HF, VHF/UHF antenna (for HAM radio) install on my Cybertruck, works really well! 📶

[Millimho]

With just 1 watt I was able to reach Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Morocco, Spain and Denmark! Cybetruck makes the perfect ground plane for an antenna! Previous experiences with Model Y were not so good. Cybertruck is def. the quietest electric vehicle, RFI-wise.

I managed to install an HF and a VHF/UHF lip mount antennas on my Cybertruck by removing the aeroflap. Easy install. Still researching a way to route the coax in the cabin but my RG-316 cable just snakes easily through my rear door seal.

I used the Diamond KS-400 (heavy duty, 'super-gainer", lip mount), works like a charm, super stable. Select the 16ft coax option, 6ft is not enough. I used the 3/8x24 for HF and or UHFmounts for the rest.

Antenna: Little Tarheel (500watt capable) for 0-30Mhz, Comet for 144/440Mhz
Radio: IC-705, looking into installing an HF power amp as well.
Battery: floating battery for now, will try a USB-C 'trigger' for 15V, the IC-705 has no problem with 15V PSU, I used it before.

40m band --Not tested yet.
20m band -- S1-2 when truck stopped, S9 when in motion (not usable)
10/11m band -- S1-2 when stopped or in motion, almost no noise. CB radio (11m band) also works very well!.
144/440Mhz -- S1-2 clean, can be used in motion, no problem
NOTE: HVAC puts out a lot of noise on HF but not as much as on Model Y.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Ask me any question, I will be glad to help,
'73s

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[Millimho]

9'

Thank you for showing us the way: Kindly advise how you got the mount set screws secured. Did you remove the upper applique? ("AIR VANE").. Could we have a close-up snap-shot. Greetings from W5-land!

 

[ituner-HF]

9'
Thank you for showing us the way: Kindly advise how you got the mount set screws secured. Did you remove the upper applique? ("AIR VANE").. Could we have a close-up snap-shot. Greetings from W5-land!

I used a lip mount and yes, I removed the top aplique in order to fasten the screws, it's a bit ght but workable.

 

[MagicalBeard]

I used a lip mount and yes, I removed the top aplique in order to fasten the screws, it's a bit ght but workable.

For future readers - this retrofit guide has instructions on how to remove the flap:
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-BD1728A0-EF8D-4502-A0CA-D2B85A9AB298.html

 

[PeterOT]

For those of you who are running 2m in their Cybertrucks, have you noticed a high noise level? I have had 2m radios in all of my Teslas since 2013 and never had an issue until the Cybertruck. Now (only on 2m, not a problem with HF) I have an s7 noise level. If I add a band pass filter I can knock it down to about s5.

I've tried the antenna on both the driver and passenger side of the truck, but same results. Same radio and antenna setup was on my Model S with zero noise.

 

[BrockN]

For those of you who are running 2m in their Cybertrucks, have you noticed a high noise level? I have had 2m radios in all of my Teslas since 2013 and never had an issue until the Cybertruck. Now (only on 2m, not a problem with HF) I have an s7 noise level. If I add a band pass filter I can knock it down to about s5.

I've tried the antenna on both the drive and passenger side of the truck, but same results. Same radio and antenna setup was on my Model S with zero noise.

How are you getting power? I found that turning on the AC outlets triggered noise that was audible on weaker 2 m FM signals. If the incoming signal is full quieting, you don't notice it... but anything less and the noise becomes quite problematic.

I scanned around with my TinySA and saw nothing really obvious... until I turned on the waterfall function. Then I was able to see random hash that really didn't look like anything unusual...but disappeared every time I turned off the AC outlets. I posted about it on this forum somewhere at the time and recall being met with mild skepticism of my findings.

I haven't tested the 48 Volt system yet as I ended up putting a 50 Ah LiFePO4 battery on the floor in front of the console. I charge it once in a while and it works just fine.

