Ham Radio Use In HHR
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-30-2015
Posts: 6
From: Cedar Park, Texas
Ham Radio Use In HHR
Has anyone installed and used ham radio in the HHR? I have a 2008 LT model and want to put my 2 meter FM transceiver in it to use while driving. I don't want to affect any systems or the computer. Any help?
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
There shouldn't be any specific issues - just follow best practices when installing (ensure power is well sourced, unit is well grounded, and ensure antennae connections are good).
Tom
VE7IEL
Tom
VE7IEL
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-30-2015
Posts: 6
From: Cedar Park, Texas
Ham Radio
Thank you both for your input. My concern was whether it would make any effect to things like wipers, door locks, etc. i am also concerned if routing the coax too near the computer and the rf impacting it. Thanks again for the input.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
I am KA9VQF {general class license holder} in my other life, I have a Larson 5/8th wave whip mounted on the back of my HHR and use an HTX-212 in my HHR all the time.
While I did not have any problems with it I did a though ground strap program on the vehicle for in case someday I feel like putting my TS-120S in the car along with the trailer hitch mounted homebrew screwdriver antenna.
For a while I was using an after market stereo in the dash which left me plenty of room to mount the 212. My wife missed the chimes and I was to cheap to buy the thing that will replace the chimes if you run an after market stereo so I put the original back in.
I built a custom bracket out of angle iron that bolts under the passenger side seat bracket to hold the 212 when its in the car now. I've had a few CB's stolen in the old days and don't want to have that happen with any of my ham gear so I don't leave it in any of my vehicles.
{on edit}
I mounted a relay on the hot side of my radio power lead that is switched by the ignition. As you probably know you can tap almost any wire that goes hot with the switch to energize the relay {I used the switched power lead to the car stereo} then just make sure you have a relay that can handle the load of your rig.
While I did not have any problems with it I did a though ground strap program on the vehicle for in case someday I feel like putting my TS-120S in the car along with the trailer hitch mounted homebrew screwdriver antenna.
For a while I was using an after market stereo in the dash which left me plenty of room to mount the 212. My wife missed the chimes and I was to cheap to buy the thing that will replace the chimes if you run an after market stereo so I put the original back in.
I built a custom bracket out of angle iron that bolts under the passenger side seat bracket to hold the 212 when its in the car now. I've had a few CB's stolen in the old days and don't want to have that happen with any of my ham gear so I don't leave it in any of my vehicles.
{on edit}
I mounted a relay on the hot side of my radio power lead that is switched by the ignition. As you probably know you can tap almost any wire that goes hot with the switch to energize the relay {I used the switched power lead to the car stereo} then just make sure you have a relay that can handle the load of your rig.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-19-2011
Posts: 227
From: Alabama
I just passed Technician this past Saturday, and should have my callsign in a few days. I'll be looking to mount a small 2m unit in my 2LT within a payday or so. Funny thing, though... the HAM stuff has also actually gotten me interested in dusting off my old CB equipment too, mostly because I have a much better understanding of how it works than before, when I used it the most.
Having both in an HHR might be a little crowded up front, but I'm sure I can wedge 'em in there somewhere.
:)
Having both in an HHR might be a little crowded up front, but I'm sure I can wedge 'em in there somewhere.
:)
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
I don't really want to hijack this thread but it is kinda on topic so here goes.
A lot of the hams I know still have and use their CB gear but for some reason are ashamed to admit it. Personally I don't care if they have never even seen a CB before they became licensed amateur radio operators or if they still use one every day.
There is a caveat here tho, if your going to use your ham radio to talk to other ham radio operators you really should ditch the CB lingo and any bad habits you may have picked up when using the Children's Band.
And a lot of hams I know go ape**** when they see a noob using all caps when writing the word ham {HAM} meaning amateur radio operator. I don't really care much one way or the other but some will go off for an hour on the topic.
There was one 'good 'ol boy' who moved here from Georgia some years back and he installed a echo mike and all the noise toys he had used on his CB on his 2M rig. He was shunned by most of the hams in the area when he would get drunked up and use them. When he would come on with his echo mike set to infinite repeat it was a sure way to clear the repeater.
It took a few years to convince him to remove that feature. He would still get loaded sometimes and get on the air, which is another frowned on thing to do, but I have to admit I've been known to have a few after work and get on the air too. He was always playing his country music over the air which is also a no no. Only NASA can do that on the ham bands.
