2013 Chevy Silverado - Mobile Setup

Status
Not open for further replies.

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Hello everyone! Well, I've been a long time member but have never posted any photos of my shack or mobile setup. So, I figured I would post a few pictures of my now one year old 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Extended Cab pickup truck. I am hoping this will give someone an idea who may have a similar vehicle on where and how to install some equipment nice and neatly. Also, as usual, to get some constructive criticism from members of the forum as well.

So, without further a due, here are the photos of my 2013 Chevy Silverado.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0206.jpg
    IMG_0206.jpg
    79.1 KB · Views: 1,887
  • IMG_0193.jpg
    IMG_0193.jpg
    90.4 KB · Views: 1,677
  • IMG_0194.jpg
    IMG_0194.jpg
    52 KB · Views: 1,687
  • IMG_0195.jpg
    IMG_0195.jpg
    20.9 KB · Views: 1,556
  • IMG_0196.jpg
    IMG_0196.jpg
    31.4 KB · Views: 1,627

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Here are the remaining five photos (could only post five attachments maximum per post).
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0198.jpg
    IMG_0198.jpg
    71.3 KB · Views: 1,667
  • IMG_0199.jpg
    IMG_0199.jpg
    86.8 KB · Views: 1,675
  • IMG_0200.jpg
    IMG_0200.jpg
    59.5 KB · Views: 1,637
  • IMG_0201.jpg
    IMG_0201.jpg
    60.7 KB · Views: 1,614
  • IMG_0203.jpg
    IMG_0203.jpg
    76.2 KB · Views: 1,620

Stephen

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
516
Location
Columbia, MO
As a fellow truck driver, I always enjoy seeing installs in trucks. Very good set up, though all three antennas right next to each other seems a little cramped, but if it works and your not experiencing any interference issues, then I wouldn't see a problem. Just curious what is the repeater radio for are you doing some type of a mobile portable repeater?
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Thanks for the reply Stephen! The Motorola CM300 is a dedicated repeater radio. It is programmed with only one channel on low power, and all the buttons have no functionality whatsoever. Simply turn it on and the repeater radio is live and ready to go.

The CM300 is connected to the Motorola CDM1550 using a cable. When the CM300 is on, it repeats whatever is coming from the CDM1550 and sends it out to the CM300 and vice versa using our licensed 170 MHz frequency.

This is an "in-band" repeater. The CDM1550 is a VHF radio and the CM300 is also VHF. This eliminates me having to carry two radios (in a cross-band repeat scenario).

As for the antennas on the passenger side, yeah - they do seem a little cramped. However, the antenna with the black spring is actually the FM radio antenna. I took out the stock antenna and placed a 1/4 wave whip with a spring on it in replacement of the stock AM/FM antenna. I only did this for looks so the antennas blend in a bit more and aren't so high. The long antenna on the passenger side is simply the scanner antenna. Lastly, the 1/4 wave short antenna goes to the vehicle repeater radio. The large antenna on the driver side with the whip and spring is a 5/8 3db gain antenna and goes to the main Motorola CDM1550 VHF radio.
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
scannermanner1, I do not have any 800 MHz antennas on my vehicle. In my area, we are still on VHF/UHF analog conventional. If you were talking about the small 1/4 wave whip with the nut at the bottom which screws into an NMO base - that is my VHF antenna (it was just cropped out in one photo so looks like an 800 MHz antenna).

I don't have any complaints with those 1/4 wave antennas. They work very well! You can even use a VHF 1/4 wave antenna as a scanner antenna and pick up UHF pretty good - even some low band also! Can't vouch for 800 MHz though. But a genuine 800 MHz antenna should suit you well - especially for scanner use.
 

12dbsinad

Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
1,943
Since its in-band, how is the reciever desense on the CDM while the CM is transmitting? I know you mentioned it was set to low power. Is it not enough to notice?
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Well, the primary mobile radio is a 5/8 wave 3db gain antenna and the repeater radio is a 1/4 wave antenna.

The CDM puts out 58 watts of power and the CM is putting out 25 watts. There is about 20-22 MHz of frequency spacing between the repeater radio frequency and the mobile depending on which channel the CDM1550 is using. There doesn't seem to be any issues of "de-sensing" and if there is any, it is very minimal to the point it cannot be detected by me or any other end user. The portable radio I use is an MT2000 VHF.
 

12dbsinad

Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
1,943
Well, the primary mobile radio is a 5/8 wave 3db gain antenna and the repeater radio is a 1/4 wave antenna.

The CDM puts out 58 watts of power and the CM is putting out 25 watts. There is about 20-22 MHz of frequency spacing between the repeater radio frequency and the mobile depending on which channel the CDM1550 is using. There doesn't seem to be any issues of "de-sensing" and if there is any, it is very minimal to the point it cannot be detected by me or any other end user. The portable radio I use is an MT2000 VHF.

Good deal. Thanks for posting the pics!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top