Batboard

Well, finally there are pics of the install. No, it's not "done" yet, there is dress-up work to do, and some more little finishing touches.

And I don't want to hear that I have a Galls mount. I know what it is. So far it works, and as long as it works, it's all I need. Besides, the price was right!

http://www.geocities.com/wa2zdy/ranger.html

Comments?

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dude

that hf rig is huge in there

sglass wrote:dude

that hf rig is huge in there

Yeah, looking at the pics, it sure seems so. But I can't bring myself to see it that way. I've had some HUGE stuff in my life, so that Kenwood is still "compact" to my eyes!!

I do wish I could get it to fit "better" though. Oh well.

From the background of the pics, it looks like you live in an apartment complex? Stay insured, and make sure you have serial numbers written down!!!

wa2zdy wrote:

sglass wrote:dude

that hf rig is huge in there

Yeah, looking at the pics, it sure seems so. But I can't bring myself to see it that way. I've had some HUGE stuff in my life, so that Kenwood is still "compact" to my eyes!!

I do wish I could get it to fit "better" though. Oh well.

Speaking of huge, before I put my Yaesu FT-8900R in my vehicle I needed something with 6-meters in the mobile for a trip I was taking out of town. My only option was to put my huge-a$$ Yaesu FT-847 in the Crown Vic and prop it up with the front seat and let the back rest on the transmission hump! It looked way out of place there but man let me tell you, it worked really great!

I'd like to put my Kenwood TS-2000 in the car, but at least Kenwood makes a mobile display kit that allows you to trunk-mount the transceiver while only having a small display up front. Actually, I'm thinking of buying the TS-B2000 version, which has no standard front panel the way the regular TS-2000 does. 100-watts output on HF, VHF-Lo & VHF-Hi, and 50-watts output on UHF isn't bad.

Anyway, the Yaesu FT-947 was really big sitting in that Crown Vic!


Randy

Chris, I'd recomend Hustler for an HF mobile antenna. The model I am talking about uses a long mast with interchangeable "resonators" on the top for different bands. An adapter plate is also available to run multiple resonators at the same time, allowing you to run several (up to four, I think) different bands without haveing to touch anything. Of course, you can also build your own adapter plate. I custom built one that allowed me to use two resonators at the time. Great antenna, great performance. You will, however, probably have to guy it , as it is long and heavy, especially running multiple resonators.

I had a Hustler on the back of my Dodge Omni 20 years ago. And yes, I did the spider arrangment for a while too. Gawdalmighty that thing was UGLY!!! But it did work. I had a tuner in that setup too - a manual one beind the drivers' seat, but for the same reason - to allow moving around the bands.

My brother swears the Hamsticks work better than the Hustlers, so I'm giving them a chance. The bands have sucked so badly lately though, it's hard to tell. I've made contacts though to be sure. But I made contacts all over the world on 20, 30, and 40 - almost all on CW - back all those years ago, so I know the Hustler works. It's just not what I have for now.

Thanks for the input. It's always appreciated.

I have to agree, it is UGLY, and BIG, but it works! Good luck!