New HAM mobile recommendation

You have some skills! Does that slip into the stereo opening or mount somewhere else?

In the dash where the stock switches were.

switch panel 1.jpg
 
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Howdy everyone. I searched for this topic but came up empty! I'm a newly minted ham and wondering what the hams on the forum are using for radios, antennas etc. in their TJs. Thanks!

I posted the notes and details of my setup here. (Scroll down.)
 
It's like all hobbies, theres good people and bad. Unfortunately the bad ones tend to be a lot louder than the good ones.

Most of them are actually very helpful, but there are always a few bad apples in the barrel. I considered doing the mod to my Ham radio, but decided to keep it true and just add a GMRS radio and keep them separate. There is room if you keep it simple.
 
Howdy everyone. I searched for this topic but came up empty! I'm a newly minted ham and wondering what the hams on the forum are using for radios, antennas etc. in their TJs. Thanks!

p.s. If you use this forum's Google search tool, rather than the default search tool, you get much better results. Like these:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/anyone-have-a-ham-radio-in-their-tj.16466/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ham-radio-faq.251/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/help-choosing-a-ham-radio.36288/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ham-radio-antenna-questions.18507/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ham-radio-antenna-location.37731/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/lets-see-your-ham-radio-installs.56235/
 
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Most of them are actually very helpful, but there are always a few bad apples in the barrel. I considered doing the mod to my Ham radio, but decided to keep it true and just add a GMRS radio and keep them separate. There is room if you keep it simple.
The contacts I've had over the air have all been pretty good - but VHF/UHF is pretty dead around here for the most part. There are a couple of nets that I've participated in a time or two - but they're on dance nites so I don't get on them often enough. I really, REALLY want/need to break into HF - that's where the "real ham radio" is to my way of thinking. In any event, it doesn't rely on an active local scene.

I too have a separate, basic GMRS radio - although the Retevis can be programmed for GMRS as well.
 
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I run a pretty basic Yaesu FT-2900r 2 meter rig and it works fine for my offroad needs. I had a dual-bander at first but since I never needed or used its 440 MHz abilities when I needed a replacement for my current TJ I stayed with a less costly 2 meter only radio.

It's mounted on an Arizona Rocky Road mount which requires no drilling and hides the cabling inside it. I wrap the mic cords around the mounting bracket when I'm not using it. That's a Uniden CB bolted to the bottom of the Yaesu.

N4TAY is my call sign, yes I changed it from N6TAY to N4TAY after moving to Florida. I'm trying to eliminate my California past.

RadiosWithMics.jpg
 
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I run a pretty basic Yaesu FT-2900r 2 meter rig and it works fine for my offroad needs. I had a dual-bander at first but since I never needed or used its 440 MHz abilities when I needed a replacement for my current TJ I stayed with a less costly 2 meter only radio.

It's mounted on an Arizona Rocky Road mount which requires no drilling and hides the cabling inside it. I wrap the mic cords around the mounting bracket when I'm not using it. That's a Uniden CB bolted to the bottom of the Yaesu.

N4TAY is my call sign, yes I changed it from N6TAY to N4TAY after moving to Florida. I'm trying to eliminate my California past.

View attachment 394197

Sorry Jerry, you can't eliminate the California past, just wear it like most of us, we all have layers.
After getting my ham a few years ago I thought I would be having a set up close to yours as the club I run with prefers ham set ups. I started using the small handheld models and found it worked for my purpose so stayed with them, KN6GND
 
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back to radios - I picked up a Kenwood D-710A that might find its way into the jeep, replacing the 5100. native APRS functionality is pretty damn good on it. it's currently serving shack duty for the time being.
 
The other radio you see in the first pic that at the bottom of the dash is my GMRS mobile.
I have my Ham antenna on a tail light bracket and my GMRS antenna on a A-pillar mount.
View attachment 389672

View attachment 389673
The Ham antenna is a Diamond. I don't recall the model, but is a dual band. The GMRS antenna is a Midland.

Edit: congrats on getting your Ham ticket!

If I may ask, where did you find the A-pillar antenna mount?
 
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Thanks again everyone for all your comments.My girlfriend just got an Icom 5100 for her rig. I'm still researching!

SSTJ, thanks for the search engine advice, it showed lots more results!

bobthetj03, I also would like to know about the A-pillar antenna mount.

Sorry to hear that some of you have had a bad experience with your local hams. I'm very happy to report the opposite experience here with our local folks. They've been absolutely supportive, informative and friendly. Maybe we're just lucky but everyone has been great so far. I'm studying for my Extra and hopefully will test here in a couple of weeks. I'm also working on getting a shack set up as I would like to work in HF as well. Thanks again everyone, KD9WBN
 
If I may ask, where did you find the A-pillar antenna mount?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089TB6CJJ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Thanks again everyone for all your comments.My girlfriend just got an Icom 5100 for her rig. I'm still researching!

SSTJ, thanks for the search engine advice, it showed lots more results!

bobthetj03, I also would like to know about the A-pillar antenna mount.

Sorry to hear that some of you have had a bad experience with your local hams. I'm very happy to report the opposite experience here with our local folks. They've been absolutely supportive, informative and friendly. Maybe we're just lucky but everyone has been great so far. I'm studying for my Extra and hopefully will test here in a couple of weeks. I'm also working on getting a shack set up as I would like to work in HF as well. Thanks again everyone, KD9WBN

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089TB6CJJ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
I got my license through the Ham Cram sessions that was put on by the Stockton Amateurs.
Study, take test and get your ticket in one day. Just have to wait until FCC posts it.
Some don't go above Tech since it gives you access to you local VHF/UHF bands.

http://www.w6sf.org/hamcramsignup.html

Got my Tech in 2012 and upgraded to General in 2019 so I could get access to some HF bands with my old Icom 756pro.

I've been into radio since the 70's with then CB. even had a CB license. It was the code I could not get through.

I wished more in my club would embrace the 2m band since we have all sorts of repeaters in our area, even on the Rubicon.
 
I got my license through the Ham Cram sessions that was put on by the Stockton Amateurs.
Study, take test and get your ticket in one day. Just have to wait until FCC posts it.
Some don't go above Tech since it gives you access to you local VHF/UHF bands.

http://www.w6sf.org/hamcramsignup.html

Got my Tech in 2012 and upgraded to General in 2019 so I could get access to some HF bands with my old Icom 756pro.

I've been into radio since the 70's with then CB. even had a CB license. It was the code I could not get through.

I wished more in my club would embrace the 2m band since we have all sorts of repeaters in our area, even on the Rubicon.

Can you hit the Mt. Diablo or Mt. Vaca repeaters from your local?
 
I can see Mt Diablo from my house, so should not be a problem.
Mt Vaca I'm not sure?

I have to climb a mountain to hit Mt. Diablo from my area in Lake County, but one of the Mt. Vaca repeaters works from my work base station. If you want to try a QSO sometime, shoot me a PM. This one is linked to 2 other repeaters in Tahoe and Chico. Covers most of the Sac valley and then some.

147.195
+123.0

Edit: KN6SRH
 
I'll check to see if I can hit Mt Vaca. I only have 2m in the Jeep, which is on blocks in the driveway.
That's Salono county?

Right now waiting on the Rocket Lab rocket launch in Virginia.

Yes, I'm a bit of a Rocketry nut too....