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

[Woodrick]

Yup got that, some of us Hams use a lot higher power radio than 10W needing either 12VDC or I guess AC with a converter hi hi

Switched 48V is available on the right top roof mount as well as in the frunk. These are 400W limited, if I remember correctly" and therefore with an inverter, capable of about 30A @12V.
Connecting Accessories to the 48V Power Feeds (tesla.com)

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[PeterOT]

Or perhaps just a simple solid state power supply plugged into one of the AC outlets inside the Cybertruck?
https://www.amazon.com/DROK-110V-22...Transformer/dp/B0B18JVDGP/ref=sr_1_13?sr=8-13

 

[Jager]

I have a Model Y 2021-ish, the one with the heat pump. I get broadband HF noise when accelerating and when turning on the HVAC everything goes to S9. VHF/UHF is clean. Maybe it is due to my poor setup, I have lip-mounts installed on the trunk, probably not the best ground plane, no ground strapping.

Based on what you've described, I'd suspect you're probably getting RFI from your HF rig itself. Better grounding and/or a different antenna topology might help alleviate that. Extraneous RF is more typically a problem in the HF world than VHF/UHF. And there'll be an uptick in those issues as power is raised.

What I can say is that the vehicle itself is almost certainly not the source of RFI. You can test VHF/UHF frequencies with an HT. Or HF frequencies with a simple AM radio. Best of all is to test with a gauss meter... that will give you explicit readings of electromagnetic radiation within the cabin (or wherever else you want to test).

I was unable to find much experiential evidence for how RFI-clean, or not, Teslas were before buying my 2022 Model 3. Rather, what I found were numerous dismissive, anecdotal examples of "heard from a friend" or "I read" complaints about how RFI-dirty Teslas were, usually from obvious EV-haters. So I was prepared for the worst.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, to find my Model 3 to be remarkably free of any kind of RFI coming from the vehicle. You have to get within a very few inches of one of the electric motors to pick up any meaningful radiated products. And that emission diminishes very rapidly as you move away from it. The battery itself emits nothing meaningful.

Best of luck with the continued evolution of your ham radio install. I'm looking forward to doing similar, albeit it'll be awhile before I get my truck.

Keep us posted!

73, Jeff K4EI

 

[QinPhoenix]

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

Is the purpose of installing this antenna on the CT to listen to broadcasts from all over the world?

 

[ituner-HF]

Is the purpose of installing this antenna on the CT to listen to broadcasts from all over the world?

That's possible as well!... "Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together". The fun thing is that you can use a lot of power (up to 1500 watts) on shortwave (worldwide), VHF, UHF and microwave bands using voice and digital modes.

 

[Woodrick]

Is the purpose of installing this antenna on the CT to listen to broadcasts from all over the world?

Talk and listen. It's something that Amateur Radio operators do all the time.

 

[Kl777yl]

Your setup and pictures look fantastic!

I might get a trailer hitch mount for my Scorpion.

Now I have it mounted on the snow plow mount of my RAM 3500. Kenwood TS-480 (200 W) under the back seat.

https://www.scorpionantennas.com/scorpion-mobile-antenna

Most likely in the CT will use 120V for a 12V P/S. The biggest challenge will be running cables.

Waiting for my VIN. Must be close. I didn't have to renew my trade-in last week, like I have EVERY month! ....or maybe they just forgot about me. THAT I could believe!

73
W0GJ

Will any CT hams be at the IDXC in Visalia next week? We'll be there, but not in a CT : (

 

[ituner-HF]

Your setup and pictures look fantastic!

I might get a trailer hitch mount for my Scorpion.

Now I have it mounted on the snow plow mount of my RAM 3500. Kenwood TS-480 (200 W) under the back seat.

https://www.scorpionantennas.com/scorpion-mobile-antenna

Most likely in the CT will use 120V for a 12V P/S. The biggest challenge will be running cables.

Waiting for my VIN. Must be close. I didn't have to renew my trade-in last week, like I have EVERY month! ....or maybe they just forgot about me. THAT I could believe!

73
W0GJ

Will any CT hams be at the IDXC in Visalia next week? We'll be there, but not in a CT : (

The Scorpion will look great on Cybertruck! I might go to IDXC on Saturday, thank you for pointing this out! My tank will be easy to spot in the parking lot.

For powering my IC-705, I am using a USB-PD 15V "trigger" cable... At ~2A load I get a ~0.5V drop across the cable. Maximum voltage for IC-705 is 15.8V. For my higher power setup I will use 110V->13.8V power supply with an RM Italy HF amplifier, under the back seats.

