I am VERY new to Class B ( still waiting to get my hands on mine, hopefully within the week,..RT210)
I want to install two radios (2 meter/440 and my portable HF) I also want to keep my vertical profile as low as possible. Presently I use a ATAS antenna on my auto(easy to tune on the move).
Questions (Take your pick, or all):
1. Do you run a separate battery system for your radio? If so is it fed by solar, generator, squirrels on a wheel?
2. I want to use it mobile, but then be able to use it at the table,..or outside on a table,..but without a bunch on coax.
3. In campsites do they crazy if you discreetly ( like there are a lot of trees, etc)set up a dipole using a center pole place at your unit?
4. Are there many ham radios out there (Class B or otherwise)?
5. Not crazy about drilling holes, like coming in through already existing holes.
Hi, and welcome to the forum! You'll find lots of great reading, suggestions, etc. etc. We've learned a great deal since purchasing our 1996 RT in 1999.
Regarding ham radio, there are a few B enthusiasts who are also into amateur radio.....
1. Do you run a separate battery system for your radio? If so is it fed by solar, generator, squirrels on a wheel?
We only have a small 2 meter rig inside the Roadtrek, and it's connected to the engine battery. We occasionally take our HF rig along, and bring a dedicated deep-cycle battery for that purpose.
2. I want to use it mobile, but then be able to use it at the table,..or outside on a table,..but without a bunch on coax.
We've done this, with a dipole in the trees, or the "hamstick" mobile antenna and a short length of coax.
3. In campsites do they crazy if you discreetly ( like there are a lot of trees, etc)set up a dipole using a center pole place at your unit?
We've done this at several campsites and have even participated in Field Day from the campsite. We use a slingshot to get the ends of the dipole up as high as possible, but some jurisdictions ban slingshots, so be aware.
4. Are there many ham radios out there (Class B or otherwise)?
I think that there a few of us around, but regrettably, the ham population seems to be dwindling, as it's getting harder to interest young people in the hobby.
5. Not crazy about drilling holes, like coming in through already existing holes.
Our 2 meter antenna or hamstick is mounted on the rear of the Roadtrek. The coax runs under the van, secured with plastic cable straps, and away from heat-producing parts. It enters the driving area through the existing grommet in the firewall of the Dodge van.
I just purchased my first RV. A Airstream Interstate. I've put a D710 (144/440) APRS radio in and am in the process of installing a HF Yeasu 857, and Tarheel screwdriver antenna. The antennas are mounted on either side of the hood. I also have a CB radio which I can hook up to the Tarheel screwdriver antenna if needed.
Are there any HF RV nets? Is 146.52 used by RV'ers for contact on 2Meters?
Well... In my Class A I mounted a Dual band (2mtr/70cm) antenna on the Mirror arms (Velmac mirrors) Works great, Feed it with a Kenwood TM-733 and a duplixer
The top of the antenna is lower than the roof, but with the rig all fiberglass and wood. don't much matter
CBs in the rig, Primary is a Cobra, on chan 19 has a no-ground-plane actually INSIDE the motor home (Stuck behind the sofa) and a vintage Radio Shack on chan 13 feeding a cheap mag mount in the basement (short antenna, not intended to have anything remotely resembling range)
Main "Shack" (Aka half bath) feeds assorted antennas but mostly only when parked. I don't use it and drive. Some of them are 30 foot tall or more
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Send me a private message with an address where you can get pictures and I'll show you how my latest (a dozen or more since 1963) mobile installation is packaged. I have HF, 2 meters and two scanners in the curent setup. All on-board radios are in a Coleman cooler that rides between the front seats and looks just like a Coleman cooler when the lid is shut.
As to antennas, I have never in 40-some years been penalized at trade-in or sale for having holes or plugs in vehicles. The GMC van has six antennas. HF is a Hustler mounted to a strap bolted to the spare tire carrier and measured so that when folded, the antenna is parallel with the roof line. Strap also is grounded to the vehicle frame at its base.
Pictures are worth a gazillion words, so give me a place to send them and I'll show you how us "old timers" did/do it.
VernM
GMC Conversion van/Wells Cargo MiniWagon trailer
Sent via HughesNet/SatMex5 Internet Portal
You all gave me some good ideas. I will be picking up my Class B (used, but new to me)this coming Wednesday,...and take off Thursday for Phoenix! ( Alpaca Shoow at Fairgrounds) I have been buying things to stock it (paper plates, silverware, located my sleeping bag,extension cords, chair, etc etc etc,...BUT it is all sitting in big plastic tubs posed for a quick "put in" Wednesday before I go to work!
I have my 2 meter/440 that is set up with a power unit, so when I get to the RV camp I can just plug in,...I have a couple of days to think about a separate battery and inverter, or straight to battery set up,...it will be "mickey mouse" set up until I get to have some time to set up properly. I am a little gun shy of plugging into the cig lighter for on the road for 2 meter.
Also my HT is available for mobile, but reach is short. (oh, stupid me,..I just need to get the repeaters between here and there,...dahhhh!) I have been off the radio since my hubby passed away last May, and I just went stupid there for a while. Sorry
Offline
2007 F-150 XLT - 2008 Rockwood 8280SS 
.jpg)
