[VintageX]

What is the suggested place to tap in for a ham radio?
Obviously, I can punch through the firewall and directly attach to the battery. That would be an "always on" connection.
Are there any suggested locations under the dash? Maybe that are only on with ACC?
Is connecting to the power porr / cigarette lighter wires a bad idea?

 

[Brunnie]

You want to connect to the battery directly because when you transmit you are going to be pulling a lot of power. And it isn't "always on" as your radio has an On/Off button, use it.

 

[VintageX]

I think I prefer having the radio go off with the ignition. Less likelyhood of accidentally leaving it on and draining power. Espacially as when squelched it doesn't make a noise to remind you.
The radio pulls under 10A when transmitting and uses a 15A fuse.... so I'm thinking the 20A power outlet circuit is a good choice...?

 

[prodragon4x]

What @Brunnie said. Should ALWAYS connect directly to the battery or fuse power terminals. The wiring in a fuse panel isn't designed to be tapped into for something like a VHF radio. Hence the gauge of wire that comes with the radio being thicker than anything you'd tap into.

 

[VintageX]

What @Brunnie said. Should ALWAYS connect directly to the battery or fuse power terminals. The wiring in a fuse panel isn't designed to be tapped into for something like a VHF radio. Hence the gauge of wire that comes with the radio being thicker than anything you'd tap into.

Hmm... taping in at the fuse block does sound interesting. And they do make handy fuse splitters...

 

[rm975]

You could tap power off the battery and send it through an ignition key on relay to a buss to power things with. The cleanest power to run that radio is going to be off the battery. Elsewise you may pick up RF in your power.

W60RV

 

[VintageX]

Did some more research and talked to some experts. I think I will bolt the ground wire to the chassis near the radio and run the positive wire to the fusebox in the glovebox. I'll attache the positive wire to an empty fuse socket on the 60A bus there.
Well, that's mu plan at least. ;-).