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Mobile high power

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mobile high power

I took delivery of my 2006 Toyota Sequoia SUV in time to make multiple
trips moving from Chicago to NorCal, carrying stuff like master tapes,
tech equipment, and other things I didn't want to fight with the moving
company about their losing it or breaking it. Prior to the first trip, a
ham friend opened his heated garage to me in a Chicago winter and helped
me pull power from the battery and mount an antenna mount on the roof
rack. Using an ohmeter, we found that there was no continuity between
adjacent screws -- some were insulated by paint, so we had to poke
around to find one to bond coax shield to the chassis to make it a
counterpoise.

I ran HamSticks, and found that they worked well enough, and mostly
worked CW. I mostly used an IC746 on the seat beside me, and found that
the antenna tuner was a big help with the narrow resonances of short
antennas. That vehicle, which I still own, has bodacious RFI, but in
the process of moving cross-country, I had no time to think about fixing
it. I had mostly run one band leaving Chicago, and noticed that the
ventilating fan sped up when I transmitted. No big deal. But driving
through the very isolated NV desert the next day, I fired up on 20M, got
three responses to my CQ, and then noticed that my speed had dropped to
20 mph -- RFI had gotten into one of the vehicle's computer and put me
in "limp home" mode. Luckily, I had tools with me -- pulling fuses
didn't reset the computer, so I had to pull the positive battery lead to
reset the computer.

This weekend, K6EU and I ran 6M FT8 and MSK144 from that vehicle with a
K3 to a 6M whip. RF got into everything, which I tamed with a dozen or
so chokes formed by 2 turns through a #31 clamp-on, multiple chokes in
series on each cable, including the coax at the antenna. That shouldn't
be a surprise -- the vehicle chassis is half of the antenna. The clamps
didn't help his Apple phone, which locked up in the presence of 100W of
6M. My Motorola phone had no RFI issues at all, even when we parked at
county lines and ran a KPA500 from a generator to a 3-el Yagi 6 feet
from the car. The objective of Tom's operation was to activate two rare
grids for 6M grid chasers.

73, Jim K9YC

On 5/6/2019 8:31 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> My Prius is so dependent on embedded processors that I take no chances -- I run only 10 W mobile. Yes, it's harder to make contacts, but my car doesn't have E-peleptic seizures.

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by WA2SI

On 5/6/2019 9:14 AM, Bert Craig wrote:
> I run approx. 200 watts from my mobile. It's been trouble free over the last four or five years. To the best of my knowledge, no adverse effects on other vehicles either. I do use LMR-240uf throughout and employ numerous snap-on ferrites as well as a full toroidal RF choke between the output of the amp and the antenna.
The right place for serious TX chokes is at the antenna feedpoint, NOT
at the rig.
> Also, all units are grounded directly to the vehicle chassis and bonded to each other.

Proper bonding in a vehicle is different from bonding in a fixed
station. In general, rigs should NOT be bonded to the vehicle chassis,
and contrary to what is written on the site of a so-called mobile
authority, DC power should be a pair run directly from the battery,
ideally a twisted pair. Fundamental reason is that bonding the rig to
the chassis provides a loop return path for noise and coupling RFI
to/from the vehicle's computers. Also, the rig is not the source of RF,
it's the antenna!

73, Jim K9YC

> So far, so good.
>
> Vy 73 de Bert
> WA2SI
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charlie T <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Sent: Mon, 06 May 2019 11:24
> Subject: [Elecraft] Mobile high power
>
> Has anyone considered the liability of running very high power mobile?
> What if you're running a KW, and gave a call on 20M. Suddenly, the guys
> brakes in the vehicle next to you locked up causing a multiple vehicle
> crash?
> I realize this is an extremely hypothetical and unlikely case, but these
> smart vehicle computer systems can't be all THAT immune to all sorts of RFI.
>
> I know the cruise control my 2000 Dakota would mysteriously jump 5 MPH if I
> keyed up with only 25 watts on 222MHz.
> It would return to it's previous setting when I un-keyed. VERY
> disconcerting eh?
>
> 73, Charlie k3ICH
>
>
>
> This begs the question: Why KX3s with KPA500s? That is what I use in my
> mobile station and it provides about 250W due to the FCC amplifier gain
> requirements. I am fine with it, as that is what I have and higher power may
> affect the vehicle. I have seen someone post a modification to remove an
> attenuator in the amp and recalibrate the power meter, but I would assume
> that Elecraft will not be allowed to do that, as the FCC Cert holder.
>
> 73,
>
> Mark
> W7MLG
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WA2SI

