mattsf Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I've been enjoying the use of a ham radio in my 2010 Journey for quite a few years, it is powered by a rooftop solar panel with accompanying 300 amp hour of gel battery storage in the rear of the vehicle. Starting about a month ago, I began hearing a popping and crackling noise from my ham radio speaker when I travel at freeway speeds or I'm accelerating. If I release my foot from the gas pedal, the noise goes away. It is most apparent when I accelerate the vehicle down an entrance ramp to merge onto a freeway. When I maintain highway speeds of 60+ mph, the popping and crackling noise drowns out any reception I get on the radio. Here's the funny thing: I commute to work 73 miles each way and the popping and crackling disappears after 35-45 minutes of highway driving. When I return home in the evening, I have the same popping and crackling for the same 35-45 minutes of drivetime, then the noise disappears no matter what highway speed I maintain on the way home. Could the noise be a sign of a bad alternator diode or another electrical problem related to the charging of the vehicle's battery? This is the 4-cylinder Journey and I have 175,000 miles on it, original alternator, battery replaced about a year ago at the local Dodge dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 Get some RFI chokes and install on the power wires. Armando G and 2late4u 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armando G Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 On 10/9/2018 at 2:51 PM, jkeaton said: Get some RFI chokes and install on the power wires. That's what those things do!!! You learn something new all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsf Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Are you referring to the alternator power wires? I have installed Type 31 ferrite chokes on all of my ham radio component wiring, including the double-shielded coax right at the mobile antenna. I haven't added any chokes to the interior engine compartment area yet. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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