Ham Radio

[Jerr]

Just passed my Amateur Radio exam and I am going to get a mobile transceiver to use in the car sometimes (generally will keep it at home though). I read online that electronics in new cars (I have an 07 Versa SL) can create some issues (or even set off airbags!). Since I don't plan on having it permanently installed (just plan on running a wire out somewhere, probably passenger side, with the ability to easily disconnect) and a magnetic mount antenna, with the cable running out an open window or something. I just wanted to know really what I should look for (never modified a car before) and if I should be careful with it, since the transceiver can transmit about 50W of power and pull about 10-12A of power when transmitting. The car is still under warranty (until Feb I think) so I don't want to break it, but it'd be nice to have the radio in the car sometimes, especially for road trips.

[kc5f]

Welcome to ham radio, Jerr! Here's my post where I showed my 2m setup:http://forums.nissanversa.org/zerothread?id=287322

Mine works fine off of the fuse box, but I don't run it at 50w. 10-35w does fine for me even here in the mountains. (Heck, even 5w with the antenna inside the hatch does fine for most of my needs!) When I do put the mag mount outside, I just run the cable through the hatch. The weatherstrip protects it from getting crimped too badly.

I've never had any issue with the radio causing problems in the car. The only thing I've noticed goes the other way. When I have a CD in I have to tighten the squelch a bit, but the FM radio by itself doesn't seem to put out the same interference. Much better than my last two cars, where scanning would be stopped on several frequencies by phantom signals from the ignition.

[Jerr]

(Interesting, the forum search didn't seem to turn up that post)For purposes of this discussion (don't want to revive a 2 year old post), I will paste the picture in question:Do you know what connectors you used for that? Also, What's the black wire connected to?Thanks for the help

[kc5f]

I had a spade connector in my junkbox that I crimped onto the red and it fit into the fuse position as shown. I put a spade lug connector on the black and it's on the screw at the bottom, just to the right of center. I just loosened it and slid the spade lug behind it. I'm sure I could have found a better ground, but it worked for my purposes! (And don't forget the inline fuses - they're both just out of sight below the picture, but not visible from the driver's seat.)

[Jerr]

If you were to redo the wiring, what would you use instead? I want a way to easily remove the radio from the car without fiddling with screws... maybe implement a quick disconnect or even some molex connection?Actually, since my home base will be using a modified computer power supply, I could wire a female molex from the fuse box and hook up a male molex to the transceiver's wires and have quick yet strong connections. I'll post pictures of everything when I get it all working.

[steed77]

Congrats!!

Personally, I would run the wires directly to the battery. Use a fuse and Molex connector also.

I would not trust any car's wire harness with high dollar ham equipment. Including something that can pull more than 10A on high power. You harness will thank you

What gear will you be running?

[kc5f]

Actually, the wiring I showed goes to a molex connector under my seat. It's a lot harder to get the control head out than it is to remove the radio, itself! But I do move it from car to car, regularly.

I agree it would be best to go to the battery, but I figured the heated mirror relay position (unused, here) would work fine at lower power levels. So far so good.

And "high dollar"? Cheaper than most any mod I've seen folks talk about here. I could probably buy one rim for what I paid for my Icom!

[Jerr]

Hello again,I checked the voltage in my car at the fuse box KC5F used and at the battery. Wiring something to the battery seems like an impossible task for me (how would I attach more wires to the battery, what benefit would I have?) considering the radio should only be pulling 10A max on full TX power. I bought a Yaesu FT-7900R, which, according to the specs, pulls 13.8 VDC (+/- 15%) and can pull up to 9A on full power.

73s KJ4NWA