IC7100 A-Z #16 My Mobile Setup

[@jamescady723]

New-ish ham, and I truly appreciate all your videos, especially the A-Zs. Thanks!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks for watching!

[@davehead6497]

Very nice set of info videos. Best features: 1) You talk in a normal voice, not the super slow that many others stumble and deliver haltingly and are a huge annoyance to listen to and 2) there is no "background" music that, in other videos, is anything but background and covers up their narration. Very good delivery. Congrats!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying them.

[@DonaldChapman]

I finely installed it in my truck, and am back to see what I can do about an antenna now! 73.

[@IowaSheepdog]

Thanks for the video of your mobile setup, Tom. It looks like the Mrs. videobombed you at 13:23. 😉

[@GregMckenzie-j6m]

hi Tom thanks for going to the trouble of explaining lots about the radio i was in the need for a new unit so i sold lots of my unused ham gear to fund the new IC-7100 i couldn't be happier with the radio 👍👍

[@terryjwood]

I've looked at some of the other videos on youtube about the SSB power issue and a hardware mod for it. Some of the comments in those videos indicate that the problem was fixed in the E2 software update. I think I'll try that before I modify the hardware. It could very well be why you haven't noticed the problem. You did the update to your 7100! BTW, thanks for these videos. It's really helping me get up to speed on the 7100 (which I purchased 2 weeks ago!)

[@randlecarr3257]

These videos are incredibly helpful

[@the1spyderryder]

Tom a lot of CBrs with ham licenses are looking for every mw that can get they also want to tinker with their radio innards. But as you said i see two issues one is using speaker wire for power supply cabeling. Using a 12 volt power supply instead of 13.8 to 14 volt power supply. $1000.00 radio and a $10.00 power supply and lastly on SSB you can't see 100 watts on a meter unless you have a meter with "MAX HOLD" FEATURE even though THEY WANT TO SEE IT. Your advice is best and mine is if it isnt broke dont fix it !

[@williamrose9301]

Your A-Z videos are the most thorough I've seen. I regularly revisit the IC-7300 A-Z videos because of their detail and easy to understand instruction. Now if you could do one on the 7610 I recently purchased I'd be set. I appreciate all your hard work. Thanks Tom! KM2K

[@the1spyderryder]

Hi Tom your videos on the 7100 are great. I just bought my 7100 after Hamcation this year and your videos have taught me a lot. Your videos are streight to the point with out all of the unnecessary fluff that a lot of other others throw in. 73 AC0Y

[@kenthufford743]

I have 2 7100s. They are great HF/VHF/UHF/DSTAR radios. You are correct that the power drops off very fast when the voltage gets below 13.5vdc. When mobile, run the vehicle if you want full output, or put the radio on a LI-PO battery.

[@HabemusQuattro]

The 7100 is such an under-appreciated rig. It's ideal for mobile having the speaker in the control head along with a mic jack and key input. It's great for both on the road and mobile operation while stopped/camped. The controls on the 7100 are really well suited for the type of changes you need to make while moving down the road. Tom, your setup is great. Like you I wouldn't be concerned about the lack of secure mounting on the base unit or the use of a tuner for touch-up. That's really the best use case of a tuner anyway.

[@stevenharrison4926]

Hi Tom, You certainly answered my questions and addressed my curiosity about installing a IC-7100 into my truck (to replace a Kenwood TM-D710). The video was very informative and well organized with excellent video illustrations. Keep up the great work, 73, VE4FTS

[@JASVINDER1957]

Hay Top, compliments to your RAM truck and your explanation on KZbin videos is super helpful. Thank you.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks!

[@donaldsmith3048]

I put a spring on my Wolf River Coil to help with hitting trees.

[@ronmolihan5503]

Thanks Tom i Togo back and watch them over, in fact so far I’ve watched 1-through 16 so far.

[@DonaldChapman]

Very nice install! I am getting the itch to by a coil and put my 7100 in my truck!

[@aceventuraaceventura2003]

Nice setup, looks like a true seasoned HAM with many customizations including the antenna modifications. I did the similar thing with 706 control head, but I use a Scosche dash mount. I might do a video about my setup when I am finally done.

[@lonmartin1353]

Nice job. Tom. I also have an IC-7100, but run a Scorpion screwdriver antenna and get great reports as well. I’ll confirm that bonding is the most neglected issue in many mobile installations…you can’t bond too much. Many ignore the tailpipe which is close to a quarter wave antenna on 20 meters, so it acts like an antenna broadcasting engine noise to your mobile antenna which you hear in your radio. Bonding before and after the catalytic converter to the vehicle chassis will show a reduced noise floor. 12 gauge wire is more of an open circuit for RF purposes due to skin effect of RF, so half to one inch wide braid is the way to go. Glad I found your channel…thanks.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Lon. Thanks for the kind words! I have yet to bond my exhaust system to the frame, but that sounds like a good idea. I agree with you that you can't bond too much. I currently have an issue with a high noise level on parts of 2 meters. If/when I get that sorted out that may become another video. 73, Tom

[@Zayne_24]

@ionmartin1353 is it a good base station radio?

