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Installing Kenwood 144/430 MHz Dual Bander, Model TM-D710A Into 2009 RAV4

Installing Kenwood 144/430 MHz Dual Bander, Model TM-D710A Into 2009 RAV4

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I was given a Toyota 2009 RAV4 from my sister who can no longer drive.  I decided to install an old Kenwood radio that I had purchased years ago into that vehicle.  The Kenwood TM-D710A radio is a dual display radio because two channels can be received. MSRP for the TM-D710A when it was sold $600. I have this model. E-Ham Score for TM-D710A: Average rating: 4.2/5
TM-D710A is no longer made.

Current, in production, model is TM-D710 GA, ($530 to $580). It includes a GPS (Global Position System) unit.
It also has a E-Ham average rating of: 4.2/5
Listed cost about $600.

Some terms that will be used:

      • APRS =  Automatic Packet Reporting System
      • CERT = Community Emergency Response Team
      • RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

Radio capability:

• APRS Ready (I purchased a separate GPS unit for this radio) (I am using this) • APRS Weather Station ready
• KSS II+ (kenwood Skycommand II+)
• NMEA 0183 GPS I/O port
• Built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC (Packet) (Not using this) • Echolink Ready (Not using this)
• High RF Power Output (V/U: 50 watt)
• 1000 multifunction Memory Channels
• Dual Receive on same band (V+V, U+U)
• NOAA Weather Alert/RX (US Only)
• Voice Guidance & Storage option (VGS-1) This is installed.
• MCP Compatible with ARRL “TravelPlus”
• With “illegal” MARS / CAP Modification radio can transmit into FRS frequencies:

Cut one wire and remove one resistor is all that is required for this modification.  At first I did not have the guts to make this modification.  What changed my mind was when I shared this installation document to our local RACES group, a ham radio operator said he makes the MARS /CAP modification to all of his radios.  This modification results in the radio violating the FCC rules set for FRS (Family Radio Service) hand held radios.  BUT, in an emergency, all FCC rules are thrown out the window as they expect results for assisting aid, not compliance.

Antenna:

Diamond model NR770HNMO Average cost $60
E-Ham review score: Average rating: 3.4/5
2 meter and 440
No ground plane required
Gain: 3.0 on 2 meters and 5.5 db gain on 440. Connector: NMO

Antenna Mount:

Diamond Deluxe Luggage Rack Mount model K515SNMO. Cost: $70.
SMA connector attached to coax. SMA to PL-259 included. Installation was very easy. The mount allows the antenna to stay mounted but can be angled forward or backward and also side to side. This allows the owner to angle the antenna horizontally so the vehicle can enter a garage without removing the antenna. The antenna lead-in cable has a very small diameter. I used split wrap to protect the antenna cable for the portion of the cable exposed outside the car. I purchases a NMO protector cap.

I used Split Wrap and applied it to the antenna line coming from antenna mount and as it enters the car door.

Image below shows Split Wrap being applied to antenna line coming from mount.

Power Supply line Installation:

• Power line was routed directly from the car battery through the car fire wall and into the passenger compartment with 12 gauge wire. It took about 3 hours to make a hole through an existing rubber gasket on the passenger side using a small diameter Phillips head screwdriver. (see image below). Anderson Power Poles were soldered to the wire ends inside the car cabin.

• Connections had to be made at the battery and an in line fuse was included to protect this wiring. I used split wrap to protect some of the power lines within the engine.

Image below shows split wrap being applied to main power from battery.

 

The disadvantage of supplying constant power to the radio from the battery, is you could run the car battery down if you forget to turn the radio off. I set the APO (Automatic Power Off) to 60 minutes, just in case I forget to shut the radio off when I leave the vehicle for a long time. The APO resets it’s timer every time you make any change to one of the radio controls.

• The main radio was mounted on a plastic sheet. Under that sheet I placed the hook side of Velcro. This Velcro attached itself to the car carpet under the passenger seat with such force that I had to almost use crow bars to lift the radio so I could service it.

• A method was needed to mount the radio control head. A cup holder was decided upon because there was no impact into the car like glue or drilling.

I purchased the Lido LM-802 Heavy Duty Cup Holder Mount. Cost $45.

The Toyota 2009 RAV4 has 2 cup holders between the driver and passenger. This cup holder installation naturally takes up one of those cup holders. This car has rubber inserts that can be removed to make for larger drinks. I found that the radio mount needed those rubber inserts. Also, the mount expands or contracts to the size of the cup holder by turning the large knob just above the portion that slips into the cup holder. I had to really expand the mount so it would not mover around. Note that the mount, seen above, has 2 rings toward the bottom The one on top gives you more expansion and one below for smaller expansion. I had to use the smaller expansion portion.

