[Mobile-Portable] re: Radio Shutdown problem

[Scott Neader KA9FOX]

One update... I found that if I remove the separation cable on the 706, and=
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put the head directly on the radio, the problem goes away.  So, if I don't=
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use a separation cable (impossible for driving of course) the problem goes=
=20
away... and also if I disconnect the 12v at the base of the antenna, the=20
problem goes away.

Another observation:  When everything is connected normally (using=20
separation cable and 12v connected to antenna)... when I am on 20 meters=20
and have the antenna tuned so it is NOT resonate on 20, the radio signals=20
are very quiet as you'd expect... but I am also hearing "digital=20
noises".  When I turn the dial, I hear more of them... it would seem that=20
I'm "hearing" the communication between the head and the radio.  And, get=20
this... if I disconnect the 12v leads at the base of the antenna... I can't=
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hear the digital sounds anymore.  Also, if I completely remove the antenna=
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from the car, the digital noises go away.

I am stumped and frustrated.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

I'm going to dig and see if I can find some sort of clip-on ferrites to put=
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on the separation cable to see if that helps, and maybe I can find enough=20
to put some more on the 12v motor cable.  I am not hopeful this is going to=
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help.

- Scott

>Hello all.  I'm in a bit of a panic, and hoping you can assist.  I'm going=
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>on a trip and wanted to have this working before I left, but it is not=20
>looking good.  Actually, it was working fine, but something has changed...=
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>I'm not sure what.
>
>My set up is:  IC-706MKIIG with Hi-Q Antennas 3/80 screwdriver-type=20
>antenna and AmCom ASAC Automatic Screwdriver Antenna Controller.
>
>My problem:  Every time I try to apply power on 20 meters (even the Lowest=
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>power setting on the 706) the radio immediately shuts down.
>
>Solution?  If I unhook the 12 volt line to the Antenna motor, the problem=
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>goes away.
>
>The Antenna Mfg suggests putting Toroid Cores around the 12v leads, as=20
>close to the base of the antenna as possible.  The manual says:
>
>"If you ordered the red toroid cores to use as RF chokes on the motor DC=20
>lines,
>install them as close to the motor as possible. Simply loop the motor leads
>through the cores, one at a time."
>
>I do have the red toroid cores, but I guess I didn't install them=20
>correctly... I separated the + and - leads, and put one toroid around each=
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>lead, looping each lead through a toroid two times.  So, I have a toroid=20
>on the + lead, with two loops around the toroid, and I have a toroid on=20
>the - lead, with two loops around the toroid.   I guess it's worth ripping=
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>it apart and trying to keep the leads together and loop them BOTH through=
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>both toroids.
>
>However, later in the manual it states:
>
>"It is also a good idea to use the clip-on, data type line chokes on the=20
>wires coming out of the antenna motor leads. Wrap the wires around the=20
>core at least once. Do the same
>thing for the coax cable. Toroids may also be used. This will eliminate=20
>the RF =93pick-up=94 that may alter VSWR readings or affect the vehicle=92s=
=20
>electronics. To prevent RF feed back on the motor lines you can add a pair=
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>of 100 =B5H, 2 amp chokes at the base of the antenna."
>
>FYI, the installation manual for the antenna is located at:
>     http://www.hiqantennas.com/Stealth-Mounting-Tips.pdf
>
>Is a "100uh 2 amp choke" something I'm going to find at Radio Shack, or am=
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>I hosed for this trip?  Any other suggestions to stop this problem?  If I=
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>can't get 20m to work, I might as well just throw my tri-magnet mount on=20
>the truck and bring my pile of HamSticks.  They work, but then to change=20
>bands, I have to pull over, which doesn't work when it's late at night=20
>and/or when the kids are napping. :-(
>
>I've got 24 hours.....
>
>73 - Scott KA9FOX