Ham Radio and RVing

rburns4147 · 03-12-2014, 06:09 PM

I have been a ham for many years and also enjoy listening to shortwave and AM broadcasts. In our last camper, an R-Vision travel trailer, the power converter made so much electrical noise that it would cover up most AM and shortwave signals when I was listening of an evening.

We just bought a Rockwood 8285IKWS (picking it up tomorrow) and am anxious to see if the power converter will be noisy in the RF range. Do any hams or SWLs have any experience with Rockwood and how they do with radio signals? Has anyone tried any filters or anything to suppress the RF noise?

N3HCP · 03-12-2014, 11:56 PM

Every camper we've ever owned has had that problem. The switch mode power supplies used in the converters are just noisy and have virtually no shielding. Even if the converter were shielded, I'm afraid every inch of 12V wiring is an antenna for the power supply hash.

Add to that the fact that every other camper in the RV park is generating there own RFI and you have a situation where broadcast band and at least every thing below 20 meters will be useless. Even when I go off park power and use just battery power the RFI is still 20db over S9 in most parks!

SimchaSabre · 03-13-2014, 12:20 AM

I do battery powered swl and have had good success for short periods of time by simply throwing the breaker to the converter. Not a real breakthrough I admit.

chuckw5kav · 03-13-2014, 12:46 AM

Guy's I have to agree, I've tried all types of filters,
but even when I thought I had thngs in hand

we would go to a camp ground and I might as well
turned the radio off.

I have drilled and taped a 3/8 treaded hole in the
bumper this winter and then ran a ground strap
1 inch wide into the coach.... I have a 4ft ground
rod that I use for the generator that I drive in the
ground when dry camping. So this year I'm going
to try putting in one from the bumper and see if
that helps when we are use shore power at a
camp grounds.

So rburns4147 please let us know how things
turn out, hope to here you on the air

73

**ependydad** · 03-13-2014, 08:17 AM

You might try contacting this member:
Radio

Here's his signature line:

KU4OJ
I like RVing and Amateur Radio Served up on the same plate
I also hang out at openroadsradio.com
2008 (or is it 2009?) Rockwood 8280SS - 2007 F-150
Lot's of mostly Kenwood radios

chuckw5kav · 03-13-2014, 01:22 PM

Sent him a message, we will see what happens

tnxs 73

Jammer3025 · 06-10-2014, 10:53 AM

I have a Ham radio, but It's in my TV. The DW doesn't mind my hobby, she just doesn't like listening to it. I am still able to enjoy the hobby in my pickup. My pickup is and has always been my Ham shack. 10,12 meters,2m,440/70cm,11m cb, and ssb.

rburns4147 · 06-10-2014, 01:52 PM

Update on the electrical noise from the converter...It is just as bad with the new 5th wheel as it was with the old travel trailer. I do like Simchasabre suggested and turn the converter off once in a while when I want to listen to AM or short wave.

I have mounted a dual band antenna for my 2M/440 HT on the ladder and it seems to work fine. I used a trucker's mirror mount with a screw on connector so I can take the cable off when traveling. So far, it works pretty well.

Evereddie · 06-10-2014, 02:13 PM

I would think you could turn off the converter for several hours without any real drain. After all the boondockers in the world run for days on battery. And you will still have the 110 volt shore power running the big stuff. Although the 110 electrical appliances can still drum up plenty of RF.

Radio · 06-14-2014, 06:10 PM

I just turn the inverter off.

I use an Astron 35M power supply. Heavy, takes up space, but seems quiet. And someone gave it to me so the price was right.

If dry camping I'll take a group 27 marine battery. If it needs charging I'll jump it with the truck.

AbdRahim · 12-16-2014, 09:13 PM

How do you run the antenna coax from the ladder to the inside of the trailer?

rburns4147 · 12-17-2014, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbdRahim

How do you run the antenna coax from the ladder to the inside of the trailer?

Our trailer has frame-less windows with rubber seals so I simply crank out a window, run the coax in, and crank the window closed again. The window is near our recliner chairs, so it works fine for me. Low tech and no holes in the trailer.

Radio · 12-17-2014, 04:26 PM

This may help...

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ster-2529.html

You could also run them out via the slide seal.

fredez · 07-17-2017, 02:51 PM

I realize that this is an old topic, but I have something to add (however, nobody said I am smart to take it for what it's worth)

I am on my third TT and have had the rfi problem on all three. I also use an MFJ 45 amp switching power supply that, as far as I can tell, does not generate any objectionable noise. Maybe if we (rv folks) start a mail/email campaign to MFJ, they can be enticed to design and build a replacement converter since they seem to have mastered the art of an almost noiseless switching supply and they seem to be interested in meeting the needs of the ham community.

Any thoughts?

73, Fred, W5HTR

michvhf · 07-03-2019, 11:57 PM

I, too, realize this is an old thread, but...

The Timewave ANC-4, and I believe both MFJ versions will take care of that inverter noise. The trick is to make sure the noise antenna is good enough to pick up the same noise you're getting in the HF rig. It'll also get rid of noise from a plasma TV.

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