| Author |
Message |
    
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 144
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 10:17 am: | 
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I have recived a new radio yes a new one no more junk and would like to know the best way to hook it up .there is so many wrong ways to do this .so I ask the pro's for their advice .the radio is RCI-2985DX and hve a A-99 antenna What I need is the correct way to do this.thank you Capt Hook |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5754
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 11:16 am: |
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Capt_hook,
Very Simple,
Radio ~ Jumper ~ Meter ~ Antenna
Run a Ground wire from case of radio to ground and you should be all set. 
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 348
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 11:24 am: |
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Get that antenna up in the air as high as you can. Make sure you use strong antenna masts or a tower.Guy wires are a must with poles. Ground your antenna with a copper rod hammered into the earth and use 4 or 6 gauge ground wire from antenna bracket to rod. Use good coax such as RG 8 or better. RG 58 will work but make sure it has lots of shielding, low loss. Make sure SWR is as low as possible. 1.5 or less SWR is ideal. Antenna hook up is important. The radio is easy. Just hook up power and antenna and get some radio checks. The most important advice I can give is......TAKE YOUR TIME. Think everything through first. It also is good to have a friend help with erecting the antenna. All you can do is teach yourself by hands on and trial and error. I'm still and will always be a student in this hobby. Good luck and enjoy your hardwork.73s
Kenny
Hotwire
CEF 491
Franklin, Indiana |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 625
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 4:14 pm: |
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Han 'em high and use good coax. The A-99 should be tuned already. You'll be in business soon.
mikefromms |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1900
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 4:26 pm: |
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As for a ground rod use exactly what is called for in the house ground code,as the building code here in antrim county mi. calls for a 10'heavy galvanized steel ground rod in all ground connections including 2-way base stations so as not to void insurance coverage,check your building codes,also I have found personally that galvanize does not corrode as fast as copper in acid soils and that green coating can cause static in the system,but it can become an insulator of high enough value that in a direct hit by lightning can redirect a substantial voltage into the house,but you can pull the rod and shine it up every six months or so,I have 3 copper rods in the ground and am replacing them with galvanize in a couple of weeks,another benifit the galvanize rods are 2 feet longer and only cost 8 bucks here.Bigbob |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 145
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 6:11 pm: |
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thank you gentlemen this sounds easy this I will do .I always say it's better to ask than guess.again thank you Capt Hook |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 150
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 4:20 pm: |
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Does it make a differance how long the jumpers from the radio to the meter or other equipment are ? I hear other people saying thing about lenths of jumpers .what is standard lenth for jumpers .thank you Capt Hook |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5783
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 4:44 pm: |
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Capt_hook,
There is NO Standard Length for jumpers.
Different length jumpers work in different set ups.
Some people use 3' or 6' or 9' jumpers.
At our station here I use all 6' jumpers due to the location of my equipment from meters, antenna's / radio switches and other accessories.
Other people may use 3' or 6' or 9' depending on the station set up as All stations and set up's are different.
You just need to try them all and find what works best for your personal set up as what works well for someone else may not work for you.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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