I have a very fine Kenwood mobile amateur radio transceiver that I'm interested in fitting in my 406 HDi estate car. I have a full UK amateur radio licence so it's a normal aspiration in our hobby to fit a 144 / 440 MHz radio in the car.
First off is the direct connection from the battery to the radio using the leads [with a fuse in each] supplied by Kenwood. Does anyone know which openings / apertures exist on the nearside [passenger] bodywork through which I can route the wires from the battery? Separation from key wiring routes is important as the radio can draw 50watts and I wish to avoid interference with other systems.
I would carry out full power transmission tests while parked and with the engine running [plus wipers , lights ] to check everything still works in the presence of radio frequency. If OK then it's fine to finish the installation, conceal the wires, add the no-hands microphone kit and so on.
Is the dashboard upper surface nearest the drivers right hand harmless in air bag terms ? The transceiver has a separate display / control head [quite normal in this class of device]. There's a small bracket base with two self tapping screws and self adhesive pads that mounts the head unit to somewhere in reach.
I hope some of you have similar experience that you can share. cheers
David
Adding a radio transceiver to the 406
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Adding a radio transceiver to the 406
Hi,
I have fitted an ICOM 2m/70cm radio in my 406.
It isn't easy doing a neat install in a modern car.
I bought an IC E-208 It is also a 50W tx with a small remote head, the smallest set I could find.
The control head I have stuck on the fascia on the 'wood' trim to the right of the steering column.
I removed the useless sat nav box from the boot, and fitted the main unit in the DIN box there.
I found a thick red wire that runs into the boot from fuse 20. Fuse 20 was not fitted until I plugged one in. This was possibly a 12V feed for a factory fit tow bar power feed. It is unswitched and ideal for this purpose.
I am currently using a 50cm whip for 2 and 70. I cut a hole in the roof above the rear interior light unit and fitted a cell phone aerial mount for the whip. Very stealthy and convenient, but not great for range. I have a 5/8 for 2m which I will try soon.
I get a small amount of alternator whine on transmit, so I am planning on adding a large inductor in series with the red wire which may help.
Having the main unit in the boot is excellent, takes up no space and is very hidden. I did this 3 years ago and not had any EMC problems on TX.
Hope this helps,
73 G0DNJ
I have fitted an ICOM 2m/70cm radio in my 406.
It isn't easy doing a neat install in a modern car.
I bought an IC E-208 It is also a 50W tx with a small remote head, the smallest set I could find.
The control head I have stuck on the fascia on the 'wood' trim to the right of the steering column.
I removed the useless sat nav box from the boot, and fitted the main unit in the DIN box there.
I found a thick red wire that runs into the boot from fuse 20. Fuse 20 was not fitted until I plugged one in. This was possibly a 12V feed for a factory fit tow bar power feed. It is unswitched and ideal for this purpose.
I am currently using a 50cm whip for 2 and 70. I cut a hole in the roof above the rear interior light unit and fitted a cell phone aerial mount for the whip. Very stealthy and convenient, but not great for range. I have a 5/8 for 2m which I will try soon.
I get a small amount of alternator whine on transmit, so I am planning on adding a large inductor in series with the red wire which may help.
Having the main unit in the boot is excellent, takes up no space and is very hidden. I did this 3 years ago and not had any EMC problems on TX.
Hope this helps,
73 G0DNJ
Re: Adding a radio transceiver to the 406
A 50w transmitter will probably draw nearly twice that from the supply but that would only amount to about 8 amps so I would be inclined to connect it to the cigar lighter, that would be fused at 15-20 amps and can be accessed from inside the car.
Providing you have a good antenna earth connection and decent coax I don't think you will get much radiation inside the car.
Mounting trancievers in modern cars is a pain as Mike says. I have seen them attached to the top of the dashboard with velcro but I don't know how you fit the velcro to the dash.
Peter (G0HET)
Providing you have a good antenna earth connection and decent coax I don't think you will get much radiation inside the car.
Mounting trancievers in modern cars is a pain as Mike says. I have seen them attached to the top of the dashboard with velcro but I don't know how you fit the velcro to the dash.
Peter (G0HET)