Volkswagen Beetle Ham Radio Antenna Installation

Bob Shier W6BNS

Diamond Antenna NR770HB Dualband VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna (NR770HB)

The Diamond Antenna NR770HB Dualband VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna is resonant on the 2m and 70cm amateur bands. The NR770HB is a 1/2-wavelength design providing 3.0 dB of gain on the 2m band, and a 2 x 5/8-wavelength design providing 5.5 dB gain on the 70cm band. The NR770HB is 39" tall and weighs 200 grams. The NR770HB features fold-over ability for entry into low overhead clearance areas. Power rating is 200/200 watts. The connector type is a gold-plated UHF/PL-259. Black finish. Grounding is not required.

Bob is using a Yeasu VX 7r in his Beetle - The following was captured from the Yaesu Web Site

THE WORLD'S FIRST SUBMERSIBLE AMATEUR HAND-HELD

Protected against water ingress by a wide array of rubber gaskets and other weatherproofing techniques, the VX-7R is rated for 30 minutes of submersion at a depth of 3 feet (JIS-7), plus a tough magnesium body with rubber bumper pads, making it ideal for outdoor use. Plus you get Dual Receive, 50/144/430 MHz operation plus wide-band receive coverage, a full color status indicator Strobe, and an "Internet" key for quick access to the exciting new WIRES™ repeater-internet linking system.

Unmatched Weatherproofing

The VX-7R case, keypad, speaker, and connectorts are carefully sealed to protect the internal circuitry against water damage. And the optional CMP460A Speaker/Microphone, like the transceiver itself, is rated for 30 minutes of submersion at a depth of up to three feet.

The VX-7R is available in both Silver (VX-7R) and Black (VX-7RB) versions.

50/144/430 MHz: 5 Watts of Power

Utilizing a reliable FET power amplifier circuit, the VX-7R provides a full 5 Watts of power output on the 50, 144, and 430 MHz Amateur bands, with bonus coverage of the 222 MHz band at 300 mW (USA version only). And for 6-meter AM enthusiasts, you also get 1 Watt of carrier power on the 50 MHz band. Four power levels may be selected, each offering its own degree of battery conservation.

Dual Receive

The VX-7R is capable of four modes of Dual Receive, including simultaneous reception of (1) two VHF frequencies; (2) two UHF frequencies; one VHF and one UHF frequency; or one "general coverage" frequency and one "Ham" frequency.

And you can set up the VX-7R to reduce the audio level on the "Sub" band, if you like, when a call is received on the "Main" band.

The Most Memories Ever

Sporting the most memory capability of any Amateur transceiver, the VX-7R includes over 900 memory channels, yet access is simple and intuitive, thanks to the 8-character labeling capability. These memories include 450 "regular" memories, 10 "One-Touch" memories, 40 programmable band-edge-limit memories 12 "Home" channels, 10 Weather Band memories, 89 Shortwave Broadcast preset memories, 280 Marine channels, and 10 "Hyper" memories that store complete transceiver configuration data.

The Most Dazzling Display Ever

No Amateur transceiver has a display that even compares to the VX-7R's 132 x 64 dot matrix disaply. Providing clear, easy-to-read indication of both the Main and Sub band frequencies, operating mode, and S-meters for both bands, the display includes an unparalleled array of graphical and pictorial tools that make operation a breeze.