Most automobiles don’t provide a lot of room for mounting ham radio transceivers. (Obviously, their design priorities are wrong!) Because of this, many ham transceivers have removable control panels that can be mounted on the dashboard and the main radio is installed somewhere else, such as under a seat.
Midland radio is doing some interesting things with micro-sized radios for the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The MXT275 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio puts all of the radio controls and the display in the handheld microphone.
Yaesu FT-8500
This radio reminded me of an old Yaesu radio, the FT-8500, which had almost all of the controls crammed onto the microphone. (Someone named the microphone “Mr. Potatohead” which seems appropriate, but I did not name it.) This radio had the display on the radio body, which seems like a limitation. At any rate, this rig was not very popular. I do not know anyone that owned one.
So the FT-8500 was not a big hit but maybe it is time for another go at a microphone-centric transceiver. I am thinking a basic 2m/70 cm FM radio could use this approach to ease the mobile installation challenge.
Simplicity in Design
You may be thinking that a GMRS radio is fundamentally simpler than a typical VHF/UHF ham transceiver. This is true…a typical GMRS radio has 22 channels that might have options such as CTCSS tones and repeater offset. A typical ham transceiver has more frequencies, more features, and lots of settings required.
However, if you consider the typical FM transceiver setup and usage, most people set up the memories for the repeater and simplex channels they use, usually via programming software. After that, operating the radio is 99% just selecting the desired memory channel. This kind of usage lends itself to having a simpler set of controls that can be incorporated into the microphone. This approach will require a good understanding of user needs and some careful design work to create a radio that works well.
This type of radio design will probably not work for everyone. There will be hams that want every feature available all of the time. That’s just fine. However, the microphone-centric approach may be a good fit for installation in the “other car” that doesn’t get used quite so much. Or in the case where a family member objects to having a Real Radio cluttering up the dashboard.
Using this type of radio will be a lot like using a handheld transceiver, with the addition of a microphone cable, but no batteries or antenna cable drooping down. The Midland radio has the speaker in the radio unit but it may be better to put it in the microphone (with the option of plugging in an external speaker.)
I think this idea would well for some number of mobile radio installations. What do you think?
73 Bob K0NR
13 Sept 2021 Update:
Ask and ye shall receive. This radio just popped onto the scene.
25 watts, about $110 plus shipping
https://www.446shop.com/Product/Pro1764.Html
I’ve done this with my IC-901 and an HM-151 microphone (this mic is designed to mate with the IC-7000, and perhaps others). I was able to move much of the radio functionality to the mic and I place the control head (the display) under my rear view mirror. Less filling, WORKS GREAT!
I thought the web site would post. This is the project in detail: https://ke0ff.github.io/hm133/ic901rch.html
I can always figure were to install the radio but on my new SUV my problem is the installation of the antenna, the way that the hood and the tailgate are built there’s no easy way to install one.
PS: I still own a FT-8500 and it’s a great radio when it works.
Peter VE6NZ
Yes, the antenna installation is another story.
Lately, I’ve been using the shorter 19-inch dualband NMO mount antennas and finding a spot to put the mounting bracket. Not always optimal but good enough.
Not only did I own the Yaesu mentioned above, but a company named Standard also made a dual-band radio with all the controls built into the mic.
Both models failed in the marketplace and were quickly replaced by the manufacturer’s because hams always want something slightly different than what the manufacturer designed and shipped.
Being unable to hit repeaters while driving in the desert surrounding my home due to hills, canyons and other RF impenetrables, I decided to get some GMRS gear.
As there are many desert explorers (aka, snowbirds) in the winter, that use GMRS I thought it would be a good idea to get a GMRS rig for my Jeep, a handheld for my hiking, and even one for a base rig as more and more of these folks are using GMRS for close range comms. CB is pretty much gone, and the HAM population among these folks is low. Hopefully, if I need to, I just may be able to get in touch with a GMRS user and get help. At the least I’ll have a redundant form of communications and I’d be able to offer help if anyone needed it as well.
I used to leave my Jeep on hills where my Kenwood could cross-band to a repeater and I’d hike with my HT but even then it’s no sure thing that it could hear my HT from a canyon.
So although HAM and GMRS have the same problems with RF impenetrables, the redundancy and popularity of GMRS makes it a viable addition if you like to be outdoors or are located where GMRS usage is popular.
While I do not own a MXT275 it looks like a nice compact way to have a GMRS rig and would certainly open a door to another means of RF communication.
73 Phil K7TTI / WRNP755
Hi, excellent radio for car and information.
I had a friend that owned the TF-8500. He gave it to me to program. It was a nightmare. At least for me. After I programmed it and gave it back to him I told him that I wouldn’t take the radio if he gave it to me.
My Barrett 2050 goes a step further, it has a wireless control head that looks like a late 90’s cellphone. It does all the work of the regular control head and mic, but has an operating range of about 10 meters. Mount the radio anywhere in the vehicle and you can even operate it from the picnic table outside, as well as anywhere in the car. With BT technology, this shouldn’t be hard for others to do.
Jeremy,
Interesting radio. I had not seen it before: https://www.barrettcommunications.com.au/2050-hf-transceiver/
The idea of using Bluetooth to make the connection opens up some configuration possibilities, with no cables.
There are or have been CB radios like that for years and I’ve seen a lot of marine radio equipment with a surprising amount of display and controls on the ‘mic’ so a VHF/UHF ham rig with that functionality should certainly be possible.
ANYTHING is possible. Probable is the real question. Manufacturers of ham gear have had several decades to work this out. The results have not really blown up anyone’s skirt (certainly, not mine). This means that WE, the users of the gear, must engineer the solutions. This is what I have been working towards since I was first able to drive (far too long ago, it feels).
For my money, one needs three pieces: The RF Deck, The Display, and the Control Point. The RF deck goes close to the antennas, or at least somewhere it is out of the way, the display goes in the normal driving field of view, and the control point goes where it is easy to reach (and NO infernal touchscreens!!! Just… don’t get me started). Merging control point, display, and microphone has possibilities, but you have to avoid the “Mr Potatohead” syndrome, which can be tough.
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Not bad idea I am sure. It started with detachable front panels like FT-100D then continued with separated transceiver body and remote front panel like FTM-350 both by Yaesu. No Chinese engs coming with latest idea where radio body is again separated and using single cable you have remote user interface fully integrated in the microphone by full color TFT display and all radio controls. In my opinion great idea for many situations and installations. Unfortunately no big three coming with similar one on the market…
I have all of these radios over here > FT-100D, FTM-350E as same as latest KT-WP12 and have to say the idea is brilliant. The lack of features and several typical Chinese issues in h/w as same as in f/w of the KT-WP12 unit will dissuade many potential customers.
Few lab parameters measured:
TX(H): 3,3A
TX(L): 2,6A
RX: 0,21A
RX(sleep): 0,18A
Stdby: 0,03A
P(H)145: 21W
P(H)172: 17W
P(H)431: 19W
P(H)446: 12W
(measured at U(PSU)=13,5V)
Indicator U(bat) on display: +0,1V