[amsat-bb] Re: [Mw] Slightly OT: Mobile Installations

[Bruce Bostwick]

It's not safe to talk and drive, for the most part, you're right.  But  
some of us sometimes like to *listen* and drive, and pull over to talk  
if need be.  :)

(Had way too much fun on 10 meters during the peak of the last solar  
cycle, both on FM repeaters and modest mobile SSB DX.)

Even if we're not talking, cars that make SSB or even AM unusable  
while driving aren't appealing.  And the first generation production- 
scale EV's probably *aren't* going to be much fun on HF SSB or AM .. :p

On Apr 14, 2009, at 10:59 PM, Edward Cole wrote:

> A VHF-FM radios is much different "critter" as far as noise
> resistance.  Noise is mainly AM and is why all commercial mobile
> two-way radios are FM.  I suspect that one might be able to add
> ferrites and bypass caps to suppress electrical motor noise
> (maybe).  If the gas engine in the hybrid is at fault there are good
> products to suppress ignition and alternator noise.
>
> The electric car industry will have to deal with this, but the first
> models out will likely not be HF freindly.  Best one could hope for
> is reasonable use on VHF-SSB.  Any less will leave you running
> VHF-FM.  That will be OK for satellite use since I suppose one does
> not usually operate while driving.  FM-Leos might be fine for that,
> though its not really safe to talk-n-drive ;-)
>
> ED - KL7UW
>
> At 08:33 AM 4/14/2009, AJ9N at aol.com wrote:
>> I own a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and a 2008 Toyota Prius.  Love
>> both hybrids.  So far I have not installed a radio in either car but
>> I have used an HT using the 12V socket with no apparent
>> problem.  Here are some web sites that might help.
>>
>> <http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm>http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm
>>
>> http://www.k0bg.com/hybrid.html  the main page is listed below.
>>
>> <http://www.k0bg.com/>http://www.k0bg.com/  really cool home page
>> for a bunch of mobile stuff.
>>
>> I am leaning towards just installing a VHF/UHF dual bander in my
>> hybrids so I might not have much of a noise issue.  But HF is  
>> another story.
>>
>> I also went into the Toyota web site to look at their manuals.  You
>> can buy a 1 day subscription and download as much as you want.  They
>> were not the most helpful for installing radios but there are some
>> interesting things to know.  Toyota has something called TIS
>> (Technical Information System).  Go to:
>> <https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859-1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0&SMAGENTNAME=%24SM%24mT%252bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2kysT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%253d&TARGET=%24SM%24https%3A%2F%2Ftechinfo.toyota.com%2F 
>> >https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859-1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0&SMAGENTNAME=%24SM%24mT%252bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2kysT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%253d&TARGET=%24SM%24https%3A%2F%2Ftechinfo.toyota.com%2F
>>
>> I too am interested in what others are finding.
>>
>> 73,
>> Charlie Sufana AJ9N
>>
>> In a message dated 4/14/2009 1:34:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
>> kl7uw at acsalaska.net writes:
>> At 05:22 PM 4/13/2009, Jim Sanford wrote:
>>> All:
>>> The other day, somebody decided he needed to get thru an  
>>> intersection
>>> ahead of me . . .  . so, in search of a replacement chariot to  
>>> support
>>> the mobile equipment.  Considering:
>>>
>>>    Toyota Highlander hybrid
>>>    Saturn VUE Hybrid
>>>
>>> Have read the Consumer Reports rap on all.
>>>
>>> QUESTION:  Does anybody have any experience or guidance regarding:
>>>    -- problems installing HF/VHF/UHF radios in either vehicle
>>>    -- problems with noise FROM the hybrid equipment
>>>
>>> I remember that some years ago, all the Japanese manufacturers would
>>> void your warranty if you installed two-way radio equipment.  That
>>> appears to be no longer true, as long as "properly  
>>> installed" (defined
>>> as adequately fused).
>>>
>>> All experiences welcome.
>>>
>>> Thanks for bandwidth.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Jim
>>> wb4gcs at amsat.org
>>
>> Jim,
>>
>> Excellent question, considering the number of hybrid cars (and
>> all-electric cars soon to be offered in 2010).  I wonder if the
>> electric motors have brushes and if they are RFI bypassed?  I do not
>> have any info to provide, but certainly interested in what you find
>> out.  I am watching the Chrystler Electric Town & Country van to be
>> offered in 2010 with 40-mpg performance.  It runs with electric
>> motors 100% and has gasoline generator for extended distance driving.
>>
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW

           --... ...-- -.. . -. ..... ...- -...
                   Bruce Bostwick N5VB