DIY: HAM radio install
 

Took some pictures of the Yaesu FT-8800 radio install I did tonight. Photos at:

http://koczarski.com/RX8/Mods/HAM/HAM.htm

looks like you did a good job installing, just curious is that a two way ham radio? never seen one in a car, kinda neat i think!

i like!!!! how far can that transmit.

It's a dual band, 2 meter & 440Mhz, with twin receivers and a single transmitter. That's why it has two frequency displays.

As for range, it has a fair amount of power, (50 watts), but FM radios like this are mainly for local communications. I would think it could go 20 to 30 miles line of sight. But, using repeaters in the local area, (Seattle), I can contact people further away than that. In fact, there's one local repeater that's linked with many others. It's always connected with a repeater system in Eastern Washington, (Spokane, Walla Walla) and further east to the Idaho/Montana border. If you punch in the proper key codes there is a north-south link that can be brought up that currently links to repeaters down the I-5 corridor all the way to just north of Sacramento. The plan is to tie into other repeater systems all the way to LA.

Of course a cell phone is a much better way to call somebody, but this is more for fun, or in an emergency situation when normal communications are disrupted.

Neat install! I'm a ham as well, KE4AXG. I just use a walkie-walkie with a dual band mag mount on the roof and run the antenna wire through the door. I hadn't thought of using the cupholder for something useful. So when are you going to put a 10 meter rig with a texas bugcatcher in?

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:spank:

Morse Code

Where did you mount your speaker?

Yet another ham here, Moved from Aus to NZ and bought an 8. When I get my stuff out of the container, I will be installing my FT857. At the moment I am using a VX7 Handi and a mag base on the boot (Trunk) lid.

Have had my 8 for 3 weeks and have already done the earthing kit thing, mind you it only cost me $20 in cable and lugs. Next to go is the crappy rear speakers (Bose system) and then I may look at the fronts.

I have thought of diverting the central speaker to Ham use.....

Robyn

I started studying code when I was a teenager. I was going to get a General Class ticket. I took some sample tests when I was going to school and I could pass the Extra Class exam. I just never finished learning code or improving my speed. I still have a 40M QRP transmitter and 2 recivers. I understand that you don't need code anymore for the Technicians Licence. I've often thought of getting that and getting up on 2M. Just for fun.

why would you do that to a rx8? those antenna's look horrendeous
i think you should get a honda accord or something instead

my dad was in to ham radios when he still lived with us. i remember he had a special plate on his truck. i swear he had 4 Antenna's on his truck.

Good God that antenna is hideous... HAM radio??? oh yeah before everone in the world had a cell phone...:spank: