(All thumbnails are clickable for a larger image)
Dave's main mode of HF operation right now is SSB HF mobile on the 20m band.
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The 1989 Toyota 4WD truck. |
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Radios in the vehicle. Garmin GPSIII-Plus is on top (green display). Yaesu FT-900/AT HF radio is in middle (large orange display). Yaesu FT-8500 VHF/UHF radio is on bottom (smallish orange display). |
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The FT900 transceiver is located behind the passenger seat. Unit is fed directly from the vehicle battery via 8-gauge wire. External speaker is in upper left of cab (not shown). Radio is grounded directly to cab via short ground strap. Cable to control head runs under seat. |
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Some of the numerous ground straps added to reduce ignition noise. These ones bond the cab to frame (lower left), cab to bed floor (top center), and cab to bed walls (right). The RG-8/U feedline from the FT900 to the antenna can be seen in the upper left. |
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More grounding. Here the end of the tailpipe is grounded to the frame. |
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Here's the antenna mount. It's bolted to the truckbox, with steel reinforcing on the inside of the box to prevent flexing. The mount is standard 3/8"x24, and typically the 20m hamstick is secured there. |
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When the truck is in the garage, HF operation is continued by connecting the vehicle to the 20m/40m dipole along the side fence. Inset shows the details of the insulator and jumper used to switch from 20m to 40m/15m/17m bands. |