If you still want 160m, give this one a try:
http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?a-practical-antenna-for-160-metres,32

 I'm going to try a variation on this theme later this summer. Good luck!

If your RV has a built in media center in the cab with a DVD/VHS player, that could be the problem too. I have a GMC conversion van with that sort of set up and ALL transceivers were unusable. My FT-60, FT-857, company radio, didn't matter. UNTIL I disconnected the power to the VHS player. No more noise. Apparently this is a common problem with that arrangement. Good luck!

Like the others have said, if you're connecting from your radio, listen first before you connect. From your computer, pick a node, connect, and again, listen for a few seconds. Then key up and say, "this is (your call sign) listening on echolink". We have an echolink node on our 443.875 repeater here in southeast Indiana. The node number is 110888 and the call sign is K9GPS. There's usually someone there and when i'm home in the evening, i'm usually monitoring the repeater for echolink contacts. That is unless i'm outside adjusting antennas! Good luck and have fun!

73, Todd
KI4UCO

The IC-T7H is a very nice radio. It's one of the units we used in our antenna test. What I like: BNC antenna mount, external mic and headphone jacks on top of the radio, not too small or overly large, dual band, good audio out, 6w output when connected to a 13.5v power source. What I don't like: No squelch knob (it uses presets through a menu setting), Icom's menu structure, it really doesn't completely power off so it will drain the battery a bit faster than other radios when sitting unused.

Great suggestion on borrowing a radio or 2 and taking them on a "test drive". I'm sure there's a couple people in your club that would be happy to lend you one or two for a couple days.

As far as external antennas, i am currently using a Pryme antenna with a BNC connector and an SMA to BNC adapter on my HT. I went this route so I could quickly change from the HT antenna to an external antenna. I travel a lot and I usually throw the FT-60 in my suitcase along with a small magnet mount antenna for use in rental cars and hotel rooms. I also have a small dual band antenna set up in my attic with the feed line running down to my kitchen and hidden behind a cabinet. I use this during bad weather and for casual repeater work when I don't feel like going down to the shack and firing up the system.

With that in mind, the club I'm affiliated with decided to try out some HTs using various antennas to get an idea of what worked, and what didn't with our 2m and 70cm repeaters. On my FT-60, there was little if any difference in performance between the stock antenna and any of the 7"-9" replacements (we had 4). BTW, we also tried these on a simplex frequency. There was some improvement using the 3, 15"-17" antennas. The most noticeable improvement, as you might guess, was using a vehicle mounted antenna. If I can dig up our test results I might submit an article here on e-Ham.

I just thought of another feature I really like on the Yaesu; Separate control knobs for volume, channel selection and squelch on top of the radio. Many of the new mini/micro units have a single, multi-function knob.

One more thing; whatever you get, make sure you get a AA battery tray accessory. you can fill it with rechargeable batteries or in a pinch, fill it with regular alkalines. The Energizer lithium batteries work great as a backup.

I own and heartily recommend the Yaesu FT-60R. It's a great little HT, very rugged, compact but not too small, and has 3 power output settings (.5/2/5). With low power, stock antenna and sitting in my kitchen, I can hit my primary repeater located about 7-8 miles line-of-sight from my house. And I'm in the hills of Kentucky! At 2 watts, I'm full quieting into the repeater. There's a lot of accessories available and programing software. It will also function as a scanner on the aircraft frequencies as well as the VHF and UHF public service bands. And best of all, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

My second choice would be the Kenwood TH-F6A, because it does 1.25 Meters and so do I. It's a little smaller than I like though.

Good luck!
Todd

I have been an AVID mac user since 1994 and LOVE 'EM! I'm in the video production business and 99% of my video's are done on a Mac. If it were me, I'd pool my money and get the MacBook Pro with the fastest processor and all the RAM you can afford. That way, it will last for more years than a comparable WinTel PC. I have a 17" Powerbook that I bought in 2004 and it's still kickin' butt. As a matter of fact, I just returned from a road show where i used it as my on-site edit system. As fas as Ham radio software, check out this company in addition to the ones from the previous post; http://www.blackcatsystems.com/

If you are into Echolink, Google "EchoMac" and you can be up and running in no time. Good luck and enjoy!

73, de Todd
KI4UCO

I am currently using a Pryme antenna, about the same length as the stock antenna, with a BNC connector and a BNC to SMA adapter. I can't recall the model at the moment. I did this mainly for the convenience of switching to an external antenna, either in a rental vehicle or in my kitchen. I really can't detect any performance between it and the stock antenna. It's more flexible than the stock antenna as well, which makes it more comfortable when wearing on my belt.

Hope this helps...

73

Depends on what you want to do. If there is an Echolink enabled repeater in your area that you can access, the VR-6 will work. If you have a good internet connection, a computer with a mic or the ability to attach one and the software, you're good to go. If you want to set up a simplex node, you need to interface your radio with a computer. The Echolink website has an excellent how to/help section. Good luck and enjoy!

73

One more thing; Make sure your analyzer is propery calibrated. If it's an MFJ, make sure the case isn't making contact with the body of the vehicle or for that matter, any other metal part of the car.

73

The low VSWR bandwidth on an 80/75 meter hamstick is VERY small, perhaps only 10-20KHz in a mobile installation. If you are trying to operate on a frequency other than the one you've tuned the antenna to, that can happen. Using a small tuning coil at the feedpoint MIGHT help. I stress might. If you decide to use a tuner, it should also be located at, or VERY near the feedpoint. If you go to K0BG's website, you'll find excellent information on mobile HF. And by the way, the narrow badwidth issue exists for ALL shortened mobile 80m antennas, not just the Hamstick. It's been my experience that the Hamstick type antennas tend to be a little better than most. The Hustler 54" mast with 80m resonator is a relatively good performer as well.
Good luck!

I agree! Larry, Todd and company are great to work with. I work about 5 miles from the store so it's very convenient for me. They always have a great selection and the pricing is hard to beat. The vast majority of my gear has come from there. Keep up the good work!