I'm running a Larsen nmo27 for 10, and a Maldol ex510b nmo for 2, 6, and 440 through a comet cf-360f diplexer. Everything works very well, though in the spirit of experimentation, I'm planning to swap a Larsen nmo50 for 2 and 6 (5/8ths wave 2m loads nicely as a 1/4 wave 6m), add a 1/4 wave for 440 through a second diplexer.

73
Dave

I have an 8900.. Like the radio a lot, 10 m is fun whent sol is on board. Have made exactly one contact on 6m fm in the 2 years I've had the radio. It was a 6 meter net on one of the 2 6m repeaters in the area. It was me and the net control op all alone.

Ymmv, but I've not heard anyone on the call frequency ever here in Raleigh even though it is on my scan list.

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Dave

Here's what I do with my 8900:  for 2-440-6m I'm running a Maldol ex510b-nmo triband antenna. For 10m I'm using a Larsen NMO-27 cut for the FM portion of the band (take care trimming, a little goes a long way and replacement whips are a pain to find..ask me how I know!). The antennas are fed through a comet CF-360  http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-001439 I also have a larsen nmo 150 5/8ths wave that tunes up great on 2m and 6m that I play with every once in a while. Everything fits in the garage, looks and performs fine.

I have considered adding a 2m-440 diplexer connected to the cf-360 to allow me to run a separate 440 antenna (same idea as K3GM) and using the Larsen 150 full time on 2m and 6m, but haven't done it yet, I've been happy with the Maldol after I figured out an initial SWR issue (bad SWR meter grrr). if the Maldol dies I'll probably try it.

Some pics:
Current setup: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108388273845581073968/albums/5693931148402558865

Previous setup before car was totaled: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108388273845581073968/albums/5407021333513623297

hope this helps!

73
Dave

I have both the 8800 and the 8900 here.  They are NOT the same memory channel mangement at all, At lease when programming by hand.  The fine 8800  actually operates as two radios in one box.   Simple as that. Program what you want to either side of the radio. 
The 8900 however, What ever you program into the LEFT side of the radio also gets programmed to the RIGHT side of the radio. Then you have to jump through all kinds of hoops to make the two sides of the radio operate as separate radios, Unlike the 8800.

I have programmed many 8800's and they all work the same.   I have done only a few 8900's but they also acted the same, One "bubble" memory that put eveything into both sides at once.  So I doubt I have a "bad" or different 8900.
Yaesu ads claim they operate the same.  They do NOT.


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I can attest to the 8900 memory management being a disaster. Add to the poor memory management the fact that one side of the radio is 2/44/6/10 while the other side is 2/440 only and it can be confusing.  That being said, it is also a good radio despite its shortcomings. 10fm can be a blast when the band is open. My first 10fm DX contact was the Canary islands last October with a Larsen nmo-27 whip and 50w. I worked Europe and South America from my office parking lot during lunch while the band was open. Do I wish I had an 857-d? Yeap.. but for half the price I'm ok with the 8900 limits and all.

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Dave

I tried the fm micro transmitter and was left seriously unimpressed. Spend $8 on a jetstream external speaker and shove it under the dash it's more than loud enough for most modern cars and enjoy. If you drive a diesel get an amplified Motorola from e- whereever.com for a few bucks more. Using the built in sound system is a good idea in theory, in practice no one I know who have tried it liked it enough to keep using it.

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Dave

Why not mount an NMO and use an NMO to 3/8ths adapter? http://tinyurl.com/6n8yo4w you can add a square of sheetmetal between the roof and headliner to stiffen the sheetmetal around the mount if you needed to.


Dave

The gasket is a rubber O-ring that lives in a groove under the outer threaded collar. Just be sure that the gasket is in place as you tighten the mount and you'll be fine.

+1 on the Greenlee punch for the hole.. those things are amazing. I used one to punch a hole into 16g stainless stock for a custom hood mount. it required one of my bigger wrenches, but the hole was clean. I do recommend a bit of 3 in 1 oil to help with the cutting.

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Dave

I have a Quansheng tg-uv dual band. Ebay special around $80 last time I looked. It's been a great radio. One piece of advice, no matter what radio you choose be sure to get the programming cable and software, it makes getting them programmed 300 times easier.

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Dave

 I understand the difference. Tell Comet.. 

Alan,

It's a COMET CF-360B. Let me Google that for you:  http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=6&childID=0 I understand the controversy with the use of the word and the difference between du and di. The manufacturer calls it a duplexer so that is the term I used as well.

Seeing that most people do not build a full fledged repeater as part of their mobile rig, common sense would be that, in this context, we would be talking about the kind of device that takes the output of the radio and sends certain bands to one antenna and other bands to the other antenna, in this case 70cm/2m/6m to one antenna and 10m/HF to a second antenna.

I'm going to put it inside the Jeep because it really is the right way to do it even if it involves more work. Under the hood would have been more convenient short term, but would be one more thing to worry about down the road.

I appreciate the information on your website BTW

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Dave

Stupidness of the question confirmed! Thanks for the quick reply.. that was my gut feeling.

This is a stupid question.. (Heck I may as well be infamous for something! lol) Has anyone ever mounted a Duplexer under the hood in the engine compartment?

As long as you punch a hole in your roof and put a Larsen 2/70 on it.

I always run directly to the battery and have a couple of fuses there. I trust 10g wire a lot more than 14-16g the auto manufacturer uses to carry the amps. It may be easy to tap into the auto wiring, but I don't think it's the best way to do it.

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Dave

Any thoughts about replacing the stock 15 amp glass fuses (at the battery end + &-) on a Yaesu ft-8900 with 15 amp blade fuses and holders? My Audi was totaled recently when a guy pulled out in front of me so I'm needing to replace that wiring when I move the radio to the other car.

Thanks!

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Dave