Any HF mobile installs?

[kd8gua]

Has anyone installed - be it in their personal vehicle or CAP van - a CAP HF radio?

I know it can be tricky, but also can be done. The biggest task is finding a place to mount the radio, and that depends on the type. I have never seen CAP's HF radios, but I know, from here, that the "official" radio is the Micom. Now there are plenty of versions, ones that are pre-programmed, ones that can be selected to any frequency, and they all come in desktop models, or mobile models with the control head on a length of cable. Then there's the need for an antenna tuner, as well as decent antenna. The largest commercially available antenna (without moving parts ie. "Screwdriver antennas") is 102" tall. Granted the military's Humvees may have longer ones, but I have yet to see a source that sells these Mil-Spec antennas to the general public. The Micom, according to the official website for the radio, is usually paired with an electronic tuner that plugs into the Micom's data port. There are a few other tuners, including one with a remote mount faceplate with a display similar to a radio, that you manually enter the frequency and it will automatically tune the antenna, no matter the length.

I'd be curious to see pictures of your setups as well.

[Al Sayre]

The SER Commander has a very interesting ALE-HF setup on his SUV.  It's basically a Reese type hitch receiver monted on an angle to exit from the frame in the area of the left rear bumper.  The insert is installed with an upward offset so that hte base of the antenna is about even with the bumper.  It looks very professional.

NHQ sent out some photos of an ALE-HF equipped van with the brackets mounted on the left rear door hinges.

[Major Lord]

I had my Icom 706 MKIIG installed in my minivan with an Icom auto tuner and a 102 inch whip ( the Icom with upgrades was approved at the time) I was never happy with its performance on our 75 (ish) meter frequency. from 40 meters up, it was okay. I Guess if I had to install a CAP radio in a van I would go with a motorized screwdriver....or maybe a blimp with a long wire.....

Major Lord

[N Harmon]

I too am interested in mobile HF installs. Specifically, what kind of antennas are people employing, and what bands. I have been a bit disappointed in highbird maintaining radio coverage, and am seriously considering getting an HF radio for mobile use.

[ZigZag911]

Veering slightly off the topic, I'm interested in an antenna for an HF base station installation that is not some sort of long wire (space limitations)

[CommGeek]

Just installed a Micom 3T in a Wing cargo van.  I will post pics tomorrow.   Mounted the radio behind the drivers seat, control head on the dash.  It uses a pretty neat external mounted autotuner that bolts to the frame with a 12 foot fiberglass whip.  Works great, except for horrible spark plug interference.

[JoeTomasone]

Just installed a Micom 3T in a Wing cargo van.  I will post pics tomorrow.   Mounted the radio behind the drivers seat, control head on the dash.

Shielded from the sun?

[CommGeek]

ya....its actually flush mounted inside one of the cubby holes in the dash.  Joe you would be proud!

[JoeTomasone]

ya....its actually flush mounted inside one of the cubby holes in the dash.  Joe you would be proud!

Post some pics and I'm sure I will be..   

[cap235629]

so where are the pics???

[CommGeek]

there on the way!   Gotta find a few min to sneak out of the office and take some shots!

[CommGeek]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48069338@N03

3 pics attached at above link...  I had to run the coax in the headliner, running it on the ground put the coax right next to the vehicles computer (Under the drivers seat), it caused the engine to stall and the lights to flash randomly.

The antenna mount is bolted to the frame, with a custom welded bracket. The whip (12 Feet)  was not attached in the pic.

Control head cable is run under the floor mat, and behind the dash...   Its mounted in the cubby hole in the dash.

I might need to get the noise reduction kit from Mobat to help with the really bad spark plug noise.... you really cant hear anything while driving, even with the noise blanker on. 

[SarDragon]

What is the condition of the spark plugs and spark plug wires? Those are the biggest cause of ignition interference.

[CommGeek]

all is good.  That was my first thing i checked, no leakage...

[davidsinn]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48069338@N03

3 pics attached at above link...  I had to run the coax in the headliner, running it on the ground put the coax right next to the vehicles computer (Under the drivers seat), it caused the engine to stall and the lights to flash randomly.

The antenna mount is bolted to the frame, with a custom welded bracket. The whip (12 Feet)  was not attached in the pic.

Control head cable is run under the floor mat, and behind the dash...   Its mounted in the cubby hole in the dash.

I might need to get the noise reduction kit from Mobat to help with the really bad spark plug noise.... you really cant hear anything while driving, even with the noise blanker on.

I hope your total height is under 13'-6" or you could have a very shocking moment if you find a low hanging power line.

