OT Breath of fresh air

Yep, us Toyota owners are usually a tad more mature.

;o)

Hmm...

I flame a tad, but I try to make it sound intelligent instead of simply calling someone a moron. :)

Maybe I should st>

Greetings all,

I've been visiting this ng on/off for a couple years. I just took the leap and bought a new Toyota Tacoma Access cab. I'm thrilled and love the truck. I also purchased a new ICOM 2m radio that I was looking forward to having installed in the new truck. However, when I got home and read through the warranty manual, I read that installation of 2way radios was not recommended. What? I called the dealer who reinforced that and said it could interfer with the electronics. I asked if that were true if it were installed by a Toyota dealer or a professional installer. He confirmed it. An email to Toyota produced the following response. I apologize in advance for the length of it but felt it important to share with other HAMS. I'm in a quandry as I'm not a tech person and don't want to install the radio if it would indeed void my warranty. As I understand this, the bottom line is I can install the radio "at my own risk"..... Any suggestions?

Thanks! Annie

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HAM radio installation

Toyota is well aware that there is a sizable group of ham radio enthusiasts in the U.S. market. In fact, per capita, that population is even larger in Japan. Obviously, we would not intentionally turn our backs on these potential vehicle buyers.

As you know, the operating systems in today's vehicles are controlled by a growing number of very sophisticated electronic control modules. Most of these ECM's utilize MOSFET technology, which can be easily damaged by electromagnetic radiation from high power radio transceivers and associated system components.

Understandably, Toyota and the other automotive manufacturers have to be concerned about such potential problems, because they could affect the operation of electronic systems that control vital vehicle functions such as the ignition system, fuel management system, supplemental restraint system, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and others. The very conservative position stated in selected Toyota technical manuals recognizes that, as the vehicle manufacturer, we have no control over the wide range of variable circumstances and unforeseen conditions that could be involved in the after-sale installation and operation of those system components.

In a "worst case" situation, vehicle electronic components could be damaged, and/or the proper and safe operation of the vehicle might be compromised if, for example, any of the following situations (and potentially others) existed:

The transceiver is not "type-accepted."

The power and/or antenna cables radiate RF current.

Routing of the power and/or antenna cables results in inductive or capacitive coupling. Transmitter, feedline and/or antenna inefficiencies result in an unacceptable level of RF radiation exposure to the ECM's.

The standing wave ratio is unacceptably high.

The antenna ground plane is inadequate.

We can understand your interest in obtaining information from Toyota that would provide detailed recommendations on how to properly install ham radio components in our vehicles or, conversely, how to avoid specific potential problems. As a result of several inquiries such as yours, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. petitioned our parent company in Japan to provide as much information as possible that would assist ham radio enthusiasts in making informed decisions.

Their response provides basic installation guidelines (outlined in the attachment) which we trust will be of assistance to you. Although it may not fully answer all your specific requests, Toyota must take reasonable precautions to limit our potential legal liability, because the full range of possible variables noted earlier could never be fully anticipated. Also, more detailed information that would provide the operational details of Toyota's electronic system is considered proprietary.

It must be emphasized that, under the terms of Toyota's new vehicle warranty, and damage caused by RF energy from a higher power mobile radio is specifically excluded from coverage because it is not the result of faulty materials or workmanship. Accordingly, all such responsibility is assumed by the owner.

Contacts such as yours are always welcomed, because it allows us to monitor specific consumer interests in the U.S. market. Thank you for the time you have taken to call us, and your interest in Toyota vehicles.

Annie: I have a Toyota pick up that I also have 2 m gear installed, BUT it is a 93 and therefore I have no guidance for you! I have had no problems at all. As a suggestion, you might repost this question and info on alt.ham-radio.fm. This used to be a very good and informative N.G. Maybe someone there has a similar vehicle/fix.

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Annie,

Subscribe to alt.toyota.trucks and ping "Noon-Air".

Tell him "Bonehenge / BARRY/ Beech23Pilot" sent you to seek his amateur radio expertise.

He's got some serious gear in a Tundra.

I installed my dual band 144/440 transceiver in my 2007 Tacoma access cab and sofar have not had any problems. The antenna was mounted to a L shapped bracket about 3 feet behind the cab on the drivers side. I made the bracket out of stainless steel . There is a screw that holds the rail on that I removed and put the bracket on with that screw. Under the drivers seat is a rubber gromet that goes through the floor . The coax goes through that and there is also a factory cut place in the carpet under the drivers seat I put the coax through. The transceiver just lays in the console and I am using a plug in for the 12 volt power that goes in the power outlet in the console.

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