Hello,
I just joined and thought I would talk a little about my adventures to get ham radio up and going. I have a Montana 5th and use an Icom 746PRO in the RV.
There is a link to an article on my qrz.com page for N5PHT but the gist: (HF only with Icom 746PRO)
1. Tarheel Screwdriver on my Truck. (I have a Montana 5th wheel).
2. I installed a PL259 barrel into the side of the RV near the operating area (a desk in the Montana)
3. A 50 foot coax connects to the screwdriver
However, the next improvement made a world of difference in terms of easy of sitting in the RV and operating! (NOTE: I have no financial or otherwise connection with KD7WJZ selling the gadget)
4. I purchased and installed a controller for the screwdriver from "Hobbygadgets.biz" (http:://www.hobbygadgets./biz) or search for KD7WJZ and find his gadget. It is a wireless controller that will send the antenna up or down and it works great from the RV. I have noted the basic times to move from band to band and the noise also alerts you that you are close and then just a tap or two and you are on the money!
5. I have an old 102 inch CB whip that I can use on the screwdriver when I am parked and that improves by about 1-2 S units over the smaller whip that came with the Tarheel.
So, when I want to leave the campground I do have to disconnect (forgot once and that resulted in some busted RG8X - but no other damage thank God). I would rather have something that is not connected to the Truck but have not found a good antenna that connects to the RV when stopped.
Well, hope you have fun and take a look at my QRZ page for the link to the article I wrote on RV'ing and ham radio. Take care and God Bless.
Gary Stone, N5PHT
I just joined and thought I would talk a little about my adventures to get ham radio up and going. I have a Montana 5th and use an Icom 746PRO in the RV.
There is a link to an article on my qrz.com page for N5PHT but the gist: (HF only with Icom 746PRO)
1. Tarheel Screwdriver on my Truck. (I have a Montana 5th wheel).
2. I installed a PL259 barrel into the side of the RV near the operating area (a desk in the Montana)
3. A 50 foot coax connects to the screwdriver
However, the next improvement made a world of difference in terms of easy of sitting in the RV and operating! (NOTE: I have no financial or otherwise connection with KD7WJZ selling the gadget)
4. I purchased and installed a controller for the screwdriver from "Hobbygadgets.biz" (http:://www.hobbygadgets./biz) or search for KD7WJZ and find his gadget. It is a wireless controller that will send the antenna up or down and it works great from the RV. I have noted the basic times to move from band to band and the noise also alerts you that you are close and then just a tap or two and you are on the money!
5. I have an old 102 inch CB whip that I can use on the screwdriver when I am parked and that improves by about 1-2 S units over the smaller whip that came with the Tarheel.
So, when I want to leave the campground I do have to disconnect (forgot once and that resulted in some busted RG8X - but no other damage thank God). I would rather have something that is not connected to the Truck but have not found a good antenna that connects to the RV when stopped.
Well, hope you have fun and take a look at my QRZ page for the link to the article I wrote on RV'ing and ham radio. Take care and God Bless.
Gary Stone, N5PHT