Hi folks,
I am relatively new to HAM, I just received a brandy new Kenwood TM-V71A and I intend to mount this in my 2006 Chevy Trail Blazer. I did my best to search all of the forums on this site for answers with out much luck. This is my main forum for radio stuffs.
The last radio I installed in a vehicle was over 10 years ago and it was a cobra CB that I just wrapped the wires around a non essential fuse like the blower fuse for power and ran an antenna cord. I think this will be a little bit more delicate.
I need some ideas and things to consider about the install, I post what is in my head and we can go from there. I haven't taken the full time to completely look up each and every component of what I wish to put in and that's why I'm here, I figured you folks may have some Ideas.
OK here Goes...
Independent power line from the battery into the vehicle trying to avoid and vehicle control modules, Fuses at the battery side, I'm guessing about 8 gage wire to handle voltage drops and amperage. I haven't been able to figure out main fuse or breaker size yet. I will list my anticipated gadgets to be put in line to qualify the 8 gage.
Some type of fuse box or way to break out the power to individual components, I'm not crazy about Anderson power poles in a mobile, it may be conceivable to just build a separate jumper to each components connector and then attach to poles if needed later.
I forgot the manufacturer but someone makes a switch that shuts off the circuit if the battery voltage gets to around 11 volts incase the radio is left on or there is some type of parasitic draw in the radio or other components. It will be a while before I find out if a solar panel is right for me, so a vehicle that starts is great.
I intend to build the system to allow for the use of this radio, 1-3 additional vehicle accessory ports for inverter or other device (I have 2 now that are usually full), the capability to add another radio if room permits, add of something like a tiny trac 4 APRS tracking or upgrade to a D710, add linear amps if I find the Xband repeat function is required often or I just want more out put power on xmit and rec, and maybe a spot for a blinky light on the top of my truck in an emergency. and that's about it for that part of the system.
The radio will be mounted on the floor behind the HVAC control and vehicle radio system. It's roomy and I can somewhat monitor the temp in the WI winter and cool the area while broadcasting on high in the summer. The control head will most likely be mounted on the dash or up high depending on visibility requirements. I don't want any tickets.
Antenna... I'm sorry but I have a sunroof and use my cargo racks. There will be zero drilling of holes to mount a NMO on the roof. The tail light mounts I don't feel will work, Frame mounts will not work because I drive off road and through woods not to mention the salt accumulation, a roof rack mount may cause issues down the road with positioning the cross members on the rack despite anything that folds over, rear glass may not work so well and I constantly use both the glass and metal hatch. Short of a spring to survive encounters with vegetation I think a lip mount mounted on the hood may work. I currently have an mfj 1422 mounted on mag mount I stick up top for my ht from time to time and love it, I am considering the mfj 1432 for the lip mount but I'm open to ideas short of Larson or comets. I have bent the MFJ and easily bent it back, Its water proofing leaves a lot to be desired.
So that's what's in my head today, I need to start figuring this out as I want to have the radio on the air by JULY or earlier, especially with the skywarn and races seasons being at a peak in the spring.
So any recommendations or advice is welcome. Thanks in advance
73 KC9ZNV
I am relatively new to HAM, I just received a brandy new Kenwood TM-V71A and I intend to mount this in my 2006 Chevy Trail Blazer. I did my best to search all of the forums on this site for answers with out much luck. This is my main forum for radio stuffs.
The last radio I installed in a vehicle was over 10 years ago and it was a cobra CB that I just wrapped the wires around a non essential fuse like the blower fuse for power and ran an antenna cord. I think this will be a little bit more delicate.
I need some ideas and things to consider about the install, I post what is in my head and we can go from there. I haven't taken the full time to completely look up each and every component of what I wish to put in and that's why I'm here, I figured you folks may have some Ideas.
OK here Goes...
Independent power line from the battery into the vehicle trying to avoid and vehicle control modules, Fuses at the battery side, I'm guessing about 8 gage wire to handle voltage drops and amperage. I haven't been able to figure out main fuse or breaker size yet. I will list my anticipated gadgets to be put in line to qualify the 8 gage.
Some type of fuse box or way to break out the power to individual components, I'm not crazy about Anderson power poles in a mobile, it may be conceivable to just build a separate jumper to each components connector and then attach to poles if needed later.
I forgot the manufacturer but someone makes a switch that shuts off the circuit if the battery voltage gets to around 11 volts incase the radio is left on or there is some type of parasitic draw in the radio or other components. It will be a while before I find out if a solar panel is right for me, so a vehicle that starts is great.
I intend to build the system to allow for the use of this radio, 1-3 additional vehicle accessory ports for inverter or other device (I have 2 now that are usually full), the capability to add another radio if room permits, add of something like a tiny trac 4 APRS tracking or upgrade to a D710, add linear amps if I find the Xband repeat function is required often or I just want more out put power on xmit and rec, and maybe a spot for a blinky light on the top of my truck in an emergency. and that's about it for that part of the system.
The radio will be mounted on the floor behind the HVAC control and vehicle radio system. It's roomy and I can somewhat monitor the temp in the WI winter and cool the area while broadcasting on high in the summer. The control head will most likely be mounted on the dash or up high depending on visibility requirements. I don't want any tickets.
Antenna... I'm sorry but I have a sunroof and use my cargo racks. There will be zero drilling of holes to mount a NMO on the roof. The tail light mounts I don't feel will work, Frame mounts will not work because I drive off road and through woods not to mention the salt accumulation, a roof rack mount may cause issues down the road with positioning the cross members on the rack despite anything that folds over, rear glass may not work so well and I constantly use both the glass and metal hatch. Short of a spring to survive encounters with vegetation I think a lip mount mounted on the hood may work. I currently have an mfj 1422 mounted on mag mount I stick up top for my ht from time to time and love it, I am considering the mfj 1432 for the lip mount but I'm open to ideas short of Larson or comets. I have bent the MFJ and easily bent it back, Its water proofing leaves a lot to be desired.
So that's what's in my head today, I need to start figuring this out as I want to have the radio on the air by JULY or earlier, especially with the skywarn and races seasons being at a peak in the spring.
So any recommendations or advice is welcome. Thanks in advance
73 KC9ZNV