'08 Chevorlet Avalanche

[NOWAG]

Starting anew with a '08 Avalanche,I will take the technician exam in the next two weeks. Up grading from a '10 equinox with a TK-760HG in the center console.

All parts are on order.
-Jotto desk 9 inch Tahoe console
-Jotto desk cup holder
- Troy Industries face plates
- Uniden bct15 (ebay)
- Laird Technologies QW144
- Laird Technologies C144/440C
- Laird Technologies ABSCANC

Will be installing TK-760HG as well.

Head Liner will being dropped tomorrow if work load allows after UPS drops off. I am a tech for a GM dealer.
Power is coming from under dash 30A trailer brake controller circuit , into a keyed relay into a Fuse block with ground strip mounted under console.

 

[flythunderbird]

I'm looking forward to seeing your install!

 

[NOWAG]

Install #1

Some parts have shown up!!
Work was busy so once home pulled into the A/C garage and started to work.
Jotto Console, cup-holder and Fire Radio mounted. Scanner should be in tomorrow and mounting plate soon to fallow. Just shy of installing the fuse block and running a ground to have the radio up and working.

Dropped the head liner and ran my 3/8 nmo mounts .
Avalanches have little room to work with due to the design of the back glass and roof supports. Took some thought.
20" between my two mains and 16" from the vhf to scanner.

 

[NOWAG]

More Pic

 

[N5TWB]

Looks like that back dual-bander is going to be a clearance problem with the door. Great roof work though, I have similar antennas on top of my SUV and they work great! I use a short dual-bander in order to clear the door which is also a 9' height that was done special when building the house. If I'm going to be out for an event or storm spotting, I swap out the shorty with the one you have and also change the VHF quarter-wave over to a 5/8-wave. I still get great performance from the short ones because of the high mount with lots of ground plane.

 

[NOWAG]

Looks like that back dual-bander is going to be a clearance problem with the door. Great roof work though, I have similar antennas on top of my SUV and they work great! I use a short dual-bander in order to clear the door which is also a 9' height that was done special when building the house. If I'm going to be out for an event or storm spotting, I swap out the shorty with the one you have and also change the VHF quarter-wave over to a 5/8-wave. I still get great performance from the short ones because of the high mount with lots of ground plane.

I may have to go with a shorter dual band soon. Once in the door its got all the room it needs.

 

[NOWAG]

Finished up the Console with power. All up and working. Now to just decide on the dual band radio to go with.

 

[VernM]

I assume GM is still providing information sheets on installing RF devices in the newer vehicles. They sure were a lot of help when I wired up my current vehicle. On board is 250 watts of HF and 100 of six through 2 meters plus 440. Three scanners also. The information sheet (designed for business and public service users of GM vehicles such as the 3/4 ton truck my van is based on) can save you a lot of expensive parts and wandering antenna wiring.

My mobile unit, incidentally, is now 21 years and 140,000 miles old.Vandura Tiara conversion van. Supports 180 watts of solar panels up on the roof inside the luggage rack frames. Carmanaugh panels and charge controller plus inverter to power a little microwave and the Engel refrigerator. More 'n you likely will be interested in, but some of us old guys like to stick with old friends.

No pictures. Like stealth.

 

[richfell]

Just want to say that's a nice job you have done there Which dual band radios are you considering?

 

[NOWAG]

Right now im bouncing between Yaesu FT-7900R and Kenwood TM-V71A.

 

[03msc]

Right now im bouncing between Yaesu FT-7900R and Kenwood TM-V71A.

I would loudly suggest the Kenwood v71a...just my 2 cents. Excellent radio.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I would loudly suggest the Kenwood v71a...just my 2 cents. Excellent radio.

What he said... V71a it's a better radio all around.

Also, look at the mic on the TK-7180, it fits nicer in the hand, and the PTT is much easier to use than the mic you have. I still own a TK-760HG-1 although I have replaced it with a NX-700, I think the TK-760 has much better Rx audio than the NX-700 with out using external speakers.

 

[richfell]

Right now im bouncing between Yaesu FT-7900R and Kenwood TM-V71A.

Nice choices. I only have experience with Kenwood mobiles, but I like them (yes, I know you weren't asking ). Where will it be mounted? I noticed that your center console is all taken.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, I've owned the FT-7800/7900 and I've had the big brother of the V71a. No comparison for a couple of reasons:

V71a is a true dual band radio. FT-7900 is only one band at a time.
V71, if I recall correctly, will even let you listen to VHF-VHF, UHF-UHF or VHF-UHF.
Kenwood's mostly have far superior microphones to the Yaesu. I've had really bad luck with Yaesu microphones. Kenwood amateur mobile mics seem to be identical to their LMR mics.

7900 is good if you need a cheap remote head radio (which is why I bought it).

 

[flythunderbird]

Your installation looks great. I like the console - very neat and clean.

 

[NOWAG]

Time for some updates

It has been a few weeks but ive gotten a vhf for the first Ham radio to enter the truck. TM-281A, mounted it inside the center console, i will add a external speaker next for the three so its not all so muffled when closed up.

 

[03msc]

It has been a few weeks but ive gotten a vhf for the first Ham radio to enter the truck. TM-281A, mounted it inside the center console, i will add a external speaker next for the three so its not all so muffled when closed up.

Great choice of radio for the 2m! Looks good.

 

[NOWAG]

A few things have happened, Found some free time and build a homemade truck vault. yet to put in dividers but will add them as needed.
As well thanks to ebay installed a Jotto desk laptop stand.

A ZTE Mobley from AT&T gives a Mobile hot spot. I will be installing it with a pig tail obdII behind the rear seats.

 

[03msc]

Nice additions! Looks even better!

 

[agarrett973]

Nice mods. I have been thinking about building a truck vault for myself. The factory boxes are mighty pricey.

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