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Pringles Can CMC Choke

My wife insists that the headrests are all the way down on the back seats so she can see out the back window better. I somewhat agree with her. If I was to do something like that she’d leave it hanging with an extra turn around my neck for good measure.:eek:
Yeah, maybe I'll keep this design the way it is. It might keep my wife out of my car for good.
 
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Actually it's about a half a Pringles can. 8 turns of coax with fish tank hose for spacing. Clear Gorilla tape, with the sticky side out around the can to hold the coax and tubing onto the can, then another layer over the outside to seal the deal. I sell them for $99.99. Free shipping. Just kidding..
View attachment 30729


At first glance I thought that was an I-V Drip Bag hanging from your headliner. But then I couldn't spot the I-V needle. :whistle:
 
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It takes a while to get to know me I guess. I like to get out there and have fun and joke around and act stupid. Usually at my own expense. In all seriousness, RF was throwing my Garmin GPS off, and making my subwoofer amp hum. First I threw together one using PVC pipe, but I felt it was too heavy, and could cause the coax to separate from the connector, so I tried the Pringles can. You know the damn thing just about works. The GPS no longer suffers, and the hum in my amp is cut by about three quarters. Yes it looks stupid but I knew that going in. I just wanted to see if I can make any kind of difference. I'm going to try ferrite beads next. You all have a spectacular day!
 
using a common mode choke in some form in a mobile install is a must as far as im concerned.
you will always have common mode currents on your feedline in a mobile unless you drive an all aluminum flying saucer with the antenna right in the middle.

in base installs, many choose the coax wrapping method, but it's a bit bulky for mobiles.
there is also a caveat to using the coax coiling method.
you have to trust that you haven't inadvertently created a reactive choke instead of a resistive choke if you don't own the test equipment required to test your choke once you made it.
it's not as much of an issue when you only use CB since it's only one band, but can still cause problems if your coil isn't made correctly.

for moblies, about 18 inches worth of ferrite beads right at the feedpoint of the antenna is a better solution. mix 43 and 31 are good choices, and im sure there are others that will work.
of course it's not as fun to build by a long shot LOL.

one thing to NOT do is to buy a cheap set of snap on ferrites from amazon and hope they work. most likely their purpose has nothing to do with HF frequencies and they may be almost entirely ineffective.

here is a kit you can buy for pretty cheap that will do the job well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Palomar-En...hash=item2ceb82cd39:m:m-wJ51yopcNoX6gN5D7Vzfg

you can probably buy chokes cheaper if you go to amidon directly, but you need to know what you are looking for.

hope this helps.
LC
 
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How much power are you running? I usually run a Uniden 980 or old President Grant with a RM 203 behind it and have no problem with my stereo amps or speakers. On weak stations it can wash out my reception. The only problem I have is my seat belt light will light up and eventually start dinging if I talk for a while. This only happens when I use my Wilson mag mount. I have no problems when I run a whip mounted to my toolbox.
 
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using a common mode choke in some form in a mobile install is a must as far as im concerned.
you will always have common mode currents on your feedline in a mobile unless you drive an all aluminum flying saucer with the antenna right in the middle.

in base installs, many choose the coax wrapping method, but it's a bit bulky for mobiles.
there is also a caveat to using the coax coiling method.
you have to trust that you haven't inadvertently created a reactive choke instead of a resistive choke if you don't own the test equipment required to test your choke once you made it.
it's not as much of an issue when you only use CB since it's only one band, but can still cause problems if your coil isn't made correctly.

for moblies, about 18 inches worth of ferrite beads right at the feedpoint of the antenna is a better solution. mix 43 and 31 are good choices, and im sure there are others that will work.
of course it's not as fun to build by a long shot LOL.

one thing to NOT do is to buy a cheap set of snap on ferrites from amazon and hope they work. most likely their purpose has nothing to do with HF frequencies and they may be almost entirely ineffective.

here is a kit you can buy for pretty cheap that will do the job well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Palomar-En...hash=item2ceb82cd39:m:m-wJ51yopcNoX6gN5D7Vzfg

you can probably buy chokes cheaper if you go to amidon directly, but you need to know what you are looking for.

hope this helps.
LC
Great information, friend! A couple other chaps on here also recommend beads, so I shall take y'all's advice. I have been looking online, and will make a purchase soon. Cheers! Dean from Denver, Colorado. (I'm born and raised in Chicago, hence the handle.)
 

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