HP-2: Right for Motorhome use?

[N0ZQR]

Will be traveling the Southern US this winter in our 2011 Airstream RV. Am looking at a Uniden HP2 for use in it.

I am at present using a GRE 500 and am OK with it as long as my laptop lets me program it and am able to get database information for programing.

I would like to put a HP2 in place of it with the GPS package. I am wondering about how I will power it
in this rig. Also will the internal speaker be load enough or will I need a external speaker?

Ron

 

[hiegtx]

Will be traveling the Southern US this winter in our 2011 Airstream RV. Am looking at a Uniden HP2 for use in it.

I am at present using a GRE 500 and am OK with it as long as my laptop lets me program it and am able to get database information for programing.

I would like to put a HP2 in place of it with the GPS package. I am wondering about how I will power it
in this rig. Also will the internal speaker be load enough or will I need a external speaker?

Ron

The HP2 should work well for that, especially when using the GPS during travels.

The HP-2 is powered through the USB port. Any USB power adapter that has an output of at least 500ma (standard USB current) will power it. However, if you use a higher power, 'smart', adapter, that would power the unit as well as allowing the batteries to charge at the same time. External battery charging is better, but as you will be mobile much of the time, you might not find it convenient to bring along a separate battery charger as well as extra sets of batteries. High power smart USB adapters are readily available at multiple stores, as well as on Amazon. Your main concern would be whether you have a cigar lighter 12v socket for a plug in adapter, or if your motor home will have 110-120v ac current, then a standard plug in type would work. You can find these with 2, 3, or more outlets for cables, so that you can power your HP-2, as well as charge/power your smart phone, and/or a tablet, at the same time.

I suspect that you would want an external speaker, if the cab of the motor home is fairly noisy. If so, look for a powered speaker, such as this.

 

[UPMan]

And, to be clear, the HP-2 does not have a speaker output. It has a headphones output, which is not powerful enough to drive a speaker. You must use an amplified speaker such as the one Steve linked to. Powered computer speakers will also work (or other amplified comm speakers).

 

[K3RBP]

I installed an HP-2 on an old modified (XMradio) dash-mount, and made a GPS setup for it. It works really well, and the internal speaker has been loud enough, with the RV being a diesel pusher, there is no engine noise up front.

I'm powering both the HP-2 and gps from a single cable/adapter plugged in to a 12v power port on the dash.

 

[K5MPH]

I installed an HP-2 on an old modified (XMradio) dash-mount, and made a GPS setup for it. It works really well, and the internal speaker has been loud enough, with the RV being a diesel pusher, there is no engine noise up front.

I'm powering both the HP-2 and gps from a single cable/adapter plugged in to a 12v power port on the dash.

What type of GPS setup are you using......