KG5CAY
Member
Well it's about time I have done this. First off, I'd like to give a big shout out to WX4EMT (Keith). His setup inspired me, and honestly, he sparked my interest in HAM radio. Just recently got my HAM Tech license about a month or so ago, well what is a HAM license good for without a radio?
Bought a Kenwood 281-A model (recommended by Keith), nice price also. Then the good parts, antennas, oh so many selections. After baffling with my good friend on which to choose, which one will does this ect... I went and bought a Laird QWB144, nice 18 inch antenna. I didn't want nothing to0 tall because for the fact I love Mcdonald's drive through.
I went with a 3/8th NMO mount, mag mounts I have never been fond of (if someone wants your antenna, they can cut your wire and take it!), so perma-mount I went with.
The images attached show some of the work. After debating for a couple weeks whether to have an Audio Shop to install all this for me, or... try to bite the bullet and do it myself. After a few phone calls, the audio shop went out the bag, so... I decided to call one of the local ham members, one who gave me the test a month or so ago.
He didn't have a problem with it and rather was interested in doing it.
After taking the trim out on the passenger side, removing the seatbelt and various other parts, we figured it was time to dis-arm the battery. Airbags were located right next to the seatbelt making it somewhat hard getting the head-liner to lower just a tad. After doing this, drilled a hole in the roof, seems easy right?
Problems..
There was not 1 but 2 layers of metal to drill through the roof, making it very hard to put on the rest of the NMO (it was a 2 piece set) End the end, we had to turn the NMO screw ring upside down for it can screw into the rest of the set (no pictures show this).
Brass is easy to break.
Nearly busted the brass NMO with a pair of pliers, but good thing I didn't.
After finally getting the antenna on, I was satisfied.
Luckily, having a big time HAM brings good things, like voltage meters, SWR meters and such.
Wiring up the radio was fairly interesting, after ripping up the carpet (twice) never found a grommet, so... we had 3 options.
1) drill in the fire wall. We have no extra grommet's, or any silicone.
2) run the wires through the floor board.
3) Run the wires through door area grommet, to the engine compartment.
We went with option 3, he is an electrician, so he had plenty of tools for sure!
A fuse on the radio wire blew right when we hooked it up, but have no fear!! Had an extra mini-fuse. Never had any problems after that. No pictures of the radio itself "yet". Next thing to eventually install, Whelen LinZ6's grille lights, which shouldn't be to long.
Bought a Kenwood 281-A model (recommended by Keith), nice price also. Then the good parts, antennas, oh so many selections. After baffling with my good friend on which to choose, which one will does this ect... I went and bought a Laird QWB144, nice 18 inch antenna. I didn't want nothing to0 tall because for the fact I love Mcdonald's drive through.
I went with a 3/8th NMO mount, mag mounts I have never been fond of (if someone wants your antenna, they can cut your wire and take it!), so perma-mount I went with.
The images attached show some of the work. After debating for a couple weeks whether to have an Audio Shop to install all this for me, or... try to bite the bullet and do it myself. After a few phone calls, the audio shop went out the bag, so... I decided to call one of the local ham members, one who gave me the test a month or so ago.
He didn't have a problem with it and rather was interested in doing it.
After taking the trim out on the passenger side, removing the seatbelt and various other parts, we figured it was time to dis-arm the battery. Airbags were located right next to the seatbelt making it somewhat hard getting the head-liner to lower just a tad. After doing this, drilled a hole in the roof, seems easy right?
Problems..
There was not 1 but 2 layers of metal to drill through the roof, making it very hard to put on the rest of the NMO (it was a 2 piece set) End the end, we had to turn the NMO screw ring upside down for it can screw into the rest of the set (no pictures show this).
Brass is easy to break.
Nearly busted the brass NMO with a pair of pliers, but good thing I didn't.
After finally getting the antenna on, I was satisfied.
Luckily, having a big time HAM brings good things, like voltage meters, SWR meters and such.
Wiring up the radio was fairly interesting, after ripping up the carpet (twice) never found a grommet, so... we had 3 options.
1) drill in the fire wall. We have no extra grommet's, or any silicone.
2) run the wires through the floor board.
3) Run the wires through door area grommet, to the engine compartment.
We went with option 3, he is an electrician, so he had plenty of tools for sure!
A fuse on the radio wire blew right when we hooked it up, but have no fear!! Had an extra mini-fuse. Never had any problems after that. No pictures of the radio itself "yet". Next thing to eventually install, Whelen LinZ6's grille lights, which shouldn't be to long.