[ICOM] Running mobile with some CW problems

[John Geiger]

Hi Phil,

This was with the engine running, so I guess that isn't an issue.

73 John AF5CC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Krichbaum" <vailphil at sopris.net>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <IC-706MKIIG at yahoogroups.com>; <ic706 at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: [ICOM] Running mobile with some CW problems


>    706's definitely do not like low voltage. Try the same situation with 
> the engine on and off and see if you still have the problem engine on? The 
> lighter plugs often have very limited current ability and a direct 
> connection to the battery is much better if you plan to use HF mobile very 
> much. Be sure to fuse both the plus and minus wires with some MAXI fuses. 
> Downside with a 706 with the engine running is the lack of a decent noise 
> blanker although the NR does help on the MKIIG. I found my Heil with the 
> noise canceling feature made copy much more pleasant although in many 
> states wearing a headset while driving is illegal but I've never heard of 
> anyone getting a ticket listening to their tunes while driving with ear 
> buds!
>    Phil N0KE
>
> John Geiger wrote:
>> I was running my Icom 706MKII mobile over the past few days and made 
>> quite a few QSOs on the County Hunters Net.  However, 2 interesting 
>> things showed up, that I am looking for solutions for.  I had my 706 
>> plugged into the cigarette lighter on a 2007 Chrysler Town and Country 
>> Minivan. The cables were 10 or 12 guage so there shouldn't have been much 
>> voltage drop. The antenna was a MFJ mini hamstick (3 feet tall on a 5 
>> inch mag mount) for 20 meters.  I had the rig set to 40 watts due to the 
>> current limitations of the cigarette lighter.
>>
>> The first thing I noticed was that I was getting RF bites off of the set 
>> up MFJ mini travel paddles I was using.  Also off of the rig case at 
>> times.  This is intersting because it didn't happen last month when I was 
>> using a Yaesu FT857 with the same setup.  The only difference was that 
>> the paddles have a 1/8" plug on the end, so they plugged directly into 
>> the FT857's key jack, whereas I had to use a 1/8' to 1/4" adaptor for the 
>> key jack on the Icom 706MKII.  Don't know if the adaptor could cause 
>> something like that.
>>
>> Secondly, a couple of stations told me I had a chirp on my signal, like 
>> the battery was low.  I didn't get this report when the FT857 either, 
>> running at around the same power, nor with an Icom 706 original I used to 
>> have. Could the 706mKII be more sensitive to lower voltages?
>>
>> I wonder if others have experienced these problems with their 7-6s or 
>> have an idea as to what could be going on with my setup.
>>
>> 73 John AF5CC
>> ----
>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
>> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html