Icom ID 880H
Originally Posted by nwmotogeek
After a few days of looking around I think the Yaesu FT-7900R might be the one for me. I like that it has back-light buttons and has a detachable face. If I mount it below a seat will I then have to have an external speaker to hear the RX audio?
It's standard practice to use external speakers when hiding the main body of the unit.
Note that installing the main body in an out-of-sight place can restrict necessary airflow over the unit, increasing the temperature out of tolerance.
There's nothing wrong with Yaesu gear. I've owned gear from all three big Japanese companies, and they've each got their pros and cons. There are some rabid followers of a particular brand, but that's a cosmically stupid stance to take, like the idiotic Ford vs. Chevy vs. Whatsit wars. So very 1970s.
Cheers,
Bob
Note that installing the main body in an out-of-sight place can restrict necessary airflow over the unit, increasing the temperature out of tolerance.
There's nothing wrong with Yaesu gear. I've owned gear from all three big Japanese companies, and they've each got their pros and cons. There are some rabid followers of a particular brand, but that's a cosmically stupid stance to take, like the idiotic Ford vs. Chevy vs. Whatsit wars. So very 1970s.
Cheers,
Bob
Hi guys
I am also looking for a setup....This will be my first unit I had owned, except a hand held. I have used VHF and HF at work for the past 20 years.... I am a airline pilot, but I have never done an instalation. Will be fun.
I have no brand preference, the layout will be the deciding factor.
I want a detachable face,
I want to mount the main unit out of site..... Radios are not available or approved over here... I will probably mount it behind the glove box. Hopefully some foot well a/c air could be ducted to blow over the unit....Everything gets hot in Dubai!!!!
I want the mic to plug into the main unit, this will keep the face mounting position more flexable.
I am doing a Hong Kong trip in a few days, can't wait to walk into a shop and get some advice and 'hands on' shopping...... Beats 'on line' sometimes.....
Will report back.
Regards
Paul
I am also looking for a setup....This will be my first unit I had owned, except a hand held. I have used VHF and HF at work for the past 20 years.... I am a airline pilot, but I have never done an instalation. Will be fun.
I have no brand preference, the layout will be the deciding factor.
I want a detachable face,
I want to mount the main unit out of site..... Radios are not available or approved over here... I will probably mount it behind the glove box. Hopefully some foot well a/c air could be ducted to blow over the unit....Everything gets hot in Dubai!!!!
I want the mic to plug into the main unit, this will keep the face mounting position more flexable.
I am doing a Hong Kong trip in a few days, can't wait to walk into a shop and get some advice and 'hands on' shopping...... Beats 'on line' sometimes.....
Will report back.
Regards
Paul
Last edited by Paul Woodcock; Jul 20, 2012 at 06:58 PM.
Hi guys
I am also looking for a setup....This will be my first unit I had owned, except a hand held. I have used VHF and HF at work for the past 20 years.... I am a airline pilot, but I have never done an instalation. Will be fun.
I have no brand preference, the layout will be the deciding factor.
I want a detachable face,
I want to mount the main unit out of site..... Radios are not available or approved over here... I will probably mount it behind the glove box. Hopefully some foot well a/c air could be ducted to blow over the unit....Everything gets hot in Dubai!!!!
I want the mic to plug into the main unit, this will keep the face mounting position more flexable.
I am doing a Hong Kong trip in a few days, can't wait to walk into a shop and get some advice and 'hands on' shopping...... Beats 'on line' sometimes.....
Will report back.
I am also looking for a setup....This will be my first unit I had owned, except a hand held. I have used VHF and HF at work for the past 20 years.... I am a airline pilot, but I have never done an instalation. Will be fun.
I have no brand preference, the layout will be the deciding factor.
I want a detachable face,
I want to mount the main unit out of site..... Radios are not available or approved over here... I will probably mount it behind the glove box. Hopefully some foot well a/c air could be ducted to blow over the unit....Everything gets hot in Dubai!!!!
I want the mic to plug into the main unit, this will keep the face mounting position more flexable.
I am doing a Hong Kong trip in a few days, can't wait to walk into a shop and get some advice and 'hands on' shopping...... Beats 'on line' sometimes.....
Will report back.
I shudder to think that radios are not available or approved. I worked an A6 just the other day. I suggest you contact the Emirates Amateur Radio Society; they should be able to help you through licensing.
The rule of mobile installations in hot environments is to keep the radio where it can get plenty of airflow. These rigs get hot. I have an Icom IC-7000 and it gets hot on the desk! It got really hot in the car. So tucking it away behind the dash might not be a good idea without modifying your vehicle's airflow. It's not enough to just install it and hope! Well, unless you're so wealthy you can afford to have your radio constantly in a repair or replacement cycle.

But since amateur radio is alive and well in Dubai, you won't have to hide it, unless you want to reduce the "attractive nuisance" stuff on your insurance policy.
Yes, do go to a ham radio store and fiddle with different rigs. Preferably visit a store which has a variety of radios plugged in and ready for use. You can't really tell about a radio until you fiddle with it.
Also, talk to other hams. Like I said above, I have an IC-7000 and love it to bits. I've been using it as my main station transceiver because it beat the pants off what I was using before. But it's got a pretty steep learning curve, and it can be difficult to access its full potential.
Anyway, have fun mobiling! Check out k0bg's website for more mobile radio information than you'll ever need (probably!).

Bob



