SGC Go Mobile Technical Information

5SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USAP.O.Box 3526, 98009 Fax: 425-746-6384 or 746-7173 Tel: 425- 746-6310 or 1-800

Removing a panel: If you are unsure how to remove amolding or panel, don’t use force or try prying it with animproper tool. You may mar the surface of

• Efficient, all-band, high-power performance using aproven antenna design with both electrical and mechani-cal integrity under the most adverse drivi

Figure 2 — Hooks can attach beneath door gasketsLook under rubber gaskets: Try lifting up the rubber seal-ing gasket that goes around the rear hatch a

sheath run a multi-conductor cable, the RF coax lead (withinone sheath), and a braided strap for RF grounding.Pre-existing holes: Notice some pre-exis

Rear CompartmentDepending on the size of your rear compartment, plan theplacement of your transceiver, amplifier, and battery so thatyou retain access

11SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USAP.O.Box 3526, 98009 Fax: 425-746-6384 or 746-7173 Tel: 425- 746-6310 or 1-80

Our Geo Tracker and Metro installations both have 55 ampalternators. Such typical 55-amp alternators leave about 10amps in reserve. Automobiles with a

well as the headlights will demand about 25 to 30amps from your alternator. • Next, bring the engine speed up just above normal idle—about 1200 RPM.

well on any conventional 12V automotive system.Figure 3— The"smart"solenoid isolates thebatteries“Smart” solenoid features. The “smart” sole

SGC – The SSB PeopleSGC develops, manufactures, and sells high performance single sideband (SSB)communications equipment. For more than 25 years, the

“Jump start”: The solenoid will connect the batteries whenthe main battery voltage is more than 1 V below the auxil-iary battery voltage and the start

current for short periods of time. The service life of a stan-dard automotive battery may be shortened considerably bycontinuous deep discharge and re

Antennas and GroundsAntennas for HF Mobile InstallationsAn antenna does not have to be a physical quarter wave-length in order to work efficiently: sh

provides a reasonable load to a good antenna coupler at allfrequencies from about 1.8 to 30 MHz. SGC whip with SG-235 coupler. SGC is the only manufac

will be skeptical. So let us show you how you can get a sig-nificant increase in gain by simply using a QMS-3-500 com-pared with any other 3.5 to 30 M

tion, a helically wound element resonates at about 10MHz. This means that on lower frequencies, those under20 MHz or so, the SG-303 will vastly outper

Wire size. Use the largest wire size practical for powerwiring. We recommend power lines from the battery to theradio of at least #6 gauge stranded wi

lem, fasten the ground system very tightly using self tappingsheet metal screws and large copper washers (to give maxi-mum surface contact). Then ligh

may not be scraped by tightening the bolt, resulting in apoor connection or no connection at all.Control head. An SG-2000 remote head need not begrou

Noise Suppressionand Shock MountingNoise SourcesThree kinds of vehicle noise may be encountered:ground/static noise (eliminated by following proper gr

Go Mobileat 500 WattsFacts and EquipmentAnotherInformative Publication of SGC, Inc.Manufacturer of AdvancedTechnologyÒNo Compromise CommunicationsÓ

coil to the center conductor of the distributor.Solutions for Electrical NoiseInstall the antenna system as far away from the enginecompartment as pos

Shielding: Shielding the ignition system is the next mostlikely means to reduce noise. (If such shielding becomes nec-essary, refer to the “Mobile and

SGC 500-watt installation. SGC does not recommend ashock mount in the 500-watt mobile installation. But if youfrequently drive back country roads with

Installation ProcedureThe installation of the SGC 500-watt mobile system involvesfour separate areas:Engine Compartment:• Routing the DC cable from th

be located in the rear compartment. Strip approximately 1/4inch of insulation from both leads, and solder a round termi-nal lug to each lead. Passing

plastic bag (or electrical tape) over the terminal lugs to pre-vent them from making contact with either the battery orchassis while you are working.

