Where do I begin? 4runner HAM

[Louisiana Overland]

I am ready to install communications in my rig. My first step will be a pair of handheld midland gmrs radios for rig to rig and rig to spotter while offroading with a second rig. Beyond that I would like to install a HAM radio. The rig is a 2017 4runner with 3” lift full roof rack and usually on trips a roof top tent. My concern is the HAM antenna and my question is, can I mount an antenna on some sort of spring to keep from breaking it? I see some are mounting to the hatch with a clamp. I dont like that idea and would prefer the Rago mount that goes near tail light, but that would, I think require a tall antenna and spring. Another option might be a Rago ditch light bracket to go just forward of the windshield on passenger side. I could, I think, get by with a shorter antenna here but still think a spring would be mandatory. Thanks in advance for help here, especially from other 4runner owners.

 

[Aaron Lee]

I have a small NMO antenna on my full size truck that I mounted thru the roof. It has a spring on it that has kept it from breaking on three limbs. On my Wrangler LJ that I’m starting the overland build on, I used this antenna.

DIAMOND NR-770HB

Black 144 / 440 MHz Dualband Vertical Mobile Antenna - 40 Inches tall - UHF Connector - Black

www.hamradio.com

It is mounted on a tail light mount. Given the wrangler is a fiberglass top, there’s little interference. It’s a tall antenna that doesn’t require a ground plane and can fold over if needed.

Hope this gives you a couple ideas. When I get home I can post a couple pictures of each if you’d like.

Let me know if I can help further.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Todd & Meg]

I have a small NMO antenna on my full size truck that I mounted thru the roof. It has a spring on it that has kept it from breaking on three limbs. On my Wrangler LJ that I’m starting the overland build on, I used this antenna.

DIAMOND NR-770HB

Black 144 / 440 MHz Dualband Vertical Mobile Antenna - 40 Inches tall - UHF Connector - Black

www.hamradio.com

It is mounted on a tail light mount. Given the wrangler is a fiberglass top, there’s little interference. It’s a tall antenna that doesn’t require a ground plane and can fold over if needed.

Hope this gives you a couple ideas. When I get home I can post a couple pictures of each if you’d like.

Let me know if I can help further.

Thanks,
Aaron

I would like to see the pics.

Todd

 

[Prerunner1982]

I run long antennas up high and smack them on multiple trees daily, have yet to break one.
If you ran the mount down lower such as the ditch light or fender mount the antenna has more than enough give to not require a spring. If you have a tree branch running that low that it could break the antenna, the antenna may be the least of your worries.

 

[old_man]

I am ready to install communications in my rig. My first step will be a pair of handheld midland gmrs radios for rig to rig and rig to spotter while offroading with a second rig. Beyond that I would like to install a HAM radio. The rig is a 2017 4runner with 3” lift full roof rack and usually on trips a roof top tent. My concern is the HAM antenna and my question is, can I mount an antenna on some sort of spring to keep from breaking it? I see some are mounting to the hatch with a clamp. I dont like that idea and would prefer the Rago mount that goes near tail light, but that would, I think require a tall antenna and spring. Another option might be a Rago ditch light bracket to go just forward of the windshield on passenger side. I could, I think, get by with a shorter antenna here but still think a spring would be mandatory. Thanks in advance for help here, especially from other 4runner owners.

Do you have your license yet? If so, you can post up your call sign in your banner on the left. Don't forget to join us on the Overland Bound Amateur Radio Net every Friday evening.

As far as antennas, centered in the roof yields the best performance.

 

[Ubiety]

I am ready to install communications in my rig. My first step will be a pair of handheld midland gmrs radios for rig to rig and rig to spotter while offroading with a second rig. Beyond that I would like to install a HAM radio. The rig is a 2017 4runner with 3” lift full roof rack and usually on trips a roof top tent. My concern is the HAM antenna and my question is, can I mount an antenna on some sort of spring to keep from breaking it? I see some are mounting to the hatch with a clamp. I dont like that idea and would prefer the Rago mount that goes near tail light, but that would, I think require a tall antenna and spring. Another option might be a Rago ditch light bracket to go just forward of the windshield on passenger side. I could, I think, get by with a shorter antenna here but still think a spring would be mandatory. Thanks in advance for help here, especially from other 4runner owners.

I have a shorter antenna mounted on the bottom of my Jeep's A pillar; not too low and high enough for my needs. You want your antenna to be high enough to avoid all the metal in your rig but low enough that you can drive into a garage or under low limbs. I don't recommend the bumper mounts that you see so often - your signal is not going to go through your vehicle's metal and will leave you with blind spots. The higher (and less obstructed) your antenna is the farther your signal will reach. GMRS radios are fine for the purpose that you mentioned; if you have your HAM ticket you may want to consider a couple cheap HAM handhelds instead of GMRS radios; if you are planning on going HAM they will integrate into your overall system and serve the same purpose as GMRS.

If you don't already have your HAM ticket you will want to get that before transmitting on HAM bands. Pretty easy to get.

Informative OB intro to vehicle comms

 

[Louisiana Overland]

I would like to see the pics.

Todd

Yes, photos would be appreciated.

 

[Aaron Lee]

Yes, photos would be appreciated.

Here are a couple pictures.

This is the NMO mount thru the roof of my Dodge 3500.




This is the Wrangler LJ.




