I just read through the entire electrical section, not really expecting to find my subject/problem, but I thought I'd check first. I was right. Are there any ham radio operators out there who have installed a mobil rig in a newer Bonneville? I just got a 2003 SSEi and want to put a rig in it but some of the instructions in the owners manual and some of the posts have me apprehensive. And there doesn't seem to be a place that says "put me here" in the car. Any suggestions?

K.. not too good with Amateur radios.. the issue is the PCM/ECM and the ABS module is in the front.. so if your'e transmitting ( which I assume you will ) and anything above 2 watts will start to interfere with the system.. you can always go trunk or fender mount, or try a Di-pole antenna on the back or front windshield. I"m assuming since you mentioned you have amateur license you're transmitting under 20Mhz??

I had planned on the antenna being a magmount, either on the roof behind the sunroof opening or on the trunk lid, so that would be away from the PCM. I don't have HF mobile gear so I was planning on 2 meters/440 (144 Mhz and 440 Mhz), quite a bit above 20 Mhz. Since lots of police departments use Impalas of the same basic body design I didn't think I'd have too many problems other than just placement of the radio faceplate. (The faceplate is remotable and the transmitter will be either in the trunk or under the back seat.) Thanks for the advice!

Wow, them things have changed since my dad had a 2 meter in his car. It basically looked just like a CB except for the dialing pad on the mike. Can you still make phone calls with 2 meter?

Sorry, I know, off topic....

Well within that frequency specs your antenna isn't going to be very big ( 400Mhz+ only needs 6" antenna length and 100 Mhz is.. oh.. poopits.. can't remember.. 17" ?? )

the roof will give you the best RF, but how you planning on running the cables? ( other then have it stick out from a door ). another thing about MagMount is you will need to ensure it has rubber ( of you can get PDM from Home Depot ) to ensure that it don't scratch up your paint.. ( my old car has swirl marks cause I got lazy from magmount ) Best advice is fendermount on the trunk. Solid and no cable coming out of the car or Window mount ( but RF won't be the greatest ).

MOS.. you can't make calls on conventional radios.. you can if you're patched into a repeater though or some trunked system

It'* been 20 years or more since I had any exposure to Ham Radio at all. I do remember, tho, my dad calling home from his radio occasionally, and on Sunday nights a whole buch of operators would make phone call for kids that were at the Shriner'* Hospital in Houston....

Thats correct.. you can for HAM since most HAM radio will go thru a repeater ( which can be linked to phone line ). Or could even be a repeater @ his work that he goes thru.. can be done if a repeater is used. Thats the only way why HAM radios you can reach somebody halfway across the world with the use of a repeater.

Hi-new user here-been lurking for quite a while, great site!

I've got a Kenwood TM-733 installed in my 93 Bonnie-has the main unit mounted in the trunk with a Diamond trunk mounted antenna. Remote faceplate kit mounted right above the ashtray below the radio, remote mic connector mounted on the side of the console, 2 speakers (1 for each band) mounted under the radio stack in the front of the console, works great, you can even differentiate between bands due to speaker pointing. Never had any interference problems running hi power (45 Vhf/35 Uhf) .

Also-if you like to work 2m mobile, learn about Echolink. While Mobile in Ohio, was able to use DTMF commands on an Echolink enabled repeater and log into a repeater in Mid-NJ to talk with a friend. Also works international, but I'm still planning on adding a small HF rig to the car some day.

Hi, I am a Ham operator but I don't have a radio installed in the car. I wouldn't worry too much about placement, a friend of mine has an HF antenna on the back bumper and we can work Europe during lunch.

My best guess is that you won't disturb the computers in the car. They tend to be almost bulletproof against RF. Too bad the makers of consumer electronics don't follow suit.

Good luck with the installation.

Steve K1**

I want to bring this topic back to life. I have currently an ICOM V800 2m radio that is set by the drivers seat.



I am thinking about pulling this out and installing a Yaesu FT-8800R. I wanted to know if anyone has this radio, installed it and how. I am a little embrassed to say how this unit is powerd, but I am running an NMO that sits right behind the sunroof and works great. Yes, I put a hole in my car A die-hard ham

If anyone wants more pics, im me. More than happy to show off my car.