Tag: mobile

  • Installing a Ham Dual-Band Mobile Radio in Your Vehicle

    Part of our Building Your First Ham Radio Station guide. Installing a dual-band mobile follows the same basic principles as any mobile radio install, and getting the fundamentals right the first time saves you from chasing mystery problems down the road. Power: Straight to the Battery Run power leads directly to the battery rather than…

  • Yaesu FTM-300DR Review: A Compact Dual-Band Mobile Worth Considering

    Part of our Where to Spend Your Money guide. The FTM-300DR sits in an interesting spot in Yaesu’s lineup, compact enough to almost pass for an oversized handheld but built and marketed as a mobile radio with genuine System Fusion capability. Compact Footprint, Real Mobile Power Despite its smaller size compared to traditional mobile radios,…

  • Yaesu FTM-500D Review: A Compact Fusion Mobile

    Part of our Where to Spend Your Money guide. The FTM-500D fills a genuinely useful niche in Yaesu’s mobile lineup: a compact Fusion-capable mobile with a fully detachable head, small enough to work in vehicles where dash space is tight. Detachable Head Design The separated head and body let you mount the display wherever it…

  • Midland MXT275 Review: A Popular GMRS Mobile Radio

    Part of our GMRS Radio: The Complete Guide. The Midland MXT275 is probably the single most common GMRS mobile radio I see mentioned in overlanding and family preparedness circles, and there is a reason for that. It is simple, widely available, and Midland backs it with decent documentation and support, which matters more than people…

  • Diagnosing Alternator Whine and Vehicle Electrical Noise on Mobile HF

    That rising whine that tracks engine RPM isn’t your radio’s fault. Here’s how to actually kill it.

  • Yaesu FT-891: One Radio for the Shack, the Truck, and the Field

    The FT-891 is built to be compact enough for a dashboard yet capable enough for a full base station. Here’s how it actually holds up in all three roles.

  • Setting Up HF for Mobile Operating: Screwdriver Antennas and Grounding in a Vehicle

    Working HF from a moving vehicle is a different game than a fixed station. Here’s what it actually takes to run HF mobile, from screwdriver antennas to grounding it all properly.

  • Icom IC-2730A Review: The Dual-Band Mobile I Regret Selling

    Part of our New Ham? This Is Where You Should Spend Your Money guide. I ran an Icom IC-2730A in the shack, in my Jeep, and in my truck, all at the same time, for years. I don’t say that to brag about owning three radios. I say it because that’s exactly the kind of…

  • The Yaesu ATAS-120A: My Take on This Motorized Mobile Antenna

    An overview of the Yaesu ATAS-120A active tuning mobile antenna, including how it works, what it covers, and how it performs on my Jeep paired with an FT-891.

  • Setting Up a Bug-Out Vehicle for Radio

    A mobile radio beats a handheld from inside a vehicle every time. Here’s how to actually wire one into a bug-out vehicle.

  • Mobile Antenna Mounts, Grounding, and Noise: A General Installation Guide

    A mobile antenna is only as good as the mount, ground, and cable routing behind it. Here is what actually matters, regardless of which specific antenna you end up running.

  • Installing a GMRS Mobile Radio in Your Vehicle: A Step-by-Step Guide

    A GMRS handheld is fine for casual use, but a properly installed mobile radio, with real power output and a roof-mounted antenna, is a genuine step up in range and reliability. Here’s the install process from start to finish. Power: wire it directly to the battery Run power leads directly to the battery rather than…

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