The main reason for choosing that one was the size and the fact that it covers all bands, even the new 60m US band. It sits easily in the Jeep and can be removed and carried. I have a few friends that have this rig and despite the 5 watts (which I believe can be boosted to 10w), together with a Wonderwand Widebander antenna the distance they are able to work is incredible.

On both sides of the rear of the JK, in the corners, I've manufactured what I now call Dual Lock shelves. They are simply brackets, made from some Ikea leftovers, that sit diagonally across each corner and utilise one of the hard-top screws at the one end. The other end on the one below is bolted to the window inertia bracket. They're incredibly solid and with a 3M Dual Lock covering on each side I can mount stuff on top or hang it from underneath. Below is the shelf I just installed today in prep for the FT-817-ND. A strip of Dual Lock on the underside of the rig will attach it firmly to the top side of the shelf and allow it to be quickly removed at will. I love this Dual Lock. It's tremendously strong and versatile and leaves everything very neat and tidy.

 

That looks great. Once I get my station up we should set up a QSO. Haha. See if we can even hear each other.

 

Sounds good to me!!!

 

Climbing trees today! Antenna hanging!

 

LOL! I'll stick to the whip for now.

 

Wow, great setup. That SWL receiver looks really "sweet". And the custom rear bench is first class. That will surely inspire the little one. I have fond memories of my first SWL rig, seems like yesterday but, cough, it was some number of decades ago.

I have that same speaker for my FTM350 - sounds great.

 

Cheers Shawn! That's an interesting place to mount the iPad. How have you mounted it?

BTW, just bookmarked your web page. Looks very interesting and will read up later.

 

It's a Nexus 7 that snaps into a mount. The mount is affixed to an ARR bar using RAM products. It's nice because it doesn't obstruct the forward view at all yet it is in plain view. The RAM devices allow it to easily fold up flat when not in use. I don't keep the Nexus in there too often, so usually the mount is just folded up and empty.

 

Ahh. I thought it was a RAM Mount. I use several in mine, too. Love them!

 

Success today. Hung up my G5RV (102 feet long) and made contacts with North Dakota, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario. Not bad with 100 Watts from British Columbia!