[@stahpit1971]

Thanks for the video!

[@DNL1200GSA]

Very informative. Thanks for the vid.

[@frankwc0o]

Found this video, seems like you like the 7100 for the car. Sounded very nice.

[@brockdt]

I purchased a used 7100, and a 102 inch whip purchased from Tower Electronics at a ham fest, that I want to put in my F150. This helps with installation ideas. Thanks. I think the IC-7100 is an underrated radio. With use, it really grows on you. When the 7100 first came out, it seemed like a dumb idea because of the slanted face, but I no longer think that. W9FL.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I had the same thought about the angled display. But, I’ve discovered that with the head tilted forward so the display is vertical, the buttons are angled very nicely toward me in the car. It really is a good design for a mobile control head.

[@donausmus4281]

Instead of vehicle power I use a 20ah lithium battery with a flat power curve. It has lasted a week with my 891 and ATAS. It fits nicely about anywhere and I have a Anderson pigtail for changing. I might run 12v from the vehicle through a regulator for charging in the future.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Nothing wrong with a separate battery. It makes for nice clean power. Plus, instant portable away from the vehicle is a nice bonus.

[@SAADSAAD-lp4yz]

Good job 👍🏼

[@the1spyderryder]

Hi Tom, What most people who say 7100 does not put out 100 watts on sideband knows nothing about how SSB works unles you have a peak measuring watt meter they will never see 100 watts in peak modulation!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Yes. I’m sure that is part of the problem at least for some people. There is a lot of discussion about this issue out there. Maybe there are some units that have a legitimate issue. Or, maybe all of the discussion is just a couple of original complaints that keep getting shared and rehashed. It’s hard to say. I have not connected my 7100 to a calibrated external meter to check it. I do know that I have received numerous excellent signal reports from people, including some who have said they can’t believe I’m mobile. So whether my radio is putting out exactly 100 watts or not, it is clearly putting out enough power to get the job done.

[@WillShattuck]

Thanks for sharing your antenna set up. I’m going to get a G90 and was wondering what I would do for a mobile antenna. I think I’ll use this one. Thanks.

[@aaronm5149]

Thanks for sharing I really like this setup Great detail and video / audio quality New technician here studying for my General I plan to replicate this build

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks for the kind words Aaron! Good luck on the General. Hope to work you on the air one day.

[@shawnmoore3705]

Thanks very much for this video. I was inspired to install an IC-7100 in my truck. One question, however. Where inside the cab are you grounding the radio? Finding it hard to pick a location to get a good RF ground. I really do not want to put any holes in the actual body inside the truck. Thanks so much!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Don’t know what truck you have, but there are usually a few rubber plugs on the back wall of the cab near the bottom that you can poke through with something like an ice pick or a screwdriver. I ran ground wires between the box, the cab and the frame. I found a bolt on the frame and used tek screws (self drilling) on the bottom of the cab and box bodies. Make sure you scrape down to bare metal and use star washers of similar to insure good contact.

[@shawnmoore3705]

@@HamRadioA2Z Thanks. I have a 2023 Ram Rebel. Ended up using a self drilling screw in an inconspicuous location and so far so good. I need to watch the rest of your videos to learn the radio better. It's replacing an FT-891 (I wanted a radio that would do both HF and VHF) and the perormance while the engine is running is way better already. Will ook at body bonding to the frame next. Appreciate your time.

[@benny_waters]

Good video. Thanks for the share ⭐

[@maxwellstreetpolish]

Tom you did a great job. Inspirational, not I need to get going on my install. 73.

[@tomresk3097]

Thanks, Tom..........what 12V to 13.8V DC-DC converter do you use? My mechanic/ham said he doesn't know of any reliable DC-DC converters or he'd be glad to install one into my 4WD rig. Tom Resk - KJ7TKR

[@chancedavis6713]

Where did you bond the unit to? Such a great video. I’m watching all of the 7100s

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I just attached a RAM mount to a smooth spot where the center nav screen meets the top of the dashboard. I just use GE Silicone RTV. I cement the mount piece down and hold it with masking tape for about a day before attaching anything to it. The nice thing about the RTV is that you can use a putty knife to remove the mount when you change vehicles and the residue cleans up pretty well.

