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Originally posted by Strahan
G'day Bryce,
Yes, it's the amateur IC-7000.
I mounted the remote head in the centre console forward of the gear shift (below the ashtray) I have removed the ashtray (it doesn't look all that bad removed) and it casts a nice green glow on the '7000's main panel.
I can reach the control head in this position while driving, although it's a bit of a stretch for the buttons on the left side. I shouldn't be fiddling too much with the radio while driving anyway.
ops: The remote head mounting bracket supplied by Icom Japan is an over-complicated waste of space (literally). I took it back for a refund. I ended up manufacturing my own bracket using aluminium plate and attached the standard remote head clip to it. I painted it matt black and it looks better than a bought one, even if I do say so myself. I am lucky in that I have a sheet metal bender and shear at work, made the job a snack.
The main unit is mounted under the driver's seat, with Velcro. Yes, that's right Velcro. It works much better than it sounds. I has not moved one millimetre since installation. In fact is it a pain in the arse to remove, it's stuck down that well. I have remote speaker also mounted under the seat - firing forward. This will do until a better idea comes up.
Antennas? I have a VHF/UHF on the roof. I found the coolest way of getting the co-ax up there without going through one of the doors. I'm so proud and haven't bothered bragging about this install until now. :lol:
I ran the cable through the firewall, into the chamber where the windscreen wiper mechanisms are and up into the channel along the edge of the windscreen. RG-58 fits perfectly in there. Have a look next time you are near your 120.
My 120 has roof rails, I mounted a 90° stainless steel bracket to the roof rail and mounted the antenna there. Nice and elevated and even has a bit of a ground plane although the antenna is ground independent.
HF Antenna? Now this is where things get a little tricky. I have mounted an Icom AH-4 within the spare wheel carrier on some home made brackets. Mounting the tuner in here keeps it out of harm's way, but also keeps the RF outside the vehicle.
I had an antenna mount made that mounts on the spare wheel carrier studs before the wheels goes on. Or to be more correct, it attaches to the spare via the two unused stud holes then the whole lot gets attached to the spare wheel carrier.
The HF antenna I use is a 9 foot stainless whip. The tuner matches this up on most bands, even the top end of 80 metres, although it isn't very efficient at that frequency.
I'll post some photos when I get time to look for them.
For everyone else who are thinking "what the hell are they talking about": The Icom IC-7000 is a HF/VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Transceiver. What's Amateur Radio :?: It's a hobby (yet another hobby of mine) where people use very complicated radio technology and equipment to talk, send video, send pictures, send data and all sorts of other stuff all around the world. All well before the internet was invented. In fact, Amateur Radio is probably the oldest electronic hobby in the world. I guess it could be described as a grown up and more serious version of CB radio, although the parallel is somewhat inaccurate.
Photos to follow later,
Drew. (VK2AFL :arrow: my amateur radio callsign)
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