[GCARC] Grand Cherokee radio install

Sat Jan 24 10:54:33 EST 2026

Just ground it to a seat bolt. You may have to scrape away some or paint or coating with a wire wheel. I have always used a seat bolt.

Vinnie N4NYY

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From: gcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net <gcarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Daniel McCormick via GCARC <gcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2026 10:13:31 AM
To: Tony Starr <tstarr1450 at gmail.com>
Cc: GCARC <gcarc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [GCARC] Grand Cherokee radio install

Thanks all ! The grounding part is my biggest headache. The battery is actually right in my cabin which is a plus and a minus of Jeeps so it’s easy to wire the radio to that.

If I am not using the radio while the vehicle is in motion and just during a POTA, etc., do I necessarily have to worry about all of the grounding concerns ?

> On Jan 24, 2026, at 08:27, Tony Starr <tstarr1450 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Installing an HF rig in a modern vehicle can be a challenge. Aside from the physical space limitations, though not so much a problem with an FT-891, there is the issue of electrical noise, which is generated by various systems within the vehicle. For a safe and quiet installation, you want the fused, positive wire connected directly to the battery, and the UN-FUSED negative wire connected directly to the vehicle body, as close as possible to the radio. Yes, this means that you cut off the inline fuse and about 8 feet of black wire, but that is what you need to do. The ground connection from the radio to the chassis ground should never be lost due to a fuse blowing or a connector being un-done. In fact, you should consider a second ground connection right to the radio chassis, to ensure that the ground connection is never lost.
>
> For ignition noise, be sure to bond the car hood to the firewall, and the exhaust system to the chassis as well. Liberal use of snap-on ferrite beads can help with things like fuel pump noise, although newer fuel pumps use pulse width modulation instead of straight DC, which can be a bear to manage noise-wise. In spite of all these precautions, I still have problems with ABS faults on my truck when transmitting on 40m, so I tend to stick with 20m or 10m when in motion, and only use 40m when parked. Speaking of operating while parked, no matter how quiet you manage to get your installation, there is nothing like finding a quiet hilltop, and shutting off the engine. You will be amazed at what you can hear. Good luck with your installation, and 73 for now.  de K3TS
>
> On Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 9:04 AM Daniel McCormick via GCARC <gcarc at mailman.qth.net <mailto:gcarc at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
>> Hi All-
>> Has anyone done a radio install for a grand cherokee? Mine is a 2021 limited that I own now so I am thinking of doing a more permanent install, but still do not want to drill holes. I am unsure of proper grounding and I'm sure this could go down a rabbit hole but thought I would check to see if anyone has done this on a similar Jeep.
>>
>> Thanks !
>> Dan
>> KD2TUS
>> daniel at kd2tus.com <mailto:daniel at kd2tus.com>
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