Vette / mobile ham radio problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Palm Desert Ca
Vette / mobile ham radio problem
Any fellow Vette owner / HAM Radio operators out there?
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,543
Likes: 1,200
From: Dyer, IN
Any fellow Vette owner / HAM Radio operators out there?
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 14
From: Kinston North Carolina
I certainly agree with this! Also the voltage/power to the other IP lamps, which are incandesent, is pulse modulated. When I listen to a weak AM station at night, I have the same problem.
BH
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca
You need a noise filter. I used to put them on commercial radios all the time. The car's alternator generates the noise and your hand held is picking it up. I would think Kenwood, Yaesu or Icom would make one. Another option is to break out the old ARRL hand book and look up how to make one. Good luck with that. _ _ ... ... _ _ KG6YI 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,543
Likes: 1,200
From: Dyer, IN
Any fellow Vette owner / HAM Radio operators out there?
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
I am looking for some help with a HAM RADIO Interference problem while using my HT in my 02 Coupe. I am getting a loud buzz primarily on the 2 Meter band. It's not on the power - I'm operating Hand Held on its Battery - get buzz anytime the dash lights are on. With Parking or Head lights ON - rotate dash light brightness to off and buzz goes away. No difference if plugged in to car power.
Possibly a LED causing it? No idea how to isolate it.
Thanks in advance
Phil
KI6VFW
San Diego, CA
Try this....
1) Parking or headlights on
2) Dimmer to full bright (you should have the noise)
3) Pull minifuse #6 in the passenger footwell (see if noise goes away)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Palm Desert Ca
Thanks, guys.
2 Meter is VHF 144-148 MHZ
1. Engine not running and radio not connected to car power - so it's not Alternator.
2. Figure has to be a light or the dimmer itself (no buzz with dimmer full CCW - dash lites off)- another C5 owner also said no problem with his Hand Held.
3. What does Mini Fuse #6 provide power to?
Thanks,
Phil
2 Meter is VHF 144-148 MHZ
1. Engine not running and radio not connected to car power - so it's not Alternator.
2. Figure has to be a light or the dimmer itself (no buzz with dimmer full CCW - dash lites off)- another C5 owner also said no problem with his Hand Held.
3. What does Mini Fuse #6 provide power to?
Thanks,
Phil
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,543
Likes: 1,200
From: Dyer, IN
Thanks, guys.
2 Meter is VHF 144-148 MHZ
1. Engine not running and radio not connected to car power - so it's not Alternator.
2. Figure has to be a light or the dimmer itself (no buzz with dimmer full CCW - dash lites off)- another C5 owner also said no problem with his Hand Held.
3. What does Mini Fuse #6 provide power to?
Thanks,
Phil
2 Meter is VHF 144-148 MHZ
1. Engine not running and radio not connected to car power - so it's not Alternator.
2. Figure has to be a light or the dimmer itself (no buzz with dimmer full CCW - dash lites off)- another C5 owner also said no problem with his Hand Held.
3. What does Mini Fuse #6 provide power to?
Thanks,
Phil
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
I have a Kenwood Dual Band HT mounted in my C5 Coupe. I use a small 1/4 wave flexible type antenna in the center of the back. I put a 1/4 wave piece of light steel under it to make the other half of the antenna and it works pretty good for just around town stuff. Since I'm using an antenna in the rear I don't hear any interference from the dash lights. I could put a rubber duck antenna on my HT to see if it happens then. I have the radio mounted on a small bracket just under the center vent to the far right of the vent. Power comes from the fuse panel under the seat and goes on and off with the ignition.
Pictures of my setup if you want them...
73, Dave KD5FX
Pictures of my setup if you want them...
73, Dave KD5FX
