Any Smart ED Hams?
Has anyone installed an amateur radio in their electric drive Smart? I don't want to go tinkering around without knowing for sure what I'm doing, so I'm curious if anyone has attempted an install. Really I just want to put a little 25W mobile 2m/70cm dual bander in, and I'm curious how moderate use will affect battery life, and if anyone has any antenna-mounting tips for the Cabrio. Thanks!
73, N3RDO (For you hams out there!)
73, N3RDO (For you hams out there!)
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KK6KOT
I've thought about this myself. The only concern is interference. Certain frequencies are totally jammed by the motor and battery. Im sure you've noticed most of your AM radio frequencies don't work in an EV. What bands are you planning to use? 700cm/2M?
I've thought about this myself. The only concern is interference. Certain frequencies are totally jammed by the motor and battery. Im sure you've noticed most of your AM radio frequencies don't work in an EV. What bands are you planning to use? 700cm/2M?
This weekend is the Field Day event for Amature radios across the country. If you get a chance to check out the local field day site, do so. Minnesota has declared that June 23 and 24 are Amateur Radio Operator recognition days.
This link is for gassers, installing a HAM in an EV is a completely different beast.https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/f...ling-ham-radio-smart-972/?highlight=ham+radio <img src="http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/SmartCarOfAmerica/smilies/tango_face_smile.png" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />
But the owners are still ham operators whom you might be interested in connecting with.....:shrug:This link is for gassers, installing a HAM in an EV is a completely different beast.
Not really. The accessory electrical syatem you would be hooking the radio power to in the ED is exactly the same as the gas car save for how the system gets charged - not an important distinction since both have about the same power requirements (the gas car presumably uses just a little more for the ignition and fuel systems), and the challenges of attaching an antenna to the (plastic) car body are the same. The issue with avoiding RF interference with the cars digital electronic hardware (probably not a problem assuming it is a typical 50 watt VHF mobile radio) is the same too. Gas cars have digital ECM's too.This link is for gassers, installing a HAM in an EV is a completely different beast.
(KB3CUB - but inactive)
I know, I was too busy packing (we're moving) and didn't get a chance to get out there with the club. (Cochise Amateur Radio Association, K7RDG) My father-in-law (NH6BF) was out there all day and said it was a good year for them. Next year I'll make it, I hope! (Or winter field day, who knows!)This weekend is the Field Day event for Amature radios across the country. If you get a chance to check out the local field day site, do so. Minnesota has declared that June 23 and 24 are Amateur Radio Operator recognition days.
This is really the information I was looking for. The electrical question was my biggest concern, as I was unsure the difference between doing this on an ICE car and on the EV. Since this radio is only 25W, I can probably wire it into the cigarette lighter. If I go any more though, I probably would need to do research on where to wire it. On my truck, it goes right to battery (with an inline fuse and cutoff switch).Yinzer said:Not really. The accessory electrical syatem you would be hooking the radio power to in the ED is exactly the same as the gas car save for how the system gets charged
I'm sure I can figure out the antenna issues. I'm thinking maybe a glass-through on the front window. Back window is out of the question because it's a cabrio. Either that, or a rear bumper lip mount of sorts.
For now, yes, just 70cm/2m. Maybe I'll throw the HF in there at a later date, but I'd bet that unless it's QRP, I'd probably blow through a full charge rather quickly.Tony Margulis said:What bands are you planning to use? 700cm/2M?
73 and thanks for the help everyone! N3RDO monitoring.
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