Ok, the Ham is in...

Here are the 2 meter pics. I installed it today. Used a RAM mount for the radio just like the GPS. Worked great once again! Driver area looks like a gadget store now. The antenna attached via the Diamond UHF mount that fit perfect into the ARB tab. The antenna folds down or is removed when not in use. This antenna is beefy!! 65mph on the fwy and it doesn't even budge.

here are the pics..








The RAM mount fit perfectly down into the cubby hole and still gave enough room for me to tighten up the adjust knob.



and open the center console...

Few more.. can't wait to TX!! Calsign should be listed any day!

very nice job..
what radio?
is it removable headunit?
be sure to let us know your thoughts about live use once you have your callsign
enjoy
1leglance

Thanks dude, Sorry i forgot to mention what radio, Yeah it's a Yaesu 2800m. There aren't any 2 meter removeable face that i know. Most are dual band.

That is sexy It looks great along with the Lowrance unit.

No issues with the t-case shifter?

RAM mount! What a cool way to mount the radio. Very inventive.

Although I've never liked driving with an antenna on the front bumper. It's kind of like having a booger in your nose that you can't get rid of. Just opinion.

Don't let that comment detract from what you did here. I think you did a nice job.

I have found the same thing as Mark, I don't like antennas out on the bumper. I had both my CB and ham out there for a while and moved them both to the roof. Well, turns out that I can deal with the ham (helps that I have a short stubby antenna for the trails), but I could not stand the CB antenna banging on everything. So I put that back out on the bumper. He's using the Diamond SG2000, which is a HUGE 2m antenna, like 5 feet tall, so similar to a typical CB antenna. I think it makes sense to keep it lower. That said, I would have my doubts for it's trail reliability. It's both tall and really stiff, coupled with the UHF mount not being the most robust. I dunno, keep us up-to-date on how it deals with low hanging stuff (which is probably not a problem in SoCAL?). Then again, you can carry a second trail antenna, too.

Looks good but i would be very concerned about it getting vibrations big time when hauling the mail down a fire road in Mex!

My .02

articulate said:

...like having a booger in your nose that you can't get rid of.

Click to expand...

I would have never thought of that allegory. You must have become quite accustomed to this?

BajaTaco said:

That is sexy It looks great along with the Lowrance unit.

No issues with the t-case shifter?

Click to expand...

Thanks man, little cramped.. but i cant stand having radios next to my leg or off over my side.. and it's too heavy to mount to the ceiling.. as far as the t-case shift lever... its not in the way at all... it's just a bad camera angle.

articulate said:

RAM mount! What a cool way to mount the radio. Very inventive.

Although I've never liked driving with an antenna on the front bumper. It's kind of like having a booger in your nose that you can't get rid of. Just opinion.

Don't let that comment detract from what you did here. I think you did a nice job.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I couldn't figure out anything else.. so i went down and picked up the same RAM mount i mounted the GPS with.... and i can't say enough about the strength of the RAM mounts. They're really worth the money.

Yeah i hear you. With the limb risers already in the viewing area.. im already used to junk being in my vision. Plus, this antenna will only be up when im actually using the radio.

DaveInDenver said:

He's using the Diamond SG2000, which is a HUGE 2m antenna, like 5 feet tall, so similar to a typical CB antenna. I think it makes sense to keep it lower. That said, I would have my doubts for it's trail reliability. It's both tall and really stiff, coupled with the UHF mount not being the most robust. I dunno, keep us up-to-date on how it deals with low hanging stuff (which is probably not a problem in SoCAL?). Then again, you can carry a second trail antenna, too.

Click to expand...

Yeah if i get into a area where there are trees, i'll just fold it down or slap on a stubby antenna instead. I dont see it being a problem for us, but i do see your point.

Boston Mangler said:

Looks good but i would be very concerned about it getting vibrations big time when hauling the mail down a fire road in Mex!

My .02

Click to expand...

It's gonna vibrate no matter where i put it on the rig IMHO. My Wilson 1000 is up on the rack and it vibrates just as bad. We'll see how long it hangs.

DaveInDenver said:

. . .the Diamond SG2000, which is a HUGE 2m antenna, like 5 feet tall, so similar to a typical CB antenna. I think it makes sense to keep it lower. That said, I would have my doubts for it's trail reliability. It's both tall and really stiff, coupled with the UHF mount not being the most robust. I dunno, keep us up-to-date on how it deals with low hanging stuff (which is probably not a problem in SoCAL?). Then again, you can carry a second trail antenna, too.

Click to expand...

Ah, good points. A flexible whip with the loading coil in the base would be better, yeah? The ever-so-popular Hustler SF-2 has its place on OHV rigs for this very reason.

SOCALFJ said:

It's gonna vibrate no matter where i put it on the rig IMHO. My Wilson 1000 is up on the rack and it vibrates just as bad. We'll see how long it hangs.

Click to expand...

I think he meant the radio, not the antenna.

BajaTaco said:

I think he meant the radio, not the antenna.

Click to expand...

Yes, the radio and the GPS mounted with those Ram mounts are going to be bouncing all over the place on fire roads and such.

Trust me, i learned the hard way!

BajaTaco said:

I think he meant the radio, not the antenna.

Click to expand...

Awe.. ok. Well, i'll keep an eye on it. Don't know why it would vibrate anymore than any other mount would... And this 2 meter is rugged and made for off road, at least that's what they claim in their advertising... so, im not worried about the actual unit.

Boston Mangler said:

Yes, the radio and the GPS mounted with those Ram mounts are going to be bouncing all over the place on fire roads and such.

Trust me, i learned the hard way!

Click to expand...

What's your history with the RAM mounts? What model mount did you use? What did you have mounted to them? What was your solution? Doesnt make sense for people to mount laptops to them if they 'bounce' around. I will have to take the rig out on a local forest road around here this weekend and test the entire setup. Thanks for the heads up Kevin.

I use the NMO base antennas just so that I can easily swap a long whip with a short one for those trips where it seems prudent. The Sub carries one of each, but I've yet to get a shorty for Patch.
Both are in holes in the roof. With the redundant o-ring and rubber seals I'm not too worried about leaks.

When flying down a fire/washboard road I don't care what's happening on the radio. I've got my hands full and that's what co-dogs are for.