Infiniti FX45 setup..

[mharris]

This is my Infiniti FX45 radio / computer install.

I have 3 Astro Spectras all with A9 heads. One for VHF, UHF, and 800. They are programmed with local ham repeaters, including the W8DIG P25 machine here in C-BUS. The 800 radio has conventional PS frequencies.

There is a BCD996T scanner in the rear cargo area which is controlled remotely via Freescan software on the Toughbook.

I also have a Cobra model 75WX, 11 meter radio with the W3 control head :-)

Right now my antennas are all mag mount :-(, I haven't decided if I am going to drill yet or not. The antennas are Larsen for VHF, UHF, and 11 meters, and a Maxrad 1/4 VHF for the scanner along with a Maxrad PCS antenna for my mobile internet connection.

I use a Sierra 598U into a Cradlepoint CTR350 router. The Maxrad antenna goes directly into the Sierra 598's RF connector. I achieve between 1 and 2 MB's download easy from just about anywhere in town even while driving. The toughbook is connected to the cars stereo input so I can listen to streaming radio, music etc while driving.

73's and thanks for looking!

Matt, WY8E

[rigreference]

I really like your antenna 'park' on the roof

[milf]

If you do drill, space the ants for safety/overload prevention. One good idea may be do NMO hood lip mounts for two, and the rest NMO hole mounted on the roof, two rear, far left/right, one front center, or middle center. I know there isn't a lot of space rooftop to work with. Nice job thus far, not to clustered, and clean wiring!

[tekshogun]

Brave man you are. Very tastefully done. The Spectras often make the best remote radio installs for anything situation (just about). Nice sneaking in the CB radio. Well done. I like it. No need to drill holes really. I would consider hatch mounts which make come up just as tasteful if not more so. I love hatch mounts (like the comet and diamond models) and they work great for funny angles as they are fully adjustable on more than one axis, of course that may eliminate two of your antennas, so you may want to pick your largest ones).

[mharris]

Thanks MILF. I have been pondering where to put the antennas if I drill. Your ideas are very good! Spacing is tough on this vehicle like you mentioned.

Matt

[creeperjeep]

Lexan?

[bezking]

What is the software on the laptop in the photo?

[mharris]

Lexan it is!

The software on the screen is Storm Predator, Freescan, and a streaming media window from a radio station in Berlin.

[IceBlueEyes579]

How good is your Cobra CB model 75WX?

Thanks

Andrew

[mharris]

Hi Andrew,

The Cobra 75 works about as well as one would expect. It's certainly not the most sensitive CB radio out there, but the audio from the little speaker is really loud and it has cool features like scan, wx, and a noise filter that Cobra calls "Sound Tacker"

The bad is that you can very easily change the channel while trying to hit the PTT, and the buttons on the front are easily pushed unintentionally.

Matt

[1150RT-P]

Nice .... not the most common vehicle you see stuff installed in. Looks clean.

[newsphotog]

You are ready for a night out on the town for sure... good job Matt. Pretty dang impressive

[MarkEagleUSA]

Nice install in a nice ride!

Can you tell me what kind of mount is used for the Toughbook? Is it flexible as it appears?

[mharris]

Mark,

The mount is a RAM POD I with the Tough Tray II. It is very flexible and its on a 1.5" ball so it can be moved 360 deg.

Matt

[MarkEagleUSA]

Originally Posted by mharris

The mount is a RAM POD I

What's the diameter of the POD and how rigid is it? Does it flex much while driving with the weight of the Toughbook?

[RodStrong]

Great looking setup. I would try to put the CB where I can see the display, or get to it quickly in the event I am scanning with it and it lands on a channel. You may not use the CB much however, or you may never put it in scan mode. Also, if you put it on the dash somewhere like the Spectra mics, you would probably be less likely to accidentally bang buttons on it while picking it up. Although it's in a nice spot, it's not in a great spot for grabbing it while driving. I'm sure you know that model can use a common variety external speaker, and if you want to get louder audio, I would recommend this. As you stated, the internal speaker is decent, but it much better with an external speaker.

One other thing, be careful with the toughbook being open while driving down the road. You already have lots of distractions in the cockpit of that rig, and looking at the internet or playing with your scanner on the laptop while driving down the road is dangerous. I know.....I have had a laptop and probably twice as much radio equipment as you do in my work vehicles for a upwards of a decade. Just a friendly warning. It also may be illegal in your area to have the laptop open while driving down the road.....you might want to check with your local authorities. Your laptop also appears to be mounted too high.....maybe due to the stick shift. If it can be lowered at all, every inch helps increase your safety. You might think having the laptop closer to eye level is safer for you, but actually, you don't want anything in front of you at eye level, as it potentially blocks your vision of passenger side mirror, the front passenger bumper area, and some other places.

Great job.

[emd001]

everything looks great.

[SOFA_KING]

Wowza! I like this setup. Super clean and very neat. All you need to add to that Spectra stack is a nice LOW BAND Syntor X9000. Then you will have the complete package!

Very nice!

I like the Toughbook too.

Phil

PS - Where did you hide the speakers?

[mharris]

Hi all!

Here are some answers to the questions:

The Ram mount is too flexible for the Toughbook. It does work but with a little too much flex. Ram makes another mount that has 3 legs buts it's obnoxious as hell. I am working on a solution. I have already lowered the mount a little which helped some. I will post when I have a good answer. The mount is not so bad thats its dangerous, but it's ideal for a smaller lighter computer.

The speakers are on the floor behind the seats. It the only place I could find for them!

Thanks for all the nice comments!

Matt

[FD5722]

I don't comment on to many installs, but I must say Kudos to you on this one. Those A9 heads look great in there, along with the Toughbook. A+++++