The Dodge has a Kenwood D710 and the Wrangler has a Yaesu FTM400. Both have nice flat SWR and I’ve been able to transmit 40-50 miles pretty clearly (obviously terrain permitting). Even longer distances when the elevation difference was in my favor.

Hope these pictures help. I can get the model number of the antenna on the Dodge if you want it.

Thanks,
Aaron AG7FW

 

[Todd & Meg]

I have a shorter antenna mounted on the bottom of my Jeep's A pillar; not too low and high enough for my needs. You want your antenna to be high enough to avoid all the metal in your rig but low enough that you can drive into a garage or under low limbs. I don't recommend the bumper mounts that you see so often - your signal is not going to go through your vehicle's metal and will leave you with blind spots. The higher (and less obstructed) your antenna is the farther your signal will reach. GMRS radios are fine for the purpose that you mentioned; if you have your HAM ticket you may want to consider a couple cheap HAM handhelds instead of GMRS radios; if you are planning on going HAM they will integrate into your overall system and serve the same purpose as GMRS.

If you don't already have your HAM ticket you will want to get that before transmitting on HAM bands. Pretty easy to get.

Informative OB intro to vehicle comms

I’m confused, if you have a mobile ham you can give a handheld ham to another rig that is with you or a spotter? I just got GMRS so I can do like the OP said.

Todd

 

[Prerunner1982]

I’m confused, if you have a mobile ham you can give a handheld ham to another rig that is with you or a spotter?

Only if they are also licensed.

 

[Prerunner1982]

I’m confused, if you have a mobile ham you can give a handheld ham to another rig that is with you or a spotter? I just got GMRS so I can do like the OP said.

Todd

GMRS would be the same way except if the spotter is your wife/child/brother/etc as the GMRS license covers your immediate family. UNLESS the handhelds are FRS radios, then anyone can use them unlicensed and still talk to you on your GMRS radio.

 

[Ubiety]

I’m confused, if you have a mobile ham you can give a handheld ham to another rig that is with you or a spotter? I just got GMRS so I can do like the OP said.

Todd

Good point; I'm used to traveling with HAMs who all carry handhelds so did not consider that a spotter might not be licensed.

 

[Aaron Lee]

As prerunner1982 stated, only use ham radios between licensed operators. It’s a good idea to keep some cheap FRS radios for spotter comms but use the ham for vehicle to vehicle comms unless your spotter is licensed.

 

[dbparkerx2]

I am ready to install communications in my rig. My first step will be a pair of handheld midland gmrs radios for rig to rig and rig to spotter while offroading with a second rig. Beyond that I would like to install a HAM radio. The rig is a 2017 4runner with 3” lift full roof rack and usually on trips a roof top tent. My concern is the HAM antenna and my question is, can I mount an antenna on some sort of spring to keep from breaking it? I see some are mounting to the hatch with a clamp. I dont like that idea and would prefer the Rago mount that goes near tail light, but that would, I think require a tall antenna and spring. Another option might be a Rago ditch light bracket to go just forward of the windshield on passenger side. I could, I think, get by with a shorter antenna here but still think a spring would be mandatory. Thanks in advance for help here, especially from other 4runner owners.

Fellow 4Runner owner here. I have my HAM antenna mounted on the rear hatch and it has worked out great. No spring on my antenna but it does have the capability of laying it out flat if needed for clearance reasons. I've thought about the Rago ditch mount if I were to add ditch lights but not sure I will go that way since I already have all the cables run and everything works great. My range has been good, given the right conditions.

I would not mount it low near the tail light as that will significantly impact things in a negative way. You can see my mounting location in my profile pic.

 

[Todd & Meg]

One more question about using ham for spotting? Do you say your call sign when you call and then every 10 minutes?

Todd

 

[dbparkerx2]

Only every 10 minutes

 

[KF5UZW MARK PILKILTON]

Ham Courses

Here is a compilation of all the course lessons done so far. If you have trouble with one of the questions on the quizes or practice exams,...

www.hamwhisperer.com

 

[Aaron Lee]

Great question @Todd & Meg!

For me, on-road and off-road I try to be consistent. Normally I'll use my call sign when I get on the radio. I usually announce "AG7FW mobile" or "AG7FW monitoring". This tells others that I'm on the air and available to talk. I'll also periodically throw it in at the end as I finish a comment and I'm about to release the PTT. Do I get my call in every 10 minutes? Most of the time during an ongoing conversation, I probably throw my call sign in more frequently than necessary. If you're in the city around lots of people or on a repeater, I would say it's more important to follow proper etiquette. I try to do so when I'm in the woods or on simplex as well just because it's a habit I want to maintain. The more you try to enforce a good habit, the less likely you will be to lose it. Is someone going to turn you in for saying your call sign at 11 or 12 minutes, no. Most ham operators I've talked with are more likely to "nudge" you into better on-air behavior than they are to chastise you for a minor "oops".

Hope that helps a little.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Prerunner1982]

You don't have to say your call to start a conversation, but every 10 mins and when the conversation is done.

 

[Aaron Lee]

You don't have to say your call to start a conversation, but every 10 mins and when the conversation is done.

Agreed. I should have been a little more clear. I announce when I get on the air (personal habit). If someone is also on, that’s usually the start of a conversation. If the frequency has been quiet for a while and someone calls out, I’ll reply and include my call as a courtesy. I don’t include my call at the start of a conversation formally, just if it’s been a while since I last spoke. The rule is once every 10 minutes but I try to include it when it’s needed and not when it’s unnecessary.

Hope that makes better sense.

Aaron