There is also a large knob that compresses two opposing ball joints at both ends of the top portion. This allows you to angle both the cup holder and the radio head mount. I found that I had to try to keep the holder in a vertical angle as much as I could so it would be less prone to dip.

The radio head has dual display. Left side is completely separate for reception and transmission and so is the right side. I chose to have APRS  set for the right side of the control head.  When working properly the top right of the display are the words “BCON GPS” The GPS must flash on and off to tell the operator that the GPS receiver component for APRS is working properly.

I also had to drill some holes into the adapter plate that comes with the cup holder mount so the radio head plate could be bolted to the cup holder plate. (see next image below). The cup holder plate allows for slide removal of radio head.

The Kenwood mounting plate allows the radio head to also easily be removed because it has 2 sections. One section stays attached to the radio head and the other is part of the mounting plate. A simple press to release uncouples the two.  The Lido plate is bolted to the under side of the Kenwood plate.

• Audio Out Solutions

I found three solutions to providing audio out of the ham radio:

#1  The main radio has a single speaker that provides audio for both radio channels. But, because I put the main radio under the passenger seat, the audio favored the low frequencies.

#2  The automobile has an auxiliary audio input located in the console between the driver and passenger. The advantage for this method is the audio comes out toward the operator from the front of the car. The radio has 2 speaker outputs which were easy to wire into the Aux audio input. The left audio channel as seen in the radio display comes out of the left side car speakers. The right side of the radio display’s audio comes out of the right side of the car speakers. This audio has the best quality of the three solutions. I chose to put the APRS signal into the right channel and I turn that volume down because I do not want to hear the digital tones. In an emergency which includes CERT volunteers, I would shut off APRS on the right channel and switch to FRS. I like to keep the left channel for active RACES station traffic.

3. The third method was to mount 2 separate speakers to the driver’s seat headrest (see image below). The problem with this was the audio comes from behind the operator. When using APRS, the radio sends out tones which can not be turned off. The tones come out of both audio channels equally. Thus, those tones seem to come right behind the head of the operator. This audio solution takes some time to get used to it.

? Summary:

I swept the car antenna with a SWR meter and the results were near perfect for the whole 2 meter band. My meter, being very old, can not sweep 440.

The radio GPS (Global Positioning Unit) was a pain to keep working while I was setting up the radio. Every time I inputted a new list of frequencies stored in the radio, I lost GPS. I even had to do a radio factory reset. The number of menu items one needs to go through to make the GPS work, is over 15! Any one of those menu items being set incorrectly would take down the GPS. But, once I got the menu system set correctly, the unit worked perfectly.

I came to realize that putting this radio in this car really added to my capabilities for the city. Let me list the improvements that I can now provide:

  1.   My connectivity and capacity to communicate has drastically improved.  The range of this radio is 1 to 3 miles. The new car radio has 50 watts of RF power out when set to high power.
  2.   My exact location is available. With the radio APRS capability, I can easily be found on a map in real time using APRS Google Maps. I can also use APRS to find another operator that is transmitting their location using the radio control head. APRS shows direction and distance between stations in the control head display.

When you get another ham radio operator to show up on the APRS display, it shows a compass heading for that station.  If I press POS (Position) on the control head I see more information such as distance between me and the other station.  The compass shows the direction. It is this feature that allows a radio operator to find and get near another station that is sending out APRS position signals.

Anyone can do a Google search for APRS and a map will appear.  In the APRS image map, you can see APRS radios that have transmitted within the past hour within any zip code you specify.  You can change the station logo image. WX stands for weather station. I chose car for my Toyota RAV4.

  1. I now can respond at any time to a call out. Before, I shared a car with my daughter.
  2. My vehicle can carry support items. I now can take with me food, clothing, sleeping bag, tent, cooking devices. My car can be used to make supply runs.
  3. If I make MARS / CAP Modification to the radio, I can transmit into FRS frequencies. FRS radios are really handicapped by extremely low power and not being able to switch antennas. FRS radios have an awful range. But, if I were to open my radio up to MARS /CAP modification, then my radio would have way better receive capability and fantastic transmit power. Our job as RACES members is to support CERT volunteers and if the only communications they are using is FRS then we need to be capable of reaching them. It is illegal to transmit on FRS frequencies with this high powered radio unless there is an emergency.