While we're talking about noise, I also tried HF, when parked in a low noise area. Antenna mounted to the hitch receiver. Powered from the LiFePO4 battery. On 40 m, the noise was S7 or higher, again just general random noise. However, when the truck locked itself and powered down after a few minutes, the noise dropped to S1... with a regular blip on the S meter that was probably coming from the truck. Perhaps associated with the security or Bluetooth key? Bottom line, I don't think I'd want to run HF mobile, based on the noise level I saw!

 

[PeterOT]

I originally set things up using a BioEnno 9Ah battery. Same results as using an AC/DC converter plugged into the outlet. S7 on the meter whether I'm driving or not. If you look at your 2m S-meter, what do you see?

I've also tried two difference radios but got the same result.

HF for me has been fine. I haven't operated HF in quite a while, but about a year ago I drove up into the hills to a POTA location and operated out of the truck using my HamSticks. No noise that I noticed. The HamSticks connect to the same base as my 2m antenna using a quick disconnect. Switching bands takes less than a minute.

 

[BrockN]

I originally set things up using a BioEnno 9Ah battery. Same results as using an AC/DC converter plugged into the outlet. S7 on the meter whether I'm driving or not. If you look at your 2m S-meter, what do you see?

I've also tried two difference radios but got the same result.

HF for me has been fine. I haven't operated HF in quite a while, but about a year ago I drove up into the hills to a POTA location and operated out of the truck using my HamSticks. No noise that I noticed. The HamSticks connect to the same base as my 2m antenna using a quick disconnect. Switching bands takes less than a minute.

I'll have to check to be sure, but I recall the S meter (on 2 m) being up a bit. Squelch typically wouldn't break though. That was if the power outlets were activated, regardless of whether they were connected to a load. I could cause the noise by simply toggling the switch on the screen that activates the outlets.

HF, as I noted, showed a noise level that wasn't too much different to my home QTH, so at first I just thought that the area I had gone to was noisy too. But as I was wondering why, given the remote area I was in, the truck locked and shortly after that the noise dropped to what I was hoping to see out there. So what I'm saying is, the apparent band noise level was higher than it should be, but I didn't hear any of the birdies or typical computer noise that I'd have expected. I'm not set up to operate HF while driving, so I can't comment on potential inverter or motor noises when in motion.

My '15 Model S was pretty quiet in comparison. I didn't have any of this obvious hash, using 13.8 Volts from the cigarette socket. And if you're seeing different results, then I have to wonder what Tesla changed between our serial numbers.

 

[PeterOT]

I'll have to check to be sure, but I recall the S meter (on 2 m) being up a bit. Squelch typically wouldn't break though. That was if the power outlets were activated, regardless of whether they were connected to a load. I could cause the noise by simply toggling the switch on the screen that activates the outlets.

HF, as I noted, showed a noise level that wasn't too much different to my home QTH, so at first I just thought that the area I had gone to was noisy too. But as I was wondering why, given the remote area I was in, the truck locked and shortly after that the noise dropped to what I was hoping to see out there. So what I'm saying is, the apparent band noise level was higher than it should be, but I didn't hear any of the birdies or typical computer noise that I'd have expected. I'm not set up to operate HF while driving, so I can't comment on potential inverter or motor noises when in motion.

My '15 Model S was pretty quiet in comparison. I didn't have any of this obvious hash, using 13.8 Volts from the cigarette socket. And if you're seeing different results, then I have to wonder what Tesla changed between our serial numbers.

It's been over a year since I have done HF in the truck, so perhaps my memory is failing with the details. I'll have to toss the Ham Sticks into the back and head up to the hills again sometime to test again. Of course my neighborhood (like yours) is full of random RF, so the noise floor is fairly high on most HF frequencies, especially 40m.

I suspect with 2m and the Cybertruck, it's just all the new networking, 48v system, etc. that doesn't exist in the other models that's causing the 2m noise. It really hasn't been an issue, just wondering if others were experiencing the same.

I do a lot of back country off-road driving, so having the radio in the truck is a must.

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