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

In article .com,
says...
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

Eveing Nelson,

I ran 2 Jeeps with a 706 in it. 20 watts on 2 meters, 100 watts on both
6 and HF

Make sure your amataur gear is thoughily grounded. If possible, keep
the main unit as far to the rear of the jeep as possible Run the power
from the battery (with appropriate fusing) and not the cigarette lighter
or accessory outlet

I did get some stereo front-end overload, mostly on 40 meters, so I
turned the stereo volume down

Each jeep left this wokrd with over 250k miles and I never had to
replace any audio component or vehicle computer component

But, yes, if you damage many components if you aren't careful with your
installation

GL

Steve KF2TI
usually mobile 17 meters

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

In message , Chuck
Reti writes
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

I have a Vauxhall (GM) Astra diesel. In the handbook it specifies 10W
max for onboard transmitters, at all frequencies. I haven't been /M in
it, but would hope to run a bit more than that, say, what I have run in
the past (40W on 10m, and 30W on 2m). I suppose I'll find out!
Ian.
--

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:24:38 -0500, Chuck Reti
wrote:

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

You are not describing a CB antenna.

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.

And Chrysler had a V-6 (I was going to purchase one) that ran the
computer on 147.00. One of those would drowned out the local repeater
that was only 2 miles away from a distance of nearly 3/4 of a city
block. I worked with the local dealer for several weeks, but we could
not get Chrysler to even admit to a problem.

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

Actually, due to Chrysler's refusal to even talk about the matter I
ended up with a Toyota 4-Runner and I run one whale of a lot more than
100 watts even on 2-meters.

To top it off the Toyota mechanics ran the wiring for me, so all I had
to do was plug in the radios, stick on the antennas and go.
Currently I just have the 50 watt TM-D700 (35 watts on 440) and a 160
watt out Mirage amp on 144. It runs closer to 180 watts on the Bird
watt meter. I also have the Yaesu FT-897D, but I'm presently using it
in my shop as a back up rig. When back in the car that will be capable
of running about 600 watts out.

Chuck WV8A Detroit MI
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Roger wrote:
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

You are not describing a CB antenna.

Actually, he might well be. Perhaps you're lucky enough
not to have any of these people where you live, but in
my neck of the woods, in some lower-socioeconomic-status
neighborhoods, there was a wave of enormous CB antennas
with HUGE open-wire loading coils at the base, ones that
appeared to be made of 3/8" copper tubing or something
along those lines. No telling if the coils did anything
or were just for show; some of the CBers used high power
and others poured their 4 watts into these enormous
whips .. I'm seeing fewer of them on the roads these
days but they're still around. :-/


_______________________________________________
Ken Kuzenski AC4RD ken . kuzenski at duke .edu
_______________________________________________
All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001

In article ,
Roger wrote:

You are not describing a CB antenna.

Um, Yes, I am.

In article ,
wrote:

Actually, he might well be. Perhaps you're lucky enough
not to have any of these people where you live, but in
my neck of the woods, in some lower-socioeconomic-status
neighborhoods, there was a wave of enormous CB antennas
with HUGE open-wire loading coils at the base, ones that
appeared to be made of 3/8" copper tubing or something
along those lines. No telling if the coils did anything
or were just for show; some of the CBers used high power
and others poured their 4 watts into these enormous
whips .. I'm seeing fewer of them on the roads these
days but they're still around. :-/


I don't see many of them anymore, but they're most fun to see
on top of a subcompact.

Chuck WV8A Detroit

neighborhoods, there was a wave of enormous CB antennas
with HUGE open-wire loading coils at the base, ones that
appeared to be made of 3/8" copper tubing or something

I don't see many of them anymore, but they're most fun to see
on top of a subcompact.

I still see them occasionally, often on the top of big
old Suburbans for some reason. Not exactly a practical
thing--I imagine they're constantly raking trees and
overhangs and such. But I often get a grin when I see
the things. :-)

I got into mobile HF about a half-dozen years ago; I had
just bought a white 2000 Chevy Impala, mounted a 706 in
the glove compartment--or, as my wife pointed out with
real pain in her voice, where the glove compartment used
to be. :-) I had a trunk-lip-mounted Hamstick for 20 or
15, an MFJ mag-mount 6-meter quarter-wave, and a little
2meter mag mount on that car.

For a while I was puzzled at how many people in front of
me would abruptly slow down when I got behind them. Then
I realized some of the local police departments had
bought white Impalas, and seeing one festooned with
antennas (more and bigger antennas than actual police
cars) apparently made people think I might have been
"The Law." I left the 706 in that car for several
years--it was easier than un-shoehorning it out of the
dash--but took the antennas off as soon as I quit using
HF from the car, to quit scaring people. :-)


_______________________________________________
Ken Kuzenski AC4RD ken . kuzenski at duke .edu
_______________________________________________
All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001

wrote:

I still see them occasionally, often on the top of big
old Suburbans for some reason. Not exactly a practical
thing--I imagine they're constantly raking trees and
overhangs and such. But I often get a grin when I see
the things. :-)

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was
also modified to kick up the idle when the rig was one so it wouldn't
stall when keyed up.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the FCC has completely
given up enforcement on the CB bands.

Kenneth P. Stox wrote:

I ran into one of those guys last summer, not just one but two antenna's
as described. I chatted with him a bit and found out he was running a
10KW CB rig. I was incredulous until he popped open the hood to show me
the 5 alternators running off the engine to power it. The engine was

Dear sweet heavens. astonished whistle Wonder what sort
of gas mileage he got. :-)

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the FCC has completely
given up enforcement on the CB bands.

I think that happened many years ago. :-(


_______________________________________________
Ken Kuzenski AC4RD ken . kuzenski at duke .edu
_______________________________________________
All disclaimers apply, see? www.duke.edu/~kuzen001