Last Modified: January 20, 2012
Content: Editorializing; Important Update; Future History;
In recent months, I have been criticized several times for the content of this web site. Apparently, some folks read the data herein, and tell themselves there is no way they can do all of the necessary work towards getting their mobile installation finished. This begs the question, can you get by with less? Of course you can, as long as you're willing to accept a measure of lower performance. How large that measure is, depends on you, the installer.
Although I do not condone such things, some folks almost literally throw their radio into the car, slap on a mag mount antenna, and then brag about the stations they've work, especially if their DX ones. But there is one factor which needs to be defined—enjoyment. Each of us has a different definition for enjoyment. If yours is putting up with a bunch of ignition RFI, background hiss and hum, and barely being able to hear the other station consistently, great.
As stated on the index page of this site, what appears in these pages is a best foot forward approach. Following the recommendations will increase your enjoyment by helping you reduce RFI, increasing the SNR, and abating all of the other nuisances so common in mobile operation.
The choice is yours.
The October 2011 issue of Motor Magazine contains an article written by Karl Seyfert, a well-known automotive repair expert. It covers battery replacement in late models BMWs, and other vehicles which use similar battery management schemes. In short, the engine CPU's memory in these models, require that they be updated whenever the battery is replaced. It also brings up an issue with respect to flooded vs. AGM batteries, and their requisite charging needs.
Although not mentioned by Karl, it brings up yet another aspect of interest to amateurs—the apparent switchover by automobile manufacturers to battery technologies other than flooded lead acid. As I mention in the Alternators & Batteries article, a few have switched over to Li'ion (Lithium Ion) or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride). Due to their unique charging requirements, is may not be possible, or advisable, to change the SLI battery type, size, or even the make!
In any case, mobile amateur radio operators should be cognisant of these changes, and their obvious ramifications to mobile amateur radio operations, especially high-power ones. However, before you have the proverbial cow, all is not lost. The charge density of both Li'ion and NiMH battery technologies, is superior to lead acid in many respects. The only drawback, if there is one, is cost!
Along similar lines, Ford Motor Company is touting their new Battery Management System (BMS). The first implementation in on the 2012 Focus. I've added some caveats about it in the wiring article. And just when we thought laser technology would eliminate ignition RFI, here's a new system which might make it difficult to power our transceiver. Will be ever win?
This site became live on April 27th, 2004. It was, and perhaps still is, an effort to stay out of my wife's hair. If it is nothing else, it is a labor of love. On average, I spend about 4 hours each day in activities directly related to the site. Those include answering e-mails, telephone calls, and minor and major updates to the site.
I recently added a new article, Yesteryear, which describes a few of my memories. I was goaded into writing it by Ron Douglass, NI7J, the owner of Scorpion Antennas. Ron, by the way, will eventually become the proprietor of this site. What he ends up calling it is up to him. I do have a secondary URL registered (operatingmobile.com) which he can use if he so desires. I am 71 years of age, and although I have a old age legacy (both of my parents lived well past 90), it behooves anyone approaching old age to plan ahead. There are a couple of reasons for this.
First, this site has become a living document for all things mobile. The viewership has exceeded every expectation, as the next section attests to. If something happens to me, I certain don't want the site to just disappear like so many others. Rather I want it to continue to be a resource for those newcomers our hobby requires if it is to survive the long haul.
Perhaps slightly off subject, a lot of folks have suggested that the site be made into a book. While the suggestion is valid, once it is in print, the data rapidly becomes dated. I don't want that to be the case. As long as I am able, it will be kept up to date. So the reason for the future history planning with respect to Ron Douglass, should be evident. I'm trusting that any change of ownership will be some time off, as Ron has a regular job, as well as his on the side antenna manufacturing business. Add another 4 hours of work to his day at this point in his life, would be a soul breaker!
Throughout this site are links to the ARRL. I openly support them with my time, efforts, and when I can, monies. They're even mentioned in my Will & Last Testament. While some amateurs don't like their politics (sometimes that includes me), they are the only national organization watching our backsides against the ever-present danger of spectrum predatory activities. If we want amateur radio to continue, it behooves each and everyone of us to support the ARRL.
Digressing for a moment. The term Future History is a famous comment in the movie The War of the Worlds. Released in 1953, it is based on the H. G. Wells book of the same name.