Re: Mobile high power

Thank you, Jim. I'll keep that in mind re. the bonding. The antenna mount is likewise grounded to the vehicle chassis and the power is indeed run directly from the vehicle battery.

Vy 73 de Bert
WA2SI

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Mon, 06 May 2019 13:38
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Mobile high power

On 5/6/2019 9:14 AM, Bert Craig wrote:
> I run approx. 200 watts from my mobile. It's been trouble free over the last four or five years. To the best of my knowledge, no adverse effects on other vehicles either. I do use LMR-240uf throughout and employ numerous snap-on ferrites as well as a full toroidal RF choke between the output of the amp and the antenna.
The right place for serious TX chokes is at the antenna feedpoint, NOT
at the rig.
> Also, all units are grounded directly to the vehicle chassis and bonded to each other.

Proper bonding in a vehicle is different from bonding in a fixed
station. In general, rigs should NOT be bonded to the vehicle chassis,
and contrary to what is written on the site of a so-called mobile
authority, DC power should be a pair run directly from the battery,
ideally a twisted pair. Fundamental reason is that bonding the rig to
the chassis provides a loop return path for noise and coupling RFI
to/from the vehicle's computers. Also, the rig is not the source of RF,
it's the antenna!

73, Jim K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Ken Winterling

On 5/6/2019 10:12 AM, Ken Winterling wrote:
> are used in services that use
> transmitters such as police, fire, ambulance, taxi, etc.

Because of the wavelengths involved, RFI coupling into circuitry at HF
is VERY different from VHF/UHF, which is used by these services. Also, I
don't know current practice, but when I was doing installs of VHF rigs
nearly 60 years ago, 25-50 watts was what we were installing. Likewise,
FM is much more difficult to detect (rectify) than SSB or CW.

73, Jim K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Dave New, N8SBE

On 5/6/2019 10:23 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
> The other unfortunate effect of designing for police/fire/ambulance
> service, is that all those radios are now VHF/UHF and up. No more HF
> radios. They went out with the state-wide sheriff's networks of old
> that ran on 40 MHz or so.

One exception that I'm aware of to the best post in this chain -- last I
heard (about ten years ago), that 40 MHz band was still used by the
highway patrol in California because it propagates better in the
mountainous terrain. Perhaps this has changed?

73, Jim K9YC

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Ken Winterling

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Charlie T, K3ICH

They still use 45/46mHz in my area for fire, EMS, and other services but I'm not sure of the power levels. I've been out of EMS for years. Years ago in my mobile I ran 100 watts on VHF FM. In recent years I ran 50W VHF FM and 100W on HF/50mHz SSB w/o issue.Ken WA2LBI LG G6 ------ Original message------From: Jim BrownDate: Mon, May 6, 2019 14:10To: [hidden email];Cc: Subject:Re: [Elecraft] Mobile high powerOn 5/6/2019 10:12 AM, Ken Winterling wrote:
> are used in services that use
> transmitters such as police, fire, ambulance, taxi, etc.

Because of the wavelengths involved, RFI coupling into circuitry at HF
is VERY different from VHF/UHF, which is used by these services. Also, I
don't know current practice, but when I was doing installs of VHF rigs
nearly 60 years ago, 25-50 watts was what we were installing. Likewise,
FM is much more difficult to detect (rectify) than SSB or CW.