from the wire, being careful not to damage or cut off any ofthe strands inside. Place the terminal on the end of the wire,and point the wire straight

something wrong. Stop. Examine the fastener more closely tosee if it has a center shaft that must be pulled first beforeremoving the remainder of the

fine machine threads:° to ensure their reliability and your safety shouldimpact occur.° to prevent them from being easily removed. • Some bolts use he

Figure 10 — ThePowerTalk headmounts neatly onthe GEO Metrodashboard, usingsuction-cupmount.• comfortable access to the spinner knob and other push-but

Table of ContentsIntroduction 1Chapter 1 Changes in Mobile Radio 2Chapter 2

by an adjustable mounting arm between the base and thecontrol head (or speaker).To mount the remote kit, first prepare the windshield surfaceby wiping

affixed), so adjust the arm position to compensate for thisdroop.Now, go get an assistant to help you: an additional set ofhands will prove invaluable

er and the jack on the rear panel of the PowerTalk head.Installing the Smartlock Pro. The Smartlock Pro, a smallremote control box, allows turning on/

cle with sufficient length to easily reach the Powercubeamplifier. Trim excess lead at the amplifier: When installing theremote control box, excess le

depreciating your vehicle’s value with unsightlyholes, scrapes, and scuffs from magnetic or othermounting approaches.Preparing to Mount the QMS. The s

QMS mounting straps may bother you at first, but they areabrasion resistant, and two straps have a total thickness ofonly about 4 mm, while retaining

Enclosed with the QMS package is a length of braided cableused to provide the electrical connection from the QMS boxto the vehicle. On the interior of

shiny, bare metal appears.Secure braided strap: A part in the braid large enough topass a screw or bolt can be made by simply pushing strandsapart wit

er, the coupler can only be installed one way within the boxto keep the length of the antenna feed wire between the SG-235 and the mounting base of th

the vehicle surface free from blemishes or pene-trations (does not detract from your car’s resalevalue). When you need to move or remove thesystem, it

Chapter 7 Installation Variables 55Geo Metro 55Cadillac

and “springiness” of the silicone presses backagainst the tie-down straps to keep them tautand to maintain their tension.Mounting the Suction Cups. Th

Compress the cups by using a steady force, don’t pound onthe QMS box. Ideally, the suction cup should be collapsed andflattened out as much as possibl

to mount the QMS box on the rear side window, with fourstraps tying to a front door, hatchback, wheel well (fender),and one either to the roof, or to

“natural resting position,” the QMS can be secured firmly, andwill slide no further. Tightening the Straps. Now comes the moment of truth:the QMS is p

sion can be applied from the bottom straps (why workagainst gravity?).If the QMS is mounted on a horizontal surface, such as a roofor trunk top, start

Nylon wire ties wrapped around the straps keep them from“fluttering” at high speeds and neatly bundle the couplercable and braided ground strap along

Figure 16 — Oneperson graspsthe rubberantenna base toprevent its turn-ing while a sec-ond persontightens thewhip with awrenchWorrying about theft: Som

Transceiver, and vehicle (chassis) ground. These consist of amulti-conductor cable together with RF coax lead (within onesheath), and a braided strap

sions of the rear deck or trunk of the vehicle. This platformpermits disconnecting and moving the system in and out ofthe vehicle when necessary (alth

If possible, try to use self-tapping wood screws that do notrequire a pre-drilled hole, because drill bits and carpet fab-ric do not get along well. A

Going Mobile in HF is both art and a science. Like any otherart or science, the achievement comes after years of voca-tion, experience, knowledge, res

Installation VariablesIn preparing for this book, SGC installed the SGC 500-wattsystem in four vehicles: GEO Metro, GEO Tracker, JeepCherokee, and Ca

Near the upper left side of the firewall we located the mainfeed-through for the vehicle’s electrical wiring harness. Alarge rubber grommet or “boot”

when we heaved on the QMS. We installed the antenna, oneperson holding the QMS while the other tightened the anten-na ferrule with a wrench.Rear compa

connect the auxiliary battery cable to the battery.We started the Metro and ran it for several minutes to getthe charging system up to capacity. We tu

