WB7X
06-14-2011, 05:55 PM
This article is to introduce you to The BACKBONE, a product by Ernie KG4YNI of Ham Radio Innovations. The BACKBONE is a heavy duty articulating mount for use with remote control head type transceivers such as my Icom IC-7000. The BACKBONE is innovative in that there is only one knob to tighten once you have the mount set up as you want it. To quote Ernie: “When you tighten the knob it extends a wedge against the balls in each joint resulting in serious rigidity”. “Serious rigidity” is right.
Mounting plates for various make/model transceivers are available and listed at the website.
The BACKBONE arrived via USPS Priority Mail. Included are the articulating arm, transceiver specific mounting plate for the remote head, mounting base, and associated hardware. Ernie KG4YNI has even included the proper drill bit for the base mounting screws. (Way to go Ernie!)
The arm weighs in at 1lb 9.6oz. The mounting plate is 6.1oz and the bag with the base mount is 2.5oz. (A big Thank You to our friendly local USPS branch for weighing these for me on a slow Friday morning).
The remote head mounting plate has a textured black epoxy finish. Both the mounting plate and base mount are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. The arm is steel and has a smooth black finish.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 001.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 002.JPG
The following pictures show the articulating arm in various stages of dis-assembly. (The internal parts are very well lubricated).
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 003.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 004.JPG
This picture shows the nuts and bolts of the design. Notice the two beveled operating “pistons” (top and bottom left of large knob) and the two beveled operating “rods” inside of the articulating arms. The pistons are actuated by the knob, which then operates the rods and tensions the upper and lower knuckles. The spacer (center) provides tensioning between the two arms. The whole operation happens simultaneously.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 005.JPG
Close up views of the upper and lower knuckles.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 006.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 007.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 008.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 009.JPG
BACKBONE assembled.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 010.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 011.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 012.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 013.JPG
Dimension reference.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 014.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 015.JPG
Mounting base is made of machined 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum with threads via a steel insert.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 016.JPG
Here is the setup with the Icom IC-7000 remote head and MB-105 mount. I have mounted the BACKBONE on a piece of shelf material for demo purposes. (Much cooler inside than doing all of this in the Silverado).
Notice that the holes in the BACKBONE mounting plate are specifically drilled for the make/model of remote head. (Stainless hardware in the mounting plate supplied with the BACKBONE).
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 017.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 018.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 019.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 020.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 020.JPG
To coin an aviation term, here is where I “depart the fix”. Although the BACKBONE is designed for the mounting of the remote control head of a transceiver, I thought I would try a little experiment.
I did a quick mount of the Icom MB-62 mobile bracket via two of the pre-drilled holes, and mounted the whole IC-7000. The BACKBONE certainly lived up to its name.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 022.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 023.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 028.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 024.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 025.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 026.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 027.JPG
The BACKBONE can be ordered as a kit for a specific transceiver or can be ordered as separate parts. According to the website, Ernie will also quote custom modifications.
The BACKBONE kit for my IC-7000 was $179 plus shipping and can be ordered via the website http://www.hamradioinnovations.com/.
PayPal is accepted.
(DISCLAIMER: I have no personal or financial interests in Icom or Ham Radio Innovations. Opinions are my own).
I can be reached via this website or via www.WB7X.net
Photo credit to my YL WD7DX.
Mounting plates for various make/model transceivers are available and listed at the website.
The BACKBONE arrived via USPS Priority Mail. Included are the articulating arm, transceiver specific mounting plate for the remote head, mounting base, and associated hardware. Ernie KG4YNI has even included the proper drill bit for the base mounting screws. (Way to go Ernie!)
The arm weighs in at 1lb 9.6oz. The mounting plate is 6.1oz and the bag with the base mount is 2.5oz. (A big Thank You to our friendly local USPS branch for weighing these for me on a slow Friday morning).
The remote head mounting plate has a textured black epoxy finish. Both the mounting plate and base mount are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. The arm is steel and has a smooth black finish.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 001.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 002.JPG
The following pictures show the articulating arm in various stages of dis-assembly. (The internal parts are very well lubricated).
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 003.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 004.JPG
This picture shows the nuts and bolts of the design. Notice the two beveled operating “pistons” (top and bottom left of large knob) and the two beveled operating “rods” inside of the articulating arms. The pistons are actuated by the knob, which then operates the rods and tensions the upper and lower knuckles. The spacer (center) provides tensioning between the two arms. The whole operation happens simultaneously.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 005.JPG
Close up views of the upper and lower knuckles.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 006.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 007.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 008.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 009.JPG
BACKBONE assembled.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 010.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 011.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 012.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 013.JPG
Dimension reference.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 014.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 015.JPG
Mounting base is made of machined 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum with threads via a steel insert.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 016.JPG
Here is the setup with the Icom IC-7000 remote head and MB-105 mount. I have mounted the BACKBONE on a piece of shelf material for demo purposes. (Much cooler inside than doing all of this in the Silverado).
Notice that the holes in the BACKBONE mounting plate are specifically drilled for the make/model of remote head. (Stainless hardware in the mounting plate supplied with the BACKBONE).
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 017.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 018.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 019.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 020.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 020.JPG
To coin an aviation term, here is where I “depart the fix”. Although the BACKBONE is designed for the mounting of the remote control head of a transceiver, I thought I would try a little experiment.
I did a quick mount of the Icom MB-62 mobile bracket via two of the pre-drilled holes, and mounted the whole IC-7000. The BACKBONE certainly lived up to its name.
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 022.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 023.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 028.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 024.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 025.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 026.JPG
http://wb7x.super-web.biz/backbone/Backbone 027.JPG
The BACKBONE can be ordered as a kit for a specific transceiver or can be ordered as separate parts. According to the website, Ernie will also quote custom modifications.
The BACKBONE kit for my IC-7000 was $179 plus shipping and can be ordered via the website http://www.hamradioinnovations.com/.
PayPal is accepted.
(DISCLAIMER: I have no personal or financial interests in Icom or Ham Radio Innovations. Opinions are my own).
I can be reached via this website or via www.WB7X.net
Photo credit to my YL WD7DX.