Vince,
I see that you are getting a lot of advice on this subject and I believe
that some of it may not be correct.
I know that you drive a Volvo but if you look on the General Motors web
site you will find some good general information on how to install a
mobile rig and minimize or eliminate RFI problems to the different
systems in your vehicle.
GM recommends that you connect both battery and battery return leads
DIRECTLY to the battery. Do not use any part of the car body or chassis
for your battery return lead. It is a safety MUST to fuse BOTH of these
leads AT the battery connection point.
Do NOT connect the rig to ground at any point inside of the passenger
compartment. Just let it float.
Route your coax feed line to the antenna as far away as possible from
other vehicle wiring. Make sure that you have a GOOD ground connection
at the antenna.
Adjust your antenna for minimum SWR. I'm not sure what band you are
operating on but it is generally necessary to add some capacitance from
the coax center conductor to ground to get a good match on the lower HF
bands.
All body parts including hood, trunk, doors, etc. should have a flexible
ground strap connected to the vehicle body around the hinges and the
body should have ground straps connected to the frame (if you have one).
Rubber mounted exhaust system parts should have ground straps as well as
bumper assemblies (if they are not plastic) should have a direct
connection to frame or body ground. There should be several ground
straps between the engine block and ground.
Be aware that some vehicles have plastic or fiberglas body parts. This
is not the best place to mount an antenna. Also be aware that some body
parts can have a hidden antenna for the AM/FM radio or built in Cellular
systems.
All of the above will also help to cut down QRM to your mobile rig from
the vehicle ignition and computer systems.
Good luck and safe mobile operating!
73,
Bill - K6WLM
"Vincent A. Santis" wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I took my scout mobile today and since I'm not the vehicle driver I ran cw.
> However, every time I keyed the rig the blown light warning light blinks in
> sync with the keyed signal. The vehicle is a 2000 Volvo station wagnon. I
> suspect the lamp is a neon and is being energised by the rf signal but. if
> that'sthe case why only that one lamp? Any ideas and what is the potential
> damage to the vehicle?
> Thanks,
>
> Vince Santis, N1VS
> Winsted, CT
>
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