2003 4.7 Durango Sport - RFI Engine Noise
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Bellevue, WA
2003 4.7 Durango Sport - RFI Engine Noise
Hi all,
I'm an amateur radio operator and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on combating RFI in the Dodge. Overall, it's not bad. It's not as bad as other vehicles I've heard.
I was hoping to rid myself of the little amount that I do hear. Specifically, when revving the engine I hear the usual whine.
Now to be clear, I had my HF radio on a separate battery, so it wasn't coming thru the electrical system.
My antenna mount is near the engine compartment. I've been told that relocating this would be a possible fix.
I'm also getting ready to RF bond my Durango so that I can use the HF radio full-time. I thought about adding some copper flashing to bond the frame and quarter panel of the left fender.
Has anyone successfully rid themselves of engine noise in their Durango?
PS. I was hoping to add a new set of spark plug wires until I discovered I don't have spark plug wires.
I'm an amateur radio operator and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on combating RFI in the Dodge. Overall, it's not bad. It's not as bad as other vehicles I've heard.
I was hoping to rid myself of the little amount that I do hear. Specifically, when revving the engine I hear the usual whine.
Now to be clear, I had my HF radio on a separate battery, so it wasn't coming thru the electrical system.
My antenna mount is near the engine compartment. I've been told that relocating this would be a possible fix.
I'm also getting ready to RF bond my Durango so that I can use the HF radio full-time. I thought about adding some copper flashing to bond the frame and quarter panel of the left fender.
Has anyone successfully rid themselves of engine noise in their Durango?
PS. I was hoping to add a new set of spark plug wires until I discovered I don't have spark plug wires.
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue, WA
Well, in some cases, it does make since to mount it on the back bumper, but this is not an ideal location. The bumper is just plastic. If it were metal, then this would have probably been my first choice.
Top of roof is 'okay' but at 7ft tall, it smacks too many objects. Also, it's a removal antenna so in my particular case, it's not a full-time antenna. Mounts are tricker on the roof as well. Pretty much limited to a ruggage rack mount. (These look pretty ugly, imho.) Magnet mounts are also a poor choice.
The main reason I chose this location was because the particular mount uses a factory screw (right under the hood.) This is ideal because it's flush with the quarter panel (and provides a solid ground to the antenna.)
I did get a tip from another HAM that using small RF chokes (the snap-on kind) near each coil might help with the noise.
I'll probably have to experiment with chokes and possibly improving the bonding of the engine to frame.
Top of roof is 'okay' but at 7ft tall, it smacks too many objects. Also, it's a removal antenna so in my particular case, it's not a full-time antenna. Mounts are tricker on the roof as well. Pretty much limited to a ruggage rack mount. (These look pretty ugly, imho.) Magnet mounts are also a poor choice.
The main reason I chose this location was because the particular mount uses a factory screw (right under the hood.) This is ideal because it's flush with the quarter panel (and provides a solid ground to the antenna.)
I did get a tip from another HAM that using small RF chokes (the snap-on kind) near each coil might help with the noise.
I'll probably have to experiment with chokes and possibly improving the bonding of the engine to frame.
Last edited by cnick6; Sep 25, 2010 at 06:30 AM.
