WH7DA
Sun 23rd Dec 2007, 21:16
...so, I finally set up my FT-7800R as a portable, and I love it! :)
The antenna tripod base is a rocket launcher tripod that breaks down by removing two of the three legs.
The extension pieces are made from two sections of pvc, that are each about as long as one of the base legs. To get the pvc so that it quickly mounts to the base unit head (which is a drill chuck), I used a carriage bolt through a rubber shock mount, with washers on either end. I slid the rummber mount into the pvc, and tightened a locknut up on the carriage bolt against the bottom washer. This compressed the rubber shock mount, which spread out to friction fit inside the pvc. So, all I have to do is put the bottom section of pvc (the carriage bolt) into the base unit head (drill chuck) and tighten the chuck.
The antenna is the OSJ 146/440 from Arrow Antenna's, but with the main antenna constructed as a three piece, so the long one breaks down and stores on the angle bracket base where the other elements are mounted. When broken down like this for storage, the whole thing is shorter than the legs of the base tripod.
I used RG-6 coax for the antenna cable.
The radio connects to a power source with Anderson Power Pole connectors. I have the RigRunner 4008 in my wife's Jeep Liberty.
The whole thing sets up pretty fast and has great range!
Plus, the antenna and cables all break down and store in a croquet bag, and the radio and mic store in a little fanny pack. I provide protection for the radio by using a wet/dry vacuum foam filter which slips perfectly around the radio.
See photos here----> http://www.flickr.com/photos/back2dabik ... 531441983/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/back2dabike/sets/72157603531441983/)
So, what do you think?
The antenna tripod base is a rocket launcher tripod that breaks down by removing two of the three legs.
The extension pieces are made from two sections of pvc, that are each about as long as one of the base legs. To get the pvc so that it quickly mounts to the base unit head (which is a drill chuck), I used a carriage bolt through a rubber shock mount, with washers on either end. I slid the rummber mount into the pvc, and tightened a locknut up on the carriage bolt against the bottom washer. This compressed the rubber shock mount, which spread out to friction fit inside the pvc. So, all I have to do is put the bottom section of pvc (the carriage bolt) into the base unit head (drill chuck) and tighten the chuck.
The antenna is the OSJ 146/440 from Arrow Antenna's, but with the main antenna constructed as a three piece, so the long one breaks down and stores on the angle bracket base where the other elements are mounted. When broken down like this for storage, the whole thing is shorter than the legs of the base tripod.
I used RG-6 coax for the antenna cable.
The radio connects to a power source with Anderson Power Pole connectors. I have the RigRunner 4008 in my wife's Jeep Liberty.
The whole thing sets up pretty fast and has great range!
Plus, the antenna and cables all break down and store in a croquet bag, and the radio and mic store in a little fanny pack. I provide protection for the radio by using a wet/dry vacuum foam filter which slips perfectly around the radio.
See photos here----> http://www.flickr.com/photos/back2dabik ... 531441983/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/back2dabike/sets/72157603531441983/)
So, what do you think?