Ford electronics vs. high power radio transmitters. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

Mr. T. · 06-09-2009, 11:13 PM

Greetings, Troops!

I'm a Newbie here. I just said a fond farewell to my 11 year old, 125,000 mile F-150, and became the owner of a 2009 Ranger (standard cab, manual tranny, with the Four Banger installed).

It's been a quite a while since I've had to REALLY look closely at the electronics, especially microprocessors, that are being used in state of the art vehicles.

I'm pretty Old School here as far as automotive electronics is concerned; IMHO about 95% of it is just a damned waste of time... the major spew from some designer's wet dream, and a case of marketing's Mental Masturbation.

In any case... I'm a ham radio nut here, and I'm about to install a medium power HF SSB transceiver in the Ranger.

The output, 100 watts PEP at various frequencies between 1800 and 29,700 KHz, is capable of generating a considerable RF field around the truck which will unavoidably get back into the truck's electronics and general electrical system.

Earlier generations of solid state automotive electronics have reacted to this sort of situation in all sorts of bizarre ways.

A buddy of mine reported that his late 1960s Volkswagen's engine would stop dead every time he transmitted.

In my own 1989 F-150, the windshield wipers would intermittently trigger for a stroke or two on each voice peak... even tho the wipers were turned OFF!

Has anyone here had any experience with late model Rangers and how thier electronics react to high intensity radio frequency energy fields?

Frankly, I'd like a clue as to just how deep the doodoo is here before I get too involved in the installation. Learning from somebody else's experience is always the best way to go, IMHO.

Thanks in advance,

Mr. T.

**BrooklynBay** · 06-09-2009, 11:55 PM

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the Ham Radio & CB section.

Mr. T. · 06-10-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooklynBay

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the Ham Radio & CB section.

Thanks!

I didn't realize that there IS such a section here!

Mr. T.

06-09-2009, 11:13 PM	#1
Mr. T. Wannabe Elite Explorer Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 2009 Ranger XL Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs	Ford electronics vs. high power radio transmitters. Greetings, Troops! I'm a Newbie here. I just said a fond farewell to my 11 year old, 125,000 mile F-150, and became the owner of a 2009 Ranger (standard cab, manual tranny, with the Four Banger installed). It's been a quite a while since I've had to REALLY look closely at the electronics, especially microprocessors, that are being used in state of the art vehicles. I'm pretty Old School here as far as automotive electronics is concerned; IMHO about 95% of it is just a damned waste of time... the major spew from some designer's wet dream, and a case of marketing's Mental Masturbation. In any case... I'm a ham radio nut here, and I'm about to install a medium power HF SSB transceiver in the Ranger. The output, 100 watts PEP at various frequencies between 1800 and 29,700 KHz, is capable of generating a considerable RF field around the truck which will unavoidably get back into the truck's electronics and general electrical system. Earlier generations of solid state automotive electronics have reacted to this sort of situation in all sorts of bizarre ways. A buddy of mine reported that his late 1960s Volkswagen's engine would stop dead every time he transmitted. In my own 1989 F-150, the windshield wipers would intermittently trigger for a stroke or two on each voice peak... even tho the wipers were turned OFF! Has anyone here had any experience with late model Rangers and how thier electronics react to high intensity radio frequency energy fields? Frankly, I'd like a clue as to just how deep the doodoo is here before I get too involved in the installation. Learning from somebody else's experience is always the best way to go, IMHO. Thanks in advance, Mr. T.

06-09-2009, 11:55 PM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 31,043 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the Ham Radio & CB section. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum.