Codan NGT HF radio questions (1 Viewer)

[Wilsil]

Last weekend I finally had the antenna bracket for the Codan antenna installed on my spare wheel carrier.
So I thought, lets test the system.
It powered up, when changing channel I could hear the antenna tuning.
But when making a selcall test call, I didn't hear anything. Silence.
On the screen came the messages like, calling and listening but it stayed silence.

As I thought I picked my headphone and plugged it in.
There was noice.
So I tried again and it worked.

My question is: can you use the Codan NGT without a speaker and if so how do you set it up as I can't find any settings for this.
My second question is: earthing. I have the earth strap from the antenna connected to a bolt on the rear wheel carrier and plan to extend this to the chassis. Is that sufficient? And do I need a braided strap or will a 8B&S wire work the same?
My last question (for now): are there any grommets in the LC100/LX470 to bring the 2 cables from the inside to the outside in the rear? The unit is attached to the cargo barrier behind the second row seats.

 

[Wilsil]

I will reply to myself.

I bought a GME external speaker and will install it.
Also after removing the rear internal panel, I found a nice opening to bring bought cables outside. Now I have to get a grommet to seal it all up.

I still need to et some braided earth straps, not sure where i can buy them.

 

[1911]

I still need to et some braided earth straps, not sure where i can buy them.

Not sure about upside-down ones, but in my hemispehere they are easy to find:

Amazon.com : grounding braid - https://www.amazon.com/grounding-braid/s?k=grounding+braid

 

[Wilsil]

Thanks, I found some on ebay.
Ordered 3 meters so I can bond the bonnet as well.

 

[1911]

Thanks, I found some on ebay.
Ordered 3 meters so I can bond the bonnet as well.

On my 40-series with Kenwood and Yaesu radios, I got excellent results bonding the exhaust pipe and the swing-out bumper where my antennas are mounted, both to the frame and tub. I also have extra (heavy gauge) earth cables between my engine block, battery, alternator, starter, and frame.

 

[Wilsil]

From exhauat to the chassis?

 

[1911]

From exhauat to the chassis?

Exhaust pipe to the frame, if I remember correctly, but it may have been to the tub. I will have to go take a look to be sure. Back near the tail pipe, since the engine block to the frame was already thoroughly done.

 

[Wilsil]

What does it do? Does it make that much difference?

 

[1911]

What does it do? Does it make that much difference?

Helps eliminate engine and alternator noise in the radios. I did everything all at once, so I can't say how much bonding the exhaust pipe by itself did, but all my bonding and earths together completely eliminated the alternator/engine buzz in my 11 meters (American CB) radio. Have never had problems that way with my other 70 cm, 2 m, and HF radios.

 

[Wilsil]

Thanks, I have 3 meters of braided earth straps coming.
At the moment I only have the earth strap from the base of the aerial connected to my spare wheel carrier.
When I am in my driveway (overhead powerlines) reception isn't the best.

 

[Wilsil]

Got it all working perfectly.
In order to allow transmitting, I am a member of a HF radio club in Australia.
They had an AGM and I went there.
Very interesting.
After te meeting I asked if they could have a look at my radio and check if it was working properly.
It was, however the programming was a bit old.
They put in the new setup andtested it as it was sked time.

Yesterday I tried it myself and I could hear people checking in over 750 kms away and if I heard correctly one was over 2,500 kms away.
Awesome gear.