Re: Race radios
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 5:15 pm
I like Vertex VX6000 110 watt VHF. If you are just talking car to car, a smaller radio is ok, but does not cut it in Baja.
https://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/
https://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=206
=Wrightracing.net wrote:I like Vertex VX6000 110 watt VHF. If you are just talking car to car, a smaller radio is ok, but does not cut it in Baja.
Just curious....Wrightracing.net wrote:I like Vertex VX6000 110 watt VHF. If you are just talking car to car, a smaller radio is ok, but does not cut it in Baja.
I am not sure on that one Paul. Which two model's and makes are you talking about.PaulW wrote:=Wrightracing.net wrote:I like Vertex VX6000 110 watt VHF. If you are just talking car to car, a smaller radio is ok, but does not cut it in Baja.
Why does the 100 w unit cost more than the 110?
Hey Christvoymang wrote:Just curious....Wrightracing.net wrote:I like Vertex VX6000 110 watt VHF. If you are just talking car to car, a smaller radio is ok, but does not cut it in Baja.
What test equipment do you use to check deviation, frequency error, rf power output and receiver? What are you using to tune your antennas?
Thanks,
Chris
I am going to argue a little with you here, since I am no longer a PCI tech and can't be lashed for it.Wrightracing.net wrote:There is nothing wrong with running the TK730H. Tons of people are running them and they are almost bullet proof. I do repairs and refurbish radios for the guys at Solo MotorSports and a bunch of other teams. The main repairs are external stuff that gets trashed, do to poor installation and poor prep. The main radio units are solid, yet the weak link is the Molex connectors.
The guys at PCI are great, but they will of course recommend new radios, that is what they are there for, to make money.
For a piece of mind, you should check the radio out on a power meter for proper output. Also, the Molex power connector should be replaced with a Weather Pak connector. I would also recommend a RF noise suppressor on the radio. I like the Kenwood KLF-2 line suppressor. For the intercom, I replace that Molex connector with a metal mobile 5 pin connector like PCI uses on their race intercoms. On chase and pre-runner trucks I setup a second outside speaker so it can be used as a PA and then on the TK730H you can switch the radio audio outside, so you can leave the doors and windows shut while watching the race. When it comes to mounting the radio, the place should be away from heat sources like the passenger side under the seat, because of the exhaust and Cat. Also the trans tunnel gets hot and the firewall are not the best place. Under the drivers seat might work but depends on your Bronco. The best thing if you mount it on the floor is to use rubber mounts, like used for oil coolers. It keeps the radio off the ground in case you swamp the truck with water and lets the radio breath. The radios don't usually get hot, so it is not an issue.
On my Bronco, I am mounting the radio in a custom center console with layer of Dyno mat, to keep the heat out from the floor. Another place I have seen it mounted was to the cage on tabs on it's side behind the passenger door.
If you have any questions let me know.
Very few teams need a $1500 radio in their car. You can find a 50watt $359 ICOM chase radio from PCI that will work great all day long. Most people I have run across with 110w kenwoods are not even using them to 60% of their potential.Wrightracing.net wrote:I am self taught and do basic realignment and testing. I started this by getting used radios for friends that could not afford a $1200 + radio in their trucks to help at the races. I specialize in the Kenwood radios and do it just as a side job.
Uhhh interesting.... if thats the case.... it being old technology, then why does PCI push the "roadmaster" so hard? Id guess PCI sold the roadmaster because they were able to buy bulk at 50$ a radio. Resell for 500$ a piece and you got yourself a TT program off the pure profit of selling old outdated technology.agavelouis wrote:I am going to argue a little with you here, since I am no longer a PCI tech and can't be lashed for it.Wrightracing.net wrote:There is nothing wrong with running the TK730H. Tons of people are running them and they are almost bullet proof. I do repairs and refurbish radios for the guys at Solo MotorSports and a bunch of other teams. The main repairs are external stuff that gets trashed, do to poor installation and poor prep. The main radio units are solid, yet the weak link is the Molex connectors.
The guys at PCI are great, but they will of course recommend new radios, that is what they are there for, to make money.
For a piece of mind, you should check the radio out on a power meter for proper output. Also, the Molex power connector should be replaced with a Weather Pak connector. I would also recommend a RF noise suppressor on the radio. I like the Kenwood KLF-2 line suppressor. For the intercom, I replace that Molex connector with a metal mobile 5 pin connector like PCI uses on their race intercoms. On chase and pre-runner trucks I setup a second outside speaker so it can be used as a PA and then on the TK730H you can switch the radio audio outside, so you can leave the doors and windows shut while watching the race. When it comes to mounting the radio, the place should be away from heat sources like the passenger side under the seat, because of the exhaust and Cat. Also the trans tunnel gets hot and the firewall are not the best place. Under the drivers seat might work but depends on your Bronco. The best thing if you mount it on the floor is to use rubber mounts, like used for oil coolers. It keeps the radio off the ground in case you swamp the truck with water and lets the radio breath. The radios don't usually get hot, so it is not an issue.
On my Bronco, I am mounting the radio in a custom center console with layer of Dyno mat, to keep the heat out from the floor. Another place I have seen it mounted was to the cage on tabs on it's side behind the passenger door.