[CommGeek]

The antenna is never supposed to be vertical, its NVIS, the antenna whip is designed to be tied off at the back of the vehicle, the more horizontal the better....

[SarDragon]

all is good.  That was my first thing i checked, no leakage...

What happens when you turn on a cheapie AM radio, and move it around the vehicle? I've used that method in the past to isolate interference.

Also, are your grounds good? Really good, and all tied together?

[JoeTomasone]

never supposed to be

The phrase most often precluding a CAPF 78.   


Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

[Gunner C]

That is a really good looking antenna mount!

[davidsinn]

The antenna is never supposed to be vertical, its NVIS, the antenna whip is designed to be tied off at the back of the vehicle, the more horizontal the better....

I thought it was like VHF antennas that are supposed to be vertical. If horizontal is what you want why not an angled mag mount at the front of the roof and lay it down a few inches off the steel?

[CommGeek]

never supposed to be

The phrase most often precluding a CAPF 78.   


Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

[arajca]

I thought ...

Bad habit around here.

[JoeTomasone]

Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

Then that's the van I am commandeering when I get back and need to tow the Wing Comm Trailer around. 

[Eclipse]

Nice install on the van - have you had any issues with the computer?  We have one member who has had issue with his airbag and service soon light when you key up the radio.

You have no idea how ridiculous that traffic cone looks on a POV.  Our will be going in the MCP trailer.

[kd8gua]

I'm curious as to whether I can set up a 102" stainless whip tuned for 10 meters as an NVIS setup. DX propagation during the winter months is terrible on 10, so maybe I can instead try local stuff.

[N Harmon]

You're not going to find a lot of days where the critical frequency is up in 10 meter country, which is why you're not getting good DX. Unfortunately NVIS works on the same principle as DX, just with a steeper angle.

Your best bet is to stick to 60-80 meter frequencies.

[kd8gua]

Guess that means it's time to upgrade my ham ticket. There's only so much a tech can do on HF.

[davidsinn]

I thought ...

Bad habit around here.

[CommGeek]

Im having serious issues with the computer!   Had to re-route the coax cable, wrap the computer in aluminum foil, and it still gives me issues!  Im going to try to wrap the coax.  Any ideas?   Probably going to get Wing to get the noise suppression kit from Mobat too...

[CommGeek]

Nice install!  Which/whose van is that?

FL Wing - Cargo / Comm

Joe, you should see what Doug and Bob did with the trailer!  NICE!!!  Ill post pics monday when I'm back in town!

So when do you come home?
Then that's the van I am commandeering when I get back and need to tow the Wing Comm Trailer around. 

[kd8gua]

I don't have much experience with HF, so take this FWIW. I think the location of your antenna is causing the most problems with your computer. Understandably so, when running a 130" whip NVIS style over the length of the vehicle with a tie down, there are few locations to mount the antenna base. I personally think if the base were mounted on the rear bumper, you'd have less RFI interference.

[Eclipse]

I don't have much experience with HF, so take this FWIW. I think the location of your antenna is causing the most problems with your computer. Understandably so, when running a 130" whip NVIS style over the length of the vehicle with a tie down, there are few locations to mount the antenna base. I personally think if the base were mounted on the rear bumper, you'd have less RFI interference.

In this case, that's where the traffic cone is mounted.  Removing one section of the whip, and having the antenna off to the side of the vehicle relieved the issue somewhat.

[JoeTomasone]

Im having serious issues with the computer!   Had to re-route the coax cable, wrap the computer in aluminum foil, and it still gives me issues!  Im going to try to wrap the coax.  Any ideas?   Probably going to get Wing to get the noise suppression kit from Mobat too...

If you're running in an NVIS configuration (antenna horizontal over the top of the van), you'll have to consider the 100 watts blasting it from the antenna as well.   Not a lot of shielding possibilities there that I can think of.   You'd likely only want to run it while not driving.   

I'd love to see pics of the trailer.    I'm here indefinitely - until I quit or get let go, basically - thanks to our lovely economy.

[N7MOG]

I did the install on the van that is in the pictures.  (South Dakota Wing DC)  Actually still trying to get the darn thing to work well, even tho it looks great!

Bill Collister
SDWG    DC
N7MOG

[jks19714]

I believe that you would be much better served for in-state/regional coverage by connecting a horizontal wire (20-100 ft) in place of the whip along with a couple of radial wires to the "ground" connection of the coupler.  NVIS is your friend.  Vertical whips radiate equally poorly in all directions (look up "radiation efficiency" of an HF whip and you'll see what I mean).

john

[N Harmon]

My unit's Dodge Caravan was recently outfitted with a mobile HF ALE capability. Here are some photos of the results.