I am a ham radio operator (KG6IFV) and will be getting my first Mini in the few days. I was wondering if anyone has installed a ham radio in their Mini. The power supply must be directly connected to the battery for the radio to work properly. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks, Mike-KG6IFV

 

send W3IWI a PM. Tom is a long time MINI owner.

 

Cooper or S?

I ran auxiliary cabling from tghe engine compartment through the firewall and then along the rubber seals around the door into the boot area on my Cooper. I used 12 guage speaker wire with both conductors carrying the positive and then took a ground from behind the access panel. I had installed an auxiliary fuse panel up near the brake cylinder which was fed from the battery.

In the S it's probably easier as the battery is already in the boot area. I'll figure that out when I get my GP back from being repaired.

Chris

 

Check this out:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...ateur%20radio/

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=HAM

It seems like a pretty nice setup.

 

How big a draw do you plan on?

There are several "spare" but loaded fuses in most MINI's. The in cabin fuse panel is behind your left foot side panel. People have used the Add A circuit. The MINI has a big decal warning that any Non mini electronics, especially ham radio could screw it up. I have not heard of any problems. I have used my Ham 2 meter and commercial 450 HT's in the car with no effect on the car.

A friend of mine has his 2 meter powered directly from the "jumper cable" connection under the hood of his MCS, and has the Antenna mounted at the rear with a "hatch back" type mount.

KA9CAR
John

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I finished installing my ham radio. I have an 06' "S", British Racing Green w/ Sport and Aero kit.

Check out my gallery for pictures.

73 all!
Mike-KG6IFV

 

I was just wondering about RFI, as it seems whenever I have used a pocket police scanner or HT in my 08 Cooper that whenever I lay it on the passenger seat I get all kinds of RFI. I bought a small Icom VHF-UHF radio with remote control head and wanted to mount the radio under the passenger seat.

Terry-WB0VQP

 

I only see two problems putting a rig in my MC:

1. Even the new smaller HF rigs are too large to fit nicely (I like 20M SSB)
2. Going along with the first, the antenna is bigger than the MINI not to mention the issue with the folding top!

73's

KT4PH