If you have any questions let me know.
The reason PCI does not use or advise the use of the 730's is the programming interface and the equipment is old. The 730 has given me more trouble at races than a lot of newer equipment, hence why we try to opt towards it. There are some good ones left, but an ICOM 50watt will suffice for 90% of the racers out there and preform as good if not better in a lot of situations than the 730. A Kenwood or Vertex will do the same job, with Kenwood 7360 or similar being the best choice in a race car. Any closed cab vehicle will be fine with the ICOM.
Some/ most 730's are 32 channel, some being 16 channel, all of which do not have the military spec'ed mic of the 790H. The cat5 mic is susceptible to water, tear and abuse when used outside of its intended cop cars. It to my knowledge is not capable of running on the narrowband FCC mandated freq callout as of 1/1/13. What this means down the road is when the smaller Mhz jumps into the offroad freq list's is that your radio will not be capable of it. There are only so many race freq's available, and the next generation of freq's will start making their way into our sport, which this radio will not be capable of. The 730 also has little to no support from Kenwood left. Try tracking down a OEM power cable for it, let alone last minute in Baja. PCI can only get 790 cables now, and that is the only one you can buy off the trailer when you need it most.
The 790 is expensive, I agree there, but it is BETTER in every way than the 730's. PCI isn't striking it rich off the few that it sells a year. It also has 160 channels of memory so you can save all of your favorite teams frequency's
I will have to agree that having PCI at the race's is Nice.agavelouis wrote:I am going to argue a little with you here, since I am no longer a PCI tech and can't be lashed for it.Wrightracing.net wrote:There is nothing wrong with running the TK730H. Tons of people are running them and they are almost bullet proof. I do repairs and refurbish radios for the guys at Solo MotorSports and a bunch of other teams. The main repairs are external stuff that gets trashed, do to poor installation and poor prep. The main radio units are solid, yet the weak link is the Molex connectors.
The guys at PCI are great, but they will of course recommend new radios, that is what they are there for, to make money.
For a piece of mind, you should check the radio out on a power meter for proper output. Also, the Molex power connector should be replaced with a Weather Pak connector. I would also recommend a RF noise suppressor on the radio. I like the Kenwood KLF-2 line suppressor. For the intercom, I replace that Molex connector with a metal mobile 5 pin connector like PCI uses on their race intercoms. On chase and pre-runner trucks I setup a second outside speaker so it can be used as a PA and then on the TK730H you can switch the radio audio outside, so you can leave the doors and windows shut while watching the race. When it comes to mounting the radio, the place should be away from heat sources like the passenger side under the seat, because of the exhaust and Cat. Also the trans tunnel gets hot and the firewall are not the best place. Under the drivers seat might work but depends on your Bronco. The best thing if you mount it on the floor is to use rubber mounts, like used for oil coolers. It keeps the radio off the ground in case you swamp the truck with water and lets the radio breath. The radios don't usually get hot, so it is not an issue.
On my Bronco, I am mounting the radio in a custom center console with layer of Dyno mat, to keep the heat out from the floor. Another place I have seen it mounted was to the cage on tabs on it's side behind the passenger door.
If you have any questions let me know.
The reason PCI does not use or advise the use of the 730's is the programming interface and the equipment is old. The 730 has given me more trouble at races than a lot of newer equipment, hence why we try to opt towards it. There are some good ones left, but an ICOM 50watt will suffice for 90% of the racers out there and preform as good if not better in a lot of situations than the 730. A Kenwood or Vertex will do the same job, with Kenwood 7360 or similar being the best choice in a race car. Any closed cab vehicle will be fine with the ICOM.
Some/ most 730's are 32 channel, some being 16 channel, all of which do not have the military spec'ed mic of the 790H. The cat5 mic is susceptible to water, tear and abuse when used outside of its intended cop cars. It to my knowledge is not capable of running on the narrowband FCC mandated freq callout as of 1/1/13. What this means down the road is when the smaller Mhz jumps into the offroad freq list's is that your radio will not be capable of it. There are only so many race freq's available, and the next generation of freq's will start making their way into our sport, which this radio will not be capable of. The 730 also has little to no support from Kenwood left. Try tracking down a OEM power cable for it, let alone last minute in Baja. PCI can only get 790 cables now, and that is the only one you can buy off the trailer when you need it most.
The 790 is expensive, I agree there, but it is BETTER in every way than the 730's. PCI isn't striking it rich off the few that it sells a year. It also has 160 channels of memory so you can save all of your favorite teams frequency's
philofab wrote:Louis is right, I have been one of those guys with an Icon V8000 or a Motorola Maratrec.
Louis, go finish your Bronco. We have a prerun coming soon! I gotta teach you how to drive a Bronco... lol.
A couple places (Ham Radio Outlet for example) offer MARS modification and will also offer extended warranty.Wrightracing.net wrote:I have always been happy with Kenwood radio's.
The problem is that the
D710G is a Ham radio and it has to be modified to
Transmit on RACE Frequencies. Also, the radio warranty is voided if it is modified. With Ham radio's on frequencies outside their intended range tend to bleed over on other frequencies causing problems for RACE day communications for other people. That is why I am not a fan of converted radio's.
Just my 2 cents