A VHF-FM radios is much different "critter" as far as noise resistance. Noise is mainly AM and is why all commercial mobile two-way radios are FM. I suspect that one might be able to add ferrites and bypass caps to suppress electrical motor noise (maybe). If the gas engine in the hybrid is at fault there are good products to suppress ignition and alternator noise.
The electric car industry will have to deal with this, but the first models out will likely not be HF freindly. Best one could hope for is reasonable use on VHF-SSB. Any less will leave you running VHF-FM. That will be OK for satellite use since I suppose one does not usually operate while driving. FM-Leos might be fine for that, though its not really safe to talk-n-drive ;-)
ED - KL7UW
At 08:33 AM 4/14/2009, AJ9N@aol.com wrote:
I own a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and a 2008 Toyota Prius. Love both hybrids. So far I have not installed a radio in either car but I have used an HT using the 12V socket with no apparent problem. Here are some web sites that might help.
http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htmhttp://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm
http://www.k0bg.com/hybrid.html the main page is listed below.
http://www.k0bg.com/http://www.k0bg.com/ really cool home page for a bunch of mobile stuff.
I am leaning towards just installing a VHF/UHF dual bander in my hybrids so I might not have much of a noise issue. But HF is another story.
I also went into the Toyota web site to look at their manuals. You can buy a 1 day subscription and download as much as you want. They were not the most helpful for installing radios but there are some interesting things to know. Toyota has something called TIS (Technical Information System). Go to: https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859-1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0&SMAGENTNAME=%24SM%24mT%252bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2kysT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%253d&TARGET=%24SM%24https%3A%2F%2Ftechinfo.toyota.com%2Fhttps://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_...
I too am interested in what others are finding.
73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N
In a message dated 4/14/2009 1:34:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time, kl7uw@acsalaska.net writes: At 05:22 PM 4/13/2009, Jim Sanford wrote:
All: The other day, somebody decided he needed to get thru an intersection ahead of me . . . . so, in search of a replacement chariot to support the mobile equipment. Considering:
Toyota Highlander hybrid Saturn VUE HybridHave read the Consumer Reports rap on all.
QUESTION: Does anybody have any experience or guidance regarding: -- problems installing HF/VHF/UHF radios in either vehicle -- problems with noise FROM the hybrid equipment
I remember that some years ago, all the Japanese manufacturers would void your warranty if you installed two-way radio equipment. That appears to be no longer true, as long as "properly installed" (defined as adequately fused).
All experiences welcome.
Thanks for bandwidth.
73, Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
Jim,
Excellent question, considering the number of hybrid cars (and all-electric cars soon to be offered in 2010). I wonder if the electric motors have brushes and if they are RFI bypassed? I do not have any info to provide, but certainly interested in what you find out. I am watching the Chrystler Electric Town & Country van to be offered in 2010 with 40-mpg performance. It runs with electric motors 100% and has gasoline generator for extended distance driving.
73, Ed - KL7UW
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. http://toolbar.aol.com/aolradio/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown00000002Get the Radio Toolbar!