first 2m mobile setup

An easy antenna to build, if you want to build one is a 1/4 wave ground plane antenna.

There are many plans online - but I followed the one in the ARRL Antenna Book.

Here is one example online.

This is really a simple antenna to build, and seems to work well on both 2m and 70cm. You will need some appropriate coax cable like RG-58 or RG-8 to run it properly. This is different than the typical tv coax (see this question).

I don't have a recommendation for a power supply or cables to use.

Hi John my first ant for two mtrs. was a qurter mtr.store bought ant. for fifteen dollars. you cant build one much cheaper . next get you a good power supply it does not have to cost a lot as long as it has the 25 or higher rating amps. next i would get a good! swr meter for my station. later these pices of equipemt will serve yoy well not only mobil but fixed as well. if you have any other ???? dont worry about asking jim N4TZB .thanks for the qust.

I run a 2100h,using a pyramid gold series ps8k model,12 gauge wire is just fine for hook up.i use rg-8u coax as short as possible.antennas are simple to build or buy for 2 mtrs.best bet catch a hamfest as numerous antennas are every where you walk,also you can use a deep cycle battery for your power needs,enjoy and welcome to new adventures in our hobby,ajack/n7yp

If you really want to get on the air fast, stick a piece of wire about 19" long into the center pin of the antenna connector on the back, like solid 14 gauge copper house wiring stuff, or even a coat hanger with the paint scraped off where it goes into the connector. This isn't the world's best antenna but it will get you on the air. Maybe don't run full power into this as it might not be matched very well. Should let you hear and get into local repeaters though.

I think the radio comes with a power cable for 12V. Getting a power supply is a bit tricky. If you find some old 12V output switching power supply, like out of a PC, it might have too much RF noise and mess up your receiver. A linear power supply would be very big if you run full transmit power (which you might never need to do to get into a repeater). A battery with some small charger is probably the easiest, but not sure where you can get a battery cheap. Some of the farm tractor stores have them for solar powered fence chargers. You of course have to keep it charged, but you can use a much smaller supply for that if you're not transmitting continuously, even a wall wart. Important for battery charging is voltage regulation - for a lead acid battery (car battery or gel cel), you should have an open circuit voltage out of the charging power supply of between 13.4 and 13.7 volts. The batteries don't last long if you under or over charge them. Another choice is a power tool 12V battery, you can buy the battery and charger at a place like Home Depot, but you have to make a messy connection to it from the radio, probably ruining it for use with a power tool. You could always scrounge up a car battery (or tractor, or motorcycle one) but a wet acid battery invariably gets some acid on your clothes and eats holes in them and the carpet in your house.

Repeaters are a very different kind of ham radio than the rest of the hobby. For some strange reason everyone yells at you if you say "CQ", totally acceptable on any other mode or band. You're suppose to just give your call sign for no reason, making people think you need help or something. You'll find there are 100 people listening to you, but no one will call you back unless you find someone who feels like talking to a newbie and has some time. Also, these things have timers, and also unlike any other form of ham radio, if you talk too long (like 3 minutes) they just cut you off, and all 100 people listening know you're a newbie. Repeaters are great for meeting people and getting help and all that, but real ham radio is simplex, unaided by the Internet. That's where it gets fun. Put your radio on 146.520 with no offset and call. Make sure you get on the HF bands sometime, or 6 Meter SSB when the sunspots get better. Someday soon you should build your own CW transmitter for an HF band - the thrill of building something yourself and having it talk through the "ether" to someone far away is what got me hooked.

It's a great hobby, full of people with their own opinions like me, but we're a great bunch willing to help you. Just ask.

-Dan, KW2T

Power: Your Icom requires 13 amps of power, I would recommend you pick up a Filtered power supply that is rated for at least 15 amps (25 amps would be better because that will handle most HF radios in the future). You can find these at Radio Shack (inexpensive) or from one of the online Amateur Radio companies (such as HRO, Gigaparts, Memphis Amateur etc. more expensive). Alternate - If you own a battery charger, you can purchase a marine battery from an auto parts store and use that (you should have a way from keeping the kids away from this kind of set up. You will need to pick up a couple of connectors to clamp to the battery.

Antenna: Your radio uses a standard connector (259 Plug) which is set up for a unbalanced antenna, you can find a Jpole or ground plane antenna already made for less than 30.00 US on ebay. Usually these antennas are advertised as dual 2m/440 and are quite cheap. I would also pick up a magnetic mounted 2 meter antenna for the car (you will love being able to go mobile!) You will want to quickly stash everything when not used to keep from being targeted by thieves. (Cost of antenna, mount, coax should be less than 50.00)

SWR meter is required if you do not purchase an antenna guarateed to resonate at less than optimum swr (feedback from an improperly tuned antenna can kill your radio and void your warranty!) Be sure when purchasing an swr meter that it will work on the bands you are intending to use in this case - 2 meters. Available from MFJ or one of the previously mentioned amateur radio stores.

You will need some extra coax (rg-58 - 50 ohm) to run from the outside antenna to your radio, be sure you don't crimp it when you bring it through the window.

Good luck and 73's Tom KJ4JGD.