In article .com,
"KE5MBX" wrote:

Hi,
What's all this business I hear people talking about blasting people's
car stereos or killing cars altogether with high-power RF? I run 2m,
10m, and 11m in my jeep and I'd like to sort out the fact from the
legend and find out what kind of power I can use without risking
damage to my jeep or cars around me. At what power level is front-end
overload to a nearby radio likely? At what power level is damage
likely, and to what componets?

I am currently using only 50 watts on a 5/8 wave (2m), 25w on a 1/4
wave (10m), legal 4w on a 1/4 wave (11m)

Thanks,
Nelson KE5MBX

A few years ago. while in freeway traffic, my Chrysler minivan suddenly
kicked into "limp" mode (no response, low rpm, second gear only), as a
CB-er in a large van passed next to me. He had one of those stupid fat
antennas with the gigantic "loading coil," and had to have been running
a few KW for the Good Buddies.
The auto companies are well aware of the havoc RFI/EMI can wreak on a
vehicle's microprocessor-based control systems for engine, drivetrain,
braking,etc., not to mention the entertainment and navigation systems.
I once had the opportunity to see the RF testing lab at the tech center
of one of the "Big 3." It was a pretty impressive array of equipment and
testing environments, and they try to anticipate and head off "worst
case" problems.

ARRL has some good info on the subject:
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/carproblems.html

Chuck WV8A Detroit MI