How To Install a Pro-197 In My Car - How To

[wpann]

I would like to install a pro-197 scanner in my car. What proper cords, adapters, plugs, ect.. do I need to do this?

[Loverickbass]

How are you going to want to mount the antenna? L bracket, magnet or drill,etc.

[wpann]

I would like to mount it on the dash with an antenna on the trunk

[Loverickbass]

I buy all my stuff from this guy here:

The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!

Super fast shipping! Never had any issues. He'll take Paypal too if you ask.

Hang on and I'll get you a list of things you'll need.

[Loverickbass]

The best antenna I own!

Larsen NMO150/450/800 [NMO150/450/800] - $29.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!

[Loverickbass]

Larsen NMOTLP [NMOTLP] - $28.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!

It would be best if you could go on the roof but this will work just fine. You'll need to check the BNC connector at the bottom.

[Loverickbass]

You should be able to get some metal screws at your local hardware store to mount the scanner itself to the dash. Make sure you know what's behind the metal you are screwing into. I learned that the hard way!

[Loverickbass]

Your scanner should have came with a cigarette lighter plug for power. If not, there are several ways to get juice.

[wpann]

Thanks alot man, I really appreciate it. I'll check this guy out

[wpann]

Your favorite antenna, does that get good 800 MHz coverage?

[ka3jjz]

Mounting it on the dash could be potentially dangerous - if the dash gets crunched in an accident you have the potential of a flying scanner hitting you. Plus it's VERY obvious to thieves. What make/model of vehicle are you mounting this in? Surely there's a better spot to be had...

Be aware that feeding the power through the cig lighter plug could allow noise from the ignition or alternator to get into the scanner. Fortunately you can buy filters for this, but a better solution would be to wire to the battery (with proper fusing, of course)

best regards..Mike

[wpann]

I will probably be putting it in a Ford F-150 or a '94 Buick Regal custom

[ka3jjz]

There are 3 or 4 threads for the F150 in the Shack/Mobile installation forum. They might give you some ideas. best regards..Mike

[Loverickbass]

That larsen tri band beats any of my 800 band antennas. No Joke, its a serious antnenna.

[n5oya]

just use the radios antenna. you can buy a y and make up the correct connects so you can just use the car stereo's antenna..my pro-197 works perfect with it. other info....if you are not a ham radio operator or in public service you are breaking the law by installing a scanner in ur car in most state. State law (New York and Florida...maybe others) provent you from permanently install a scanner in a vehicle unless you are a ham radio operator or in public service so be careful and odds are that even if you do get pulled over the cop will not know this law. Best thing to do is investigate your state law so you know.

[n5ims]

Originally Posted by n5oya

just use the radios antenna. you can buy a y and make up the correct connects so you can just use the car stereo's antenna..my pro-197 works perfect with it. other info....if you are not a ham radio operator or in public service you are breaking the law by installing a scanner in ur car in most state. State law provent you from permanently install a scanner in a vehicle unless you are a ham radio operator or in public service so be careful and odds are that even if you do get pulled over the cop will not know this law. Best thing to do is investigate your state law so you know.

Not quite "most state[s]" as you indicate. There are only 15 states detailed on the site referenced in the RR WIKI (Scanner Laws - The RadioReference Wiki) and the vast majority of those indicate only "use illegal in furtherance of a crime" or some variation of "Use by convicted criminals".

FL, IN, MI, & NY all have the most restrictions and special care and research should be done if you live or travel in those states. Please note that some cities also restrict mobile scanner use so even if your state allows it, one or more cities may not. For example, the City of Chattanooga has this little one (see "ARTICLE IV. INTERCEPTION OF POLICE RADIO SIGNALS" starting on page 13) http://www.chattanooga.gov/files/chapter16.pdf while the State of Tennessee has no issues with having one.

[ve1sef]

Another thing to consider if your planning to dash mount the scanner.
Where are the air bags located in relation to you installation.
Thats why I started doing the in-dash installation. As shown in photo
next to my user name.
As mentioned by ka3iiz, the in-dash installtion makes the scanner
less obvious and appear to be too much trouble to try and steal.
Plus no holes in the dash.
However; if you decide on in-dash, I would go to an auto-recycler and
pick up a second dash bizel. Do your modifcations to it thus, when time
comes to replace the vehicle you can put the orginal dash bizel in and leave
no trace of the scanner.

As for antennas, I used glass mount, mag mount and am/fm spliters.
and work will, The spliter does help to make the "extra" radio
less obvious, the downside is some internal "birdies" from the car.
Less interfernce with the glass mount and if done right can be removed
without a tray, when time comes to trade the vehicle.

Currently I'm using a small mag mount that is not as noticable as some.
Check my thread further down the list, Dodge Chager Installon for photos
of the mag mount..