Lets talk antenna for an 80

[rhyary]

The 350R has a mic in the faceplate and I tried that.

I have a repeater near by that when transmitting it, it just repeat back its signature. No one else involved. That is not working and it used to work when I got the radio.

In addition I am running APRS on one side and I can no longer see myself here:

http://aprs.fi/?call=KC2YRF-9&mt=m&z=11&timerange=3600

That was working fine.

 

[rhyary]

Now that I think about it, something similar happened on my CB during CM2010.
I can hear everyone fine and clear, but when I was transmitting everyone was complaining about noise and squealing. It turns out that the ring of the PL connector was not screwed all the way. Once I tightened it, TX was fine.
Point is, and my hope is, that it can be the antenna/cable even if I can hear clear.

Doing simplex test at 5pm with a co-worker. Having the cars at close proximity should tell us something.

 

[rhyary]

Good news.
Simplex worked up to about 1 mile. After that I heard great but co-worker started to loose clearness. By 2 miles I heard him loud and clear and he could not hear me. I guess.

So I would guess antenna or antenna wire. Will be replaced when the new setup is here.

Should be good to go for CM2011

Rami

 

[rhyary]

Well, I installed the new antenna and same thing.
I also did a SWR test on it and no power is coming out of the 350R.
Yesterday it went to Yaesu for warranty repair.
Not Happy!

And yes, turns out DaveInDenver was right after all.

 

[rover67]

Wow, bummer to hear that the radio is not working. Good to hear that you figured out what was up though. now at least you know all the in's and out's of the setup you have!

 

[rhyary]

Nothing like troubles to get you familiar with your equipment.
I had run the 350R in the back seat for awhile and when I figured out all is good, I perma mounted it in the pass rear quarter. It worked for a while and some point it quit. I was listening for the repeaters around Albany but not transmitting. So I don't really know when it quit. Since I have the APRS, I can track myself and do a radio check that way on regular basis.

Monday I had a day off and worked on getting the 350R out of the back. I also took the time to run the extension properly in the pass side channel all the way to the front. Figure out a way to mount the the face plate. I am pretty happy with the location. I hope it is steady enough.

Back to Antenna topics. I got the 320NMO tri band for experiment on three freq. I also wanted a longer one for the tail. So I was about to get the Diamond 7900. I called Diamond tech support to see what they have to say. Well, they don't want the 7900 off road. The say that because the coils are loaded up high it will swing to much. So I got the 770 instead for the trail. It is open coil design 1/2 wave for 2M and 5/8 for 70cm. That should cover Moab and other expedition type trails, I hope. For the NE trees I have a short NR-72BNMO.

I mounted the KC400NMO on the trunk on the driver side per Diamond instruction. crossed-over and used the 10' extension to get to the radio. Since I only needed about 2 feet extension, most of the 10' is sort of coiled in the quarter panel. I have to see the implications of that when I get the radio back and measure the SWR.

I will load some pictures soon.

 

[rhyary]

Installation Pictures

I am not happy with how the antenna cable enter the trunk. If you guys can make suggestion to make it better it will be great.

 

[rhyary]

Installation of the remote plate

I took the console apart and stuck the windshield mounting bracket (just the rubber end into a hole I made in the metal mash. Because the plunger type bracket is pretty big, it is held by the plastic grid that is before the metal mash. That give me a strong mounting. the unit still rotated few mm when I push the buttons, so I stuck a small piece of rubber on both ends of the plate to give it support in the corner. time will tell if this is good. I am afraid passengers will bump it or with use pushing buttons the mounting will loosen up. Will see..

 

[nakman]

I am not happy with how the antenna cable enter the trunk. If you guys can make suggestion to make it better it will be great.

Mine runs underneath the light brown plastic, all the way up to the headliner. That would bury that connection you show behind the panel, and would look a little cleaner?

And are you using the lip of the cupholder as your mic holder?

 

[Jacket]

Same here. Mine runs all the way down the pillar behind that light brown plastic, and then behind the darker brown plastic to my radio. The rest of the cabling runs up along the door sill to the front.

