The one and only radio thread

[johndjmix]

Looks pretty cool, covers a TON of bands, but I would go with a radio removed from a police/fire/public service vehicle. You cant beat the durability and performance of a public service radio. I have a Kenwood TK-790H that came out of a Ambulance. Its 110 Watts, has a remote face, and I got it for ~$250 on ebay.

--John

 

[scarrjack]

Has anyone used the Kenwood TM-281A? I am looking at getting a radio and a local shop has this one.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

I have the Baofeng with the antenna that came with it. Where do you get a better one with more range? Was planning on using it for snoball.

 

[Yukon Joe]

I have the Baofeng with the antenna that came with it. Where do you get a better one with more range? Was planning on using it for snoball.

You'll want a truck mounted antenna. 5" preferably.

I picked up the following for my Wouxun from www.powerwerx.com
Although it's only a 3"mag mount.

WXMAG-ST Magnetic Mount Dual-Band Antenna with Coax Cable Standard SMA 1 $39.99

You can also try
Www.TheAntennfarm.Com



Yukon Joe
www.RUNRAPTORRUN.com

---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

@NickPic83 just got a new antenna for his BaoFeng.

Yukon Joe
www.RUNRAPTORRUN.com

 

[NickPic83]

You'll want a truck mounted antenna. 5" preferably.

I picked up the following for my Wouxun from www.powerwerx.com
Although it's only a 3"mag mount.

WXMAG-ST Magnetic Mount Dual-Band Antenna with Coax Cable Standard SMA 1 $39.99

You can also try
Www.TheAntennfarm.Com



Yukon Joe
www.RUNRAPTORRUN.com

---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

@NickPic83 just got a new antenna for his BaoFeng.

Yukon Joe
www.RUNRAPTORRUN.com

I got the tram 1185 mag mount and a smc to BNC adapter and a BNC to so-239 adapter for easier hook up. Its no high power setup but it worked well

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[t_j]

I used these 2 with my handheld before I got my Icom:

Antenna:
Amazon.com: Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna: GPS & Navigation

Adapter:
Amazon.com: DHT Handheld Antenna Cable for Wouxun Baofeng Quasheng Linton - Adapter for UHF Base and Mobile Antennas - SMA Female to UHF SO-239 Female Connectors 6'': Computers & Accessories

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Thanks. I was behind a guy when off-roading on some trails in Michigan that had the magnet base antenna and it kept falling off, stopped several times to put it back on until he got tired of messing with it and threw it back in the cab.

I have a light bar rack that I could mount the antenna if the cable can reach and go through the rear window with it closed enough for snoball?

Guess I need to research how to mount the handheld too. I do have the two-way receiver adapter.

 

[t_j]

Thanks. I was behind a guy when off-roading on some trails in Michigan that had the magnet base antenna and it kept falling off, stopped several times to put it back on until he got tired of messing with it and threw it back in the cab.

I have a light bar rack that I could mount the antenna if the cable can reach and go through the rear window with it closed enough for snoball?

Guess I need to research how to mount the handheld too. I do have the two-way receiver adapter.

That was James, on the WI trip most of us ended up with them in the bed due to low hanging branches. I had mine mounted on the top of the ammo cans in holding my gear in my chase rack. Now I have an NMO mount on the rear drivers side stake pocket.

 

[NickPic83]

my mag antenna held up great except for when i hit some bigger tree branches. it even stood up to small branches, i could hear it getting whacked every so often

 

[WReX24]

I have the Baofeng with the antenna that came with it. Where do you get a better one with more range? Was planning on using it for snoball.

Amazon.com: Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna: GPS & Navigation
Amazon.com: BNC To SO-239 Adapter: Car Electronics
Amazon.com : SMA Female To BNC Female Convert Adaptor For Two Way Radio BaoFeng UV-5R FD-880 : Electronics Cable Adapters : Electronics
Amazon.com: EarlyBirdSavings Car Battery Adapter Eliminator for Baofeng UV-5R: GPS & Navigation
Amazon.com: BAOFENG Speaker MIC For BAOFENG UV-5R 5RA 5RB 5RC 5RD 5RE 5REPLUS 3R+: Car Electronics

Here's the setup I've used for about a year and over several runs including Havoc II and the corresponding convoy from the northeast. This will allow you to plug your radio directly into the 12 volt charger, so you won't need to worry about keeping spare batteries, and the external mic allows for ease of use. The other adapters allow for quick removal from the truck and conversion back to handheld mode if necessary.

It's important to remember, that adding an external antenna will never give your handheld more transmitting power, it only serves to increase line of sight. That being said, someone who's 12 feet tall can see a hell of a lot further than someone who's 5 feet tall. I've effectively communicated with other trucks over several miles with this setup, and have the ability to receive transmissions from much further out than I can transmit.