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

[ituner-HF]

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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[ituner-HF]

NOTE: For the test I used WSPR. If you are wondering what the data rate is: a whopping 1.5bps, yes, around 1bit per second.

 

[TJH]

Very cool!

 

[tbuck]

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

Very nice! Thank you for the report!

I am guessing you can probably fish that link down the back of the truck, under the bed cover, around the tonneau and back into the cabin. All of that sits on top of the battery, so there has to be a way to get it in there. How are you mounting the heads?

 

[ituner-HF]

Very nice! Thank you for the report!

I am guessing you can probably fish that link down the back of the truck, under the bed cover, around the tonneau and back into the cabin. All of that sits on top of the battery, so there has to be a way to get it in there. How are you mounting the heads?

I hope I can find a way through the truck bed 'firewall" (bulkhead). For the radio mounting, I am still researching how to use the giant dashboard without drilling.... For now I used the cell phone charging tray it perfectly holds the IC-705 (but no phone) and occasionally there is a strong 13.56 MHz chirp from the NFC reader. .

 

[ituner-HF]

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

Additional note: The KS-400 lipmount is kinda expensive ($89), if you want an IDENTICAL heavy huty mount in stanless steel (has much better chassis ohmic resistance), buy this one, it includes a VHF/UHF high gain antenna ($35 for both!)

 

[PeterOT]

Thanks for the report. I'm hoping to put my 7100 in my Cybertruck when I get it.

 

[M0unt41nm4n]

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

Very nice! Also nice to find another Ham in the forums. I have a Yaesu FTM-400XDR in my Jeep as I use the APRS for GPS tracking and getting SMS’ to the family when I am in the back country. That IC-705 looks nice… I have my general ticket but haven’t even played in HF. Thanks for sharing… I was wondering about where/how to get an antenna on a CT and where to tap the power.

 

[CarMan ElecTruck]

…I’m surprised you actually need an antenna. Already a whole lotta tin rolling everywhere you go…

looks good. Moon Buggy

 

[ituner-HF]

…I’m surprised you actually need an antenna. Already a whole lotta tin rolling everywhere you go…

looks good. Moon Buggy

LOL, Yes! Even with the whip disconnected I can still receive signal... The other half of the dipole is the Cybertruck body!

 

[ted46]

NOTE: For the test I used WSPR. If you are wondering what the data rate is: a whopping 1.5bps, yes, around 1bit per second.

Excellent report! Looking forward for my Cybertuck NX6C

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

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

Looks like one fine remote control car!
When l was 16, l bumped into the creator of a '74 lime green 4 door HQ Holden in the back streets of Springvale where l said 'there is something special about this car'.....he demonstrated how the car was capable of 'self-driving'.
I can share that when he opened the engine bay, boot and interior , that thing was cram packed with '70's technology. He said it cost about $50K to build.....back then a ton of cash. Can't wait to see the CT 'self-driving'

 

[Cyber Man]

Love it!

Just for fun, if someone asks what it is, you can tell them it's a malfunctioning rear wiper blade.

 

[HaulingAss]

Looks like one fine remote control car!

Hopefully not! Not at 1 bit per second!

 

[HaulingAss]

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 wonder if Elon's mind is so bored without new things to focus on that he has designed the Cybertruck to multi-function as the perfect land-based version of AWACS, like a remote electronic surveillance platform.

Probably just a happy result of the other design considerations (like corrosion resistance).

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'm curious what were the main considerations with regard to deciding upon a left or right side mount.

Also curious why all the lines appear to terminate somewhere around Vancouver, BC. while your profile says you live in California.

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