We replaced the stock batteryterminals with after marketones which provided anextended threaded stud forattaching lugged electrical ter-minals. To fa

Rear compartment. We further grounded the trunk lid tothe vehicle body/chassis by running an additional braidedstrap to an existing bolt on the left s

ment, next to the brake vacuum booster assembly. The rub-ber boot of this existing feedthrough was enlarged to accom-modate the battery cable, and ro

grounding strap from the QMS box to enter and pass throughto the rear compartment. The small metal plate was modifiedso that the cables could pass wit

Driver’s compartment. The Tracker interior uses a combi-nation of plastic inserts and regular self-tapping screws tosecure the carpeting, door molding

installed to secure the transceiver and its components. Screw-down cable clamps can secure wiring runs and prevent themfrom being easily ripped out. C

Changes in Mobile RadioIn the early days of radio, mobile radio also had its humblebeginnings. The first mobile radio systems, aboard passen-ger-carry

tions gear, and if possible, take a few pictures ofyour installation, showing all of the gear clearlyin place. Should theft or vandalism occur, thisof

Yaesu switch: The Yaesu FT-900 requires that a small switch(accessible through its bottom cover) be thrown to bring therelay contacts in line with the

transmit to force a tune match combination at the antennacoupler to be memorized for each band. Select filter: Select the appropriate input filter sel

Going Mobile at 150 WattsAlthough this book set out to overview the installation of amobile 500-watt system using SG-2000 Powertalk transceiv-er mated

extended operating time (battery life) if youintend to operate with the ignition off or with thevehicle just idling (campers and mountain-topoperators

70SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USAP.O.Box 3526, 98009 Fax: 425-746-6384 or 746-7173 Tel: 425- 746-6310 or 1-800-

QMS SystemIntroductionSGC’s QMS (Quick Mount System) represents high reliabilitybacked by over 25 years of communications experience.Unpacking QMSWe r

objects will reduce the danger of damaging the QMS. Forinstance, if driving in rough terrain, the QMS is likely tobe hit by trees, stumps, or rocks. I

vehicle ground system. Do not run ground currentsthrough any hinges. Be sure to make the ground braid as short as possible. Remove all paint and rust

General Installation InformationThe mobile communication tips found below apply to anymobile installation, not merely to the QMS or other SGC prod-uct

• Chapter 3 on D.C. power gives important power supplyinformation to ensure maximum equipment perfor-mance.• Chapter 4 on antennas and grounds enables

A-5© 1997 SGC Inc.basic cautions when using them:• When you are applying the suction cups, preparethe surface by cleaning with mild detergent andrinsi

• To make removal of the unit easier, you may slide apiece of paper be-between the suction cup and thevehicle surface In this way, each of the suctio

Selection of Equipment for GoMobile 500 WattsSGC has assembled several packages of equip-ment to make it easier for you to Go Mobile.HF Radio System.

SG-235 500 watt Smartuner SpecificationsHF FrequencyRanges1.8 to 30MHzPowerInput Range:3 to 500 watts (PEP)Input ImpedanceRange:45 to 55 ohmsVSWR:Typi

SG-500 SmartPowerCubeSpecificationsPower Output:SSB: 500 W PEPCW: 500 W 10 Min.(No Fan)500 W Unlimitedw/fan (at 50% duty cycle)AM: 250 W carrie

B-4SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USAP.O.Box 3526, 98009 Fax: 425-746-6384 or 746-7173 Tel: 425- 746-6310 or 1-800

C-1© 1997 SGC Inc.SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USAP.O.Box 3526, 98009 Fax: 425-746-6384 or 746-7173 Tel: 425- 74

Orienting Yourself to 500 wattsin Your VehicleAfter purchasing your SGC 500-watt mobile system, you willundoubtedly be anxious to install it as quickl