When we travel any distance I usually put both a CB and a 2M rig in the car. The home made bracket is plenty strong enough and large enough to hold both radios and still leave room for my wife to sit in the passengers seat. Sometimes she says stuff about how she sure wishes they were not there so I suggest she lay down in the back of the car on the air mat that is back there just for her to lay down on. Sometime, most of the time, all of the time, when dealing with your wife, lover, significant other you have to choose your battles carefully. {but if your married, or engaged you already know that}
I have used my HF rig in the HHR with no problems. The TS-120S is a 100W rig and it did not bother any of the computers or come through the stock stereo. Occasionally the CB would come through the stereo though. I put a small transformer on the power cord to it as a choke and that seems to have cure that now. The transformer was the 12V, 3 amp step down transformer that Radio shack used to sell I run the 12V+ though the primary side then ground both of the secondary wires and the frame of the transformer. Its mounted on the inner fender well under the hood.
This was not necessary with the TS-120S. I'm not really sure the transformer windings would handle the current needed for the 100 watt rig or not.
A lot of the hams I know still have and use their CB gear but for some reason are ashamed to admit it. Personally I don't care if they have never even seen a CB before they became licensed amateur radio operators or if they still use one every day.
There is a caveat here tho, if your going to use your ham radio to talk to other ham radio operators you really should ditch the CB lingo and any bad habits you may have picked up when using the Children's Band.
And a lot of hams I know go ape**** when they see a noob using all caps when writing the word ham {HAM} meaning amateur radio operator. I don't really care much one way or the other but some will go off for an hour on the topic.
There was one 'good 'ol boy' who moved here from Georgia some years back and he installed a echo mike and all the noise toys he had used on his CB on his 2M rig. He was shunned by most of the hams in the area when he would get drunked up and use them. When he would come on with his echo mike set to infinite repeat it was a sure way to clear the repeater.
It took a few years to convince him to remove that feature. He would still get loaded sometimes and get on the air, which is another frowned on thing to do, but I have to admit I've been known to have a few after work and get on the air too. He was always playing his country music over the air which is also a no no. Only NASA can do that on the ham bands.
When we travel any distance I usually put both a CB and a 2M rig in the car. The home made bracket is plenty strong enough and large enough to hold both radios and still leave room for my wife to sit in the passengers seat. Sometimes she says stuff about how she sure wishes they were not there so I suggest she lay down in the back of the car on the air mat that is back there just for her to lay down on. Sometime, most of the time, all of the time, when dealing with your wife, lover, significant other you have to choose your battles carefully. {but if your married, or engaged you already know that}
I have used my HF rig in the HHR with no problems. The TS-120S is a 100W rig and it did not bother any of the computers or come through the stock stereo. Occasionally the CB would come through the stereo though. I put a small transformer on the power cord to it as a choke and that seems to have cure that now. The transformer was the 12V, 3 amp step down transformer that Radio shack used to sell I run the 12V+ though the primary side then ground both of the secondary wires and the frame of the transformer. Its mounted on the inner fender well under the hood.
This was not necessary with the TS-120S. I'm not really sure the transformer windings would handle the current needed for the 100 watt rig or not.
Thread Starter
Joined: 05-30-2015
Posts: 6
From: Cedar Park, Texas
First, congrats to the one just passing his Tech license.
Second, I sure appreciate all the comments about using the ham rig in the HHR. My originalpost was seeking any info others have had to any of their systems in the HHR. I have heard some stories of how a transmitter can affect the car systems, like wipers on/off, door locks up/down, etc. I once had a car where the cruise control would speed up the car when I transmitted. Since I have not heard so far any adverse affects to the HHR I am going to install my 2M rig and see how it goes. Thanks for all the input on the HHR's and ham radio.
Fred, W2XN
Second, I sure appreciate all the comments about using the ham rig in the HHR. My originalpost was seeking any info others have had to any of their systems in the HHR. I have heard some stories of how a transmitter can affect the car systems, like wipers on/off, door locks up/down, etc. I once had a car where the cruise control would speed up the car when I transmitted. Since I have not heard so far any adverse affects to the HHR I am going to install my 2M rig and see how it goes. Thanks for all the input on the HHR's and ham radio.
Fred, W2XN
