Toyota and ham radio

[K4GUN]

I was recently interviewed by the people at TMS about some of the activites we are undertaking at my dealership. #The article was for a magazine that is distributed to dealership staff, but I stumbled across the article today in a Toyota blog that is accessible by the public. #I thought I'd share it here.

Please keep in mind the context of this article. #Its an in-house publication for Toyota dealers. #Its about looking for new markets and creative outlets to showcase our vehicles. #There is a line late in the article that is inaccurate about grounding. #That comment was based on the fact that my IC7000 has very low noise levels in my Tundra. #This was before I discovered that this is due more to the Noise Blanker in the radio than anything special with the truck. #It is true that I can hear Ford trucks when they are next to me in traffic.

Here is the article (http://blogs.toyota.com/2007/08/hamming-it-up-t.html).

[K4GUN]

oops.

[wu8y]

Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 30 2007,16:55)]That comment was based on the fact that my IC7000 has very low noise levels in my Tundra. This was before I discovered that this is due more to the Noise Blanker in the radio than anything special with the truck.
Hmm, I'll have to look into that. I've found that my Gen.2 Prius is fairly noisy on 2 m.

I haven't tried it on HF! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[K4GUN]

Just a note to the rest of you who are involved with your local clubs. You might want to approach your local Toyota dealership about some kind of sponsorship. Ask to talk to the "Truck Champion" when you call. Every dealer has one and these are the guys tasked with getting the trucks in front of truck owners on their terms. Keep in mind that most dealership staff don't know about the Toyota blog that I linked to, but they do know about "Toyota Today" magazine which they should have shortly with the same article. Link them to the blog so they have a better idea what you're talking about.

You might be surprised at the reaction you get. Most Truck Champions are struggling to find ways to get involved with the truck owning community. Many will jump at an opportunity like this if you present it right. Your club could really beneift.

[WH6QB]

Interesting. So it seems you got into amateur radio as a means to find new sales leads? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Also, as a point of reference, I drive a ford F-150 (1999) with a 5.4 liter V-8. I have never gotten any reports of noise on my signal using my Yaesu FT-7800. And I plan to install an Icom 7000 very soon. I will get back to when I get that done.

And remember, "Sell. Sell. Sell like He!!" (with a thick Japanese accent) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[KD6WAG]

Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 30 2007,06:55)]That comment was based on the fact that my IC7000 has very low noise levels in my Tundra. #This was before I discovered that this is due more to the Noise Blanker in the radio than anything special with the truck. #It is true that I can hear Ford trucks when they are next to me in traffic.
Hmmm, I've had a Tundra and now a Tacoma. I've had 3 different Yaesu mobile radios including an Alinco and a Yaesu hooked up in the truck at the same time.

I've never had any noise at all come through my radio. My friends have given me signal reports of being full quieting in the vehicles while driving. (With the exception of wind noise if the windows were down.)

Perhaps it's due to the fact I hook up all the radios directly to the battery terminals. I've been told that is the best way to eliminate noise on both receive and transmitting.

[N5FOG]

When I put my IC-706 in my 2001 4Runner I had S-9 noise on 20 meters and up.

I tracked the noise to the fuel pump and was able to completely eliminate it by putting a ground strap from the body to the tank.

For some reason Toyota doesn't ground the fuel tank itself and it is instead isolated with rubber grommets.

Overall Toyotas are pretty quite RFI wise with just a few ground straps unlike most fords and some Chevy and chrystler vehicles which can require a substantial investment in RF chokes/beads.


FOG

[K4GUN]

Quote[/b] (WH6QB @ Aug. 31 2007,09:44)]Interesting. So it seems you got into amateur radio as #a means to find new sales leads? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
No. That is incorrect. I got into ham radio because of a desire to communicate in an emergency. It was at my first club meeting that I noticed all the trucks in the parking lot. That's when the light went off. I already had my Tech license at that point.

Remember what the context of this article is. The details in the article are a little off. The truck comment is a bit out of context and there is no ham club in Springfield. There is one in Woodbridge and one in Mt. Vernon, both of which I am involved with and both have received benefits from the dealership. Because one of those dealers is outside my "primary market area", the author took the liberty of glossing over this fact.

Also, just so you know, I have developed good friendships in both clubs. I have a strict policy about dealing with friends. I will show them anything they want. I will provide information but will never ask for business. I find I keep better friends this way. They know what I do and they know what the dealership has done for them. When they need a truck, they know where to find me. This works for everybody and keeps people from feeling obligated or pressured.

