I’m looking to install a ham radio in my 2010 3.6 tdv8, its 12v but up to 30amp draw so plugging into a cigarette lighter plug isn’t going to work. Ive run a power lead from the rear fuse box connected to the large red terminal, here’s where it gets weird. Ive checked the voltage and its 13.4v when the engines running, but when i power up the radio the voltage drops to 6v and the radio doesn’t work. If i disconnect the radio turn off the engine and try again later its back to 13v.I guess this is something very clever done by LR but How do i stop this. The radio is brand new and works fine in my old Mondeo. Any ideas or suggestions very welcome. Thanks Steve.

Try connecting direct to the battery with an inline fuse. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Ive thought about that but cant find a way through the bulkhead

Depending on your antenna mount, eg magmount, you could try it without passing through the bulhead initially to confirm it solves the problem. If it does, you can then tackle the bulkhead problem.

I believe there have been previous posts covering passing cables through the bulkhead. Can't immediately find. Will have a look. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Cheers ill have a look.

Some info here: https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic15880...t=bulkhead

73 John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

The behaviour suggests a high resistance connection somewhere between where you initially connected the power cable at the rear and the battery. I have a 2nd battery in the rear of my MY12 that can supply enough power through the cable to the main battery to start the engine if the main battery is too flat. Also, ensure that your earth connection is good.
PS I power my IC7100 from the rear and have it mounted on the back of the right rear seat.

Yep you hit the nail on the head, i used a smaller gauge cable with a quick release connector from the car to the radio. Ive removed this and used the correct size cable, now all works great. Next to find a secure non drilling aerial mount.
Thanks for the help.

I use aluminium spacers for the roof rack mounts on top of which I have brackets for my antennas using a single 8mm bolt into a roof mount nut. I use the 2 rear positions with 2 antenna mounts each (HF & VHF/UHF RHS, VHF APRS tracker & UHF CB LHS) and run the coaxes down the right side of the tailgates then back up through the grommet in the bottom right corner below the rear fuse panel.
I use an AH-4 tuner modified with coax o/p and ham-sticks rather than an autotune antenna and normally only have mounted a short flexible antenna for the tracker and a stumpy VHF/UHF antenna for the IC7100.

Wow, sounds like the all the bands covered there. I’m only using the atas 120 at the moment for listening, I haven’t got my licence yet. I can transmit on the cb bands Only. Hopefully soon. Thanks again for the advice.
Regards Steve.

Think we need to see this kit

I'm also about to fit a radio in my car. I've already made a power cable with Power Pole connectors from the rear fuse box which I also use for charging the battery.

I two radios which I "need" to fit;
- IC-7000 with Little Tarheel II and split screen operation for HF (also APRS over HF)
- Yaesu FTM 400, purely for APRS tracking.

However I might only permanently mount the Yaesu and keep the HF.

I will only use magnet mounts but struggle to route the coax from roof to trunk in a good way without squeezing it when closing the tailgate. ----------------
2012 - L322 Westminster
QRV @ LA2VSA / DA1AA

I add HF APRS when away from digis but my licence only allows 40M, not the better 30M but 40m still works well enough especially in the outback when not travelling at freeway speeds. My VHF APRS radio is just a BF-UV5R with the tracker an Orange Pi running Direwolf which is also a mobile digi. My HF tracker is a borrowed OT+ until the OPi's modified DW is further modified to also support HF.
I operate a fill-in VHF digigate from a hill on my property with a wifi connection back to the router in my house. The fill-in gets 150 Kms to the nearest W2 digi but only services mobiles for 20-30 Kms radius.

My coaxes are cable-tied to the upper tailgate's hinges to keep them out of harm's way.

VK2HFG