My mobile HF/VHF/UHF rig

[K4GUN]

Yes, this is a bit of a brag. I just bought my new truck and have spent the last 2 weeks getting everything I want installed. I've been accused of being a PNP kind of guy and to a degree, I am. However, I derive quite a bit of satisfaction out of plugging and playing with this set-up. I did the entire install myself with two exceptions. I didn't install the battery isolator for the spare battery and I needed help soldering three co-ax connections.

Here are the details:

2007 Toyota Tundra double cab, SR5, 5.7 liter V8, standard bed 4WD.
Steel cross box, painted with bed liner spray.
Optima 31 aux battery with power pole box on top.
Icom 7000
Kenwood TM V708A
Tarheel Stubby 75
Diamond 7900
Diamond 770 mag mount
Two Geotool stake pocket mounts.
Two MFJ mobile speakers in the upper glove box

So far, I'm very happy with the set-up. Its clean and doesn't look like a hack job. It also works very well. Its a good bit clearer than the signal I have in the house but that's largely due to the fact that my house has a power line noise problem. It seems to get out nicely as well and I've made it through some fair sized pile-ups. I'm still quite inexperienced, but in just the past 2 days, I've had QSOs with Prince Edward Island, Italy and Argentina as well as several US states.

The only problem I have had is that it will not tune up very well on 40 meters. I can get 75 down to about 1.2 VSWR and 20 down to 1:1 but the best I can do on 40 is 2:1 and that's enough for the Icom to reduce power to about 50%. Other than that, it really does everything I need.

Sorry about this, but this site only allows for one download per post so this will take a few posts to get all the pics up.

[K4GUN]

Tarheel with cap hat

[K4GUN]

aux battery in the tool box:

[K4GUN]

Icom 7000:

[K4GUN]

Kenwood over head:

[K4GUN]

Console box... yes, that's a 1911 in a holster:

[K4GUN]

Under the back seat and into the console:

[K4GUN]

Last one... the speakers in the upper golve box:

[af6de]

My, My, I do say I am impressed. Good job man! I just got a '04 Toyota 4Runner and I did the install myself also, Toyotas make it very easy to get the battery to come in the fire wall and the door runner "pop" off for easy access to wiring races. I get good reception and Xmit too, I have a ft-857 with a ATAS Screwdriver (auto) antenna and am gonna put my old scanner in the truck , just bought a Uniden BCT-15 for the home base.

[N2RJ]

Not bad, but when I get my tundra the installation is going to be a bit different.

First thing I have to ask is why did you put the 7k in the console box? It's going to overheat. I have one and it is notorious for running hot hot hot. Hot as in break out the pancake mix and eggs and let's make breakfast hot...

The 7k needs to have room to breathe. In my Accord it's mounted in the trunk.

Anyway, nice choice of radios and nice choice of truck! I might buy an 08 tundra when they're clearing them out to make room for the 09's.

[K4GUN]

Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 26 2007,20:48)]Not bad, but when I get my tundra the installation is going to be a bit different.

First thing I have to ask is why did you put the 7k in the console box? It's going to overheat. #I have one and it is notorious for running hot hot hot. Hot as in break out the pancake mix and eggs and let's make breakfast hot...

The 7k needs to have room to breathe. #In my Accord it's mounted in the trunk. #

Anyway, nice choice of radios and nice choice of truck! #I might buy an 08 tundra when they're clearing them out to make room for the 09's.
Mine doesn't seem to heat up that much. Warm yes, but not hot. I'll keep an eye on it. There is a hole in the bottom of the console which will help with air flow and if I need to, I can cut another one. I could even install a small fan if it became a problem.

[N2RJ]

The heating you will notice during transmit and is pronounced on summer days.

In Trinidad, I had to watch my temp gauge during transmit because it just kept rising, and the radio's output was being fed into an amplifier. The SWR was 1.2:1 so it was into a fairly decently matched load.

I have to also ask, what are you using to tune the antenna? Some devices mess up the temperature sense circuit...

[K4GUN]

Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 27 2007,08:55)]I have to also ask, what are you using to tune the antenna? #Some devices mess up the temperature sense circuit...
Nothing except my ear and the toggle switch that came with the Tarheel. Once I am close, I use the SWR check feature on the meter menu fine tune it.

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (k4gun @ July 27 2007,11:26)]Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ July 27 2007,08:55)]I have to also ask, what are you using to tune the antenna? Some devices mess up the temperature sense circuit...
Nothing except my ear and the toggle switch that came with the Tarheel. Once I am close, I use the SWR check feature on the meter menu fine tune it.
Okay that's good.

If you were using the N2VZ turbo tuner I'd tell you to ask Bill for the 7000 alternate firmware.