DIY Motorized Antenna Mount

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I have recently finished building (DIY) and installing a motorized antenna mount for two-way radio, using a geared stepper motor with a stepper motor driver. A motorized mount allows you to raise and lower an antenna with the touch of a button. The mount’s motor is waterproof and has enough torque to carry heavier loads such as 5/8 wave antennas.

Motorized Mount 2

To watch the video of the motorized antenna mount, head directly to DIY Motorized Antenna Mount.

Related links:
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Basic)
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced) 

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

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Repairing EcoSport’s Rear Door Actuator

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This video demonstrates how to repair a damaged rear door lock actuator of an EcoSport,with a low-cost (250 pesos or 5 US dollars) generic actuator. In the video, I explained how to remove the stock actuator, mount the replacement generic actuator using cable ties, connect the wires for the power supply, and attach the lock-release cable to the arm of the actuator.

Stock Actuator
Low-Cost Generic Actuator

To watch the video on how to repair a faulty rear door actuator, head directly to Repairing EcoSport’s Rear Door Actuator.

Related link: Removing EcoSport’s Rear Door Panel

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Removing EcoSport’s Rear Door Panel

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This video demonstrates how to remove EcoSport’s rear door panel in order to access the wiper mechanism, the windshield washer sprayer tube, the rear windshield heater, and the rear door lock actuator. In the video, I explained how to properly remove the retaining clips, and how to use a plastic prying tool in removing the panel.

EcoSport Rear Door Panel 2

To watch the video on how I removed the rear-door panel of an EcoSport using plastic prying tools, head directly to Removing EcoSport’s Rear Door Panel.

Related link: Repairing EcoSport’s Rear Door Lock Actuator

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced)

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Six months after passing the amateur radio technician class exam (Class C), I have now finished setting up the two way radio in my EcoSport. I have made a number of improvements from my first version such as an increased range (with better SWR) and seamless integration with the vehicle.

Two-Way Radio Inside an EcoSport

I have been using this setup for more than 4 months now, and made consistent and reliable contacts with stations within a 30-km radius. The farthest contact made with this setup in this configuration is 135 km (simplex).

To watch the video on how I installed a two-way radio on my EcoSport, head directly to Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced).

Related links:
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Basic)
Testing the Range of my Two-Way Radio 
Stock Antenna Modification

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Stock Antenna Modification (Two-Way Radio)

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Since I do not often use the AM/FM radio, I’ve decided to modify the stock antenna and replace it with an antenna that is tuned to amateur radio frequencies. This antenna shall allow me to use a hand-held transceiver (HT) for scanning and occasionally, for transmitting signals in the amateur band.

Recent tests showed that this antenna is capable of extending the range of my Motorola CP-1660 to about 30 km range, even with obstacles (I was in our garage in Bacoor Cavite, yet I can still use my HT to contact stations in QC, 30 km away, with just 5W!) .

AM/FM reception was not totally lost, as the stock antenna was relocated to the front left pillar of the vehicle.

stock antenna relocated

In the video, I have drilled through the stock antenna mount, and hand-tapped a thread to make it compatible with several of my antennas. Proper coaxial cables and connectors were also made to bring the signal to the HT, located at the left side of the driver.

To watch the video on how I replaced EcoSport’s stock antenna with an antenna for two-way radios, head directly to Stock Antenna Modification (Two-Way Radio).

Related link:
Testing the Range of my Two-Way Base Radio (75W)
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Basic)
Installing a Two-Way Radio (Advanced)

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Removing the Luggage Cover (Tonneau Cover)

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EcoSport’s luggage cover or tonneau cover may be quickly removed in two simple steps: (1) pull the central handle of the cover to remove it from its latch and then allow it to retract, then (2) hold both ends of the cover, then pull the spring-loaded ends inward, towards the cover’s center.

To watch the video on how to remove EcoSport’s luggage (tonneau cover), head directly to Removing the Luggage Cover .

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Replacing the Shifter Cover

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I have recently replaced the shifter cover (or shifter boot) of my EcoSport with a universal cover purchased online, costing about 600 pesos.

Remove the plastic trim then attach the cover to the frame.
Take note of the blue thread used in the cover’s stitches

This video shows how to remove the plastic trims, and how to attach the cover to the frame that locks it in place.

To watch the video on how I replaced the shifter cover (shifter boot) in my EcoSport, head directly to Replacing the Shifter Cover .

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)