73, Jim K9YC

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k6dgw

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Alan Bloom

It doesn't take a KW. During the run-up to Cycle 19, Dad let me put a 10
meter 40 W AM rig in the family car. Gonset converter on steering
column, TX in trunk with PE-103, 8 ft whip on a bumper chain mount. 10
meters was open pretty much 24/7 then. The corona ball had been knocked
off by a tree branch. Drive-in movie date, and I was just preparing to
orchestrate the "Move to the back seat," when she pointed to the Gonset
and asked, "What's that?" I said it was part of a 2-way radio, the rest
was in the trunk. She wanted a demo so I turned it on, pressed the PTT
and identified. The corona display which I was unaware of caused a stir
behind us, the manager showed up and asked us to leave, and the "Back
seat move" never happened. [:-( RF-induced bad news and "computers in
cars" had yet to be invented.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 5/6/2019 9:12 AM, Alan wrote:

> Normally when you buy a used, tube-type kilowatt amplifier you don't
> think to ask if it has been used mobile.
>
> I once bought a used (actually VERY used) Drake L4B amplifier that had
> been owned by Frank W6HWL "Highway Louie". He had a big old Cadillac
> that had been fitted with the extra-large alternator for the towing
> kit to support his high-power mobile station. Legend has it that he
> would sometimes set overhanging tree branches on fire because of the
> corona discharge from the end of the antenna.
>
> Fortunately cars didn't have a lot of electronics in those days.
>
> Alan N1AL

Randy Farmer

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Dave New, N8SBE

This information is now 20+ years out of date, so I don't know what the
car companies do any more about HF EMI testing (if anything). Some of my
radio buddies were employees of Ford, and they would arrange to drive
new/developmental cars around under the antenna field at the old VOA
relay site north of Cincinnati. Maybe nobody worries these days, but I
do know that the manufacturers are VERY sensitive to anything that
creates a driveability issue.

73...
Randy, W8FN

On 5/6/2019 12:23 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:

> Most modern vehicles are tested for EMC in large chambers, where they
> are bombarded by high-power frequencies that extend up into the
> microwave range. So, they are relatively immune to external RF fields.
>
> On the other hand, they are frequently not designed to withstand a
> powerful onboard transmitter, unless specifically designed for a
> particular market, say police/fire/ambulance.
>
> In the case of those vehicles, the assembly plant typically installs
> bonding/ground straps to bond all major metal panels. Unfortunately,
> regular customers can't get those kits installed at the plant for them,
> and they aren't very effective as an aftermarket kit, because the
> customer would have to scrape the paint down to bare metal and access
> locations that might be completely closed off after assembly to install
> said straps.
>
> The other unfortunate effect of designing for police/fire/ambulance
> service, is that all those radios are now VHF/UHF and up. No more HF
> radios. They went out with the state-wide sheriff's networks of old
> that ran on 40 MHz or so. So, that leaves the amateur radio HF operator
> twisting in the wind, both for onboard interference from vehicle
> electronics, and susceptibility of same.
>
> I heard that one OEM had declared that no one used HF any more, because
> they scanned the FCC database looking for amateur station assigned
> frequencies (ala commercial stations which are assigned fixed channels
> or groups of channels) and finding none, reached the conclusion that no
> one is using those bands any more. Thus, all frequencies below 30 MHz
> are not protected, except for the AM broadcast band in the US, and MW in
> the EU.
>
> OEMs are concerned that their onboard entertainment radios
> (AM/FM/Sirius/XM) and their tire pressure monitor and remote keyless
> entry systems have no interference, but everything else can go to pot.
>
> At one time, I'm aware that at least one OEM tested using an Icom IC-706
> with those dummy-load like 1-inch coil resonated antennas, but I don't
> know if that is any longer the case.
>
> The ARRL TIS (Technical Information Service) maintains a database of
> information on mobile installations, including official documentation
> (if any) from various vehicle OEMs on suggested mobile installation
> guidelines. Some OEMs used to come to Dayton with sample mobile
> installations, and answer questions but I've not seen them do this for
> some number of years.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> 73,
>
> -- Dave, N8SBE
>
>
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Dave New, N8SBE

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Charlie T, K3ICH

OEMs have gone back and forth over the years with the "one true ground"
vs completely distributed grounding via the chassis. They seem to
currently be in the phase of using distributed localized grounding
points (with several ground return wires per location), a kind of hybrid
grounding system, if you prefer.

