[Mobile-Portable] Mobile in Hybrid Vehicles

[WD8ARZ]

Hello Skip, suspect you will be the expert for this vehicle. Every 
mobile install is different, has different problems to solve, and has 
areas that wont measure up to expectations. Problem solving most likely 
will be weeks at a minimum, and months is not unusual.

Am on my third version of the installation configuration in my vehicle 
that I am now very satisfied with. Even when I thought the install / 
setup was ok when at home, a long trip would ferrite out the bugs. hi

When I pull my Trail Blazer with hf radio on near my wife's running 
Prius hybrid, the noise level in the receiver rises. Tuning across the 
bands finds plenty of rfi signals from it. Others have reported how bad 
it is when the hf rig and antenna are part of the vehicle. Dont know if 
any one does hf out of the Prius while actually in motion for true 
mobile hf.

Serious problem are for mobile hf in some hybrids, is interfering with 
the HYBRID electronics. Would hate for a lithium type battery being over 
charged and venting gasses. Those gases are dangerous and damage mucus 
membranes. Eyes, nose and throat in particular. Once I got rf into a 
charger in my garage charging a standard auto battery. Over charged it, 
warped the plates and bowed the case. Destroyed the battery. RFI into 
the charger locked it up ...

Me, I prefer to operate all my ham gear off a separate battery isolated 
from the vehicle battery.

Your millage will hopefully vary .... hi hi

73 from Bill - WD8ARZ


On 10/1/2013 12:29 PM, Skip Cameron wrote:
> I enjoyed mobiling in my old 1999 Lexus sedan with a license plate
> mount, Little Tarheel screwdriver for 40-6M, and a home made adapter
> shaped from from a block of dry floral foam wrapped in plastic with the
> remote head of my IC-706MKIIG mounted on it for a "no new holes in the
> car" installation.
> The cables for antenna tuning, remote head and CW key were easily run
> through an existing hole behind the left rear seat and under it and the
> mat behind the driver's seat to the center console.
> The power cable was run to the 12v battery up front through an existing
> hole in the bottom left of the trunk, under the chassis to the engine
> compartment.
>
> I recently sold it and bought a Lexus ES300h Hybrid.
> The 12v battery is in the trunk, which will make for an easier install.
> Have not yet figured out how to do the remote head yet, or how to route
> the cables to it..
> Has anyone on this list installed their mobile in a Lexus or other
> Hybrid vehicle?
> Any more issues with RFI than a conventional vehicle?
> Please advise model and any tips on install.
> Thanks,
>
> Skip W5GAI