APRS Web Site: http://www.aprs.org/aprs.html

MARS /CAP Modification Reference:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-8vBU29pw

 

 

 

Posted 7/15/219

Evaluation of F.A.S.T #1155 Vest For Emergency Personnel

Evaluation of F.A.S.T #1155 Vest For Emergency Personnel

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Impressions of the F.A.S.T #1155 vest:

First let me explain why we require two radio pockets in our radio vests.  In our city, we have Community Emergency Repose Teams, called CERT, that are expected to carry a Family Radio Service (FRS) radio.  These community volunteers are not required to have radio licenses. We just want them to give aid and assistance to their neighbors in case of an emergency.  We expect these CERT workers to begin their rescue activities at home or at work because some forms of emergencies just happen way too quickly and these CERT people should just start giving aid when and where the problems occur.  When any disaster takes place, you can pretty much expect that cell phone communications will not be effective.  The cell towers might be taken out by earthquake, fire or other factors.  If the cell phone systems are working, way too many people will suddenly try to use cell communications which overloads the systems.  We need good reliable communications between our CERT volunteers and the city administration staff at the Emergency Command Center.  We want a reliable backup to using cell phones.  FRS radios seem to be the best backup solution for CERT workers because they are cheap and easy to use.  But these radios have limited, 2 watt, power out.  This means they do not transmit very far.  Our next option is to put ham radio operators spotted about the city with their hand held ham radio and also operate a FRS radio to help the communications of the CERT people, reason for two radio pockets.  These operators are called RACES which stands for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Emergency Service.  These operators have to take National Incident Management Systems or NIMS training and need to pass a security check.  It needs to be explained that even ham radio operators using their hand held radios do not have much range when connecting point to point.  But, ham radio clubs and counties have a LOT of hill top repeaters which can offer way better communications.  Ham radio operators can also use way more power and special antennas to extend their effective communications range.  Our city ham radio operators have had CERT training so they can act as both aid giver and communications facilitator.   This requires each ham operator to operate TWO radios, thus the need for two radio pockets.  This radio vest explained below offers the user to put a hand held microphone for each radio and clip it close to their shoulders.  In this way ham radio conversations will come to them from one side of the head and the FRS audio will come from the other side of the head which is important for the user knowing which radio traffic is which.  There are a number of features that this vest offers that are really smart.

Now let me share with you why this radio vest is rather good:

• Military grade in that the material used for the fabric is thick. The stitching looks perfect. The zipper looks to be large and rugged.  The design is impressive.

  • The two side adjustment belts on each side, for adjusting humane body types, use thick bands and nice large plastic adjustment devices. For a really small body size, this vest might be too large.

  • The reflective material is wide and nicely placed and encased in plastic. A bit weird that the side reflective band runs just above the jacket size belts and is held in place with Velcro. There is a slight adjustment for a really huge person to widen this reflective band out some.In the image below, a pencil holds back the large reflective band found on each side of the vest which can be adjusted a tiny bit for adjustment of operators girth.
The red pointer holds up a third waist fastener on one side of the vest

 

  • 4 zippered front pockets are provided that are really large each with a zipper. Each zipper has TWO sliders so you can open and close using both or one from each side. (See example below).
Note that there are two zipper sliders, right and left.
  • There are 2 inside front pockets, (see image below) no zipper, just a flap on top but large. The top flap allows 8 inch wide material. It is 6 to 6 and 1/2 inches deep.
One of the inside pockets that is large enough to hold a city map or snacks.

• The large rear plastic pocket can be used to slide in our your own identification “EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS” is empty and ready for us to make and slide in our own label. It is 9 and 3/4 inches from side to side and a tight 4 inches tall. A Velcro tab locks the open end.

This is the large back pocket that can identify the purpose or duties of the person wearing the vest. The pocket is open on the side where you see the black Velcro tab.

• There are 2 more ID pockets in the front of the vest on each side and on the outside of the upper chest zipper pockets.

• The left side ID pocket is the size for a driver’s license (see image below).

This is thought to be a perfect place for the identification, or ID badge, of the wearer. The pocket is on the front left side of the vest. It is open at the top allowing ID papers or badges to be placed inside. The pocket is closed by Velcro at the top.

It is roughly 3 and 1/2 inches wide and 2 and 1/8 inches tall. This is the only pocket that might collect rain because it’s opening is on the top.  I imagine this being used for government or company ID card.

• The right side ID pocket, (see below) perfect to identify the person’s job or the user’s call sign if a ham radio operator and name.  It is open on the inside next to the zipper and allows a 5 and 1/4 by 2 and 1/2 inches card to be inserted.

This front right side pocket is larger than the left front pocket. It is perfect to identify the ham radio call sign and name of the person using the vest.

 

There are two eyelet D rings on either side of the vest back bottom, which I can not figure out what you would use them for.

 

The 2 radio pockets are high on the vest, one one each side. Each radio pocket is angled slightly away from the person’s head so the antenna aims a bit outward. The pockets are 6 inch deep. I put my huge Icom O2AT brick radio into the pocket and it fits, but tight (see image below).

