[Mobile-Portable] Toyota Prius RFI?

[Phil Temples]

Hi John, et al:

I recently had a local 2-way radio shop here in the Boston area install 
an Icom 706MIIg (an HF+6m+2m+440 transceiver) and a High Sierra 
HS-1800/Pro screwdriver antenna in my '05 Prius. I'm way too chicken to 
start drilling holes in a practically brand new car ;-) And several of 
the staff at this place of business are licensed hams and are very savvy.

Anyway, the 2m/440 side works just fine. I've noticed no issues with RF 
interfering with any of the Prius computer controlled systems.

I _did_ seeing a post from someone on another mailing list where he 
mentioned 30m adversely affected the car. I believe he said it caused 
the engine to stall.  I have not tried the rig on 30m yet so I can't 
confirm this. Nor can I say what sort of antenna/ground/SWR/power level 
he was using. In short, his problems could have been caused by any of a 
number of factors.

Interference FROM the car TO HF is an entirely different matter.  The 
Prius has to be one of the noisiest cars around. Others who have blazed 
a trail before me report that's it's very difficult to eliminate the 
noise from the various systems on the HF spectrum.  To quote one poster 
on eHam:

"There are differing parts to the EMI depending on if the batteries are
charging, discharging, or the hybrid system is coasting, if the brakes
are applied, etc. I was very disappointed to find this out after I bought
the car, but with gas prices the way they are, it's still a good buy, and
I decided to try to fix the noise as best I could... It's not hopeless,
but its a bit of a job to [reduce the interference]."

I currently suffer from an S9+ noise level on all HF bands when in 
motion, which blocks all but the strongest signals.  However, I have not 
yet applied any ground straps to the trunk lid, engine hood, tail pipe, 
etc.  Nor have I yet applied any ferrite beads to the wiring. In short, 
I have not yet begun to fight.


73,

Phil, K9HI


John Blalock wrote:
> I am considering purchasing a Toyota Prius Hybrid and would like to hear
> from anyone who has installed HF or VHF amateur radio equipment in their
> Prius.
> 
> I hope that keying the transmitter will not apply the brakes, turn off the
> engine, open the doors, inflate the air bags, etc.  And does the on board
> computer cause interference with reception?
> 
> Please reply direct as I am not a member or regular reader of this group.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
>  
> 
> -john, W7AAY
> 
>  
> 
> john at blalock.us
> 
>  
> 
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net

-- 
Phil Temples <phil at temples.com>