Car ham radio setup

Before starting with the installation, the first step is to plan the mounting location. The mounting site should have the following features. Most modern-day transceivers are compact, thus, making them easier to install.

However, the small-sized ham radios for the car may still pose a problem for vehicles with limited space. In doing so, you also need to consider whether you can easily plug in the microphone or need an extension for it. You will also need to look for space to assist an external speaker if there is a need for one. Some users recommend the fold-down, middle seat as a mounting location. If nobody occupies the position, you will have no problem installing it there.

Another important tip is to make sure that you install the mobile ham radio in a manner that it does not distract the driver. Operators having to take their eyes off the road to use the transceiver can be quite risky! Once you have identified the mounting spot, next, you need to secure it properly.

You cannot just throw the car ham radio on the dashboard and expect it to do fine. In case of a crash, any loose equipment can pose a threat to the driver and passengers. Most devices come with installation brackets and other accessories to assist secure installation. Use them to secure the rig against damage. If it requires drilling, make sure the other side of the panel is clear and away from airbags.

Also, stay clear of wiring and other essential components. Many commercially provided leads sold with radios will have fuses closer to the transceiver, so adding a second pair under the hood is a good safety implementation.

Use in-line fuses on both power lead wires to reduce the possibility of fire or damage in the case of a short or other fault in the radio. Important Note! Run your transceiver power leads directly to your vehicle battery terminals and avoid any use of existing automobile wiring.

The wiring used in most car power outlets is not designed to carry the high currents that a transmitter may draw, and they may quickly overheat and start a fire. Just say no to automobile wiring! Power leads should be routed directly to vehicle battery terminals, avoiding any use of existing automobile wiring. This can be a little tricky with some older vehicles and might require some drilling.

Most modern automobiles have pre-existing access ports through the firewall and into the passenger cabin. You may have to do a little searching, perhaps behind engine components and under carpet or trim, to discover that unimpeded path for your power leads. When routing power leads through a firewall port to the engine compartment, be sure to use a grommet or other heavy insulation around the wires.

If you do not, the wires can chafe over time as they jiggle or rub on the metal edge of the port. Eventually this will lead to an electrical short to the car body when conductors are exposed, a potentially dangerous situation.

Use a grommet in the firewall port to protect against chafing and electrical shorts over time. Behind the master cylinder in the engine compartment I found an existing firewall port into a position underneath insulation and trim inside the cab, high behind the dashboard.

The port position promoted concealment of the power leads behind the dash and under carpet and trim pieces all the way to the transceiver chassis under my seat. Antennas: With the power leads routed from battery to transceiver, my attention turned to the challenge of antennas. Several factors fed into the antenna selections and mounting positions. Keeping in mind the tenet that every antenna is a compromise, I selected antennas and mounting locations that were a compromise between convenience, cost, and performance.

A good rule of thumb to follow is to get as much metal mass under the antenna as possible, given other constraints. This will help provide a path for return currents to the antenna and enhance its performance. A quarter wave antenna mounted solidly to the vehicle roof is a great option, but I wished to avoid drilling into the roof for mounting or coaxial cable routing.

Mounting it on the roof of the truck would also have made garage entry a non-starter, and I was determined to keep my new used truck in the garage! Yes, I secretly knew that a longer HF antenna was likely to require some reconfiguration for garage parking. Alpina Racing Boots. City Clothing Store. Blood Rice Pudding.

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