Amateur Radio in a Prius

I think I'm finally going to have a weekend day free in the next couple of weeks to put my Kenwood TM-V7A in mine, so your post was pretty timely - thanks! Did you connect the leads directly to the battery, or how did you do the power feed? I have the bigger Diamond dual-band, and was planning to use a trunk-lip mount on the lower vertical part of the hatch, on the passenger side - that way it'll clear all the various garages. I think the head will go either in or under the flippy-door thingy under the MFD...

Anyway, thanks, and 73!
Glen
AC5UA

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Clarinetist @ Sep 12 2006, 05:15 PM) [snapback]318668[/snapback]</div>

I'll get my Pri in about a week (still in Long Beach). So, I can't comment on issues with Ham gear, yet. But, I'm interested to find out what your experience is so keep us updated. What antenna and mount do you use? Where did you mount your transceiver and pull the power supply from?

Looks like you're a musician too. My dad played sax and clarinet in the big band era, mom sang, I play guitar - mostly blues and rock, just for fun.

2006 Black #8
KD7RD

 

I would be interested to know how you got power as well. I am looking at putting an IC706MIIG in my Prius.

 

It is my understanding that HF gear will create the worst problems. Running 100 watts on 15 meters, for example, I have been told will stop your Prius dead in its tracks. Rf getting into the computer system is the problem. But on VHF and UHF I have not heard anyone have any issues. I am just using a Kenwood TH-F6a HT running 5 watts so obviously no problems. The above comments concerning HF come from what I have read.

73,

K9UUT

 

to mitigate the problem I picked up an IC-2720H.

I still would like info on getting the power through the firewall and if the Neg on the cig lighter is keyed to the ignition.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bbianchi @ Oct 20 2006, 12:08 AM) [snapback]335418[/snapback]</div>

Yes, the lighter is driven by the ignition switch.

Getting power through the firewall shouldn't be a problem - look for an existing feed or grommet, cut the end of the power lead at a sharp angle, and stab it through, either alongside the existing wire bundle or through the grommet. I've done that with several other vehicles, and the Prius has several such firewall penetrations. I've run power alongside the steering shaft, but I don't recommend that unless you know that the shaft is completely immobile. As others have pointed out, you also have the option of running the power leads directly from the 12V battery, under the door thresholds along the right side of the car (the thresholds are held down with easily-removable clips), and up under the dash. That's how I'm going to do my Kenwood TM-V7, with the power lead on the switched side of a relay. I'll put a fuse near the battery in both the positive and negative feeds to protect the battery in case of a line short. I plan to feed the coil side of the relay from the lighter lead, with a 2A or 5A (whichever I have handy) fuse on the hot side of the coil in case the coil shorts out. That arrangement will ensure that the radio only has power when the ignition is on, so I remove the orangutan factor.

<battery +>--[20A fuse]--------|switched side of relay|----radio----------[20A fuse]--<battery ->

[15A lighter fuse]----|side tap|----[2A fuse]------|relay coil|-------[gnd]

Let us know how it goes, and I'll do the same!

73
Glen
AC5UA

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Clarinetist @ Sep 12 2006, 05:15 PM) [snapback]318668[/snapback]</div>

I put a VHF/UHF dual bander in mine. I put it in the cubby on the left of the trunk area, and ran power directly from the battery. Antenna is a lip mount rig. It works pretty well.

I have a separation kit and ran the wires under the door moldings and under the throw carpets to the front.

I don't know about HF. I have heard that the Prius itself wipes out 20M fairly effectively. But 2M is fine.

Kim
KN6YU

 

Any newer experience?
And, experience in a 2010 Prius?
A Yaesu FT-8900R with a separation kit, wired through
a relay to the battery sounds good.

More info on a suitable multi-band antenna solution?

Thanks for any help,
A new Ham

 

I purchased a 2010 Prius II and I am looking for up dated info on installing a Kenwood 733 ham radio in this vehicle. I have installed many radio but this is my first Prius. I would like to mount the radio in the trunk area and connect to the rear battery and run the control cables to the front of the vehicle. I am not sure where to or how to mount the control head. As you can tell this is my first post on the this forum but I have been doing a lot of reading. Thanks.

 

Try this.....


There are PLENTY of posts about this one!

ALWAYS run BOTH + & - cables to the battery! Make sure both lines are fused!, since your going to have to run the RED you do the Black with it!

+1

This is the correct way to do the install!

I run a FT-8800, same install as above quote, headunit sits above mirror...



This works PERFECT.
NO interferance problems, either car from the rig, or rig from the car!!

 

KK6PD.... Thank you for the info. I purchased a Diamond K400S Antenna Mount today. Now the fun starts.
73
KC5TOO

 

You happened to pick the best mount out there!!
I have 1 on the Prius, and 2 on my 4Runner.
They will last forever!!!

 

I just added a Kenwood TMV7A Dual Bander to my Gen II Prius. Before I installed it, I replaced my second 12 volt aux battery in 5 years with the Optima D51 battery from eLearnAid. The blueface kenwood is mounted on the rear deck above the 12 volt battery. I use it as a crossband repeater in full crossband while mobile. I use a Yaesu VX2 or Kenwood THF6A or a Yaesu VX7 handheld to access and control the crossbander. Both sides transmit at only 5 watts. A small dualband antenna is mounted to the upper hatchback lid on the drivers side. Works good for now. Maybe a bigger antenna if needed someday. 73

 

Installed the antenna today. Mounted it on the left side of the rear hatch. I will install the radio in the trunk area this weekend. Thanks for all the advise.
73
KC5TOO

 

We want pics when yer done OM!!!!!

It's going to look & work great!!

 

Installation of Kenwood Ham Radio is complete. I just need a few more posts before I can post the pictures.

 

I was asked to post pictures of my amateur radio installation into my new 2010 Prius. Here are a few pictures of the installation.

Installing the Diamond Antenna and Antenna Mount on the rear hatch.


Antenna Installation


Running Antenna Cable into truck area.


Storage box located on the left side of the trunk. Where radio will be installed.


Loacted 12v battery on the right side of trunk for power supply to the radio.


Preparing storage box for installation of ham radio.


Running control head, speaker and microphone cables to the front of the vehicle.


Re-installing storage box in the trunk for ham radio.


Installing ham radio in storage box.


Ham Radio, cables and antenna connection is installed in storage box.


Ham Radio Control Head is installed on the dash. Used a GPS mounting bracket.


Speaker and microphone are installed.

 

+1 ... Well done laddie!!!
I would have never thought to mount the K-400 up where you have, but it seems to fit quite nicely! With that stubbie up there, it works! Considering the "Ground Plane Effect" that will come into play for you, you should have a great RF footprint!!
Be careful on the cables entry point, slight possibility of a leak. I actually drilled and Grommeted with silicone sealer on my mounting. I ran the cable through the factory wiring boot into the same area you choose to mount the rig body!
Nice hidden speaker under there, bet that was tricky mounting!!

+2, Thanks for the pics, they came out great!

Here is a link to the "Animal Farm" that I hang out on, WARNING, it's not for the timid!
As "They" say, "Be sure to buckle up and wear your helmet"!!
It's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Amateur Radio Repeater - 147.705mhz and W6NUT Live Scanner Audio Feed

 

Gadget 1004,

What, or who's, GPS mounting bracket did you use?

I'm installing a Yaesu Ham radio with a detached control head. I've tested the Yaesu suction cup mount on my desk and it doesn't hold for more than about 30 minutes. The suction cup doesn't seem to be drawn to the surface when I close the sealing lever or there is a trick to creating a good seal between the suction cup and the mounting surface I haven't figured out.

Thanks

Terry