ICOM 706 MKIIG

I use the ICOM amateur radio transceiver as my home base station, as well as on the road in the motorhome. I have to admit that it gets a lot less use than I thought I would. Still, it's very nice to play a little when there is some time in between family activities.

I mounted the main unit, under the drivers seat. Power is taken directly from fused cables that are routed to the house batteries. An RF ground of braided shielding is run to the chassis.

The head of the radio is mounted to the mounting bracket screwed to a Velcro mounted board on top of the stereo. A MFJ external speaker is mounted to the underside of my overhead drivers console.

Both HF and VHF coax is run down from drain holes under the drivers side seat, and through a significant length of "garden hose" conduit. The garden hose is tie wrapped to the truck frame, and eventually exits at the base of the coach rear ladder. From here the coax is tie wrapped up the ladder. At the top of the ladder, is a Hustler ball and spring loaded quick release antenna holder. I can select whatever band I want to operate on, and by taking on step on the bumper, swap elements.

Usually on the road I have the 17 meter resonator which at 13' clears the highway overpasses, even when mounted on the top of the ladder. VHF cable continues a bit to the middle of the railing on the back of the coach roof. Here it is connected to a Comet, 2 meter antenna. In good HF band conditions, I've gotten stations in Europe and South America, as well as throughout the US.

RELM HS200 Scanner

I also have a Comet VHF/UHF antenna with a magnet mount that is secured to a metal plate attached with silicone in the center of the coach roof, right behind the cockpit overhead escape hatch. The cable for this comes through the roof hatch, (doesn't seem to break the seal from wind and rain), and then goes to a RELM portable scanner.

This is useful to let everyone check on the weather forecast, as well as monitor the Family Radio Frequencies when the kids are roaming by themselves. It is also entertaining to listen to the Park Rangers, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Mariners, etc., and to get a sense of what the local conditions are.

Cobra CB Radio

Our Lazy Daze was equipped standard with a CB radio and I have become so convinced of its utility that I wouldn't drive cross country without it. While it's true that your offspring might hear some inappropriate language, (at least they're hearing it from the experts), the benefits still outweigh the risks.

Advance notification of hazards and traffic congestion is probably the biggest benefit of monitoring CB channel 19. Professional drivers need to travel long distances safely, and if there is a road hazard, you will usually be forewarned of it. Also, the cause, and probable duration of any congestion is usually broadcast, and using the laptop mapping program, Lolo can easily propose a mid-course correction.

We have also been hailed by professional drivers when one of our side compartment doors was unlatched, and when one of the bikes started to become undone.

Kenwood Family Radios

The family radio handsets, FRS, were used by the kids to keep in touch when they are skiing, walking the campground, or otherwise out of sight. However, I think they will become outmoded with the use of cell phones and a suitable "family plan"

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