[Heathkit] Heathkit Digest, Vol 81, Issue 17

[rbethman]

Actually, I ran one for over 8 years, and even with all the PCM, ABS, 
and "other" computers, NEVER had an issue, even with a 250W output, 
either on HF or on VHF.

The "only" reason I let it go, is that it became TOO expensive to keep 
feeding it fuel!  Darn things weigh approximately 5400 pounds, and that 
4.6L engine with the "Interceptor" chip in the main computer, results in 
about a 10 MPG in traffic!

It produced over 20MPG on open highway.  Just DON'T punch it!  It sure 
starts to suck down the fuel then!

I had over 176,000 miles on it.  The State runs their "cruisers" until 
250,000 miles, and then auctions them off.  They STILL continue to run!

The "problem" "children" were the Chevy Caprice Classics built for the 
law.  The engines were Corvette engines - BUT - they had the "standard" 
transmissions.  Never lasted more than 18 months!  Less if you made a 
"habit" of punching the gas from a dead stop.  Then you could bank on 
replacing the transmission within 6 months!  They were NOT 
re-buildable/repairable as the Ford transmission is very easily done.

So far my Honda CRV does just fine!

Bob - N0DGN

On 10/31/2010 2:28 PM, Adrian Flynn wrote:
> In other words buy a retired squad car and use their existing power 
> leads and antenna cable runs.
> 73
> Adrian KF7DYU
>
> On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 11:03 AM, rbethman <rbethman at comcast.net 
> <mailto:rbethman at comcast.net>> wrote:
>
>     I would "think" that this would become a BIG "issue" with regard
>     to the
>     Ford Crown Victoria models that the Police Departments and Taxi
>     Companies use!
>
>     They all run 45W or more radio equipment.
>
>     The State Police in Virginia even run a repeater out of the trunk for
>     their handheld radios.
>
>     So something is being done to allow for this.
>
>     Caveat:  The State Police AND the Federal Government Law
>     Enforcement DO
>     HAVE their radio equipment installed BY Ford, and programmed PRIOR to
>     delivery.
>
>     Bob - N0DGN
>