[@Hogdriver88]

Nice installation and nice truck 👍 Any noise from the diesel?

[@kensmith5538]

the main reason people are seeing less than 100 watts output is running antennas that are over 1.7 to 1 swr... at that point, the radio starts to protect itself and reducing output power... I wouldn't do any of those mods they show in the cb channels...

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I’m sure that is one reason that some people aren’t seeing full output.

[@backpackingbushcraft6391]

Great video. I just purchased a 7100 and am gearing up for my install. I very curious where you got the piece that you attached to your truck bed rail for the Wolf River Coil. I am also going to use a WRC and am wondering if you fabricated this piece or purchased it from somewhere. Again, nice video!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. Thanks for the kind words. The mount is a commercial stake pocket mount. It has a 2nd stainless plate on the bottom with the 4 holes for the screws offset to one side. You angle/fish it down through the stake pocket hole. Then tighten the 4 screws and it cinches the plate up to sandwich the truck rail between the 2 plates. I bought it at a hamfest a number of years ago. I'm sorry, but I don't remember what dealer or even if it was a dealer. There are no brand or model markings on it that I know of.

[@ibuildsheds5654]

Good stuff

[@Dennis35793]

Can your 7100 with a 5 ft whip get 80 mtr's, Thanks Tom for all you do

[@Fraiyia]

A little late to the party but couple questions : does that black rtv come off the plastic very easily? and what ram mount are you using ? Does the transceiver cause any issue with the satellite radio ? I think this would be a good mobile for my titan.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. Sorry for the delayed reply. I have not tried to remove this RTV yet. I have used RTV in a similar way on past mobile mounts and it has cleaned up pretty well when I take them out. I don’t remember the exact RAM model (not near the truck at the moment). It’s the ball mount with the shortest arm and just a 1” ball with a 1/4-20 threaded stud. No interference issues with satellite radio, but if I transmit on 40 meters, my automatic running boards go in and out. 😂

[@Fraiyia]

@@HamRadioA2Z automatic running boards ? Well mine are less maint , my only btch bout my truck is the bed is too short .

[@dave-wk4t]

Where, on your Ram, were you able to get the coax FROM that location to the bedrail and where did you pull the power from? (Switched?)

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I drilled a hole through the storage compartment floor under the seat. Actually 2 holes- One for the coax and one for the ground wire.

[@StealthGTI]

Nice work! I'm considering one of these for my tight mobile install (see my KE4WMF playlist for details). I was unsure about the angled display and keypad surface. But seeing how you've angled it has me thinking it could work. I just need to see if it will work where I have my current FT-857D and ID-5100A. Take Care!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks for the kind words. I had an 857 as my mobile rig for a number of years. It’s a good radio, but as my eyes were getting older, the small display was just becoming too hard to read. That’s one of the reasons I switched to the 7100.

[@lapouce3152]

Hi. Great video. I hv a 7100 for an year but havent got round to installation in my crossover. Can I install it with my AT 180 auto tuner and Diamond HF 20 CL antenna?

[@robertcummings6291]

Hi Tom, another great video. Did I understand you correctly that you can adjust the MFJ tuner from the 7100 control head?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

You can briefly press the TUNER/CALL button to have the tuner inline or bypass it. You can press and hold the TUNER/CALL button for 1 second to force a tuning sequence. When the tuner finishes tuning, TUNE will be displayed in the upper left corner of the display. After this, if you briefly press TUNER/CALL, then TUNE will clear from the display and the tuner is bypassed.

[@robertcummings6291]

@@HamRadioA2Z Thanks for the explanation 73

[@ericlessard6653]

Kc2ees hasn't heard my mobile Hihi. I own 2 7100 rigs that are worth EVERY PENNY. I LOVE THEM. HG VHF UHF AND DSTAR ON HF VHF UHF! 73'S

[@Erickve2elp]

Hello, I'm Erick VE2KJ and would like to know please, having the icom 7100 on the dash does not affect the radio screen with heat? 73 and good contacts

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Erick. No problems when I’m driving. Parked, it can get pretty hot up there. So my wife made me a soft cloth cover that I keep on the control head when it’s parked in the sun on a hot day. Before that I used to just put a baseball cap on it. I have not had any problems with the display not working or being all black in the heat.

[@2e0txe]

What people don't realise is, the radio lowers output power when your antenna isn't 1:1 on SWR. It automatically lowers the power to protect itself.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. I don’t know the details of the stations for the people who have commented about power problems. So I don’t know. However, it seems likely that SWR could have been part of the issue. There are many things that can contribute to difficulty getting out. I have had times when people can’t hear me,but I’ve had many times when people hear me just fine. So I’m pretty sure the problem was band conditions or other factors and not radio output power. 73, Tom

[@mikesnyder465]

Which stake pocket mount did you use?