•Now you would think that a small radio would sink deep into the 6 inch deep pocket but they provided a very clever placed fabric band just below the pocket top so a short radio with

a belt clip can be hooked into that short black loop. Each pocket has a rope starting at the top of the radio pocket with a Velcro strap at the end to lock in each radio.  If the radio operator bends over, his or her radios will not spill out.  This is especially important when on water in a boat.

• At the top of the vest, on each side, is a Velcro strap located close to the top of the humane shoulder. (see image below).

I found that I could slide my very long antenna under that strap. Then, I discovered that the Velcro strap can be lifted and an antenna can be laid down and the Velcro can be reset back in place so locking a long antenna from flapping around. The second method seems way faster.

• I have a HT microphone on a cable and it clips perfectly to the Velcro strap and the placement is perfect for hearing and talking. Now that is really functional and smart!

• Each radio pocket has a small fabric extension on the side close to the zipper for putting in a pencil or pen. I found that it is too thin for my favorite pen on one side but OK for a pencil. On the other side the opening is big enough for a large pen or pencil. I think the person who stitched up the vest made one pen holder smaller by mistake (or not).

One rather strong observation that I found, and this is my opinion, is that it seems to me that putting the radios in the pockets, placing antennas and wired microphones is way easier with the vest taken off.

Summary:

It is expensive but I am impressed with the total package. There are a few surprises that I was not expecting:

  • The fabric and finish that looks like the guards at a US Marine base, would wear this, being military tough.  In a hot climate, this may be a deficiency.  In cold climate it is a plus.
  • The radio pocket having a belt inside top for short radios was a real clever solution.
  • The radio pockets are slanted a bit away from the head and the Velcro bands both keep long antennas from hitting the head.
  • The Velcro and fabric loops at the top shoulders for microphones seems perfectly placed and a clever solution for hand held microphones to be mounted near the wearer’s ears.
  • All the identification pockets are made to be quickly replaced with new up to date information.  In this way, fewer vests need to be purchased for two or three shifts of emergency personnel switching out vests.
  • The pencil and pen holders was not expected.
  • The rear plastic D loops, I have no idea what they are for.
  • For me, this radio vest goes way beyond the basics to make using our radios way easier and performing tasks easier.  It is an asset, not a hindrance.

Note:  This web site and author receives no payment for this review.

Vendor Information:

F.A.S.T. First Aid & Survival Technologies Limited
 This vest is made to order in Canada. Pricing is in Canadian dollars.  There is an exchange rate difference.

Address:  8850 River Rd, Delta, BC V4G 1B5, Canada

Phone: +1 604-940-3222;  1-888-710-3278.

Product Catalog: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0222/9558/files/FAST_ProductCatalogue2017.pdf

Note that these products can take two or more months to receive.

Posted:  September 13, 2018.

 

Amazon Product Review Problem.

Amazon Product Review Problem.

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I dropped being an Amazon Product Review Program participant because I will not stand for anyone telling me how to write my blog posts.  Here are some examples:

Your review could not be posted.

Thanks for submitting a customer review on Amazon. Your review could not be posted to the website in its current form. While we appreciate your time and comments, reviews must adhere to the following guidelines:(which can be found by doing an Internet search for “Guidelines for Amazon.com Community participation.”
  On July 31, 2017 (I gave the product one star)
 
Wrong Charger Sent
 
ExpertPower Direct sent my sister the incorrect item. The Amazon web site showed the connections at the rear when being sold by ExpertPower Direct. This vendor does not seem to understand that the Kenwood TH-F6 now has two different chargers. The charger I ordered should have the connections at the rear. ExpertPower Direct sent me a charger with the connections at the bottom. It is true that you can buy batteries for this radio with the contact points at the bottom but this is unusual. HRO told me to buy from BatteriesAmerica.com from now on. I went to that web site and they really show you there are two different chargers and insist that you choose the correct one.
 
We encourage you to revise your review and submit it again. A few common issues to keep in mind:

  • Your review should focus on specific features of the product and your experience with it. Feedback on the seller or your shipment experience should be provided at www.amazon.com/feedback.
  • We do not allow profane or obscene content. This applies to adult products too.
  • Advertisements, promotional material or repeated posts that make the same point excessively are considered spam.
  • Please do not include URLs external to Amazon or personally identifiable content in your review. (I think Amazon did not like me to show BatteriesAmerica.com because it is an external link that Amazon does not make money from.)

 

 

Updated: March 6, 2019:  The web page for Amazon review guidelines had changed to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201929730.  But, it would not work when I added the link to this web page, so I had to add search text: “Guidelines for Amazon.com Community participation.”
Updated again September 26, 2020 when the link for the Amazon product was taken down I removed the product link.
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