What is the feasibility of using an HT for a mobile unit with an amplifier?

[graywoulf]

So, in an earlier post, I asked about small 2M mobile rigs with a separation kit. Now I am considering just using my AnyTone 868 HT instead of mounting a permanent radio in my new car. Would it be feasible to use the HT with a small signal amplifier mounted in the trunk? I have not seen anything like this and have no idea if it will work. I would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[nd5y]

There are amplifiers made for use with hand held radios. Some even work with dual band radios.
Mirage makes some and Btech sells some cheap Chinese ones.

 

[prcguy]

I use handhelds all the time with an amp when traveling. Your Anytone being a DMR radio seriously limits the amplifier choices as DMR will not work with most amps.

This is the amp I travel with and it works on DMR and all other modes I've come across. The amp puts out 20W from 30 to 512MHz, which includes 6M, 2M, 220, 440, GMRS and everything in between wiht auto band switching. This amp will also put out full power with a watt or two in so you can extend your handheld battery some. I use this amp with all my handhelds and sometimes with the antenna right on the amp and it works great.

These amps cost around $12k new but you can sometimes find them for under $300 on Epay. I think mine was $175 and you want to get the power cord with it in the deal otherwise the power cord can cost more than your radio. Genuine Ultralife A-320 Radio Amplifier Amp fits PRC 148 152 MBITR Military | eBay

So, in an earlier post, I asked about small 2M mobile rigs with a separation kit. Now I am considering just using my AnyTone 868 HT instead of mounting a permanent radio in my new car. Would it be feasible to use the HT with a small signal amplifier mounted in the trunk? I have not seen anything like this and have no idea if it will work. I would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[W5lz]

Can you? Yes you can. It will take some doing though. I don't think anything like that kind of set up is made commercially (for ham radio) so it would be a matter of getting said amplifier and hooking things up. Depending on what you can find in the way of bargains, it'd probably be just as cheap to get another radio/antenna/etc. How good'a shopper are you?

 

[graywoulf]

I use handhelds all the time with an amp when traveling. Your Anytone being a DMR radio seriously limits the amplifier choices as DMR will not work with most amps.

That sounds like just the very thing I need... if I could afford one. Even used, that is more than I am willing to spend so I guess I will stick to my 868 and the mag mount dual band antenna for a while. At least the 868 has higher wattage output. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[graywoulf]

I use handhelds all the time with an amp when traveling. Your Anytone being a DMR radio seriously limits the amplifier choices as DMR will not work with most amps.

Yeah, this got posted twice.

That sounds like just the very thing I need... if I could afford one. Even used, that is more than I am willing to spend so I guess I will stick to my 868 and the mag mount dual band antenna for a while. At least the 868 has higher wattage output. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[prcguy]

I was able to find two of the Ultralife military amps for great prices and I got a broken one for free. If I could only find the tiny five sided security bit to open the lid it could be an easy fix. Otherwise Mirage made a dual band VHF/UHF ham amp for handhelds that did about 35W out if you can do without DMR. Those show up on Ebay in the $75 to $100 range.

That sounds like just the very thing I need... if I could afford one. Even used, that is more than I am willing to spend so I guess I will stick to my 868 and the mag mount dual band antenna for a while. At least the 868 has higher wattage output. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[graywoulf]

Can you? Yes you can. It will take some doing though. I don't think anything like that kind of set up is made commercially (for ham radio) so it would be a matter of getting said amplifier and hooking things up. Depending on what you can find in the way of bargains, it'd probably be just as cheap to get another radio/antenna/etc. How good'a shopper are you?

I could rate high enough to get a PhD in shopping and online research. I'm still in shopping and research mode for a mobile with a separation kit as well. I'm thinking the Yaesu FT-7800R is going to be my best bet so far.

 

[mmckenna]

Side issue to consider:
Audio output of most hand held radios is pretty weak. If you have a quiet car, it's not a big deal. If you car is older, noisier, you drive with your windows down a lot, then you might like to have something with some more audio output to drive a bigger speaker. It really makes listening easier.

A speaker mic right up against your ear will solve most of this.


My brother did it for years in his truck, sans the amplifier, just used the 5 watts out into a permanent NMO mount with a quarter wave. 5 watts is fine for reaching most local repeaters and short range simplex use.

