Hi folks, I finally got around to installing the FT-891 and ATAS 120A in a 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Everything on the internet says this is a waste of time, that Hybrids have way too much electronics and generate a ton of RFI. I decided to do it anyway to see for myself. (Honestly, plan B was to install it in my F-150 if it didn't work). This thing has a beast of a battery and charging system, which sits right behind the back seat.
[photo=medium]4838[/photo]
A neat thing about the Camry Hybrid is the 12 volt battery sits in the trunk on the side. So, easy to run power to the rig, which we mounted under the front passenger seat.
[photo=medium]4843[/photo]
Grounding is absolutely critical with this antenna, and probably even more so in a hybrid.
[photo=medium]4839[/photo]
We removed the sealant material and placed the metal plate in it's place, then connected one ground strap to the mount to ensure we had a good ground. We did the other custom one just in case this one didn't give us enough, and buttoned it all up.
[photo=medium]4842[/photo]
I got the mount and ground strap at R+L Electronics. It's a Comet HD-5. I liked it better than the Diamond model due to a short section of RG-188A that transitions to heavier RG-58 for the rest of the run. It also allows you to remove the PL-259 end in case you run it through a very tight spot like a grommet.
[photo=medium]4841[/photo]
Tommy made a custom cup mount for the remote head out of PVC pipe, wrapped in a tough foam, and made a cap to go on top. We mounted the remote bracket to the top, and stuck it in the cup holder in the console.
And guess what? You can't move the shifter into gear if it's in the first holder, so I moved it to the second, and we finished it off with some black dye, and angled it for easy viewing from the driver's seat. It is easily removable when I am in a less than secure area.
[photo=medium]4844[/photo]
Finally, trying it out... not much RFI noise at all, except when braking, which is what I expected. I mostly travel on the highway for long trips (this is my work car). I have made several other contacts here in the U.S. since we installed it... so far, so good. The ATAS does what it's supposed to do, and I'm getting very good reports on the audio from the rig (I set the parametric eq settings in the radio). Haven't been on the air much, and forgot my vanity call, so I goofed this QSO! Loving the rig and antenna setup so far, and will give updates as I use it more.
73,
Brett
[photo=medium]4838[/photo]
A neat thing about the Camry Hybrid is the 12 volt battery sits in the trunk on the side. So, easy to run power to the rig, which we mounted under the front passenger seat.
[photo=medium]4843[/photo]
Grounding is absolutely critical with this antenna, and probably even more so in a hybrid.
[photo=medium]4839[/photo]
We removed the sealant material and placed the metal plate in it's place, then connected one ground strap to the mount to ensure we had a good ground. We did the other custom one just in case this one didn't give us enough, and buttoned it all up.
[photo=medium]4842[/photo]
I got the mount and ground strap at R+L Electronics. It's a Comet HD-5. I liked it better than the Diamond model due to a short section of RG-188A that transitions to heavier RG-58 for the rest of the run. It also allows you to remove the PL-259 end in case you run it through a very tight spot like a grommet.
[photo=medium]4841[/photo]
Tommy made a custom cup mount for the remote head out of PVC pipe, wrapped in a tough foam, and made a cap to go on top. We mounted the remote bracket to the top, and stuck it in the cup holder in the console.
And guess what? You can't move the shifter into gear if it's in the first holder, so I moved it to the second, and we finished it off with some black dye, and angled it for easy viewing from the driver's seat. It is easily removable when I am in a less than secure area.
[photo=medium]4844[/photo]
Finally, trying it out... not much RFI noise at all, except when braking, which is what I expected. I mostly travel on the highway for long trips (this is my work car). I have made several other contacts here in the U.S. since we installed it... so far, so good. The ATAS does what it's supposed to do, and I'm getting very good reports on the audio from the rig (I set the parametric eq settings in the radio). Haven't been on the air much, and forgot my vanity call, so I goofed this QSO! Loving the rig and antenna setup so far, and will give updates as I use it more.
73,
Brett
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