Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band: Installation in Dodge Nitro

This write up is on an installation of a Kenwood TM-V71A Dual Band VHF & UHF mobile amateur radio into a Dodge Nitro SUV. The Kenwood TM-V71A radio is a modern radio with remote control head capability. Technically a remote head kit available from Kenwood is required to take advantage of this feature, but in reality this isn't true. The remote kit certainly will make your installation easier. The kit would include a adapter and bracket to attach the head to and the specialized cables to hook the head to the body. The basic remote kit only includes an extended cable for the head to radio, no extension for mic to radio. There is an extended remote kit available that I believe has the basics, plus a extended mic and power cable adapters.

Ham Radio Project-Tram Dual Band Antenna Rehab

It's been a while since I've updated, which is unfortunate. I enjoy my forum here. For today though I'm stuck at work, so I've brought my newest toy with me. It's a Tram dual band, 2 meter & 440, base station antenna. It was an eBay find I acquired for a grand total of $28USD.
So, with the help of a friend and fellow ham operator, NI4SR, I have made sure that my propagates well across both bands.

So here's what I've done or am planning to do today.
1.) I've already, carefully, removed the sealant/glue applied by the previous owner. I then re-applied some white Stampede "hardcore" caulk/sealant around the none-moving joint. Taking special note to precisely caulk around the base.
2.) Then I let that dry for about two hours or at least tack up. It's not fully dry yet.
3.) Then I very lightly scuff sanded, with fine grit paper, the fiberglass body of the antenna. Just to promote adhesion.
4.) After that I wiped it down with a damp cloth to clean and get the dust off.
5.) Then I applied my first coat of flat white spray.
5b.) The bottom half of the antenna has absolutely no moving parts, so it got a few coats.
5c.) The top half does slide into the bottom and has bushings so it only get two coats.
6.) Re-assemble!

This is not a hard project and my $100 antenna that I got for $28 will look like, once again, a $100 antenna.

Finished Project 1	Finished Project 2
Finished Project 3	Finished Project 4

2012 ARRL Field Day - (6/23/12 - 6/24/12)

Field Day is this weekend. If your a ham radio operator you probably have at least a little idea of what this means. But if your not do know this, Field Day is an event your everyone. It's technically an event for hams to practice emergency communications but really Field Day is only half about that and half displaying our trade to the public. There's a station called GOTA, Get on the Air. That's all about getting newly licensed, unlicensed and formally licensed on the air. There's normally a radio coach to help and instruct on the process.

If your in or near Near Hanover County, North Carolina come out to Ogden Park near the shelters. If you can find the shelters you can find us. We'll be starting up at 2:30pm Saturday and going going solid through 2:30 pm Sunday.

Some recent Ham Photos...

Just some pictures from some recent activities. I've got a pretty good place in that first photo for two MFJ external speakers. The second is a bracket I made to hold things in my truck at dash level. It was free, made from a piece of aluminum I found in the parking kit at work. And lastly that's just a picture of my HT using Instagram.

DEFCON 19: Build your own Synthetic Aperture Radar

North Carolina Maker Faire

Another Keyboard Shot

Review of: The 2012 Charlotte Hamfest & ARRL Roanoke Division Convention

One of the things since I passed the Technician I've most been looking forward to is going to my first Ham Fest, licensed. I've been to HamFests before, more than a couple but less than several. I've been to the Huntsville Hamfest multiple times and possibly MemFest a couple. But either way I was looking forward to it. Well my dream came true, today March 10th 2012 was the Charlotte Hamfest in Concord, NC. I got up extra early this morning travel to it from Wilmington, 4 hours and I was there. I went to this by myself but hope to drag the fiance to one sometime. I tell you, I walked in bought my ticket went through admission area and looked forward and I was like wow. I was a little overwhelmed, but in a good way. I guess it's different when you are taking it in by yourself and this time I understand most everything I see in front of me.

I proceeded to the flea market first. If your not familiar with a HamFest all the ones I've been to have manufactures and large ham stores in an area, then kind of small business like name plates, shirt, small antenna builders in the next section of the arena. And then segregated together, normally either to one side or the back, is the flea market. And the flea is one word "everything." Seriously, there are resellers of hard components, connectors, electronics gear, radios, tubes(there's always at least one person with 4 tables of vacuum tubes), old computer, cameras, and anything you as a consumer of electronics might be interested in or previously owned. I bought a good set of alligator clips and odds and ends connector. Specifically I got a set of SO-239 panel mount connecters with a very thick flange. Those will go to an antenna project.

Long story short. The Charlotte Hamfest 2012 was a very nice hamfest and I had a very nice time. They had great programs planned(I caught most of a D-Star program), nice flea market, and great vendors area. It was in a comfortable heated and cooled arena. It was very well accessible to get into and parking. And was very well attended. I was also told it appeared that attendance was up which is great! I look forward to it next year!

Here's some pics I stole from MFJ's Facebook, props to MFJ for these:

Ham Radio & EDC...Part 1

Ham Radio is now my biggest hobby, definitely spend the most money on it, but it's not my only one.  Let me preface a little. I am a person the has a particular mindset; it lightly paranoid, very prepared, willing and strong mindset. While yes, that all does sound like I'm really tooting my own horn and maybe I've got a "hero" complex or something, it's all true. I have no complex. I guess it's hard to be 100% definitive until those things are really tested but I'm can say that I am 100% willing. With all that said, I a person who believes in being prepared, but not in a weird way like "dooms-day-preppers" or anything.

EDC = Everyday Carry, all the stuff you have set aside to carry on a very consistent basis. I believe in being prepared like I said and I do have a very consistent and defined EDC. I actually would say I have 3 versions that sometimes I must alternate through. Just because of school obviously being gun free and I can't carry into work either. So here's how it breaks down:

1. Full EDC - Lethal and Non-Lethal + food, backpack and pocket carry
2. Work EDC - Non-Lethal + food, backpack and pocket carry; **Lethal in truck** 
3. School EDC - Partial/Non-Lethal + food, backpack and pocket carry

That probably seems like a lot and it might sound to be difficult to control and deploy, but it's not. Over time my kit/s have evolved. I've added and weeded out plenty, gone through several bags and improved quality of the tools I carry.  Quality improvement meaning that I started with, lets say a, Maglite LED flashlight, but a while back I upgraded my primary torch to a higher-end 4Sevens Maelstrom X7; which is a beast of a light. Things like that, I didn't through out $1000 dollars at once to put together my EDC, over time I've built a nice kit.

I've also segregated gear easy to access micro kits inside the pack. Zippered bags, clam-shell kits and organizers. This way transferring stuff from bag to bag is easy and quick. The prime essentials; pens, weapons, navigation, hydration, knives, flashlights and things of that nature are always mounted in the bags, there's a set in each full time.

This a multi part series...

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (or “ham radio”) provides the broadest and most powerful wireless communications capability available to any private citizen anywhere in the world. This worldwide community of ham radio operators use their radios for emergencies, experimentation, and fun!