[Elecraft] KX3 Vehicle mount

[Don Wilhelm]

Brian,

There is a lot of controversy over fuses in the ground lead.
The reason for them dates way back to days when the battery to engine 
ground strap would commonly corrode or break.  IMHO, that was more 
common in automotive designs of the 1940s through 1980s vehicles when it 
was a piece of uninsulated braid.  I believe that connection is much 
more reliable in modern vehicles and better protected from exposure to 
the elements.

The reasoning behind putting a fuse in the negative lead is that it will 
protect the radio from having current from the starter current be routed 
over the radio's ground wire paths should the battery to engine ground 
strap be faulty.

BUT, there are other paths to ground that can go through the radio even 
if the fuse in the negative lead goes open - consider that the antenna 
coax shield is also connected to the vehicle body and provides yet 
another ground path.

IMHO, fusing the ground lead is not necessary in modern vehicle 
installations.  In fact I recall W8JI insisting that the radio ground be 
obtained from the chassis of the vehicle instead of routing the ground 
wire all the way to the battery.  That solution eliminates the problem path.

73,
Don W3FPR



On 9/12/2016 9:03 AM, brian wrote:
> Don,
>
> Perhaps you can clear up an issue.
> The link below does not include fuses in the ground side.
> I thought there were some very good reasons to do so.
>
> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>
> On 9/12/2016 12:50 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Wayne,
>>
>> Take a look at
>> http://www.elecraft.com/manual/Rev-B1-1.6-KX3-Mobile-Owners.pdf.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 9/12/2016 8:24 AM, Wayne Michael wrote:
>>> I have a 2012 Kia Sedona minivan.
>>> I currently have a FTM-400 mounted using a seat mount.
>>> Any ideas what mounts might be available to put a KX3 in the van along
>>> with the FTM-400?
>>> Anyone have experience with the KX3 mobile in a car?  Worth the effort?
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>
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