Two way radio compatibility / interference with Bronco modules and systems?

[Phil B]

I am getting ready to install a two way radio and am concerned how it may affect the Bronco's electronics. I am looking at a 50 watt VHF/UHF setup and want to mount it behind the glove box with the antenna next to the factory radio antenna.

Would I be better off mounting the radio to my overhead molle? (Concerned about it getting stolen when the top is off.) And should I put the antenna on the tailgate? My question is not about what will work best, or get the most range, it's about how it might negatively affect the electronics in the Bronco.

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[EasternSierra]

There's a recent thread here. Bottom line is that having an antenna giving off 50 watts right by the A-pillar can definitely cause interference with the vehicle's electronics. It also may be too close for electromagnetic safety.

OTOH, numerous people have a two-way radio in the front seat/dashboard area without causing interference. You do need to make sure the feed line is balanced so it doesn't itself radiate energy close to the electronics.

 

[Phil B]

Sorry for duplicating a recently discussed subject

 

[CalvinT]

I would think that Ford anticopated two-way radios being installed in the Bronco. The design team joined Jeep clubs and went on outings with them. Jeep clubs also use two-way radios.

Public safety radios, (police, fire, ambulance, etc) can go up to 100 watts. No special precautions are taken with them other than proper fusing and grounding.

Within vehicle and equipment limitations antennas are usually mounted for optimum radiation patterns. The technician does check SWR.

Mobile radio designers realize their products will be installed in vehicles with a lot of electronics. In the case of public safety there may be a number of radios. When I worked for the State of Arizona, my truck had three radios in it on two bands.

 

[TiKi-Bronco]

I mounted a Retevis RA86 on the bracket where the clutch pedal would be. I have tried antenna on A pillar but couldn't hit the repeater 4 miles away. I put a magnetic one on my roof rack and it gets the repeater. I think height above the vehicle metal is key. I do get interference from my Diode dynamics lights though. If I am listening to weather channel and I turn on my fog lights it drops the signal completely. The fogs are on the factory switch. It also cuts out when I use the lights wired to the aux switches. I tried rf chokes and wiring directly to the vehicle battery. I even powered the radio from a separate battery. same problem. It could be the ultra cheap radio I bought. I might order a better one and mount it up on my molle overhead.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I'm surprised anyone uses radio when sat is readily available.....

 

[HotdogThud]

I'm surprised anyone uses radio when sat is readily available.....

Different radio, think ham/CB instead of fm and am

 

[UncleBrad]

I am getting ready to install a two way radio and am concerned how it may affect the Bronco's electronics. I am looking at a 50 watt VHF/UHF setup and want to mount it behind the glove box with the antenna next to the factory radio antenna.

Would I be better off mounting the radio to my overhead molle? (Concerned about it getting stolen when the top is off.) And should I put the antenna on the tailgate? My question is not about what will work best, or get the most range, it's about how it might negatively affect the electronics in the Bronco.

I also am running a 50W 2M/440 rig and GMRS in my Bronco. Of course, finding a place to mount this stuff is hard on the Bronco.

Overhead consoles in the tight Jeep Wranger JK/JL just didn't work for a guy my size. But this is not a problem with the Bronco: there is MUCH more headroom. Also, having a good overhead console can dramatically improve the supply and ground challenges. DV8 makes a good molle overhead panel, and that's what I opted for in mine. You can put there a USB hub, a hotspot for the digital modes, switches, etc. You end up with a solid mounting surface and VERY good grounding. You can route coax out the back over the top of the rear roll cage in a loom, if you like, and everything tucks up nicely. Best of luck!

 

[UncleBrad]

Different radio, think ham/CB instead of fm and am

Ah - you figured out what he meant. I couldn't.

 

[UncleBrad]

Also, I am not encountering any problems running 50W at all, with the antennas mounted as below. Since there is no RF ground plane on the MIC roofs, affixing (somehow) any transmitting antenna on these tops, running those frequencies at that power, would be "inadvisable." For the depraved hell-hole of CB, I just keep a little handheld nearby if needed.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Different radio, think ham/CB instead of fm and am

I am thinking of CB / Ham .....

 

[HPNQ420]

There's a recent thread here. Bottom line is that having an antenna giving off 50 watts right by the A-pillar can definitely cause interference with the vehicle's electronics. It also may be too close for electromagnetic safety.

OTOH, numerous people have a two-way radio in the front seat/dashboard area without causing interference. You do need to make sure the feed line is balanced so it doesn't itself radiate energy close to the electronics.

I did the calculations. At 50 watts, for typical use, the antenna by the pillar is within acceptable limits. I estimated heavy on the duty cycle.

No problems with any interference when transmitting.

 

[HPNQ420]

I am getting ready to install a two way radio and am concerned how it may affect the Bronco's electronics. I am looking at a 50 watt VHF/UHF setup and want to mount it behind the glove box with the antenna next to the factory radio antenna.

Would I be better off mounting the radio to my overhead molle? (Concerned about it getting stolen when the top is off.) And should I put the antenna on the tailgate? My question is not about what will work best, or get the most range, it's about how it might negatively affect the electronics in the Bronco.

I ran my dual band antenna on the driver's side as VHF can cause AM radio interference if the antennas are next to each other. GMRS (UHF) sits on the passenger's side.

This probably doesn't matter for me as I am typically listening to Carplay or Satellite but with the choice I figured why not.

I recommend soldering on your ownPL259 so you can gut your coax to length and have it way easier to pass through the firewall.

 

[BroncoDave24]

Here is the recommendations from the manual.

 

[HPNQ420]

Here is the recommendations from the manual.

For a VHF/UHF radio, antenna positions 2 & 3 are recommended. These don't work with a removable roof.

With a cowl mount, I have transmitted clear nearly 40 miles and in the proper conditions, received from about 100 miles away. I use this antenna:

https://www.cometantenna.com/product/comet-ca-2x4srnmo/

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