Hello,

I just got a Yaesu FT-8800R for use in the Evo along with a trunk-lip mount.
I'll probably mount the extender under the cubby hole behind the ash tray.

I was wondering what the best way to do this would be.

Option 1:
Mount Unit under driver/passenger seat, run power to unit, antenna cable to trunk. Extender unit from under seat to where the display goes by dash.

Option 2:
Mount Unit in Trunk, run power all the way to trunk. Extender unit all the way from trunk to dash.


Both require getting through the firewall and back seats. I could personally go either way.

Is there any pro's/con's to doing either?

/ancker

 

you know you need a big antena for a CB or ham? and I stoped reading your post half way through to tell you no one uses ham anymore. Nextel wiped all that cb stuff off the planet, No that we have cell fones only a few truckers use ham stations.

CELL PHONE

 

You must not be very familiar with Amateur (Ham) Radio then. CB and Ham radio are NOT the same thing and anyone who knows anything about either is WELL aware of that fact. Yeah they use radio waves, but that's about the only similarity. Truckers aren't allowed to use Ham radios unless they have a license. CB radio is citizen's band, where anyone can use it as long as they use approved equipment and follow guide lines. Amateur Radio requires taking a test to obtain a license and allows for MUCH much more.

Yeah, you need an antenna, but "big" isn't required, a quarter-wave 2m antenna is only 50cm high. 1 inch is 2.54cm, so its roughly 20 inches tall. Not exactly huge by anyone's standards.

There are several million active amateur radio operators worldwide. Amateur radio operators were the first people on the scene helping people communicate during Katrina when guess what....ALL CELL PHONES WERE DOWN. Also, given that I live in Tornado Alley, and am involved in Emergency Services, I get deployed to storm spot. Cell phones don't work very well when power has been out for 3 days and the cell towers have all been damaged due to 200mph winds.

I suggest you do a little research before you declare something "wiped out" next time.

Otherwise, thank you for your 'constructive' response to my question. Your erroneous information about the use of Ham Radio really helped me make a decision about where to mount the base unit.

/ancker

 

the display is mounted separate from the "brain"? Depending on how you mount it, under the seat might be better because it'll protect it from damage. If you have it in an exposed spot in the trunk, then it might get hit by something back there. You could always mount it out of the way though, and that would solve that.

I think the main factors between the two locations would be the distance to run the wires. Does the antenna wire have a minimum/maximum length, and does it have a minimum bend radius? Is there a minimum distance required between the brain and the antenna?

Just glanced at the manual. It looks like a shorter antenna length is better so it'd be better to mount in the trunk. Also, it says to mount it as high as possible, and if possible, mount it so that people aren't in the way of the transmission signal. Maybe you should get a mag mount for the roof?

 

Yeah, the mobile I'm getting has a separation kit, it has an 20' cable and I believe the antenna mount comes with a 16 or 17' cable. So length wise, I can mount it anywhere. And given the frequencies and power levels I'll be running, I'm well under the maximum exposure levels. Where I mount the antenna is irrelevant.

I'm thinking the same thing you are as far as where to mount the base unit. Under the seat is probably the safest place to put it.

Thanks for your input.

/ancker

 

I've wanted to get my HAM license for several years now, but I've never gotten around to it. In the mean time, I'm looking at mounting a CB and am thinking we might run into a similar issue... how are you planning on routing the antenna? I am planning on using a magnetic base for two reasons - because I want to be able to hide the antenna when parked, and mainly because I'm not keen on putting holes in my car :-)

Can you just route the antenna wire past the weatherstripping near the top of the trunk, or is there a better way to do this that I'm unaware of?

Thanks!

 

Portables

 

I've thought about that, but I'd still have the same problem - If you use a built-in antenna in a car, you get horrible range and end up reflecting all of that EMF back at yourself. (Similar to how a microwave transmitter inside of a normal microwave oven just bounces the signal back and forth around inside of the oven.) So the normal approach with portables in a car is to use an external antenna mounted outside of the vehicle, which presents exactly the same problem as a mobile unit... where to route the cable.

/Lives in Oregon
//It rains in Oregon
///Windows cracked is often not an option

 

5R portable with mini external antenna.

 

Good idea...not a fan of the antenna placement.

 

Awesome, thanks! That's exactly where I'm thinking about mounting any antennas... the weather stripping there seems best to not chew up the cable.

Yaesu, huh? I've been looking into the VX-6R or an Icom for portables, but I still haven't gotten around to actually getting my license yet. (Minor details...) Do you stow it somewhere when parked, or just unplug it and take it with you?

Here's an obscure question... Any idea if any portables (CB or HAM) will allow you to control a PA? I'm installing one soon and I suppose I could use a siren controller, but that just means two mics in the car instead of a combined unit.

Where would you put it? Up on the center of the roof? I imagine that you'd get better range forward, but at the expense of looking like you've got an antenna sticking out of your head.

 

Not much option on where to stick the antenna.
Magnet won't stick to the evo's roof.

I have the Diamond trunk lip mount on the other car.

 

Where would you put it? Up on the center of the roof? I imagine that you'd get better range forward, but at the expense of looking like you've got an antenna sticking out of your head.

It is an old VX-5R I bought 8 yrs ago and not used much.
I just unplug the antenna wire off the unit and take it with me using a shorty 5R antenna.

 

Ooo... this mount looks cool! Too bad it's not made anymore...

Roof's not magnetic huh? I have a regular Lancer so I wouldn't know... Are the Evos' roofs carbon fiber or something?