Stereos and Transceivers ~ Anyone?

KU4MY · 07-18-2007, 07:43 AM

Okay, so the old Infinity Gold system has 10 years of service on it now and the CD player has decided it's going to take a little time off every now and then, in the '97 ZJ so I am starting to look into retiring it and re-doing the system, with a bit of a twist.

As the hole for the system is big enough to park most mid-sized cars in it, I am thinking about using a 'standard' size system (as in more trim lined to fit those normal size holes in other vehicles) and piggy-backing a small transceiver to fill up the gap, so to speak. Yes, I realize this will require a bit of fabrication to make a trim panel to hide any voids.

As my screen name might suggest to some here, yes, I am an amateur radio operator (ham radio.... and yes, we still exist

) and was thinking about using a small, or smaller 2 meter or vhf/uhf, dual bander in there to take up space. My question is, has anyone done a similar install, either with an amateur radio or even a CB radio and have they had any issues with RFI between the two mounted in such close proximity to the point where they wish they had not done it?

I am not one of those who is compelled to jabber endlessly, so I am not worried about keeping the transceiver's RF finals cool mounted in a closed in space. I just don't want to create the hassle of having to turn off the stereo every time I do take the notion of picking up and keying the mike.

What do you guys say?

or

?

phasewolf · 07-18-2007, 10:59 AM

I have seen it done one time with a smaller Icom 2/440 combo and it worked fine no problems.

RyanZJ · 07-18-2007, 11:04 AM

No feedback on your question, other than it sounds pretty sweet.

KU4MY · 07-18-2007, 01:31 PM

Thanks fells, when I get around to it, I'll let you know how it works out. I have an IC-207h, but was thinking of picking up a new IC-208h for this project.

**SpeedyCat3** · 07-18-2007, 01:58 PM

My IC28h does not bleed into the stereo or amp at all, neither on 5 nor on 45 watts. I run an FT857D in it for a three weeks, and did not have any problems either in any of the bands I used (40/20/15).
CB not a problem either.

KU4MY · 07-18-2007, 07:09 PM

Hi Angel and thanks for the feedback! I have a pristine old FT-100D that I thought about putting in there, to have everything all in one package, but, the control head is quite large as you know and I would certainly use the separation kit on it, what with the cooling issues those poor old things have.

The FT-857D might be an idea though, if I decide to do more than 2m/440 mobile. do you mind me asking what kind of antennas or antenna system(s) you run, Hamsticks, ATAS series, screw driver and separate VHF/UHF antennas or what?

Oh and BTW...... HML graduate here...... class of '76 -- GO TROJANS! --

**SpeedyCat3** · 07-18-2007, 07:15 PM

I have two antenna mounts, one dedicated 6 db gain vhf and another mount for the HF.
I run hamsticks for the 40/20/15 bands, those are the ones I have in good shapr right now.
I also use a 102 inch steel whip that loads without tuner on CB freqs and with the tuner on 10 meters.
I had no issues with the heat on the FT858D. I did not get pictures of it while I had it mounted, and it is now with a friend of mine as a base while he gets his radio repaired.
The 2 meter is in the lower right side of the steering column, and causes no problems at all.

KU4MY · 07-18-2007, 07:22 PM

Excellent, thanks sir! As you may have noticed, I am in Hamstick country and my friend owns the place, so, visiting him for goodies is no big deal. I will think about the 857D though, that might be pretty good fun.... the 100D is in perfect shape with all fan mods, etc done, but, as is with all stuff that's a bit older, I think I will keep her in the house as she may not survive living in the Jeep.

Thanks again and hope to catch you on the bands....... excellent callsign BTW too....... I almost snagged W3WTF a month or so ago, but I figured WTF.

**SpeedyCat3** · 07-18-2007, 07:25 PM

I just added some pics of the antennas.
I fabbed the mounts so that I can open the hatch and the antennas go up with it. This way they are not sticking out to the side.

The callsign came courtesy of my kids who did all the leg work to find a bunch of good ones.
This was the first on the list.

KU4MY · 07-18-2007, 07:36 PM

Very nice install sir!

Bob D. · 07-18-2007, 09:27 PM

Off topic: You do know that publishing your call sign on a public forum can affect your privacy.

phasewolf · 07-18-2007, 10:01 PM

so can saying it over the open air but people do it every day and have no issues at all. What is the diffence if I gave my call on JF or on a 2m repeater?

Bob D. · 07-18-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

What is the diffence if I gave my call on JF or on a 2m repeater?

None really. But many new hams do not know how easy extra information is available. Before the internet, buying a copy of the North American Call Book was the only way to obtain information. Now it's readily available on the internet for free.
That's why I "privatized" the info for my ham call.

Anyone should do what they want regarding their call sign, I just prefer not to make my personal info available to people I don't know.

**SpeedyCat3** · 07-19-2007, 08:15 AM

I really have no problems with it.
It has never affected any of my security clearances.

KU4MY · 07-19-2007, 08:28 PM

Well, as I am not a new ham, either in tenure or actual age, I have never worried about it, run a call sign tag, etc., etc. and I use my callsign for pretty much everything so that I may be immediately recognized or identified as being;
1) A ham
2) A nerd
3) A technogeek
4) An idiot
I had hoped a couple of hotties might hunt me down and take advantage of me after seeing my license plate or from finding me online and doing a QRZ or ULS search, but so far, this is all this fat old grey haired man can attract.

Linkage --> http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...d_227_5922.jpg (not for the squeemish)