Trouble with Kenwood TM-D710A

[m_lars]

Any updates?

I got a call from the repair facility today. Their tech bench tested it and aligned it but said he could not find a problem. I haven’t picked it up yet and I’ll ask a few more questions when I do, but weird. I’ll probably bring my SWR meter and see if they have a quick way to test it. I’ll probably order ANOTHER new antenna as well. This one is new, but it’s a cheap “around town” shorty.

Any suggestions on an antenna? Not too tall and with a spring would be awesome.

 

[M Rose]

@J.W. @Prerunner1982 @brien @Greg Eigsti any ideas on antennas?

@m_larsim curious to know what they find as well... really surprised that there wasn’t a bad resistor or capacitor.

 

[J.W.]

Let's talk about your antenna. How is it setup? Have any pics of it that you can share?

 

[Ubiety]

@J.W. @Prerunner1982 @brien @Greg Eigsti any ideas on antennas?

@m_larsim curious to know what they find as well... really surprised that there wasn’t a bad resistor or capacitor.

I recently picked up a Comet CA-2x4SRNMO antenna with the CA-SPR Optional spring kit. No complaints and springy goodness, also folds down. I like Comets and have been using them for a while in different applications.

Dual-Band | Comet Antenna

Dualband, dual-band mobile ham radio antenna, high gain mobile 2M/440 antenna

www.cometantenna.com

Might be too tall for you, but take a look at their other antennas. I notice that the spring kit fits another antenna in their lineup.

 

[Prerunner1982]

Larsen 2/70 is pretty popular.
I have used the Browning br-180 before and still carry one with me. Smacked them on trees daily with no problem.
Both are 1/2 wave so they aren't super tall and are not ground dependent.

 

[m_lars]

Let's talk about your antenna. How is it setup? Have any pics of it that you can share?

NMO mount is bolted front and center on the rack and the rack is grounded to the chassis.

 

[J.W.]

Since we know the radio works, my first suggestion would be to get an actual antenna instead of that GMRS style thing. Even though that low profile is aesthetically pleasing, they get consistently bad reviews for 2m/70cm. Then move your antenna ground to somewhere on the actual truck instead of the rack. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you will probably want to replace the actual mount and start changing your wiring to the radio.

Honestly, the fastest way to get it all working is to grab a mag mount and throw it up top. I used to hate magnetic mounts but I picked one up for the CB in my Jeep and now I love them. I have a 2’ stick for CB and a 1/2 wave antenna for 2m/70cm. They both perform great and I can store them under the floor of the hatch when not in use.

 

[m_lars]

Since we know the radio works, my first suggestion would be to get an actual antenna instead of that GMRS style thing. Even though that low profile is aesthetically pleasing, they get consistently bad reviews for 2m/70cm. Then move your antenna ground to somewhere on the actual truck instead of the rack. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you will probably want to replace the actual mount and start changing your wiring to the radio.

Honestly, the fastest way to get it all working is to grab a mag mount and throw it up top. I used to hate magnetic mounts but I picked one up for the CB in my Jeep and now I love them. I have a 2’ stick for CB and a 1/2 wave antenna for 2m/70cm. They both perform great and I can store them under the floor of the hatch when not in use.

Yeah, mag mounts are hard to use when the entire roof is glass. The only steel I’ve got is the band on the front and sides of the front sunroof.

I wasn’t intending on that antenna being the only one, but I kinda blew my budget getting everything else set up. I also frequent a very low parking garage (the radio antenna of my work f-250 hits the entrance) so I wouldn’t leave a normal antenna on. Basically I intended it to be a functional cover for the mount when I’m not out on the trail.

As far as grounding the mount, I could run a ground cable from the mount on the front of the rack to the rear hatch but it would ground in the same spot as the current ground strap. Is that going to make a difference? I’ve got continuity from the mount to the chassis of the truck.

 

[J.W.]

Stick a mag mount on the hood? Your only other solid option is what @Greg Eigsti said and get one that you can fold down. I had one like that on a different truck and it worked pretty well (I just had to remember to fold it!)

 

[J.W.]

You could also do a front bumper mount. Those work well and would keep it about even with your roof line.

 

[BigBlueOx_TRD]

Since we know the radio works, my first suggestion would be to get an actual antenna instead of that GMRS style thing. Even though that low profile is aesthetically pleasing, they get consistently bad reviews for 2m/70cm. Then move your antenna ground to somewhere on the actual truck instead of the rack. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you will probably want to replace the actual mount and start changing your wiring to the radio.

