Any Hams Around Here?

[userexec]

The amateur radio subreddit has picked up Paul Elio's speech from Saint Francis University and are discussing his story about the lighted cup holder interfering with amateur radio bands. How do you guys and gals feel about this?

Not an amateur radio operator, myself (though I've always considered it), so I don't have enough knowledge to comment on what they're saying. I know he was just using it as a comparison, but would the interference from something like a cup holder be enough to make it outside the body? Do you see this type of build strategy being an issue, or are they just getting upset recreationally?

Here's the link. It's Reddit, so expect some unbridled cynicism: https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/3c95ux/how_about_the_right_timestamp_on_paul_elio/

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Used to.
General license
they've changed the licenses since.

Can still understand code...

 

[WilliamH]

Used to be Second Class Commercial Radio Telephone
Maintained AT&T microwave towers.

Since 80% to 90% of the parts are off the shelf, someone else has already included the test requirement when it was built. The other issue is it needs to be filtered or shielded to protect the computer controlled stuff in the car along with the AM and FM radios and cell phones and CBs. And of course the major RF interference is the broadband static caused by faulty ignition systems. When's the last time you saw that. Probably when the neighborhood ham's station was interfering with your TV reception back in the 50s or 60s.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Lots of highly-ranked posts there that start "I didn't watch the video either, but...".

I hold an Extra class ticket.

 

[Thomas Maule]

I wouldnt put much worry into the ham radio "problem".... I am willing to bet that someone installs a ham radio into one of the reservation models, probably more than one, and shall discover that ham radios work just fine or with some minor interference... Just because the vehicle has been designed without ham radios in mind, does not mean it wont work...

 

[Chaz]

If the lighted cupholder were interfering there is a problem with the cupholder. It most likely has a cheap lighting method that produces spurious radio frequencies. It could be fixed with a different lighting method or you could fix it with a faraday cage around it,(think grounded screen). I would not worry too much about this because the amount of interference would be easily remedied by just removing the power to the cupholders. I for one do not think one needs lighted cupholders. I have had no problem ever finding my cupholders.

 

[Bert]

Uh, wire directly to the battery bypassing any and all wires already there. (waiting to by tapped no doubt). Run an extra ground wire from the mounting base of the antennas, to the negative battery post, as well.
"IF" there's any extra noise managing to still interfere with the reception, use good old fashioned condensors to minimalize them. Todays vehicles already have a bunch of them installed, lessoning the chance of interference.
CB'd for Years, still have a couple. Installed 2 HAM systems for a buddy. One on a corvette! On the Corvette I added a condensor to the battery wire running out of the alternator. This totally eliminated the "whine" from his radio. Usefull for AM radio as well!