I've always run a pair of wires back to the battery, but with one
important difference. I tie the ground side of the pair near the
battery end to the chassis terminal that the battery uses to 'ground'
the negative to the vehicle chassis. This way, if the battery negative
opens (either because of a loose terminal clamp or a defective
battery-to-chassis connection), you won't get a load dump of the entire
vehicle's current through your radio's ground wire, radio chassis, and
antenna coax shield to wherever you've mounted your antenna.

No OEM will ever recommend connecting the negative return of any
accessory to the battery negative terminal, because of this. Folks that
do this risk a 'thermal event' involving their gear if a load dump
occurs.

Finally, if your DC power cable came with a fuse in the negative lead,
bypass it/take it out! Otherwise, you can blow the fuse in the
negative, and put all your transmitter power load (30A peak for a
typical 100W HF rig) down your antenna coax shield to (again) where ever
you mounted your antenna.

Also, put an inline fuse near the battery end in the plus DC lead, to
guard against any shorts to chassis in the run to the rig. Most
aftermarket installations don't do much to protect the added wiring, and
it could chafe and get cut into someplace. Better to blow the fuse at
the battery end, than to have another 'thermal event' burning up the
wire.

Hope this helps.

73,

-- Dave, N8SBE

> Proper bonding in a vehicle is different from bonding in a fixed
> station. In general, rigs should NOT be bonded to the vehicle chassis,
> and contrary to what is written on the site of a so-called mobile
> authority, DC power should be a pair run directly from the battery,
> ideally a twisted pair. Fundamental reason is that bonding the rig to
> the chassis provides a loop return path for noise and coupling RFI
> to/from the vehicle's computers. Also, the rig is not the source of RF,
> it's the antenna!

> 73, Jim K9YC
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Edward R Cole

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Charlie T, K3ICH

I worked in the 2-way radio business for 30-years here in AK; did a
lot of mobile installs.

Typical police/ambulance radios ran 110w MOT stuff. Some commercial
ran 25-50w with smaller footprint sized radios. Nearly all is either
high-band VHF 150-174 MHz) or UHF (450+). All were wired with neg
tied to the chassis.

However the local refuse company trash hauler trucks ran 42-MHz, and
the state DOT still uses Low-Band VHF (47 MHz, I think). A lot of
commercial radio was going trunked and into 900-MHz band (in urban
areas). Low-band antennas were sensitive to good grounds (like HF ant are).

Makes sense that the "cop cars" would be special-made for comms
(interesting to see the 150mph speedometers). Most I installed in
the 1990's were Crown-Vics; now they run Tauras' or other full-size
sedans. Quite a few SUV's and PU's in use, as well.

I had a 50w dual-band FM mobile with mag-mt whip on my 2002 Toyota
Tundra and speed-control was sensitive to 2m transmissions (sped up
about 5mph), but my 2015 F250 diesel seems immune to RFI.

I run the 50w dual-band, KX3 plus KXPA100 on HF/6m and 2m-SSB at
150w. 12v power is run with two No. 8 wires from the left
battery. Neg. is bolted to engine chassis about six inch away from
battery and normal battery neg cable used to engine. Most of the
equipment is turned on by a HD relay in the HD power cable with relay
controlled from one of the front panel switches. My truck has dual batteries.

details: http://www.kl7uw.com/Mobile.htm

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Nope not out of service here.   The 40 MHz band is used in Tennessee
today by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Department of Safety.   Look
at any of the TN black and whites and notice the 5 ft whip with the
spring and ball at the base. All of those radios are 100 watt
mobiles.   And when they stop quickly it goes "swish swish swish".

Nope, propagation has not changed in that regard.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 5/6/2019 1:17 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 5/6/2019 10:23 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
>> The other unfortunate effect of designing for police/fire/ambulance
>> service, is that all those radios are now VHF/UHF and up. No more HF
>> radios. They went out with the state-wide sheriff's networks of old
>> that ran on 40 MHz or so.
>
> One exception that I'm aware of to the best post in this chain -- last
> I heard (about ten years ago), that 40 MHz band was still used by the
> highway patrol in California because it propagates better in the
> mountainous terrain. Perhaps this has changed?
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Wayne:

> On May 6, 2019, at 11:31 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My Prius is so dependent on embedded processors that I take no chances -- I run only 10 W mobile. Yes, it's harder to make contacts, but my car doesn't have E-peleptic seizures.

