2005 Tahoe LT POV

[Rob_K]

I'm a volunteer Fire Fighter and EMT/EMS Captain for my Fire Department. Vehicle is primarily used to respond to the station. I also have my amateur radio license.

Scanner/Radios/Controls
Jotto Vehicle Specific Console
Uniden Remote Head (connected to BCD396t in glove box)
Kenwood TK8180K - UHF (remote mount)
Kenwood TK7180 - VHF (remote mount)
Kenwood TK940 - 800
Yeasu 8900 - Amateur (remote mount)
SmartSirenSM
Vertex Low Band

If you look close, only the Smart Siren has a mounting plate. I custom made the others because the Jotto plates would not have allowed me to fit all the equipment.

Antennas
Back Row, L to R
800mhz Phantom, Unknown Dual Band for 8900, Laird Tri band scanner
Front: Unknown Dual band for 8180/7180 (Duplexer located with base of radios in rear cargo area)
Fender Mount - Low Band

For those interested in the flashing things...
2005 Tahoe LT POV

 

[Maxwell21]

Nice setup Rob, as well as a VERY nice firehouse you guys have going on there! Wish we had the funds like it looks as if you guys do! Stay safe

 

[Rob_K]

Nice setup Rob, as well as a VERY nice firehouse you guys have going on there! Wish we had the funds like it looks as if you guys do! Stay safe

Thanks for the kind words on the setup.

We mark 10 years in the building this month. We would not have survived the Oct NorEaster in our old building. Now if only our two, first due engines weren't over 15 years old!

 

[KM4WLV]

Nice setup !! That front dual bander you said was an unknown looks like either an EM Wave or AS (Antenna Specialist) brand judging from the base of it. I'm betting on EM Wave

 

[Maxwell21]

Thanks for the kind words on the setup.

We mark 10 years in the building this month. We would not have survived the Oct NorEaster in our old building. Now if only our two, first due engines weren't over 15 years old!

Old?! We were just so thankful enough to receive a 2010 FEMA engine this past year. Our second engine out the door is a 1987 E-One pumper, followed by a 1500 gallon 1987 GAS tanker. Cant complain we have what it takes to get it done, on a very LOW income a year that im very sure everyone would be shocked of the amount.

 

[vfn137]

Rob

Great setup! I'm working to change / add some things to my 2006 Tahoe (same color). Those drop in consoles are nice but no longer made. They now offer one that's not as nice.

Just curious, how did you setup your power and ground sources?

Thanks

 

[Rob_K]

Rob

Great setup! I'm working to change / add some things to my 2006 Tahoe (same color). Those drop in consoles are nice but no longer made. They now offer one that's not as nice.

Just curious, how did you setup your power and ground sources?

Thanks

Yes, the Console were around $300 new but I found a used one on Elightbars. They are out there if you keep your eyes open!

I'll give you the long answer to power and ground.

I have a piece of 4ga that is fused under the hood and runs under the back seats to my "distribution" area. Here is an old photo (it is MUCH messier now..)

The remote mount radios (8900, 7180, 8180) get power and ground from this point. In the photo, you can see a piece of red 8ga going under the carpet. That runs to the radio console. I have another power distribution block that has a ground direct to the battery.

Let me just say that my grounding under the back seat "needs work". The 8180 is my primary radio. That is grounded direct to the battery. The others are what "need work".

-Rob

 

[vfn137]

Thanks again Rob!

 

[Dann]

Very Nice Setup,Stay Safe.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Great setup and great pictures! I see that your from CT to,is that the Somers fire dept?

 

[Rob_K]

Very Nice Setup,Stay Safe.

Thanks!

Great setup and great pictures! I see that your from CT to,is that the Somers fire dept?

Thanks for the kind words and yes sir, Somers Fire

 

[KD0LDK]

Drool! Great firehouse, stay safe.

 

[62Truck]

Very Nice Instal.

 

[NoCoFire]

Great Setup

Rob,

Great Setup. Nice looking truck. Stay Safe!

 

[mjbjr]

blue lights are awesome..unless they are behind you!

 

[Tracker]

I always wondered as a volunteer, do you have to pay to have your personal vehicle outfitted with lights n siren.......?
Thanks for the job you do.....

 

[Rob_K]

I always wondered as a volunteer, do you have to pay to have your personal vehicle outfitted with lights n siren.......?
Thanks for the job you do.....

Excellent question!

Blue lights are NOT required. In our dept, if you want a light, it is up to you to purchase, install, etc. I enjoy installing the equipment and do a lot of installs for other members of the department.

Radios are issued to officers. Each officer gets a Kenwood 3180 and whatever is available for a mobile. I was issued the Vertex Low band mobile and a Kenwood TK840. We replaced all of our mobiles in the apparatus a few years ago through a grant. We went with Kenwood 8180's so I purchased my own (found a deal on used one).

 

[Tracker]

Do you have to be at the firehouse within a certain time limit?
In Florida blue light are for police\law enticement n red is for fire\ems.....
How do they notify you to respond...? Cell phone.....some sort of pager...?

 

[Rob_K]

Do you have to be at the firehouse within a certain time limit?
In Florida blue light are for police\law enticement n red is for fire\ems.....
How do they notify you to respond...? Cell phone.....some sort of pager...?

7 minutes is what we try for when responding for the ambulance.

We have voice pagers but we are switching to alpha. I carry both.

Text messages are sent to cell phones but rely on cell network. They are not the primary dispatch method.

 

[Tracker]

You live 7 min away? (Hens the no lights n siren)?

About how many call do you get?
Since you are a volunteer, do you hold a primary/paying job?

Sorry for all the questions, I just find it interesting, as we don't have that anywhere near me!