheless, it WORKED GREAT for driveways-on-the-air!

 

[Docedward]

Seems I installed mine the wrong way. Nevertheless, it WORKED GREAT for driveways-on-the-air!

Love this set up! Can you give more details? Are you doing 5 or 10watts? Tuner? Amp? I love my 705 only she whispers so softly (I’m SSB- still no code ) This finally looks like a set up I have time to do!

NN1Q

 

[usernamepasse]

Love this set up! Can you give more details? Are you doing 5 or 10watts? Tuner? Amp? I love my 705 only she whispers so softly (I’m SSB- still no code ) This finally looks like a set up I have time to do!

NN1Q

Sure! ? This was a pretty easy setup for me.

I operated 20 meters FT8 in my usual way:

- IC-705 at my usual 10 watts. The Bioenno battery was in the passenger seat.
- Laptop on my lap, running my homebrew software + WSJT-X
- The usual cables, toroid, RFI choke
- The usual Icom AH-705 tuner
- No amp

The Mohawk Designs 3/4" hole mount was easy to install with a 10mm socket. I put their washer on the very bottom against Cybertruck.

I used a Wilson Gumdrop for the HF-antenna-to-coax connection, sourced off Amazon for $15.

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