View attachment 42107

 

[ituner-HF]

Switched 48V is available on the right top roof mount as well as in the frunk. These are 400W limited, if I remember correctly" and therefore with an inverter, capable of about 30A @12V.
Connecting Accessories to the 48V Power Feeds (tesla.com)

I explored that capability (rooftop 48V) and I ended up making a nice install for my Starlink dishy mounted with 4 suction cups. The idea was to get t rid of the bulky Starlink WIFI router and the 110V power supply and have a small wifi+starlink+POE mounted on the glass rooftop. [email protected] was the power consumption.

I managed to 'fry/disable' my Aux 48VDC, I have a service appointment 1 week. I don't know what I did wrong with my tests, they all worked OK (Cybertruck48V--->Starlink), I even tested with ON/OFF sequence several times. I made the mistake by leaving the 48VDC outlet On for like 1 week. Don't know what happened during that time but it was under a 'no load' situation for sure. Logs will tell more. I will update.

 

[Woodrick]

I explored that capability (rooftop 48V) and I ended up making a nice install for my Starlink dishy mounted with 4 suction cups. The idea was to get t rid of the bulky Starlink WIFI router and the 110V power supply and have a small wifi+starlink+POE mounted on the glass rooftop. [email protected] was the power consumption.

I managed to 'fry/disable' my Aux 48VDC, I have a service appointment 1 week. I don't know what I did wrong with my tests, they all worked OK (Cybertruck48V--->Starlink), I even tested with ON/OFF sequence several times. I made the mistake by leaving the 48VDC outlet On for like 1 week. Don't know what happened during that time but it was under a 'no load' situation for sure. Logs will tell more. I will update.

You may try unplugging everything and let the vehicle go through a deep sleep, no sentry mode. That may allow the circuit to reset. Tesla monitors all of the circuits and will disable if it is not happy about it.

 

[ituner-HF]

The Scorpion will look great on Cybertruck! I might go to IDXC on Saturday, thank you for pointing this out! My tank will be easy to spot in the parking lot.

For powering my IC-705, I am using a USB-PD 15V "trigger" cable... At ~2A load I get a ~0.5V drop across the cable. Maximum voltage for IC-705 is 15.8V. For my higher power setup I will use 110V->13.8V power supply with an RM Italy HF amplifier, under the back seats.

View attachment 42107

I managed to cleanly route a 110V 'flat extension cord" (and other RF cables) from the center console to the rear seats. The carpet or the rubber mats make it disappear. I have a 12V 35APSU under the rear seats, near my HF power amp. I also connected a 12V heavy-duty cigarette lighter wire harness to the PSU for 'just in case' I need to operate other 12V equip... This is the flat cable I used, it also provides more outlets in the cabin, under the seats (5ft option): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C6XNMLX3

 

[PeterOT]

I managed to cleanly route a 110V 'flat extension cord" (and other RF cables) from the center console to the rear seats. The carpet or the rubber mats make it disappear. I have a 12V 35APSU under the rear seats, near my HF power amp. I also connected a 12V heavy-duty cigarette lighter wire harness to the PSU for 'just in case' I need to operate other 12V equip... This is the flat cable I used, it also provides more outlets in the cabin, under the seats (5ft option): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C6XNMLX3

I'm finally getting around to putting my radio into the truck and wondering what power supplies people are using? I drive a lot of forest service roads / rutted bumpy back roads, and looking for something that can handle the bumps. Running an Icom 7100 in the truck.

 

[tmeyer3]

I'm finally getting around to putting my radio into the truck and wondering what power supplies people are using? I drive a lot of forest service roads / rutted bumpy back roads, and looking for something that can handle the bumps. Running an Icom 7100 in the truck.

I'm just using the usbc to power a 50W (VR-N7500) transceiver. I don't really need more than 50W mobile anyway. I was surprised to find that the USB can put out up to 65W. I've seen one picture of someone that replaced the wireless phone chargers with a really nice yaesu or icom and it fit amazingly well.

Edit: here it is: https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/hf-vhf-uhf-antenna-for-ham-radio-install-on-my-cybertruck-works-really-well-.13951/post-272860

I was incorrect, the faceplate is just resting on the phone holders.

 

[PeterOT]

I'm just using the usbc to power a 50W (VR-N7500) transceiver. I don't really need more than 50W mobile anyway. I was surprised to find that the USB can put out up to 65W. I've seen one picture of someone that replaced the wireless phone chargers with a really nice yaesu or icom and it fit amazingly well.

Edit: here it is: https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/hf-vhf-uhf-antenna-for-ham-radio-install-on-my-cybertruck-works-really-well-.13951/post-272860

I was incorrect, the faceplate is just resting on the phone holders.

I may give that a try for now and just turn the power down to 50w or lower. Where did you see that the USBC connections can output 65w?

 

[PeterOT]

I may give that a try for now and just turn the power down to 50w or lower. Where did you see that the USBC connections can output 65w?

Never mind - I found it in the Cybertruck manual. " There are three USB-C ports in the center console, each of which can provide up to 65W of power: "

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