 

[graywoulf]

Side issue to consider: Audio output of most hand held radios is pretty weak. If you have a quiet car, it's not a big deal. If you car is older, noisier, you drive with your windows down a lot, then you might like to have something with some more audio output to drive a bigger speaker. It really makes listening easier. A speaker mic right up against your ear will solve most of this.

My brother did it for years in his truck, sans the amplifier, just used the 5 watts out into a permanent NMO mount with a quarter wave. 5 watts is fine for reaching most local repeaters and short range simplex use.

I just bought a nice and quiet 2015 Hyundai Sonata and I do have a speaker mic for my 868. I just plan on using the local repeaters anyway. I also have a Yaesu FT-60 with a lot more repeaters stored in separate banks to use as well. I think I will just have to give them both a try and see how well they work in my area. Thanks for your input on this.

 

[mmckenna]

I just bought a nice and quiet 2015 Hyundai Sonata and I do have a speaker mic for my 868. I just plan on using the local repeaters anyway. I also have a Yaesu FT-60 with a lot more repeaters stored in separate banks to use as well. I think I will just have to give them both a try and see how well they work in my area. Thanks for your input on this.

An amplifier may not be necessary.
5 watts will do pretty well with a good external antenna. Save your money on the amp, do a proper NMO mount antenna on the roof, install a good 1/4 wave or dual band antenna and give that a try.
Later on when you feel like it, install a mobile, connect the antenna, and you are good to go.

 

[graywoulf]

When you say do a proper NMO mount, do you mean drilling and mounting?

 

[mmckenna]

When you say do a proper NMO mount, do you mean drilling and mounting?

If possible.
Doing the install gives you a proper ground plane, removes risks of damage to cable from routing through windows/doors, and prevents damage to the vehicle from compromise mounts. It is the preferred way to go.

If drilling the hole is outside your comfort level, have a shop do it for you.

Still not an option? Trunk lip mount, <gulp> Mag Mount if you absolutely have to.

Worst thing you can do is use a hand held radio inside the vehicle. The metal body, tinted glass, all block signals.

 

[graywoulf]

Sorry to say but drilling is not something I want to do. I already have a mag mount that works ok but a trunk lip mount would be my next choice. I do want an antenna that will not keep me from using the brushless car wash when I don't have time to hand wash the car.

 

[mmckenna]

Trunk lip or bracket mount. Use a 1/4 wave VHF antenna (it'll be resonate at 70cm, too, as a 3/4 wave). they are flexible enough to handle car washes.
Or, just remove it and put an NMO rain cap over the top.

Put lots of effort into routing the cable, make sure it's protected and won't get pinched in the trunk lid.

Trunk lip mount:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-tm8-1168
One of these on the trunk lid, make sure it's away from the rear window, especially if it's tinted or has a defroster.

Bracket mount:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-tmb34-3847
and the NMO mount for it:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmokhfud-1125

And of course the antenna:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmoqw144-722 will work fine on VHF and pretty well on UHF.
Or, a longer dual band antenna:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-c144-440c-861

If carwashes are in your future, get one of these. Remove the antenna and put this cap over it:
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmocapb-3810

Even with 5 watts, a good external antenna will work well. If you want to add the amplifier later, you can still do that, or just buy a mobile radio and replace the connector on the end of the coaxial cable. Either way, you need a good external antenna.

 

[W4AQX]

It's how I started...I had a Realistic HTX202 with a 30-watt amplifier and a good 5/8 wave mobile mag-mount. That setup served me well.

 

[popnokick]

The primary drawback to using an HT as a mobile rig is the user interface and display.... not conducive to operating while driving. If you need to change the channel, band, or zone you have to pick up the radio. It's a distraction.... more so than a mobile rig. A speaker mike is a must have, and hopefully one that has channel up/down controls. Not common on HTs. If I have to operate from a vehicle with an HT... and I'm the driver... I pull over to change channels, zones, etc. A mobile rig usually is a couple of presses on channel up / down button on the mike, quick glance at the display of the mounted mobile radio... and done. Not so with an HT.

 

[K5MPH]

It's how I started...I had a Realistic HTX202 with a 30-watt amplifier and a good 5/8 wave mobile mag-mount. That setup served me well.

Thats what i used also in the early 90's worked out great ......

 

[K5MPH]

Stay away from Mirage amps I have had two of them and they did not last very long,these amp are not as good as they used to be ever sense MFJ took them over......

 

[JASII]

Do you plan on using it more for analog or more for DMR? You ought to at least consider a hot-spot, IF you plan on accessing DMR talkgroups while you are mobile.