I think he meant he is using the cigarette lighter for power (though he also
has hooked to the batteray and to a 10A PS), and he is using RG-58 [for the
antenna] but he has not stated the gage of the power leads. Agree RG-58
would be a disaster for power lead for anything drawing over a fraction of
an amp.

Heavy lines, directly to the battery, *both* fused, twisted for noise
immunity, is the recommended procedure by several major auto makers for 2
way radio installations.

"Nitespark" wrote in message
news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...
You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:
12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message
news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...

Dan wrote:


I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...
You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:
12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...

Dan wrote:


I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...
You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:
12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...

Dan wrote:


I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

Ditto Nitespark reply,

just like to add, upgrade to #10 ga wire, worth the few cents price difference and
no power drops. That way you can alway power a few other items off a rig runner or equal item.

Try to get a set of powerpole by anderson, they are inexpensive and make things easy to power.

pappy.

Nitespark wrote:

My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

Ditto Nitespark reply,

just like to add, upgrade to #10 ga wire, worth the few cents price difference and
no power drops. That way you can alway power a few other items off a rig runner or equal item.

Try to get a set of powerpole by anderson, they are inexpensive and make things easy to power.

pappy.

Nitespark wrote:

My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.

I tried going straignt to the battery and the problem does not go
away. I checked my manual and the cig lighter can handle 20A.

Dan


Nitespark wrote in message news:a6Amc.44722$NZ4.32211@lakeread05...
My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

I tried going straignt to the battery and the problem does not go
away. I checked my manual and the cig lighter can handle 20A.

Dan


Nitespark wrote in message news:a6Amc.44722$NZ4.32211@lakeread05...
My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:

No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...

You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:

12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...


Dan wrote:



I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

What gauge wire are you using to connect to the battery?

Just because the cigarette lighter receptacle can handle 20 amps does
not mean the plug connecting the radio can. I will say again. A
cigarette lighter plug should not be used to power a radio drawing over
3-4 amps.

One other person who replied to your message suggested 10 gauge wire. I
said 12. I guess he and I can "fight" over that over a nice cold brew
sometime, but the bottom line is, we are both thinking along the same lines.

You will want to keep your power leads as short as possible. That
doesn't mean you can't have 1-2 feet of extra lead, but if you are using
20 feet of power lead where 6 feet will do, then you are asking for trouble.

Assuming you have a good solid power lead connection directly to the
battery, using heavy gauge wire, then I would check the antenna. You
should use a good quality SWR meter or better yet, a good quality watt
meter that you can use to check reflected power.

If the power output on your transmitter is showing 45 watts and there is
little if any reflected power from the antenna, I would suspect the
"meter" on your radio display may not be giving an accurate indication
of actual power out.

Also, try hooking a 50 ohm dummy load (with the proper frequency and
power ratings), to the radio and see if it does the same thing. If the
radio display indicator looks "normal", then I would strongly suspect
the antenna system.

Dan wrote:
I tried going straignt to the battery and the problem does not go
away. I checked my manual and the cig lighter can handle 20A.

Dan


Nitespark wrote in message news:a6Amc.44722$NZ4.32211@lakeread05...

My answer still stands. A cigar lighter adapter should not be used to
power any radio over 3-4 amps (personal opinion). A 45 watt radio is
going to draw somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 amps. You should run
12 gauge wire directly to the battery and fuse both leads at the
battery, or conversely, if you absolutely insist on using a cigar
lighter as a power source, then switch your radio to the lowest power
setting it has. If it is anymore than 5-10 watts then you should not be
using the cigar lighter as a power source.

Dan wrote:


No.. Sorry I didn't read your question correctly.. I'm not using coax
as a power cable, I'm using it as a antenna cable. The power lead is
the one that came with the HTX-212.. red and black. I assume since it
came with the unit it should be ok.




Nitespark wrote in message news:isQlc.38442$NZ4.17231@lakeread05...


You are using RG58 coax as a power lead????? Through a cigarette
lighter plug????

That is probably 99% of your problem. A 45W radio is probably drawing
10 amps or so. You need to completely rewire the power lead using at
least 12 ga wire (NOT COAX). It needs to be fused on BOTH leads AT THE
BATTERY. A cigarette lighter power connection should not be used for
more than 3-4 amps.

I would suggest you get with someone experienced an knowledgeable about
installing communications equipment in vehicles and get their guidance.

I would be surprised if your VCO even locked up when you were running
high power.

Dan wrote:


12 feet of RG58, plugged into the cigar lighter using one of those
radio shack adapters. I tried hooking it directly up to the battery
and had the same problem. Also hooked it up to a 10Amp power supply.



Nitespark wrote in message news:XHKlc.38165$NZ4.16447@lakeread05...



Dan wrote:




I just got my first mobile, a used HTX-212 (45W on high power).. When
I have the car engine off the transmit bars only light up about half
way. When I drive they go up farther but I still have trouble hitting
the repeater while my HT hits it with no problem. Are these power
fluctuations normal?

Thanks,
Dan
KE5BCC

What is the gauge of wire (for power) you have feeding the
transciever??? and how long???

Where is your power lead hooked in??? Is it hooked into the battery or
do you have it running through the fuse panel????

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.