IC-7000 vs. TS-480HX and antenna for a Tundra

[AE7UT]

I'm ready to delve into mobile operations and I need a little
sage advice.   I'm a 80% CW 20% SSB kind of guy.   I spend
most of my time on 40/80 because most of my operating is
at night when I get home from work.  I'd love to use the upper
bands and that is a large reason why I want a mobile station. 

 I've decided upon an Icom IC-7K or a Kenwood TS-480HX.
I once owned IC-7K and really liked it.  I traded it because
I wanted a little more flexible rig and now have a K3 for my home station.
The IC-7K did run hot when I was doing PSK and CW but never
caused any issues.  I don't love the idea of the touch screen IC-7100.
I am a fan of kenwood and have heard great things about the 480HX.
I'm sitting on the fence on both and just wanted to hear what you guys think.

I have a Toyota Tundra and am thinking of putting a Little Tarheel II
on it.   I use the bed of my truck at least weekly hauling dirt/leaves/
branches/sundry items for the wife.  I have a "Retrax" rolling cover on
it and although I would love to put a Scorpion 680 on it I don't see a
great mounting option.  I would love to get 40/80 meter coverage but
I'm ok for giving that up for now.  I don't want to put the antenna on
the hitch because I often tow quads/snow machines/trailer.   I'm totally
open to any suggestions.   Money is a factor but I'm not trying to pinch
pennies.  I was thinking around $2000-2500 for the set up.

Are there places that would do the install on something like this.   I don't
mind the work and I think I could handle the complexities, I just have
so little time.

Thanks for any help you can be.
73
Stan AE7UT


   

[W8JX]

I have owned a 480 SAT for over 4 years and love it. I have optional 1.9kc SSB and 500hz CW filters installed in it too and never find it lacking. A HX with a tarhill in a mobile would be a great setup!

[K0BG]

Here is something to ponder.

The TS-480Hx and a Lil Tarheel II, vs. the TS-480Sat and a Tarheel 200A. ERP wide, they're just about equal! Imagine, an TS480Hx and Tarheel 200A!

[AE7UT]

Thanks for the advice and help gentlemen.

Alan K0BG thanks for all your fantastic website!
I can't imagine how many hams you've helped.

73
Stan AE7UT

[VE7REN]

i own 2 480hx and 1 480sat.. the 480hx is mounted in my 2010 silverado to a tarheel 2 antenna,and i get excellent reports for yrs.. what are you running,,geesh that sounds great.. best mobile i ever heard, you cant be mobile you must be on a base.........ill tell you one thing................is i knew then(20yrs ago) what i know now..i would have never wasted my time and money on those other brand antennas,and mobile radios,although the 706mk2g was my other favorite... the 480 series is bye fsr the best mobile radio available today..

[M6GOM]

My experience of mobile HF with my TS480 and Little Tarheel II with a 6ft whip has been the same. Found very little difference between the 100W and 200W versions of the TS480 on the same installation when it came to making contacts.

[KK4CRY]

A great antenna install on a Tundra, IMHO.
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?350616-Install-of-Scorpion-SA-680-mobile-HF-antenna&highlight=tundra

[W8JX]

My experience of mobile HF with my TS480 and Little Tarheel II with a 6ft whip has been the same. Found very little difference between the 100W and 200W versions of the TS480 on the same installation when it came to making contacts.

Well in a mobile world 3db can help a bit especially on lower bands where mobile antennas are little more than radiating dummy loads

[AE7UT]

A great antenna install on a Tundra, IMHO.
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?350616-Install-of-Scorpion-SA-680-mobile-HF-antenna&highlight=tundra

Yes that is a cool mounting job.... problem is I have a "Retrax" cover over the entire bed of the truck.  It's not an option to remove the cover.

Thanks again for the comments.
73
Stan AE7UT

[WV4L]

Stan,
FWIW
I bit the bullet and cut a slot in my retrax cover to accommodate a bedrail gripper mount that I also had to modify to accept a MT Tarheel type mount. http://s1339.photobucket.com/user/resopkr24/media/WV4L%202004%20F-150%20Mobile/101_1143_zps4cbeb96a.jpg.html?sort=6&o=18 I figured as long as I was going to do mobile ops cutting the slot was worth it . When I traded trucks I kept the retrax and put it on the new truck.

73

Wayne C.
WV4L

[AE7UT]

Wayne WV4L that's exactly what I have.   I'm very interested in how you went about doing that.

I'll try and contact you off list to see exactly how you did it.

Thanks
Stan AE7UT

[W4KVW]

https://breedlovemounts.com/ These guys can & will build a mount that will work on any mobile antenna or setup.They are built like a tank & they will custom build for you if needed. {:>)      

Clayton
W4KVW

[WG8Z]

+3db, if your at the noise level can be the difference between " I hear somebody in there, sorry I can't quite make you out OM" and " No problem, 100% copy"

[KE4IED]

Regarding finding a place to do the install if you dont' have the time, you might want to check out a place that does CB radio installs. They would probably be able to do it. A small speciality mobile electronics store might be able to do it also, but I would avoid any of the big box stores like Best Buy, etc. I don't trust them to put a CD in my CD player.

Another option might be to ask at a local HAM radio club. Perhaps a few expereinced members could do the install for you in exhange for a club donation? Just a thought.