Looking for Airstream Elmer's

[Photobum]

Just passed my tech license and studying for my general. Would like to know what radios and antennas have been installed and how they work. I spend at least six months a year boon docking and thought this would be a smart thing to do.

Waiting for my call sign and expect to have it next week. Also have an Alinco DJ-500 which will be my first radio, but I would like to put something in my Airstream. Looking for suggestions...

[KelloggKid]

Welcome to ham radio and Streaming. If you click on the blue search button at the top and search on “ham radio” you should find multiple threads on the topic. I doubt any two folks have approached it in the same way. Our Airstream is small and my wife wouldn’t appreciate a full array of HF gear inside so I have my HF radio mounted in my TV with mobile antennas. In the trailer I use a DMR handheld talking to a duplex hotspot.

73

W7HLO

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Photobum

Just passed my tech license and studying for my general. Would like to know what radios and antennas have been installed and how they work. I spend at least six months a year boon docking and thought this would be a smart thing to do.



Waiting for my call sign and expect to have it next week. Also have an Alinco DJ-500 which will be my first radio, but I would like to put something in my Airstream. Looking for suggestions...

I have a Yaesu FT-857 with an extender kit so I could mount the main unit in the wardrobe and the head, speaker and mike on the desk in the rear of my 2007 23’ International CCD. Have a permanent VHF/ UHF whip on the roof. HF antennae are connected through the refrigerator vent food on the side. Works good depending on antenna I use.

There are a couple ham radio threads on the forums. I’m KE4GNK/AE located in Southern California.

[tbaugh]

I am currently studying for my Tech license. Will be following for any help that may show up. I'm going to need help.

[Pirateburr]

Welcome to the world of Ameture radio. I too am in SoCal, though a recent transplant from the central coast of CA. There is an Elmer, W6NBC, there that writes articles for QST once a while. His articals include hidden antenna.
We have use our coffee can antenna outside of our rig.

73

KK6EHH

[68 TWind]

Congrats on passing your tech test. I use an Elecraft K2 and a home made wire antenna when camping. Nothing better than sitting at the picnic table in a campground DXing ( unfortunately the bands have been terrible lately).
Lately I have really enjoyed DMR. I link my hotspot to internet via my phone. I can talk to my local talk group where ever I am but also have QSO's with folks all over the world. Look into DMR, it is a lot of fun. It is a little complicated getting started but once you grasp the concept it is a whole new world to explore. I have two Alinco DMR radios. My new one is the MD-5 (dual band, analog and digital).

73
Bruce
KF5IMA

[tbaugh]

I just passed my Tech and General Exams Yesterday. Got my call sign today KE8NWX. Now to get on the air! Currently in Tucson, AZ.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by tbaugh

I just passed my Tech and General Exams Yesterday. Got my call sign today KE8NWX. Now to get on the air! Currently in Tucson, AZ.

Congratulations! Welcome to a very diverse and interesting hobby.

I have a spare set of radios and antennas installed in our Airstream for use on the road.

KE4GNK/AE, Corona,CA.

[buzzkill58]

Congrats on your new license!

[Dspchef]

Originally Posted by Photobum

Just passed my tech license and studying for my general. Would like to know what radios and antennas have been installed and how they work. I spend at least six months a year boon docking and thought this would be a smart thing to do.

Waiting for my call sign and expect to have it next week. Also have an Alinco DJ-500 which will be my first radio, but I would like to put something in my Airstream. Looking for suggestions...

Congrats on getting your ticket. I am also glad to have found this on the forum. You will figure out what works best for you with your "mobile shack".
I will have some pics soon of a 48' antenna mast I am working on for my AS.

Good luck with your project.

73's

WX4TAG

[tbaugh]

Will be looking for the pictures.

The only radio I have is a Kenwood D74A. Trying to figure out what antenna I should build or get to increase the range. With just the antenna on the radio, the local repeaters are out of range. I have and Openspot3 which does allow me to get to the reflectors and some of the repeaters on DSTAR.

[rmkrum]

Have similar issues with my Yaesu VX-8. I added an adapter to the radio antenna jack to connect to a smallish tri-band antenna that is magnet mounted on the center of the tow vehicle roof. Wire comes in the sliding window at the back of the cab.

Works much better. On the Airstream I have a similar antenna bracketed to the side of a solar panel mount.

I think the antennas came from our local Ham Radio Outlet and are made by Comet. Of course the packages are long gone...

The rule of thumb is a good ground plane, as high as possible and as much metal in the air that makes sense. And expect the one on top of the Airstream to tag the occasional tree branch 🤬

—KE4GNK/AE