Back in 2003 I had to replace my trusty 95 4Runner.... I took a 40 hamstick,
magmount and my 706 with cig lighter plug to all the car dealers to test
their SUVs. (I put t napkin under the mag mount to save the paint). The
Toyota Highlander was a tad quieter than the 2002 4Runner I bought, but I
need the rear space for tools.
The 4 Runner in those days had noticeable fuel pump noise but bypass caps
and ferrites, coupled with the 706 noise blanker, makes it a minor annoyance
and not audible at all on 40 meters at night.
Also in those days the Ford Explorer fuel pump was notorious for noise... I
can tell when one is trying to pass me on the highway if I have the HF rig
turned on. Likewise the Dodge Ram diesel... the ignition noise is nil, but
the computer howls.
As of 5-6 years ago GM had done the most to handle ignition and computer
noise, and were willing to talk mobile radions...they even did a mobile RFI
presentation at Dayton a few times. But having walked away from a 40 MPH tee
bone into the driver's door of my first 4 Runner I felt some loyalty to buy
another. If GM's noise is still low, I'd consider them for the next SUV from
a ham radio perspective.
The Subaru I looked at was fair in the noise department, and IT IS MADE IN
LAFAYETTE INDIANA. In those days it wasn't long enough for skis, but skis
are shorter these days, so I'd look at a Subaru too.
Mel KJ9C
Either one of those vehicles manufactured in plants located in the USA?
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