treypal
Lord of the Raptors
A lot of people have been asking me about VHF radios for the upcoming Texas Raptor Run, and I have steered them to a company that puts together VHF radio packages, but I also wanted to show that you can easily build your own package. This is pretty much the setup I put together with the exception of a newer model radio. I purchased everything from the The Antenna Farm.
What you need to put together a package is a radio, antenna and antenna mount. I went with a mag mount because I didn't really feel like drilling a big hole in the roof of my raptor. I probably would today, but it wasn't an option when the truck had 10k miles.
The Radio:
I went with an Icom F121 (New Model is the Icom F5021). Due to its mil-spec rating, and the simplicity. It's not field programmable so you don't have to worry about someone accidentally hitting a button and messing the unit all up. Downside to this is, if you don't have a particular frequency in the unit then you can't add it in the field (without a laptop, but more on that later). $250
Icom F5021
I suggest wiring directly to the battery, but you can get a 12v plug adapter too.
The Mag Base: $30
Simple enough here, any NMO base will do. I like this one, its small and doesn't fall off unless you hit a tree pretty hard. It does need a PL-259 male end on it though.
Mag Base
The Antenna:
I like the Larsen NMO-150, its just a straight whip antenna with no spring, hasn't failed me yet. It has to be trimmed for frequency somewhere in the 150-155mhz range will work. $30
Larsen NMO150C [NMO150C] - $29.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!
Programming:
I have not tested my software and cable with the Icom F5021, The antenna farm shows the cable being the same, but I am not sure about the software. I am doing some research into this, hopefully I will have an answer soon. If it does work, and you're going to the Texas Raptor run, I can program your radio out there. You can also buy the software and cable as a kit for $50, and I can provide a freq list. Cable and Software
So even with the cable and software you are only looking at $360 vs $399. Without the software you're at $310, saving 90 bucks.
I realize that this isn't an end all be all guide to VHF radios, as there are tons of different radio manufactures, etc. But this is a decent start for someone looking to get a VHF for their truck...
What you need to put together a package is a radio, antenna and antenna mount. I went with a mag mount because I didn't really feel like drilling a big hole in the roof of my raptor. I probably would today, but it wasn't an option when the truck had 10k miles.
The Radio:
I went with an Icom F121 (New Model is the Icom F5021). Due to its mil-spec rating, and the simplicity. It's not field programmable so you don't have to worry about someone accidentally hitting a button and messing the unit all up. Downside to this is, if you don't have a particular frequency in the unit then you can't add it in the field (without a laptop, but more on that later). $250
Icom F5021
I suggest wiring directly to the battery, but you can get a 12v plug adapter too.
The Mag Base: $30
Simple enough here, any NMO base will do. I like this one, its small and doesn't fall off unless you hit a tree pretty hard. It does need a PL-259 male end on it though.
Mag Base
The Antenna:
I like the Larsen NMO-150, its just a straight whip antenna with no spring, hasn't failed me yet. It has to be trimmed for frequency somewhere in the 150-155mhz range will work. $30
Larsen NMO150C [NMO150C] - $29.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!
Programming:
I have not tested my software and cable with the Icom F5021, The antenna farm shows the cable being the same, but I am not sure about the software. I am doing some research into this, hopefully I will have an answer soon. If it does work, and you're going to the Texas Raptor run, I can program your radio out there. You can also buy the software and cable as a kit for $50, and I can provide a freq list. Cable and Software
So even with the cable and software you are only looking at $360 vs $399. Without the software you're at $310, saving 90 bucks.
I realize that this isn't an end all be all guide to VHF radios, as there are tons of different radio manufactures, etc. But this is a decent start for someone looking to get a VHF for their truck...
