any here into amateur radio? i was curious if any has installed a rig in the CS
I've played around with it in the past. The CS seems too "noisy" (as in good noise) and too demanding to me for a ham platform. But then I frown on cell phone use in the CS as well.
I have a tech license and won't even consider installing a mobile 2m or 440 rig in the CS. There's no good place for it, and I'd rather focus on driving.
If I want to ragchew on the ham bands in the car, I'll use one of my Yaesu HTs.
Interpol (KG6PHX)
A ham antenna wouldn't be very aesthetically pleasing on a Cayman, and besides, driving it is so much fun that I could care less about talking on the radio (or phone) in it.
That's another reason why I wouldn't want a semi-permanent mounted mobile rig in the car: the antenna. Not only is it not very aesthetically pleasing, antenna mounting solutions are a nightmare. I can't even imagine using a mag-mount antenna on the CS's finish.
Maybe try a glass mount antenna. A number of manufacturers make them including -
Glass Mount Dual Band Mobile Antenna
.
Installation is pretty easy. One pad on the inside of the window and the antenna pad is mounted on the outside. Running and hiding the antenna wires inside the car should not be an issue.
Croc2,
Prior posts sum it up... the antenna is the visual killer. I've been licensed since 1963... current call is KO6LU... and I wanted to apply for the KO6LU license plate but my wife said it would confirm beyond all doubt that I'm an old man and that she'd refuse to ride in a beautiful Cayman S with such an advertisement prominently displayed. So bottom line... I can't even get the license plate!!!!!
I can't imagine a big ol'antenna on my roof. And the potential scratches??
I had a magnet failure on a borrowed Sequoia in the spring that denuded 4 antennae and a light bar at 80 mph. Everything flew off and impacted the right side of the vehilce. Mucho scratches.
(Santa Fe... gee... another thing we could have talked about!)
GM (W0UND) <yes, I paid for that. I think it would be good on a EMS license plate, but have been hesitating>
Cold Croc.
Sounds like we are in the same boat. Got my ticket in 1956 when I was 10 years old and have had a ham plate on one of my cars for years. I don't see anything wrong with it but Our Girls must have attended the same school about the call messing up the looks of the car! ("KUØI"). She does not say anything about the purple heart or Silver star plates though on my other cars.
So now I have a regular dull looking one.
As far as the question on radios. No I would not install one in this car.
So I just got my tech license on July 30th and picked up my general license today. I have no intention of installing a mobile in my CS, but I have one in my truck.
I find the demographics of the local clubs interesting. I know it is a mature technology, but I'm surprised that there is a not a greater presence of young people interested in the hobby. The nature of the hobby is very practical and intriguing.
Thought about it...just can't bring myself to doing it!
KM5SF
