Two weeks ago, I traded my Saturn Vue in for a new 2012 Kia Sportage. It's always fun trying to figure out how to install at least my scanner in new vehicles. My setup this time around involves a Uniden BCT966XT, a RH96, a BC-GPS, a Diamond 400 antenna mount and a 48 inch all band scanner antenna.
In IMG_0169, all you can see when you access the trunk area are a few wires disappearing under the floor. The wires are the antenna and the GPS. Both are mounted on the outside of the vehicle. There is also a cigarette lighter cord disappearing under the floor as well. Nice and clean!
In IMG_0174, you can see where the radio is actually located. The Sportage has this awesome styrofoam storage area under the trunk floor and above the spare tire storage area. I cut a piece of thin plywood to fit in one of the storage compartments. The BCT996XT is mounted to the wood as is a 3 data port adapter. There are handles on the wood to make it easier to lift the radio assembly out of the compartment. The three data port adapter provides the power for the 996XT, the RH96 and the BC-GPS.
In IMG_0175 and IMG_0176, you can see the 1/2 inch tubing which has the power cord and data cord for the RH96 and the speaker connector cable. All three cables run from the radio in the back to the RH96.
Finally, IMG_0177 shows the RH96 mounted on an adjustable arm that installs simply by loosing a bolt on the passenger seat and sliding the u shaped bracket around it and tightening it back down. I've also mounted a small speaker to the underside of the RH96 mounting bracket and it plugs into the speaker connector cable that runs up from the radio in the back.
Granted there were 2 power plugs right near the remote head but I use one for my TomTom GPS and I like to have the other in case the passenger needs to use it. All in all, the installation is clean and does not interfere with the passengers of the vehicle.
Special thanks to KF4LMT (Mobile Station « KF4LMT's Monitoring Post and Blog) for doing some of the prelim work on hooking up radios in a Sportage.
In IMG_0169, all you can see when you access the trunk area are a few wires disappearing under the floor. The wires are the antenna and the GPS. Both are mounted on the outside of the vehicle. There is also a cigarette lighter cord disappearing under the floor as well. Nice and clean!
In IMG_0174, you can see where the radio is actually located. The Sportage has this awesome styrofoam storage area under the trunk floor and above the spare tire storage area. I cut a piece of thin plywood to fit in one of the storage compartments. The BCT996XT is mounted to the wood as is a 3 data port adapter. There are handles on the wood to make it easier to lift the radio assembly out of the compartment. The three data port adapter provides the power for the 996XT, the RH96 and the BC-GPS.
In IMG_0175 and IMG_0176, you can see the 1/2 inch tubing which has the power cord and data cord for the RH96 and the speaker connector cable. All three cables run from the radio in the back to the RH96.
Finally, IMG_0177 shows the RH96 mounted on an adjustable arm that installs simply by loosing a bolt on the passenger seat and sliding the u shaped bracket around it and tightening it back down. I've also mounted a small speaker to the underside of the RH96 mounting bracket and it plugs into the speaker connector cable that runs up from the radio in the back.
Granted there were 2 power plugs right near the remote head but I use one for my TomTom GPS and I like to have the other in case the passenger needs to use it. All in all, the installation is clean and does not interfere with the passengers of the vehicle.
Special thanks to KF4LMT (Mobile Station « KF4LMT's Monitoring Post and Blog) for doing some of the prelim work on hooking up radios in a Sportage.