Your comment about the Prius raises a broader question:

Given:
-RF susceptibility of computers in vehicles
-Moon roofs that run from stem to stern making it impossible to install roof mounted antennas
-Passenger compartments that make it difficult to install mobile rig front panels
-Electrical systems and battery electronics that make it more difficult to “tap” 12VDC/10 amp or higher amperage sources to power ‘user provided devices’; and
-Grounding considerations

Are there currently any new make/model ‘ham friendly' vehicles that would be appropriate to install amateur radio equipment such as VHF/UHF mobile rigs?

I currently drive a 2006 Volvo XC70 wagon with 457,000 miles where I have five roof mounted VHF/UHF antennas shared amongst three amateur transceivers (DMR and Analog), two SDR receivers, and two 900 MHz receivers. I’ve been holding off purchasing a new vehicle in part due to the uncertainty whether it is possible to properly install amateur equipment along with concerns with the ‘quirks’ of various car manufacturer’s infotainment systems.

I’d appreciate comments from those on this list that have recent experiences in purchasing new vehicles and installing amateur gear in stations wagons, SUVs or Crossovers that I should consider in my ‘vehicle search.’ I travel extensively between the DFW Metroplex, Southeast Georgia and New England; having amateur radio (and railroad voice and data monitoring) gear with me is a critical consideration.

Thanks,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
K3-KPA500-KAT500 owner
(Currently in Boston. MA)

>
> Computers in general are not very RFI-proof. I discovered this the hard way when I was running 100 W to an end-fed wire directly connected to the radio. Disks spin up, mysterious boot sequences get kicked off, NSFW images flicker subliminally across the screen (or was that just my imagination?).
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>> On May 6, 2019, at 7:22 AM, Charlie T <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Has anyone considered the liability of running very high power mobile?
>> What if you're running a KW, and gave a call on 20M. Suddenly, the guys
>> brakes in the vehicle next to you locked up causing a multiple vehicle
>> crash?
>> I realize this is an extremely hypothetical and unlikely case, but these
>> smart vehicle computer systems can't be all THAT immune to all sorts of RFI.
>>
>> I know the cruise control my 2000 Dakota would mysteriously jump 5 MPH if I
>> keyed up with only 25 watts on 222MHz.
>> It would return to it's previous setting when I un-keyed. VERY
>> disconcerting eh?
>>
>> 73, Charlie k3ICH
>
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Phil Kane-2

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

On 5/6/2019 12:41 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> Nope not out of service here.   The 40 MHz band is used in Tennessee
> today by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Department of Safety.   Look
> at any of the TN black and whites and notice the 5 ft whip with the
> spring and ball at the base. All of those radios are 100 watt
> mobiles.   And when they stop quickly it goes "swish swish swish".

The CHP has gone to SUVs with the Lo-Band whip on the roof. A little
higher and it can recharge the batteries from the trolley wires.... :)--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Mobile high power

Administrator

In reply to this post by Dave New, N8SBE

Folks - we are way over the OT posting limit for this topic. Over 35-40 since
earlier this morning.

Let's close the Mobile high Power thread now. (Before many other reader's delete
keys wear out ;-)

73,
Eric
Lost Moderator, etc.
/elecraft.com/
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On 5/6/2019 12:43 PM, Barry Baines via Elecraft wrote:
> Are there currently any new make/model ‘ham friendly' vehicles that would be appropriate to install amateur radio equipment such as VHF/UHF mobile rigs?

I've never had RFI issue with VHF/UHF gear in any car that I've owned.
Max power I've run was 50W.

> I currently drive a 2006 Volvo XC70 wagon with 457,000 miles

The Volvo S80 that I sold in 2006 was very ham-friendly. No RFI issues,
and relatively quiet.

As others have noted, power for HF gear

On 5/6/2019 12:40 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:

> Typical police/ambulance radios ran 110w MOT stuff. Some commercial
> ran 25-50w with smaller footprint sized radios. Nearly all is either
> high-band VHF 150-174 MHz) or UHF (450+). All were wired with neg
> tied to the chassis.