[k3wrv]

GUN-
About 10 years ago Toyota Camrys had a reputation for blowing up the computer if you ran more than 5 W or so. Do you know if they ever got that fixed? IIRC, some GM models had the same problems. (I don't have a dog in this fight - my YF only buys Hondas, and I buy them when she gets done with them. Truck hr was an old 1967 International, until it croaked. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
You should inform your club and ask them to inform ARRL of your efforts on HR Publicity. Would make a good QST Art.
[EDIT]. Good to know that at least ONE of the car companies takes RFI seriously - well remember a brand new 1965 Mercury my Grandma bought WITH an AM radio and you couldn't copy the broadcast station a mile away for the BUZZ out of the thing. Dealer said the radio was working "just fine". Fortunately, there was a Ham across from the dealership who convinced them to go check out the rest of their cars - no buzz. But they were never able to fgind the problem (it was a bad Antenna I found out years later!) So congrats to Toyota.
de Bob

[K0RGR]

One of our locals works for the Toyota dealer in town, and he's also one of our local EC's. I've been eyeing that Tundra very closely - thanks for the info.

In 1983, my brother and I both bought new trucks. I had my Chevy for 10 years and it was in great shape when I sold it. He is STILL driving his Toyota. He's had one major repair bill in 24 years - the fan fell off and damaged his radiator. So, I like Chevies, but I suspect I'd love a Toyota.

[VO1GXG]

Our 2001 Ford Windstar is very quiet on 2 MEters

I am a Ford fan but like the older Toyota Trucks .

[K7KBN]

Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 31 2007,09:19)]It was at my first club meeting that I noticed all the trucks in the parking lot. #That's when the light went off. #
Did the light really go "off" at that point, or did it come "on"?

[K4GUN]

Quote[/b] (k7kbn @ Sep. 01 2007,10:08)]Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 31 2007,09:19)]It was at my first club meeting that I noticed all the trucks in the parking lot. #That's when the light went off. #
Did the light really go "off" at that point, or did it come "on"?
LOL... You get the point. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[WH6QB]

Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 31 2007,10:19)]Quote[/b] (WH6QB @ Aug. 31 2007,09:44)]Interesting. So it seems you got into amateur radio as a means to find new sales leads? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
No. That is incorrect.In my best Foghorn Leghorn voice let me just say -- It was a Joke Son, I say, A Joke!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K4GUN]

Quote[/b] (WH6QB @ Sep. 01 2007,13:06)]Quote[/b] (k4gun @ Aug. 31 2007,10:19)]Quote[/b] (WH6QB @ Aug. 31 2007,09:44)]Interesting. So it seems you got into amateur radio as #a means to find new sales leads? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
No. #That is incorrect.In my best Foghorn Leghorn voice let me just say -- It was a Joke Son, I say, A Joke!!! #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
In my best Sylvester voice, "Sufferin' succotash! #Ya' got me!" # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Seriously though, I'm a little sensitive about that subject. I am serious about NEVER being a typical car salesman. That's just not me and too many people in this industry gave us all a very bad reputation.

[n4bfd]

My 2007 F-150 needs it's on Amature license it puts off so much RFI. I've started installing ground straps on the hood, doors, and bed. I've not done the tail pipe or gas tank, or attemted to choke down the fuel pump noise yet.

Seeing the noise my truck puts on out HF and knowing what I am going to have to do to really put a dent in it reminds me of what the Poles must of felt like when Germany and the Soviet Union came knocking on it's doors in 1939... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k7mh]

Had 1990 Chev Silverado and now have 2005 Silverado. No Problems on VHF or UHF with either. No HF problems in the 1990 but haven't got it installed yet in the 2005. I expect no problems. More US cars and trucks are sold as fleet vehicles many of which are expected to have various types of radio communications equipment installed so are a better bet to be trouble free with radios. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[N5YFC]

I bought a 1980 Toyota truck and drove it for 18 years, I had a Kenwood TM-241 installed in it with a homemade through the glass antenna - no problems.

I bought a 1998 GMC truck and moved the rig into the new truck with a Larson through the glass antenna.
Later I upgraded to a Kenwood TMG-707A - no problems.

Two months ago I bought a Toyota RAV4 and moved the rig and antenna to the new truck - still no problems.

I have always got power of the battery terminals.

Wayne

[k0pvw]

SO if I might ask, what is it about Ford trucks and HF? I am fine as long as I am sitting with the engine off. Is there anything I can do to quiet it down anymore? Rob

[k7mh]

Quote[/b] ]SO if I might ask, what is it about Ford trucks and HF? I am fine as long as I am sitting with the engine off. Is there anything I can do to quiet it down anymore? Rob
I believe they have noise coming from the fuel pump...which is unfortunately in the fuel tank. I understand there is a fix for it but do not know what it is.
Of course a good fix is a new Chev Silverado! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[ai3v]

262000 miles on a 1989 f-150

Daily driver, No Noise on my ten-tec .

Ill let you know when I am thinking about buying a toy.

73/Rege

[kg4llq]

I drive a 2003 F-150, now with 121,000 miles on it & I haven't yet heard any noise on my HT with a 1/4 wave 2 meter mag-mount antenna. #HOWEVER, when I turn on the truck's AM/FM radio, the AM portion is completed WIPED OUT with ignition noise. #Maybe that's not a bad deal with all the neo-con, reactionary, capitalist war mongers on AM!
73, KG4LLQ

[w4bgn]

Buy a Chevrolet. No electrical problems with equipment.