I got a new truck about a month ago, its a 2012 GMC Sierra 4x4 short box ext cab.
So I started to build a simple but good set-up. I already had a Yeticom Optima so it was the starting point. In talking with a local who I trade stuff with all the time I ended with a Kenwood TMD-700 with a GPS and set-up for a keyboard. So thats my VHF / UHF requirements, and it didn't take long to run 8 guage wire into the cab via the rubber boot between the cab and pass door. The radios are mounted on a set-up which is about 1/2 inch above the center hump.
Antennas started with a Comet CA2x4SRNMO mounted on the drivers side just in front of the windshield, with the coax running through the drivers rubber boot that connects the door to the cab for electronics.
The HF antenna started with a K40 trucker mounted on the front pass box stack hole, its gone as I could not get the match I wanted. Whats there now is a modified 102" whip with coverage starting at 12 metres and going to 10, with channel 24 (11 metre) being the lowest swr. 1.0:1, R=48, X=0.
APRS is setup and working, got all the repeaters here in Ontario programmed in to the memory. Made contacts to SC on 38lsb and made a contact on 28.400usb as well, so I'm happy.
Pictures will come soon, once I tidy up some wires, ect.
So I started to build a simple but good set-up. I already had a Yeticom Optima so it was the starting point. In talking with a local who I trade stuff with all the time I ended with a Kenwood TMD-700 with a GPS and set-up for a keyboard. So thats my VHF / UHF requirements, and it didn't take long to run 8 guage wire into the cab via the rubber boot between the cab and pass door. The radios are mounted on a set-up which is about 1/2 inch above the center hump.
Antennas started with a Comet CA2x4SRNMO mounted on the drivers side just in front of the windshield, with the coax running through the drivers rubber boot that connects the door to the cab for electronics.
The HF antenna started with a K40 trucker mounted on the front pass box stack hole, its gone as I could not get the match I wanted. Whats there now is a modified 102" whip with coverage starting at 12 metres and going to 10, with channel 24 (11 metre) being the lowest swr. 1.0:1, R=48, X=0.
APRS is setup and working, got all the repeaters here in Ontario programmed in to the memory. Made contacts to SC on 38lsb and made a contact on 28.400usb as well, so I'm happy.
Pictures will come soon, once I tidy up some wires, ect.