[@michaeljbrennan3728]

Do you have a video on 2M and 70CM setup on the 7100?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. I did one on programming a 2 meter repeater a few years ago. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZiymWOEmN-GqJI

[@littlejohnny4470]

That's a very impressive setup you have in your truck. I have often thought of swapping my 7100 from in-house to my truck and then moving my ID5100 to the house, and then getting an HF radio for in house. Regarding 7100 power output issues, I've learned that the radio will show you when it boots up, what you're power output is. If it shows 100 percent, you're OK. If not, then you have to do the mod. Thanks again for another quality video!! 73's ! PS. Where did you get the mount for the head unit?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. Thank you for the kind words. The power on power % display is not related to the modification. That is just displaying the power setting that you can access with the Mic/RF Pwr button. I got the mounting pieces from a couple sources. A couple pieces were Amazon purchases (There’s an affiliate link to RAM parts in the video description). I got one of the pieces at a local Bass Pro store.

[@loyannmunyan1174]

What tuner would you recommend for the 7100? Also does the mobile power from the 706 work with the 7200?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I've been pretty happy with the MFJ-939i tuner with my 7100. LDG also makes some Icom compatible models. I believe the actual Icom tuners are very good too, but I don't have any direct experience with them. On the 706 power question--- I believe you're asking if the power connector from the 706 is compatible with the 7100? I have never owned a 706. So I don't know. I believe the power connectors are common on recent Icom radios, but I don't know if they've changed since the when the 706 first came out. I think that was at least 20 years ago.

[@k2cjbradio]

I have a 7100 in my F250. Great rig. I use a couple of ham stick antennas and they work fine. I do get some ignition noise on receive. Bonded all around the truck including the exhaust system to the frame. No real help. Thankfully the 7100 NB is excellent but I do hear it on v/uhf. Curious to see how you handle ignition noise. Great video! Sub’ed! 73 de K2CJB

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. Thanks for the kind words. Since my truck is a diesel, there is no ignition noise. Although I do get some hash from the injectors firing that is similar to ignition noise. Same as you, I use the Noise Blanker. It works pretty well for most of it.

[@threeblindmice369]

Are you able to do CW with this mobile setup?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I don’t see why not. I’ve been told about one ham that was in our local club who used to work CW mobile all the time. He had special mobile key that he could strap onto his leg. So he actually worked CW while he was driving. I’m afraid CW is one mode that I’ve done very little with. I’ve been thinking about changing that. Once upon a time I passed my 13WPM code test. I need to start copying some code practice and get my speed back up.

[@threeblindmice369]

@@HamRadioA2Z CWOPS has classes I’m taking. I’d love a rig like this instead of using handheld all the time. 73

[@45auto]

Do you show how to use the SWR meter on 7100 in an earlier video? I tried to use it on 20m and when I press the arrow button just prior to clicking the PTT it jumps to a lower frequency.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi. I haven’t done a video on the 7100 SWR graph function yet. I did one a year or 2 ago on the IC-7300 SWR graph. It operates in a very similar way. When you select the SWR graph function, you can adjust the step size and the number of bars. I believe the default is 10khz steps and 5 bars. When you start the function, whatever frequency you are on becomes the center frequency for the graph. So when you press the Arrow button, the radio will tune to the start of the graph (20khz down in the default case. Then with each press of the PTT button, the radio will tune up to the next 10khz step. After the 5th press, the radio will tune back to where you started. You can press the SET touchscreen button to change the step size and number of bars.

[@rejphotography]

Thanks Tom. Great stuff as always. -73 KG5YMD

[@Zayne_24]

Is the 7100 good for a base station?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

I think so. I’ve used it as a portable base station in our camper in the past when we’ve been camped someplace for more than a day or two. It all depends on personal preference and budget. The 7100 isn’t going to perform like a $4,000 base station, but it is pretty close to other rigs in the ~$1,000 range. On the plus side, with the 7100 you get a 2 meter/440, all-mode base station too. On the down side, because of the smaller control head, more functions require multiple button presses or menu options compared to a larger rig that’s designed more as a base station. Also, because the 7100 is an older design you don’t get the nice color spectrum scope display like you have with an Icom 7300 or the Yaesu 710. Both of those rigs are also in the $1,000 range. I think these are the key things you need to decide on: - How important are 2 meters and 440 to you? - How important are real knobs and buttons? (There are still menu based items on other radios, but fewer and more real buttons & knobs). - How important is a color spectrum display and other SDR/DSP type features?

[@alvarogaitan2529]

fantastic video 73 from kb2uew