2013 Toyota Corolla S fire/EMS install

[KK4LQX]

OK, I've decided to blank-slate the project for now. The TK880 is still in there, and I have two NMO mounts on the trunk now. I will use the next few months to get ideas together for a project on this car, and this is the RR community opportunity to throw out ideas really. Overall, here is what I'd like to have in the vehicle by fall:

- Copious UHF channel allocations with MDC1200 encoding. I'm thinking a remote-head MCS2000 Model II/III.
- Scanner with remote head. Something like a BCT15 with the BC-RH96 head?
- Remote head dual-band ham radio. I'll be challenging the Tech class test soon. Of note, I don't really have a pressing need to talk on the VHF public safety or commercial bands.
- Wi-fi mobile hotspot.
- 360 degree red warning lighting with siren. As compact as possible is preferable.
- Laptop mount that can be removed at the floor.

I was actually thinking about mounting the remote heads for the MCS2000 and the BC-RH96 on a 14" Panavise flex-mount, the base of which would be mounted to the floor between the console and passenger seat. I could always get something like a Yaseu FT7900R and remote the head onto a suction cup mount in the corner of the windshield, with the mic remoted to a lower mounting location. I have constructed a decent scanner antenna from an old Tram 5/8 UHF NMO mount, and will be re-using that and probably my Antennex Phantom UHF antenna. Has anyone had any experience with the Maxrad BMAX dual-band antennas for ham?

LCS888 for the remote siren/light controls?

Did you ever get your Amateur Radio License? I would reccomend either the Kenwood TM-V71A or the Kenwood TM-D710A for a dual band radio. They are essentially the same radio except the D710 has a built in TNC for APRS. Infact you can upgrade the V710 to a D710 with a RDC-710. Just my opinion

 

[Drachen_Fire]

I'm still going to get it, but it's back-burnered for now. I don't need APRS, DSTAR, or anything like that. What I could forsee using in the future is P25 digital, or maybe MotoTRBO, but for now, I'm thinking that analog VHF, UHF, and 220MHz would work.

I need to get my public safety and personal wireless stuff up to snuff before I go digging into hamland.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Pending installations for the following:

- Wilson CDMA dual band cell repeater + NMO-HF PCTel CDMA transit antenna
- Radio Shack PRO-2067 scanner + Larsen 800MHz NMO Phantom antenna
- Cobra 75WXST remote CB + Larsen NMO27B antenna
- Motorola CDM1250 low band w/remote kit + Larsen NMO30B antenna

 

[ac316scu]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot....just hate the idea of putting a knife to my 2 week old car ;-)

If your car is an automatic there is almost always a grommet where the clutch cable would go through the firewall. Pop that groment out and drill a hole that fits snug around the wiring. I use this all the time for audio installs and never had a problem.

 

[evfd1625]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.1.2; en-us; SCH-I535 Build/JZO54K) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)

I apologize for hijacking the thread, but I have a question for the OP. Do you make a request to your county "radio" department for MDC identifiers for personal owned radios, or do they just allow you to use the ones for your other radios. Really I'm mostly curious about the procedures involved in that for areas that require it, but still allow you to have your own purchased radio. Very professional install btw.

 

[emt8105]

Like the install have had Kenwood mobiles for years now easy programing. Also like your choice in music by what stickers you have on your car. Like the final install you have got to now.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

I just got a GM300 VHF (narrowband) with remote kit off of an agency upgrade that I'll be installing soon.

Clutch & HIM. Definitely awesome. I used to have a CKY sticker as well, but it faded fast.

As for the indentifiers, in most systems you are required an individually unique ID. Copying ID codes is bad form. I got the one for my mobile some time ago during an agency upgrade.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Acquired - Motorola CDM1250 VHF
Ordered - CDM1250 remote head kit

More to come.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

New work!

Today, I installed audible warning in preparation for a red-light package, and a radio.

Started with a main power switch.


Added a Federal Signal MS3000 100w siren. It's old, but it works and is compact.


I made a low-profile speaker out of an old Whelen Edge 100w driver and mounted it behind the bumper.


Added a Wolo 416 Euro hi/lo air horn siren system.


And topped it all off with a CDM1250 VHF.

 

[bear780ks]

Some Nice installs there we had 06 corolla and then Got a Camry they were both good dependable Cars but finding space I understand isn't the Easiest)

Back when i had my BC 780 way before the 396 or the 996 was out I would take and set my 780 in the passenger Foot-well or behind my seat on a Pillow I had it Hooked up with it's external speaker & I had the Frequencies set to what i wanted to listen to.. It worked pretty well and it was for the most part protected..

But now when we travel I use my BCD396xt and i put it into it's Little Pouch shown below I hang the pouch from the center Vent in our Truck the back of the pouch is Velcro'd so the pouch doesn't move around it helps stabilize the Scanner..

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Trading the CDM1250 out for a Kenwood TM281A. More to come.

 

[N5TWB]

About a month ago, I bought a 2014 Corolla S which is a body style change from yours. I was wondering about your thoughts on antenna mounting, especially when drilling the trunk lid and what tool is best for separating the sound blanket so you can find the best drilling location? I can tell I'm going to have to do the mount really close to the rear spoiler in order to avoid the antenna whip hitting the back glass/roof. That trunk lid really opens wide.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

It's a body style change, but not a huge one. The sound barrier is held on by little push-lock trim retainers. Direct pull from each side pops them right out. I have 3 antennas mounted on my trunk. The two on either side of center were easy, and were in open metal. For the center mount, I used a 3/8" NMO thick-mount (ambulance mount) near an access hole.

Also, if you are doing VHF, try to find a BMAX or equivalent. 12-15" or so should be fine, but my 19" quarter wave does land ever so gingerly on my roof when I open the trunk. The other two antennas are a UHF Phantom and a 1900MHz Phantom, so they come nowhere close to hitting the glass.

As for the holes, I used a standard 3/8" drillbit for the middle, and a 3/4" Antennex hole saw for the others.

 

[fdscan]

Why getting rid of the CDM?

Funny story, I was messing around on eBay and managed to find yours up there!

 

[Drachen_Fire]

I'm selling it because I have very little use for VHF outside of 2 meters these days. I monitor some VHF, but only 3-4 channels, of the local fire systems and one hospital channel. In the event that I need to talk on those channels, I have an issued portable.

I did recently get my ham license, so I want a 2-meter radio that is fully flexible. I bought a TM281A, so now I need to sell the CDM1250 to cover the cost.

 

[fdscan]

I'm selling it because I have very little use for VHF outside of 2 meters these days. I monitor some VHF, but only 3-4 channels, of the local fire systems and one hospital channel. In the event that I need to talk on those channels, I have an issued portable.

I did recently get my ham license, so I want a 2-meter radio that is fully flexible. I bought a TM281A, so now I need to sell the CDM1250 to cover the cost.

Gotcha.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Hey, if you need a VHF CDM1250.......

 

[fdscan]

Hey, if you need a VHF CDM1250.......

I'd take you up on the offer, but I really don't have a use for a VHF radio. And my radio fund is going to be pretty low for a little while, lol.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Starting new work on Friday. Projects will include:

- Construction of a floor console to go between the factory console and the back seat.
- Installation of a Vertex Standard VX4205 VHF & Motorola CDM750 Low Band (29-36).
- Completion of emergency lighting package.

Completely unrelated, but you have to keep it fresh:

- Repainting wheels - multi-coat gloss black.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Initial console concept: