F150 Console

[nhfdcadet]

Here is the newly installed console in my 2018 F150, complete with VHF, UHF, Low band, a dedicated V/U crossband, and CB.

Still waiting for parts to show up for Whelen Core, and an APX drop-in charger, but it's coming along

 

[BigLebowski]

Very nicely done!

 

[riverradio68]

Pretty slick, like how you sideways mounted the two. Never thought of that.

 

[CopperWhopper67]

Is that the C-VS-3000-F150-1?
Where did you get it?

 

[nhfdcadet]

Is that the C-VS-3000-F150-1?
Where did you get it?

That is the C-VSW-3000-F150-1, I got it from havis.

 

[nhfdcadet]

Pretty slick, like how you sideways mounted the two. Never thought of that.

Those two are intended to be primarily a V/U crossband, so I figured it was ok for them to be sideways since they're not really for everyday use other than maybe scanning. They have special faceplates for the side section

 

[n3obl]

whats the hhch at the end?

 

[hill]

HHCH looks to be a Uniden CB

 

[nhfdcadet]

HHCH looks to be a Uniden CB

Correct, uniden cmx something I believe it's called, don't recall off the top of my head.
i don't use it much, sometimes when I travel

 

[mmckenna]

Uniden CMX-760.

I had one a few years ago. A good CB for the "I don't really use a CB but need something that doesn't take up a lot of room" applications.

 

[nhfdcadet]

Uniden CMX-760.

I had one a few years ago. A good CB for the "I don't really use a CB but need something that doesn't take up a lot of room" applications.

You described my exact application 😂

 

[PD47JD]

As always pleasure to receive and/or read your posts/comments and now further enhanced by views of your vehicular radio installation.
Well done!

 

[K7MFC]

I see computers often mounted in mobile ham shacks - what do people use them for? I've never really worried about a couple radios in my truck any making it any more of a theft magnet than in its stock form, but put a laptop at eye level inside there and I'd expect to find a shattered window every time I walked back to my parked truck...

 

[nhfdcadet]

I see computers often mounted in mobile ham shacks - what do people use them for? I've never really worried about a couple radios in my truck any making it any more of a theft magnet than in its stock form, but put a laptop at eye level inside there and I'd expect to find a shattered window every time I walked back to my parked truck...

I use this one to have the ability to read CAD notes, and be able to see where other responders are while responding to an incident. I also have access to the ERG, WISER, and other reference materials.
It also provides portable access to reporting software.

 

[03msc]

I see computers often mounted in mobile ham shacks - what do people use them for? I've never really worried about a couple radios in my truck any making it any more of a theft magnet than in its stock form, but put a laptop at eye level inside there and I'd expect to find a shattered window every time I walked back to my parked truck...

That's certainly a risk. However, keep in mind they can typically be pretty easily removed from view. But I can see several uses, especially if someone needs it for their job or as a responder. On the ham side of things, logging or running things like FT8 could be done on the laptop (only advisable while parked, of course). But, yes, anything of value that's visible in a vehicle could certain make it a target, especially in certain areas.

 

[BlackSheepDue]

Do you use the cross band repeater very often? If so what for?

 

[nhfdcadet]

Do you use the cross band repeater very often? If so what for?

Not on a regular basis but it is there for a large scale thing. The intent behind it was when mutual aid is called in, who use a UHF channel, we could connect their fireground to our fireground, and everybody could just use their portables normally. Stemmed from a couple of big fires we had last year, where on a 3rd alarm, brings in mutual aid units that only have UHF radios. Also a strike team deployment where it was the other way around, a bunch of VHF towns going into a UHF town.
Also aids with the ability to use UHF med channels with our VHF portables, such as if we are inside with a patient and need to contact medical direction for something.

The state gave out a bunch of boxes a while ago that cross link VHF, UHF and 800, various departments have them, but somebody has to remember to bring it, and remember how to set it up. And then it only has the interop channels in it, so the advantage of mine is we can just use normal fireground channels

 

[BlackSheepDue]

I really like the idea. Seamless for the end user and relatively inexpensive

 

[BlackSheepDue]

Have any pictures of the antenna setup?

 

[PACNWDude]

Very nice indeed. Have had similar setups in the past, but no longer in emergency response type of role, so my car only has one dual band VHF/UHF in it now. Miss having a Panasonic Toughbook handy though, it was often used as a glorified GPS with Streets and Trips, google Maps, and GPS antenna mounted. Very useful. I never had problems with people seeing what was inside the vehicle, in my part of the country, even the criminals stay far away from "radio whackers" or anyone that appears to look like they used to shop at Radio Shack stores. Great setup and thank you for sharing.