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HAM Radio Remote Head Mount?

David R. McCoy

David R. McCoy

New member
I am HAM Operator (KE7JEJ) & thinking about mounting my Kenwood TM-D710 on to my '99 R1100 RT-P. I can mount the base in to the Radio Box but am not sure what to use to mount the Head into to protect it from the WX. Are there and clear Lexan-type products made for this that you might be aware of? It would go somewhere behind the windshield and probably need a support mount from the Handlebars. Also, I am thinking about remote PTT controls using an Auto-Com system (yet to acquire). Any concerns?
 
Hi David, Gary, WB1GIW here. It's always a trick to weatherproof something like that. Pelican cases are excellent to start with. One that would be a good example can be found HERE Once you get a size that looks good a little trimming and perhaps some silicone and a grommet and your good to go. If there is an REI or EMS outdoor store in your area-they frequently have the smaller sizes in stock. There are some knock-offs but I find the Pelican cases stand up to more modification than the imitations. HTH Gary 73
 
Thanks, Gary, I'll check those out!
I also found some info on the RAM Mounts Aqua Box http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/AquaBoxMounts/tabid/125/Default.aspx. Dimensionally (internal), it appears that the Large would be the appropriate size.

73's

Omega Man said:
Hi David, Gary, WB1GIW here. It's always a trick to weatherproof something like that. Pelican cases are excellent to start with. One that would be a good example can be found HERE Once you get a size that looks good a little trimming and perhaps some silicone and a grommet and your good to go. If there is an REI or EMS outdoor store in your area-they frequently have the smaller sizes in stock. There are some knock-offs but I find the Pelican cases stand up to more modification than the imitations. HTH Gary 73
Click to expand...
 
Like Gary said, whatever you do make sure you seriously waterproof the components. Although you already have a radio, perhaps consider the Yaesu FTM-10R, which is marketed as waterproof for outdoor activities. I like that they incorporated a PTT button on the remote head, which could be useful depending on where you chose to mount the head unit.

Let us know what you chose and how you end up mounting it.

73, KB2ZPT
 
Thanks, Craig! I am familiar w/the Yaesu unit and that might be another considertion.
When are you going to post a pic of your BMW on QRZ?

73, KE7JEJ

Stig said:
Like Gary said, whatever you do make sure you seriously waterproof the components. Although you already have a radio, perhaps consider the Yaesu FTM-10R, which is marketed as waterproof for outdoor activities. I like that they incorporated a PTT button on the remote head, which could be useful depending on where you chose to mount the head unit.

Let us know what you chose and how you end up mounting it.

73, KB2ZPT
Click to expand...
 
Clay said:
I assume you are also into the APRS capability of this radio?
Click to expand...

A caution on the Kenwood (I have a 700). Keep your eye on bike battery voltage if you'll be out for more than a couple of hours and are transmitting frequent beacons, especially if you're using the 50 watt power setting. DAMHIK

KA1TOX-10
 
tommcgee said:
A caution on the Kenwood (I have a 700). Keep your eye on bike battery voltage if you'll be out for more than a couple of hours and are transmitting frequent beacons, especially if you're using the 50 watt power setting. DAMHIK

KA1TOX-10
Click to expand...

Instead,I use the new Kenwwood TH D72 (built in GPS)mounted on the bike..
 
DRMcCoy said:
Yeah, I was considering that Kenwood. I have it's predecessor, the TH-D7A/G and it too is APRS capable but w/out the built-in GPS. I haven't yet stepped in to GPS. I still rely on cartography.

73
Click to expand...

When they discontinued the TH-D7A, I was wondering what they'd do for a replacement. Having the GPS in the radio is a huge advantage. It's quite the pain with cables, adapters, and a power feed to add GPS to the TH-D7A
 
Gnomad said:
If you're just looking for APRS capability, you might look at this from Byonics.

http://byonics.com/mt-rtg

It should be easy to hide under the bodywork and to waterproof.

Dave de WD5G
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, Dave. That's a pretty cool gadget. I used some of their earlier kits and they're well-made. I should get one for the cage.

As to my setup, I bought the TH-D72A and a Comet half wave dual band antenna. It's a manageable 27 inches tall, sits on the top box and gets out at least as good as the old 5/8 wave setup I had.

Short test run yesterday: http://aprs.fi/?call=ka1tox-10&mt=roadmap&z=10&timerange=3600
 
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