Need to route a power cable through forester firewall???

[Spudzzz]

I am wanting to install a (ham) tranceiver in my 02 Forester and need
to route the power cable directly to the battery. Is there an access
point in the firewall somewhere to get the cable from inside the car to
the engine area?

 

[MattB]

I am wanting to install a (ham) tranceiver in my 02 Forester and need
to route the power cable directly to the battery. Is there an access
point in the firewall somewhere to get the cable from inside the car to
the engine area?

I found a route on my 04 XT on the passenger's side near the middle.
There's a black tube that goes through and I just pushed the wire
through that same grommet. I started from the engine compartment and
then pulled from inside the car once I could see where it came through.
From there it's close and easy to get to the console area.

Matt

 

[TG]

Steering shaft grommet works, slit it with razor blade and silicone it shut.
I recommend against going straight to the battery because the gasses there
will turn the wire green for the first few CM past the battery. High
resistance low amps.
I go to the starter positive and don't have to cut the power cord every
year. I know that's not what QST says but hey, they are amateurs also.
AB7RS

 

[grape]

hmmm. .... sounds cool. I am a amateur-ham wannabe, do you mind tell me what
you can use your ham radio on car for?

and can't you just think about the car plug-in?
news:(e-mail address removed)...

 

[S]

Hi Spudzzz, All!

I am wanting to install a (ham) tranceiver in my 02 Forester and need
to route the power cable directly to the battery. Is there an access
point in the firewall somewhere to get the cable from inside the car to
the engine area?

I picked up 12VDC for the ICOM dual-band radio in my car (an older
Subaru) by splicing into the large white wire that supplies accessory
power and whatnot for the fuse box. Get a good chassis ground as close
to the xcvr as possible.
If you do run a wire to the battery, route it carefully away from heat
sources, and sharp edges. Use an awl to poke a hole in the grommet
where the wiring bundle penetrates the firewall, and feed the wire
thru that. Be sure to locate the fuse for this lead as close to the
battery as possible.
I use a roof-mount antenna connection, and haven't had problems with
RF upsetting the cars electronics. This can sometimes be a problem
with mag-mount antennas, or other antennas that don't get a good
ground at the antenna base. In my truck, (mag-mounted whip antenna) I
(mostly) fixed this by sliding several ferrite cores over the antenna
coax right where it connects to the rig.
Hope this is helpful.

ByeBye! S.



Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101