Icom MOBILE RADIO INSTALLATION

MOBILE RADIO INSTALLATION

GUIDE TO INSTALLING
MOBILE RADIO TRANS­CEIVERS IN VEHICLES

‘ PREPARATION

‘ VEHICLE

Check if there are installation in­structions available for your car.

Check that radio is suitable and
approved for mobile installation.

Read the installation instructions
for the radio.

Vehicle manufacturer
or agent.

Radio manufacturer or
agent.

‘ POSITION

Checklist of points to decide before starting:

i) Is there a suitable position to mount the radio?
ii) Will you use a fist mic or a “hands-free” installation?
iii) Can you route all cables so that they will not interfere with

any controls of the vehicle? Fist mic cables are especially

important here.
iv) Make sure that it is possible to securely mount the radio.
v) Will the position of the radio be quite safe for you and

your passengers?
vi) Will the position of the radio obstruct any safety device

of the vehicle?
vii) Don’t forget that transceivers can become quite hot in

transmit mode, the ventilation should not be obstructed.
viii) Don’t mount the transceiver, antenna or accessories

where they can obstruct the driver’s view.

1

Some vehicles require special attention.
These notes are written for petrol/diesel engined cars, vans
etc. with 12 volt battery supplies.
Other types of vehicles may be subject to special regulations.
If in doubt, please contact either the vehicle or radio distribu­tor for further information.
Be sure that the installation can be made safely, such as no
petrol leaks etc.

Modern vehicles are using more and more non-metallic ma­terials in their construction. Some panels (interior and exte­rior) may be made from plastic or reinforced resin etc. Such
panels do not have the same shielding properties as metal
and this may cause unexpected effect with RF such as
VSWR, RF immunity. A qualified radio installation engineer
should be able to give you advice on suitable products that
can be used to “screen” such non-metallic panels if required.

‘ ANTENNA

Many types and sizes of antennas are available, whatever
you choose you need to consider some basic points :

Reduce any RF interference
to the vehicle electronic cir­cuits.

If the transceiver is a “high
power” type, reduce RF risk to
pedestrians etc.

Position the antenna
away from any sensitive
circuits.

Position the antenna
where pedestrians will not
easily touch it or stand too
close.

Don’t forget that the antenna must also be securely mounted
vehicle and should be a sensible size.
If you choose a magnetic mount type, be sure that it is rated
for the antenna type.

Large HF antennae, especially bumper mount types will re­quire special consideration because of the safety critical as­pect of this part of the vehicle. Such large antenna may also
be subject to vehicle construction regulations. Please seek
advice from a qualified vehicle engineer and a qualified mo­bile radio installer.

Avoid mounting the antenna
where it could be dangerous
for pedestrian or other road
users.

Position the antenna
away from the edges of
the vehicle, as high as
possible.
Avoid having the antenna
end at “eye level.”

2

‘ CABLING

‘ INSTALLATION

Mobile transceivers generally need a direct connection to the
vehicle battery.
You need to check where you can route the DC supply cable
and RF coaxial cables.
If there are no specific instructions for your vehicle and/or
radio then the following points should be adhered to :

i) Keep the radio cables away from fuel or gas pipes.
ii) Keep the radio cables away from any part that will be-

come hot.

iii) Keep the radio cables clear of moving parts (steering,

suspension, throttle control, etc.)

iv) Route the cables where they can be securely held in po-

sition.

v) Check if you need to drill some holes for passing radio

cables.

vi) Only attach cables to non-moving parts of the vehicle.

Start the installation with any mechanical work that is required
for fitting the radio mount, cables, etc.
Before drilling any hole in a vehicle check exactly what is be­hind the panel that you are drilling.
When drilling a hole always use a drill with a “stop” so that it is
impossible for the drill to go too far.
Take extra care to avoid petrol tanks and pipes, brake lines,
other wiring, etc.
If you have to drill any hole to pass a cable then the hole must
be sealed with a rubber grommet and when the cable has
been passed through you should re-seal the cable and grom­met with a suitable sealant.
If you drill holes for mounting screws, be sure to check that
the screw is a suitable type and length.
Locking type screws, nuts or washers are preferred.

Pay attention to cables inside the passenger compartment.
They should be secured or routed under carpets etc. There
should be no possibility that they could move and interfere
with any control or pedal.

3

‘ BATTERY CONNECTION

‘ TESTING

Mobile transceivers are usually intended for direct connection
to the battery.
Before disconnecting the battery you need to be aware of
some possible problems:

i) Is the vehicle fitted with an alarm that may not operate

after re-connection?

ii) Is the vehicle fitted with any electronic circuit that may

malfunction after re-connection? (engine management,
traction control, braking control, etc.)

iii) If in doubt do not disconnect the battery. Take the vehicle

to an authorised service agent and ask them to connect
the transceiver power cables for you.

If the DC cables are not long enough they should only be ex­tended using an equivalent size and type of cable and any
join must be capable of handling the specified current and be
well insulated.
Always try and route cables so that the total length is as short
as possible.
Connections should be made to the battery terminal connec­tors and nowhere else in the vehicle wiring room.

If the vehicle uses a different battery voltage (24 volts, etc.)
then a DC-DC convertor must be used. Never try and con­nect to an intermediate point on the battery, etc., that appears
to measure 12 volts.

Switch on transceiver and check that it functions OK.
Check the antenna matching with a VSWR meter, if possible,
adjust the antenna for a minimum value. (Don’t forget that
doors etc may have an effect on the measured value!)

Switch on ignition (but not engine) and check that all instru­ments, warning lights etc are displaying “normal” reading.
Now transmit and verify that nothing changes and that no in­strument is disturbed.
If the transceiver is multi-mode, then repeat the test with all
AM/SSB and FM modes.
If the transceiver is multi-band, then repeat the test in all op­erating bands.
In each case use the maximum RF power.
If there is ANY disturbance of the vehicle instrumentation then
stop and identify the source of the problem before continuing.

If the above tests have been completed without problem you
can proceed to the STATIC operational checks.

4

‘‘

STATIC OPERATIONAL CHECKS

‘ MOBILE OPERATIONAL CHECKS

Start the engine of the vehicle and repeat ALL the tests de­scribed in ‘TESTING’.
Check that there is no disturbance of the engine control or
engine speed.
With the help of an assistant, switch on the vehicle lights, in­dicators, etc. while transmitting. Check that no unintended
flashing or indication occurs.

Stop the engine. If the above checks have been completed
without problem you can proceed to the mobile operational
checks.

DO NOT PERFORM THESE CHECKS IN CITY TRAFFIC!

Find a quiet road, start the vehicle and while moving slowly
operate the transmitter. Check that brakes, etc. all operate as
normal. Repeat using bands, modes, etc. as applicable to
your transceiver.
If all is OK, then increase to normal driving speed and repeat
the tests. If there is any unexpected reaction from the vehicle
(accelerator, transmission, steering or other in-car electronic
device) then stop immediately and seek assistance from a
qualified installation engineer before operating the trans­ceiver.
If all is OK, perform a final braking test at normal speed while
transmitting.

5

Finally stop the vehicle, switch OFF the transceiver and re­check your installation :

• Nothing has come loose?

• No equipment or cable was inconveniently placed for
your driving or your passenger’s safety?

• Vehicle alarm/immobiliser functions correctly?

• All vehicle instruments read normally?

WARNING !

If the vehicle and transceiver installation does not pass
every check without problem you should seek expert as­sistance.

6

A-6208I-1EU
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© 2002 Icom Inc.

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