New 2012 F150 radio install

[564FIRE]

I bought a new 2012 Ford F150 2 months ago and last week completed the radio console install. I can run with either my iPad or with a monitor in conjunction with the docked CF29 Toughbook mounted below the rear seat. I included a roof shot for the antenna crowd. I could not have done this without the help of Southwest Deserts Telecomm. If you are in So Cal and need this kind of work, I highly recommend you check them out. www.swdtelecomm.com

 

[564FIRE]

Rest of the pics...

 

[yatesfire5]

that looks sweet what is the computer screen used for ?

 

[AK9R]

Very nice. As the owner of a 2010 F-150, I'm jealous.

What brand of console is that?

Are those MFJ speakers in the ceiling? How are they attached?

 

[564FIRE]

The monitor in the front is fed from the lappy mounted in the rear. I use it for more precise mapping, Watching various CAD's and Mobile Threat Net in the summer.

The console is a Troy. Those are MFJ speakers. Fantastic little speakers. I had the mounts custom made and I pulled down the headliner and used aluminum stock and bolted them in place.

 

[tanglong2009]

ni ce！ power fo r

 

[fdscan]

Damn... That's a LOT of equipment in the console.

I like the antenna setup, nothing's too big or intrusive.

 

[ShawnInPaso]

That has to be one of the finest installs I've seen.......truly first class.

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

Now that is a sweet rockin' set-up!!

 

[KC4YIN]

Now that's the kind of install I look forward to seeing.
One question. The face plate for the Kenwood at the back of the stack. Was it a custom cutout or is it a standard faceplate made for that radio?
Please give us a rundown on the radios in the console.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Now that is a nice mobile setup, looks great!

 

[Farscan]

One of the most professional installs on the road. Very nice. The antenna setup is so unobtrusive with
800mhz. Is one antenna missing --4 scanners into one with the stridberg. Then 3 other radios and two antennas unless one of the gps looking pucks is for the last radio. Either way Awesome.

 

[564FIRE]

The line up is as follows:

TK5710 - VHF
TK890 - UHF
TK880 - UHF
TK980 - 800
996XT
996XT
TMV71a - 2M/440

The TK5710 and the TK890 are run to one antenna with a diplexer. The TK880, TK980 and both 996XT's are all run to the Stridesburg Multicoupler, then to one antenna. I do not use the two Kenwoods for transmit, just RX. The TMV71a has a dedicated antenna. The reason for all short 800 antennas is that my regular (correct band antennas) wont fit in my garage so I just run the stubbys until I am going to be transmitting. The stubby's actually work quite well for RX which is what I do mostly. When we get a large scale incident and I am needing to transmit I just switch the antennas.

As for the TMV71a face plate, I ordered that from Mr. Mounts on ebay. I believe it was originally made for another radio but it fit perfectly for the TMV71a. If someone needs help getting one send me a PM and I will get you pointed in the right direction.

A lot of thought and preparation went into the install. I had been planning the console even before purchasing the F150. I cover a wide area of So Cal and monitor many agenices over all frequencies. So far this set up has performed as expected and I am quite happy with it.

 

[564FIRE]

I guess I should mention what the three sat antennas are for. 1 is for Sirius/XM radio, 1 is for Mobile Threat Net and the last one is connected to the Toughbook. I use it for mapping and a few other weather software programs that show my location on the WX map.

Lastly, the three red rocker switches are for stobes. I have storbes in all four corners (headlights and in the reverse lights), there are two amber grill lights and the last switch goes to strobes located in the cargo lights (next to the GPS antennas). Lights up the truck nicely but maintains a fairly low profile...

 

[kjfswkr]

I guess I should mention what the three sat antennas are for.

Great looking install and setup. I miss the open are for console. You have plenty of room.

kevin

 

[chris3560]

Absolutely Stunning!

 

[gr8rcall]

This is GREAT! The absolute best install I have EVER seen!

 

[QDP2012]

Very clean! What is the thin flat rectanglular-shaped object laying on the top-left of the console above the first radio near the mics (in pictures 3, 4, & 7) ?

 

[564FIRE]

That is a touchpad for when I am using the lappy. Even though I have a wireless mouse and keyboard sometimes I find it handy to use the touch pad for something quick, one or two clicks...

 

[QDP2012]

That is a touchpad for when I am using the lappy. Even though I have a wireless mouse and keyboard sometimes I find it handy to use the touch pad for something quick, one or two clicks...

Well-thought design!