New Install of BC-T15 and BCD996T with Built in GPS

davidmc36 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 04:26 PM

This will take a few posts to show all the pics. I did an over the top install of an internal GPS module in the 996 with a cable to connect it to the 15 so both scanners are using the one unit. First pic is of the module on the bench being tested. Then the cable to supply data to the 15. I also made a cable to update and monitor the GPS. The antenna is nice and small. I used a 7805 power regulator. Note that with it hooked up to the three wire connector it does not get power if you are using the AC adapter.

davidmc36 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 04:31 PM

I hooked the data wires to the bottom of the PCB at the DB9 input. Then insulated them to prevent surprises. The update jack is just a 1/8 stereo plug, I used the hole where the screw would go for the rear support. Next is the wiring tied up.

davidmc36 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 04:36 PM

I made a hole in the back for the antenna coax. Next is a view of the coax plugged in. I mounted the module to the bottom cover. The puck looks nice on the dash. The speaker mount is temporary till I decide on a permanent location.

davidmc36 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 04:39 PM

An overall look at the install. A close-up of the two scanners with GPS connected.

kirka127 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 05:46 PM

Wow that is cool the way you hooked up the GPS to both scanners.

davidmc36 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 05:57 PM

I should add links to the GPS module and antenna that I used.

GPS Central (Canada) 'Garmin GPS 15L & GPS 15H' Page

GPS MCX antenna Garmin72 76 60 60C 60CS 60CSX C340 C330 - (eBay.ca item 110316027621 end time 21-May-09 13:25:46 EDT)

WatnNY · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 06:12 PM

You sir, are a freaken genius!

canav844 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 06:21 PM

Awesome install!

b7spectra · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 07:17 PM

So, um, what if you want to listen to music?

b7spectra · #10 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 07:33 PM

BTW - Look familiar?

davidmc36 · #11 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b7spectra

So, um, what if you want to listen to music?

Can't stand listening to music in the car. I don't listen to music a lot regardless of where I am. I will have to throw the deck back in and plug in the Sat Rcvr when we go on vacation this year, wife would refuse to go if it was not there,

but that only takes 15 mins. or so, unplug one set of connectors and plug in another. Dash has four screws. Very slick car to work on actually.

N1SQB · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 10:58 AM

Scanner Hacking in the 21st century! Very well done sir!

Manny

brandon · #13 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 12:26 PM

That is outstanding. Plus who needs music when you have 2 fantastic scanners running at full blast

davidmc36 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon

That is outstanding. Plus who needs music when you have 2 fantastic scanners running at full blast

And something just occured to me today while I was on a test drive checking all the location setttings. I turned on CC for a few minutes and an FM station popped up. So there is a way to listen to music.

I read a post somewhere a while back where a guy was talking about using two identical scanners tuned to slightly different freqs to get both channels of the stereo FM. Would that only have been possible with the older scanner he was talking about? Did he have something with an infinitely variable "VFO" or if you forced the right step size and tuned in two slightly different freqs could you do that? Is that how FM transmits the stereo?

steveh552 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 06:51 PM

Both scanners you have should also include broadcast band. See, put the GPS to use, set up so it locks out one and turns on another station as you change areas, no need to worry about changing things.

yorkphotog · #16 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 09:06 PM

W00t! Finally another guy with a Santa Fe! I'd never be willing to remove the AM/FM radio..I like my music!

See this link if you want to see pics of my truck for future scanner location ideas (if you get another one, or two, or three)...

http://www.jrcnet.ca/santafe

davidmc36 · #17 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkphotog

W00t! Finally another guy with a Santa Fe! I'd never be willing to remove the AM/FM radio..I like my music!

See this link if you want to see pics of my truck for future scanner location ideas (if you get another one, or two, or three)...

Index of /santafe/

That's quite ambitious!
I thought about the armrest area for the extra scanner but didn't have time to work on it right now. Did they fit right in there? You could actually leave the cover on if you had no desire to see the display.

I_10_92 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Well done! Very nice.. and again sir.. genius!

davidmc36 · #19 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 11:10 AM

Thanks for all the positive remarks. Genius is a bit of a stretch though. Maybe as my Father used to say if he saw something like it; "That guy has more money than brains!"

Something that occured to me as I was doing a road test and a Cadillac whizzed past me; if one had access to some older GM products with On Star, is there a separate GPS module in there somewhere that you could salvage, or a GPS/cell phone module, or is it embedded in a larger computer module with no ability to separate?

yorkphotog · #20 (**permalink**) 04-23-2009, 05:39 PM

I think I was able to leave the armrest door on if I wanted to, but I figured that it would be annoying if I left it open. Also, I opted to mount a speaker over the area that the armrest door attaches to.

Did you buy the Uniden shell for both of your scanners? I remember that I bought one for the BCT15 that is mounted in my dash, but for some reason or other I wasn't able to mount it with the shell. As it stands, the BCT15 in the dash is basically unremovable..but it's not a big deal to me since I program the scanners via the front serial port.