Mobile HAM Installations
 

Hey! Any Amateur Radio Operators out there with a new RX-8?

I previously had a Kenwood TM-741 triband installed in my '89 RX-7, with 2M/440/70cm triband and 6M/10M dual band antennae, mounted on the hatch lid.

With the RX-8, I'm trying to carefully approach the best way to reinstall my gear. EMI/RFI (to the car) is my main concern, especially with air bags, and the Nav system (first car with both).

I know these concerns have been covered in gernaral in the Ham community, but each car is unique. And the RX-8 is definitely unique :D

Jeff
N5TEV

Well, here's one ham with an RX-8 - so there's at least two of us! At this point, I haven't even considered putting a rig into the 8 - the car is too much fun as it is! I'd be curious to know what you wind up doing.

BTW, I do run HF/VHF mobile in my pickup - lots o' room and an automatic which helps to free a hand up for the mic...

Ok, time to revive this thread ;)

After 10 months of not having any Mobile QSOs...
I'm thinking about installing a VHF/UHF rig, but want
it to look like it is part of the car.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

TIA

QSL!

Well, that makes three of us on here. Maybe enough of us now for a "RX-8 Mobile Amatuer Radio" section in the forum? LOL

But anyway, since my original post, I've been bugging Mazda custormer service for some info. Usually, when a new model car is released, the manufacturer will publish a tech bulliten within the first year on the installation of 2-way radio equipment. Specific to that model. Like where and where not to install antennas, specific power/frequency issues, etc. Ford used to be quite good at this. We don't want our gear to set off the airbags, or lock up the ABS-controlled brakes during a QSO :)

Anyway, I'm still searching.

Hey Ed, Jeff,

Still haven't installed any rig in the 8. Whenever I get the urge for mobile hamming, I've still got the 706 in the pickup...

73,
Alan - W2AEW

I sprung for a new IC-208H
(Gene, KJI Electronics, had them in stock and he's open at night to satisfy those impulse buying needs. )

I mounted the diamond antenna on the center trunk lid, but, needed to angle it
back a bit so that it would hit the roof when opened.

Right now, I'm powered off the extra cig lighter and have placed the base under the drivers seat and the head in the ash try... It fits very nicely, but I
had to reorient my nokia speaker phone. It will also fit velco'd to the blank where the cassette player would be.

I'll try out a couple configurations before committing to a professional/permanent
install.

/ed - w2VON

Ed,

What kind of antenna mount are you using? I'm trying to figure out the best way to mount my Diamond tri-band antenna (NR2000NA), which has an N-connector.

73,
Jeff - N5TEV

K400-?
 

Jeff,

sorry for the delay, I missed your reply...

I cant find the box to get the exact model number (My wife went on a cleaning spree) The base is a diamond k400-? with an NR770HB antenna. The "Kit" came with a 6'(?) lead cable to convert to the radio's connector. Gene set me up: http://www.kjielectronics.com

I'm very happy with the performance; I can hit the Long Island repeaters from the NJ/GS Parkway and make it all the way to work in suffolk county.

73 de w2von
/ed

Here's about as close as I've come to mounting a rig/antenna on the 8.....

Seriously though, I did put a dual-band mag mount on the trunk for a recent trip from NJ to NC and back.