Will that connector fit behind the plastic, or is it too big?

 

[rover67]

you need some of these

http://www.gamiviti.com/html/products_micholders.html

 

[rhyary]

Don't have blanks left for gamiviti!

I see what I can do to burry the cable. But I am more concern about the entry to the trunk.

 

[wesintl]

Don't have blanks left for gamiviti!

I see what I can do to burry the cable. But I am more concern about the entry to the trunk.

cupholder bezel
http://www.gamiviti.com/html/products_bezels.html

 

[corsair23]

Since I only needed about 2 feet extension, most of the 10' is sort of coiled in the quarter panel. I have to see the implications of that when I get the radio back and measure the SWR.

Don't "loop" the extra length but rather make it into a figure 8 shape with a twist tie/zip tie in the middle...Per the experts IIRC

Don't have blanks left for gamiviti!

I see what I can do to burry the cable. But I am more concern about the entry to the trunk.

What's next to your rear heat switch? I relocated my antenna button down there (never use it anyway) and that opens up a spot. I have the uber cool Gamiviti bezel with mic holder and battery monitor though


As for routing the cable...I mounted my base on the PS of the lift gate (I must have missed the recommendation by Diamond to mount it on the DS or I just ignored it ) and then I wrapped the snot out of the cable with electrical tape for protection where it tends to get pinched. I routed my cable to the underside of the mount and then up to the headliner area and behind the molding. You can buy cable "stays" or clips that the cable will clip into but I haven't found any that will stick for more than a few months - I'm thinking of ripping off the sticky tape/foam stuff from the clips and trying some strong adhesive instead because with the clips in place the cable stays nice and safe.

 

[Corbet]

I am not happy with how the antenna cable enter the trunk. If you guys can make suggestion to make it better it will be great.

I ordered one of the grommets that is used for the wiper fluid hose. I plan to drill a hole into the D pillar by my antenna mount and run it though threre. But I have not taken the time to make sure everything will work yet. I will post up results when done. Just another one of my countless projects waiting for the time.

 

[rhyary]

Next to the rear heater is the only blank I have left.
I moved the alarm down.
I use the antenna switch after I disconnect the power since the automatic raising the antenna needs to be reset to extend it all the way manually.

That blank bother me too. I have to find something for it

 

[rhyary]

Corbet,
I like your solution, but I will let you drill first!

Would you mind posting a picture where you think you will be drilling? Next to the extising fluid hose?

 

[nakman]

What about left of your steering column, any more blanks over there? Pretty easy to extend the wires for hazard or something, then free up another one on the dash.. that is, presuming you want to maintain the cupholder, which could create two more

Hey if you didn't have an LX you'd have 4 more blanks in the center console..

 

[Groucho]

Don't "loop" the extra length but rather make it into a figure 8 shape with a twist tie/zip tie in the middle...Per the experts IIRC



What's next to your rear heat switch? I relocated my antenna button down there (never use it anyway) and that opens up a spot. I have the uber cool Gamiviti bezel with mic holder and battery monitor though

You're getting wise, young grasshopper, but you are not a HAM master, yet!

Ditch that lousy factory Toyota cupholder and get the uber cool Gamiviti dash blank panel. Then upgrade your cupholder situation with an equally uber cool cup holder(s) setup from these guys TallowPot Products. They reportedly will withstand severe angles during runs or precarious positions and not spill if there is weight in them. Plus they fit nicely in the glove box when the passenger wants to really lounge out.

But seriously. You will only find out the best place for everything through trial and error and input from others. I ran all of my cables behind all of the side panels until it was time to go to the center, then I pulled up my center console and went under carpet as much as possible. My antenna coax came in through the bathroom window. Wait, no, it came in through the grommet for the rear window drain. Beatles?

 

[Corbet]

Corbet,
I like your solution, but I will let you drill first!

Would you mind posting a picture where you think you will be drilling? Next to the extising fluid hose?

I'm thinking on the D pilliar inside the rear hatch jam. about 6" from the top.