Not that a new mobile-only rig wouldn't be a fun design exercise, but… you may want to consider the KX2. I've used mine mobile often, and this was one of our goals for the rig. A KX3 can also be used mobile, though it's larger and more complex.
Here's why the KX2 works so well for minimum-fuss mobile: 1. It is about the size of the control heads on many mobile HF radios. 2. A mobile-mount bracket is available for the KX2. The radio weighs well under 1 lb, so you can use a variety of third-party stalks, adapters, etc. to get it onto your dashboard or console. RAM Mounts work great. 3. The radio itself is fully self-contained (10 W, ATU, battery), but you can also pair it with the KXPA100 AMP. The amp will fit in a trunk or under a seat. The amp has its own 100-W ATU option. 4. If you're among The Chosen who do CW mobile, no problem -- you can attach a KXPD2 :) The mobile-mount bracket also allows this. 5. The KX2 has a minimum of controls, and it's easy to use, even mobile. Switches all have tone feedback, including a Morse option. When the Morse option is selected, tapping DISP reports the VFO frequency so you don't have to look at the display. (There's a document available for blind hams detailing how to use the radio.) 6. The KXIO2 option has two general-purpose open-drain relay drive outputs that could be used to select taps on a home-brew multi-band mobile whip. I haven't gotten around to doing this myself, but the firmware already supports it. On a per-band basis, you can set up these two outputs, allowing automatic selection of up to 4 different bands right at the antenna. The ATU does the rest. 7. The KX2 has a singular advantage that no other rig possesses (except for the KX3): When you get to your destination, you can unclip it, take it with you, and still have a hand-held or field-portable 10-watt station with all the trimmings. 73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 13, 2016, at 12:34 PM, "Dick Dickinson" <[email protected]> wrote: > Bill - I'm glad you brought this up. > > I've been using the Yaesu FT-857D mobile for a number of years. The number > one thing I appreciate about it is the remote head aspect. It is suitably > sized to sit atop the column of the steering wheel. The controls are all > accessible through the top open half of the steering wheel. Eye deviation > from the roadway is minimal. It does not in my case block information on > the dashboard. > > One consideration that might be a further improvement is a heads up display. > A heads up display is one that reflects off the inside of the windshield > from a top of dashboard mounted display. Controls might still be > incorporated into a unit that could mount atop the steering wheel column or > other convenient location. > > HF Mobile operation is important to me. I notice that Yaesu's new FT-891 > follows the configuration of the 857D (though without 2m and 440MHz) with a > larger display area and an improved menu system. While I enjoy HF mobile, > my perception is that it is on the decline in popularity. I don't see HF > mobile setups unless I'm in the realm of a Hamfest. > > Best, > Dick - KA5KKT > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > A few weeks ago I passed a car with the license WA6HHQ and it > got me to thinking: What if Elecraft made a radio specifically > designed as a mobile radio? Here are some of my ideas: > > It would have a UI designed to minimize driver distraction. This > UI might draw inspiration from the 5 button AM radios of old, > which could tune pre-sets without looking at the radio. > > It would: > Cover 80M-6M with 2M and 70cm being nice additions. > > Be available with 50-100W maximum output > > Have a small control head with a separation cable if necessary. > > Have a "hands free" operation option > > > One intriguing idea would be to use the smartphone interfaces > available in some newer cars to provide the entire radio UI in a > form that is well integrated into the auto console. Or at least > use it as a panadapter display. > > 73 Bill AE6JV > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