Honestly, the fastest way to get it all working is to grab a mag mount and throw it up top. I used to hate magnetic mounts but I picked one up for the CB in my Jeep and now I love them. I have a 2’ stick for CB and a 1/2 wave antenna for 2m/70cm. They both perform great and I can store them under the floor of the hatch when not in use.

Yeah, mag mounts are hard to use when the entire roof is glass. The only steel I’ve got is the band on the front and sides of the front sunroof.

I wasn’t intending on that antenna being the only one, but I kinda blew my budget getting everything else set up. I also frequent a very low parking garage (the radio antenna of my work f-250 hits the entrance) so I wouldn’t leave a normal antenna on. Basically I intended it to be a functional cover for the mount when I’m not out on the trail.

As far as grounding the mount, I could run a ground cable from the mount on the front of the rack to the rear hatch but it would ground in the same spot as the current ground strap. Is that going to make a difference? I’ve got continuity from the mount to the chassis of the truck.

Any chance there may be a quick disconnect option out there that would accept your current antenna? I run a Firestik K1A for my CB and it's come in handy for the exact reason of a parking deck, multiple times.

 

[m_lars]

Stick a mag mount on the hood? Your only other solid option is what @Greg Eigsti said and get one that you can fold down. I had one like that on a different truck and it worked pretty well (I just had to remember to fold it!)

The hood is aluminum... Is there a problem where it’s mounted, aside from my height issue? I have every intention of getting a quality antenna, it’s just down the road a little way. I’d rather spend money on a new antenna that mounts to what’s already there than a complete mag mount unit.

Any chance there may be a quick disconnect option out there that would accept your current antenna? I run a Firestik K1A for my CB and it's come in handy for the exact reason of a parking deck, multiple times.

I’ve got the same quick disconnect for my CB antenna. The antenna spins off with no tools, but I don’t want to leave the mount exposed. That’s why I got the stubby antenna. No, performance won’t be spectacular, but it is a functional cover for the mount.

 

[J.W.]

Is there a problem where it’s mounted, aside from my height issue? I have every intention of getting a quality antenna, it’s just down the road a little way. I’d rather spend money on a new antenna that mounts to what’s already there than a complete mag mount unit.

No problem at all. It's a great location. You just need a functional antenna. Unfortunatly, it's impossible to tell if it's the antenna or the mount that is causing your signal issues. My gut tells me that stubby GMRS antenna is the problem but I have no proof that it's the issue. I think you'll end up with something that folds if you stay with that location.

 

[BigBlueOx_TRD]

Stick a mag mount on the hood? Your only other solid option is what @Greg Eigsti said and get one that you can fold down. I had one like that on a different truck and it worked pretty well (I just had to remember to fold it!)

The hood is aluminum... Is there a problem where it’s mounted, aside from my height issue? I have every intention of getting a quality antenna, it’s just down the road a little way. I’d rather spend money on a new antenna that mounts to what’s already there than a complete mag mount unit.

Any chance there may be a quick disconnect option out there that would accept your current antenna? I run a Firestik K1A for my CB and it's come in handy for the exact reason of a parking deck, multiple times.

I’ve got the same quick disconnect for my CB antenna. The antenna spins off with no tools, but I don’t want to leave the mount exposed. That’s why I got the stubby antenna. No, performance won’t be spectacular, but it is a functional cover for the mount.

Gotcha. Anything you can think of that you could possibly thread with a tap and dye kit that would then fit onto the mount when not in use? Small piece of aluminum or something easy to pick up from Lowe's or home depot? Judy throwing ideas out.

 

[Prerunner1982]

fit onto the mount when not in use?

If you are just talking about a cover for the mount, you need a NMO rain cap.
$3.55 and free shipping:

 

[m_lars]

Well, the latest update is.... My SWR meter and jumper cable are bad. It’s a new to me Workman model 104. When I went in to pick up the radio, I asked if they could test it. They spent a good half hour comparing it against their $600 Bird meter. He said the readings I was getting were consistent with what they were getting, even though they got an acceptable reading with their meter. When I asked if it was possible I have no problem despite my high reading he said yes. When I was researching a way to test the meter, I read an article stating that although rare the author has seen the calibration switch wired backwards. I may see if that’s the casewhen I get time. Right now I have yard work to do since I only get one day off this week!

In case anyone is wondering I took it to Air Comm in Salt Lake City. They were super cool to work with, even though they rarely work with walk ins. They even gave my 8 year old a hat!

 

[M Rose]

In case anyone is wondering I took it to Air Comm in Salt Lake City. They were super cool to work with, even though they rarely work with walk ins. They even gave my 8 year old a hat!

It sounds like Air Comm hooked you up... glad it turned out to be something little as the SWR meter being goofy.

Vintage Hats are awesome.