I've got a 7180 in my truck and today I noticed that (on some channels) that when I hit the PTT the radio turns off. It immediately comes back on when the PTT is released. It doesnt do it on every channel which is why i haven't noticed it before. Any thoughts on the culprit? It does not matter whether the truck is on or off. It does have the ignition sense cable tied to turn the radio on with the truck power.
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7180 Powering Down
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toastycookies
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Sounds like it's not getting enough power.
What do you have the radio connected to?
Do you have some channels set high power and some set low power?
What do you have the radio connected to?
Do you have some channels set high power and some set low power?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
What are you using for an antenna? How is it mounted? Did you check SWR?
Where are the frequencies that trigger the power off compared to the ones that work?
Where are the frequencies that trigger the power off compared to the ones that work?
Ive got a Tram 1181 antenna mounted near the bed area. I have no SWR meter. I have found no discernible difference as far as the freq go (range, repeated, etc).
I would think a truck battery would supply enough power to key a 45w kenwood.
I would think a truck battery would supply enough power to key a 45w kenwood.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
The battery is. Often poorly crimped connectors, corrosion, or too small wire can all cause voltage drop when you transmit. Using a proper "full cycle" type crimper is good practice. The low end (smash and mash) crimpers can sometimes do a poor job. Following up the crimp with a touch of solder can help. Proper sealing all connections with a marine grade heat shrink tubing (the kind with the adhesive inside) can help protect things too.
Fuse holder can be an issue, too, so take a look at those. The standard Kenwood KCT-23 wiring kit is pretty good, so if you used that you should be OK.
OK, there's a red flag. Mounting the antenna behind the truck cab will cause a lot of transmitted power to be reflected by the cab. That can raise SWR quite high, and that will cause all kinds of weird issues.
Antennas really need to be mounted up high and away from any metal. Top of the cab is the way to go. If you can't do that, the hood channel mount can work. If you -must- mount it on the truck bed, move it back at least two feet away from the cab.
Thanks for the info, will definitely move it further back in the bed. I'll also check the wiring, it had the original Kenwood wiring harness with an extension, which I believe was the same size. The crimps are not soldered but they are protected.
Will definitely try moving the antenna and then on to the wiring if that doesn't work. Thanks again.
Will definitely try moving the antenna and then on to the wiring if that doesn't work. Thanks again.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
OK good luck.
When you say "extension", what do you mean? The stock power cable is pretty long. If the original cord was cut too short, and a few feet were added on the end, that might be OK if it was done properly. If it's the full length Kenwood power cord, and you've added on a bunch more wire, you'd have to look at the overall length. If the wire gets too long, you can get voltage drop if the wire is undersized.
So, how long is the power cord, and what size wire is it?
Also, what sort of connectors were used for the extension? If it was those butt splice crimp connectors, those can be an issue. Improperly installed they can create a high resistant joint that will give you issues. One continuous length of wire of proper size for the amperage draw and allowable voltage drop would be important.
When you say "extension", what do you mean? The stock power cable is pretty long. If the original cord was cut too short, and a few feet were added on the end, that might be OK if it was done properly. If it's the full length Kenwood power cord, and you've added on a bunch more wire, you'd have to look at the overall length. If the wire gets too long, you can get voltage drop if the wire is undersized.
So, how long is the power cord, and what size wire is it?
Also, what sort of connectors were used for the extension? If it was those butt splice crimp connectors, those can be an issue. Improperly installed they can create a high resistant joint that will give you issues. One continuous length of wire of proper size for the amperage draw and allowable voltage drop would be important.
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