its not all that redneck! haha but I unhooked it the other day to see how much of a difference it makes... Holy Cow.

 

That is a beautiful set up you have!!
If you are ever in the Humboldt County area give me a shout- K6ZXK

 

like the squid? haha well i hope to make it out west to really test out my rig soo will do

 

Here's a few pic's and vid my Yaesu 857 installed in my 82 toy 4x4.[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuYv5Dn_NeA[/YOUTUBE]

 

Fixed it for you.
You have to use the code only, and not anything else.
Click the icon above, and you paste in wuYv5Dn_NeA which is your code.

[YOUTUBE]wuYv5Dn_NeA[/YOUTUBE]

 

That is the 857D like mine right?
I need to still get my license, and I still need to finish my install later on.

How do you like yours?
I hear they are hard to program/use at first since there are so many menus.

OK, now the name of your radio is showing up for me in the vid

 

I like it, the programing does take a little bit to figure out but just play with it, and have fun, are you a tec yet, if not the test is really easy, I went ahead and got my general for HF use

 

I have the yellow tech book, and I was about 1/3 through it, but stopped studying late last year.
I will get back into it later, and also study online at a few sites that ask you questions from the pool.

I hear the test is pretty easy.
I would like to get it before I take my vacation later this summer.

 

Resurrecting this old thread.
When I first got the radio a ham at work tested out the radio with an antenna, and we hooked it right to my battery.

I never did finish the install until today.
I went to Cartoys where the tech worked on it for several hours taking the seat out, putting the radio and duplexer under there, running power, and hooking up the coax to the antenna mount on the ARB bumper, and soldering the coax to the connector that goes to the duplexer.

Running this through the ATAS-120 Yaesu antenna which is good for many bands.

Got out the manual and was learning how to change frequencies a bit ago, but I hear no one.
Granted this 857D has many bands, LSB, USB, FM, AM, CW, ect.
What is a good frequency to check in my area to listen to someone?

This radio has more bells and whistles on it, it is pretty advanced.
Even shows the voltage of the battery.
The tech hooked it to my Optima Redtop which is reserved only for starting the rig in case I run down the main, but the wire did not reach, and I decided to just have it wired to my spare battery.

What is cool it showed 12.5 volts with the engine off, and as soon as I cranked the engine over, it jumped up to 14v on the radio.
This also tells me my Painless Wiring dual battery kit is operating properly since I always have the switch on to charge up the Optima when the engine is on.

 

Not really, it is a lot easier now than it was when I got mine years ago. But I passed my tests with a hangover, even the morse code part of it. And now you no longer need morse code to get a license. I have an Alinco DR-605 in mine, and sometimes I will put my HF rig in the truck just because.

Greg
ke4ooo

I just noticed how old the post was I answered, I guess I am just getting to be an old fart

 

I'm resurrecting an old post because it has great stuff in it.

 

I'm late to the party but I'm curious.

My last stint as a radio operator was at Ft Knox in 1979 when I was there for ROTC summer camp. Since that time, I spent the first part of my career in the USMC fixing SHF radios, but haven't spent significant time in electronics in many years.

I've been looking at 2 meter gear to install in my 93 4Runner. I'll be using the radio mainly as comm backup while hunting in Texas, but would rather not invest heavily in a new radio without vetting the contestants. So far, I'm leaning toward the Kenwood TM-281A. I've found it as cheap as $140 at a couple of sites and read a few reviews that claim it's more usable than others I've looked at such as the Yaesu FT-2900, etc. $200 is about my pain limit for a whim and I'd like some recommendations on a usable antenna. I really don't want to drill holes in the body, so I've looked at "through the glass" antennas, but have no real guidance here. I suppose I'll get some from local ham geeks when I test, but any input is welcome.

Me being the conservative type, I'll probably spend lots of time listening to chatter before I ever squawk, so etiquette isn't a worry at this point.

Any comments on through the glass vs other types for 2 meter? Anything else I'd need other than the radio, antenna and license to get up and running?

 

Back in the day I spent too much time and cash on equipment, wound up with a climate controlled shack and antenna farm but then got a job involving frequent relocation so sold everything and never keyed a HAM mic again, until now. Still looking for a small mount, maybe for the A-pillar grab handle.

It's highly reviewed and for $40 cheap and capable enough to refresh rusty skills and see if it's still fun.


And the go-to forum, lots of jargon but helpful.

http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/

 

I have one and it works fine. It's not in the same league as my Yaesu Ft60 but hey... $50! You will find the antennae seriously lacking.

The only irritating thing I find is that the offset for repeaters also effects the simplex frequencies. So it's harder than need be to switch between repeater use and simplex. Unless I'm missing something in the programming.

 

I have another antenna inbound that's supposed to help:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/J0125A-Femal...item1c2568da8f

I have the programming cable but haven't d/l CHIRP software recommended yet.

 

One thought to add; Don't get a handheld as your first, or only radio. Especially if you'll be using it primarily in a vehicle. While handhelds have all the same features as mobile radios, they don't have the necessary power when you're in the wilderness. Also, the batteries don't last very long if you're talking a lot. You can improve your signal a lot by using an external antenna with a handheld. However, a 5 watt HT can not touch a 50 watt mobile for "getting out". It would be one thing if your primary use will be in a populated area with a lot of repeaters within 5-10 miles. But when you're in the wilderness and the nearest repeater is 50 miles away, you'll want all the power you can get.

You can pick up a used 2 meter radio for under $100, or purchase a new one for under $200.

73!

 

Get a mag mount 2 meter antenna, and run the coax through your door trim until you're ready to commit to drilling holes in your rig. Performance will blow the doors off a glass mounted antenna. You can find a mag mount antenna fairly cheaply. Radio, antenna, and license. That should get you going.

 

2 meters and 70cm are very cool bands to use. But it seems with internet and cell phones, the repeaters in my area have all gotten quiet. Too bad the activity has died down.
Anyone still active on the air ?


Chris (KA7CJH)