Ham radio and Prius

Most likely the front end of your handy talkie is weak as many are. They are easily swamped by stray RF of which the Prius emits more than most vehicles. However, just about any single or dual band mobile (2m/70cm) work fine in the Prius. Lots of hams have had good results with VHF and UHF (me included).

But, HF is another story. Basically it is unworkable due to high levels of noise (S9 or greater on many bands).

Rick
#4 2006

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Apr 12 2007, 09:33 PM) [snapback]422319[/snapback]</div>

Agreed. He didn't say, but I wouldn't doubt he has a Yaesu. Many radio techs joke you can tape over the face plate of them (not vertex though ... which still makes a nice commercial rig) because it receives/transmits over a lot wider area than the typical 2 or 3 khz that you'd expect.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ralph b @ Apr 12 2007, 07:04 PM) [snapback]422298[/snapback]</div>

There's another ham radio thread over in Prius Technical Discussion at
http://priuschat.com/Installing-ham-radio-...ing-t30840.html
I'm running a Yaesu FT-60 dualband handheld with no trouble, I can even scan all the memories without spurious stops. What model Yaesu are you using? I do pick up some crazy qrm on my XM radio occasionally, usually when the ICE is stopped, so not sure what that's about. I wonder how many ham operators lurk in PriusChat? I wonder if we need our own section in PriusChat? 73

 

I'm a way new ham radio operator (my call sign just hit the FCC database 2 days ago). I've been transmitting on my Yaesu VX-150 HT (2-meter) on 146.79 from my Prius without any issues.

Chap
KD0APD

 

I have a Yaesu 8R and find the 2m and 70cm bands working fine with a mag mount. Would like to hear about longer wavelength problem or successes.

 

I find that with the mobile Diamond antenna, my FT-8800 works great.
Time to install a full time rig in the car.
I also have a BC996XT in the car, works just fine!!! Again, an external antenna!
Welcome to the Group, and Fine Business on the Ticket OM!!
Next step, Extra Class

 

I have no issues with my setup.. 2 Astro Spectra's, one in VHF and one in UHF.

 

Justin, nice clean install, is that a dual band glass mount, or do you have another one on the other side?
What's the VSWR with those antennas?

 

VSWR is about 1.3 across the ham band... I have 2 - one on each side -- they are dual band so you COULD use a single one with a duplexer. To be honest, for in the city - it works perfectly well. Not the highest gain - but it works quite well.

It's totally discrete, people hardly even know there's a radio in the car..

The bracket was custom fabbed by me to hold the radio heads. This is a NO HOLES install. Not one hole drilled, not one modification. The car is leased so I wanted to make sure I could easily reverse what I did.

Bracket fab...

 

Hey justin great looking setup. I'm thinking about trying to setup a mobile rig in my prius. Could you describe how you've mounted the actual xcvr bodies and how/where you ran the wires up to the face plates?

Thanks in advance
- Dave

 

A FT-60R works fine for me. more range with the magmount, of course.

Your problem is particularly curious because the modulation mode on 2 meters and 70 cm is FM. How does this RFI manifest itself? How far from the car do you have to get before it goes away?

 

I also use a Yaesu HT it the Prius. The only major interference I found was on 448.500. Otherwise all other noise was covered by the squelch.