User Manual Part 1

SECTION 2 INSTALLATION

2.1 IMPORTANT DIGITAL RADIO INSTALLATION INFORMATION

2.1.1 INTRODUCTION

With digital radios such as the 4300, electrical noise on the DC power line is heard as a

“warbling” sound in messages received from a radio in a vehicle with this problem. It is not the

typical alternator whine or ignition ticking heard with analog radios.

NOTE: For proper digital radio operation, the noise level at the battery and power connector of

the radio should be 50 mV or less when measured by an oscilloscope.

2.1.2 INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Much of this electrical noise is caused by improper radio installation techniques. Observing the

installation guidelines which follow minimizes the degradation of radio performance caused by

vehicle electrical noise. If noise is still a problem after following these guidelines, try installing a

noise filter such as EFJohnson 17-Ampere In-Line Noise Filter, Part No. 517-2003-017.

• Connect both wires of the power cable directly to the vehicle battery as shown in the photo on

the following page. Use a minimum length of cable.

• Do not connect the power cable to a switched power source such as a kill switch because de-

affiliation and proper saving of some parameters then does not occur at power off. Use the

ignition sense line to switch power as described in “ACCESSORY CABLE INSTALLATION”

on page ???. Current drain in the off mode with this configuration is only about 0.75 mA.

• Do not route the power cable and coaxial cable in the same bundle except when required such

as to get through a firewall. Keep this type of routing short and close to the radio. Do not coil up

extra power cable and attach it to other wires or coaxial cable. Use only the minimum length of

cable required.

• Mount the antenna on the roof or center of the trunk lid and at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from

other antennas. Do not mount it on a light bar, next to a video camera, or on a small “L” bracket

on the fender lip.

• Do not use adapters to connect the antenna to the Type N antenna jack of the radio. Change the

antenna connector to the correct type if required.