Yes, but in those days, there was a lot less electronics in vehicles to
generate noise, and VHF/UHF is VERY different based on wavelength. What
we got away with 30 years ago for VHF/UHF is bad practice for HF today.
I agree completely with all of N8SBE's advice.

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Mobile high power

Administrator

This OT thread was closed almost an hour ago.

In the interest of relieving reader overload in the face of the very high number
of postings on this topic today, please move it off list if you want to keep
discussing it.

73,
Eric
/elecraft.com/

On 5/6/2019 2:02 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 5/6/2019 12:43 PM, Barry Baines via Elecraft wrote:
>> Are there currently any new make/model ‘ham friendly' vehicles that would be
>> appropriate to install amateur radio equipment such as VHF/UHF mobile rigs?
>
> I've never had RFI issue with VHF/UHF gear in any car that I've owned. Max
> power I've run was 50W.
>
>> I currently drive a 2006 Volvo XC70 wagon with 457,000 miles
>
> The Volvo S80 that I sold in 2006 was very ham-friendly. No RFI issues, and
> relatively quiet.
>
> As others have noted, power for HF gear
>
> On 5/6/2019 12:40 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>
>> Typical police/ambulance radios ran 110w MOT stuff. Some commercial ran
>> 25-50w with smaller footprint sized radios. Nearly all is either high-band
>> VHF 150-174 MHz) or UHF (450+). All were wired with neg tied to the chassis.
>
> Yes, but in those days, there was a lot less electronics in vehicles to
> generate noise, and VHF/UHF is VERY different based on wavelength. What we got
> away with 30 years ago for VHF/UHF is bad practice for HF today. I agree
> completely with all of N8SBE's advice.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Mobile high power

Eric,

You might let this one through.

Ed Eklin, K8ZZ, is 300 counties shy of transmitting from all counties in the 50 states. He drives Hondas. He is available on QRZ and enjoys questions. He has learned how to transmit with his K3, KX3 with 100 amp, etc., over the years without having any auto related computer issues. He just gave another great lecture at our radio club explaining the grounding issues with mobile operation.

Dave K8WPE

David J. Wilcox K8WPE’s iPad

> On May 6, 2019, at 5:11 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This OT thread was closed almost an hour ago.
>
> In the interest of relieving reader overload in the face of the very high number of postings on this topic today, please move it off list if you want to keep discussing it.
>
> 73,
> Eric
> /elecraft.com/
>
>> On 5/6/2019 2:02 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>> On 5/6/2019 12:43 PM, Barry Baines via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Are there currently any new make/model ‘ham friendly' vehicles that would be appropriate to install amateur radio equipment such as VHF/UHF mobile rigs?
>>
>> I've never had RFI issue with VHF/UHF gear in any car that I've owned. Max power I've run was 50W.
>>
>>> I currently drive a 2006 Volvo XC70 wagon with 457,000 miles
>>
>> The Volvo S80 that I sold in 2006 was very ham-friendly. No RFI issues, and relatively quiet.
>>
>> As others have noted, power for HF gear
>>
>>> On 5/6/2019 12:40 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>>>
>>> Typical police/ambulance radios ran 110w MOT stuff. Some commercial ran 25-50w with smaller footprint sized radios. Nearly all is either high-band VHF 150-174 MHz) or UHF (450+). All were wired with neg tied to the chassis.
>>
>> Yes, but in those days, there was a lot less electronics in vehicles to generate noise, and VHF/UHF is VERY different based on wavelength. What we got away with 30 years ago for VHF/UHF is bad practice for HF today. I agree completely with all of N8SBE's advice.
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Todd KH2TJ

Re: Mobile high power

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

CHP just did a major upgrade recently (within the past two years) and are still using 39, 42, 44, and 45 MHZ as well as all the VHF/UHF stuff and multiband scanners.

I've been told that they run 110 watt low band GE radios.

73, Todd KH2TJ

________________________________

heard (about ten years ago), that 40 MHz band was still used by the
highway patrol in California because it propagates better in the
mountainous terrain. Perhaps this has changed?

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