2015 Ford Explorer Mobile setup

[natedawg1604]

Pretty cool, but pray that you're never in a serious accident. I'm quite certain they would claim distracted driving and most juries would believe it.

So how many radios are "too many"?

 

[radioman2001]

I also have a 2015 Explorer Utility I bought new. It came with street appearance package with the console so I use one W-9 head for all 4 but the Low Band. All my "M" radios both hi-power Astro Spectra U/V and mid power XTL-5000 in 800/900 are under the front seats bolted and attached to the roll cage. I select which band with a rotary switch.
There is also space behind the rear seat just big enough to mount mid power Spectras and XTL's, and that's where I keep the X-9000 LB , and a repeater module with mobile duplexer.
For mic hang up I have mine mounted on the plastic console and just jumper the center button to ground inside the mic.
The only thing I was very nervous about was the thickness of the roof, as not much thicker than an aluminum can. All antenna's are unity gain and, I decided to not install the Low Band antenna on it instead opting for a stainless bracket from under the hood.

 

[KK4JUG]

So how many radios are "too many"?

There probably isn't a specific answer but I would think 7 radios would qualify.

 

[captainmax1]

Nice clean looking setup. I could see myself sitting at the park (or anywhere) for hours playing radio.

 

[es93546]

Pretty cool, but pray that you're never in a serious accident. I'm quite certain they would claim distracted driving and most juries would believe it.

I'm pretty sure that a computer screen anywhere forward of the front seat is illegal also. That would be a big liability in a crash. I think this is somewhere in the California Vehicle Code.

 

[03msc]

Great setup! I'm sure you're a safe operator so don't worry about it.

 

[KK4JUG]

I'm pretty sure that a computer screen anywhere forward of the front seat is illegal also. That would be a big liability in a crash. I think this is somewhere in the California Vehicle Code.

That may be true but the big screens for GPS/Backup Camera/Radio/etc. found in cars are also basically computer screens, too. The fine line is becoming grayer, I think.

 

[es93546]

That may be true but the big screens for GPS/Backup Camera/Radio/etc. found in cars are also basically computer screens, too. The fine line is becoming grayer, I think.

Here is the actual law:


"27602.
(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle:

(1) A vehicle information display.

(2) A global positioning display.

(3) A mapping display.

(4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle.

(5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment satisfies one of the following requirements:

(A) The equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.

(B) The equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner.

(6) A mobile digital terminal that is fitted with an opaque covering that does not allow the driver to view any part of the display while driving, even though the terminal may be operating, installed in a vehicle that is owned or operated by any of the following:

(A) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.

(B) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public Utilities Code.

(C) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the Public Utilities Code.

(D) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the Public Utilities Code.

(E) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.

(F) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.

(G) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service.

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.

(d) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in a vehicle when the vehicle is deployed in an emergency to respond to an interruption or impending interruption of electrical, natural gas, telephone, sewer, water, or wastewater service, and the vehicle is owned or operated by any of the following:

(1) An electrical corporation, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.

(2) A gas corporation, as defined in Section 222 of the Public Utilities Code.

(3) A sewer system corporation, as defined in Section 230.6 of the Public Utilities Code.

(4) A telephone corporation, as defined in Section 234 of the Public Utilities Code.

(5) A water corporation, as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.

(6) A local publicly owned electric utility, as defined in Section 224.3 of the Public Utilities Code.

(7) A city, joint powers agency, or special district, if that local entity uses the vehicle solely in the provision of sewer service, gas service, water service, or wastewater service."


So the fine line you mention is carefully covered in the law. A laptop forward of the rear portion of the front seat of a car is capable of displaying entertainment, whether is is hooked up to the internet or not, unless such entertainment is locked out by a device not allowing it while the vehicle is in motion.

 

[03msc]

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.

How do you know he doesn't fall under this exemption?

 

[es93546]

How do you know he doesn't fall under this exemption?

What I see in the photo is a laptop computer, those being capable of entertainment. The multiple exemptions for utilities, et al, don't have any possibility of entertainment in them. The OP has not mentioned if he has one of those exemptions and the installation of all the radios appears to be hobby based. I don't know for sure if he meets one of the exemptions, but I would guess not.

 

[mmckenna]

I think what gave it away was the amateur HF radio in the photo.
Also, most agencies don't need that many radios, even CHP has 4 radios pared down to one control head now.
And I cannot imagine why a public utility would need that many radios. That's distracting on it's own.
No offense to the OP, but that setup screams hobbyist, or at least a very enthusiastic volunteer.

Most of the laptops/docking stations have options to trigger the display to go off unless the vehicle is in park.

 

[JimD56]

That's a great setup, period.

 

[03msc]

I guess unless and until the OP tells us what he does as a job and what he uses these for (which he does not have to do), then everything is purely speculation on anyone else's part. I fully support forum users giving advice and making suggestions to people in their setups but it ultimately boils down to that person and what they want to do.

I also noticed that's not a laptop...it's a full on mobile terminal type device (two pieces, etc.) so who knows what it's running and what 'entertainment' it can provide or not provide.

I have a small console in my truck with a scanner and then a KCH-20R control head for the Kenwood NX5000 series radios but the install shown in this thread would be too much for me. But it's not my install so it's not my place to tell him it's overkill or not. For all I know he's a radio systems tech for a region or something. Or maybe he is just a hobbyist. Regardless, it's his install so kind advice is fine but beyond that is not our place. [This is not implying that anyone has been unkind, by the way.]

 

[sefrischling]

I also noticed that's not a laptop...it's a full on mobile terminal type device (two pieces, etc.) so who knows what it's running and what 'entertainment' it can provide or not provide.

... and the line between what is and is not an MDT gets greyer and greyer. The four fire companies in my town now use iPads as our MDTs. These iPads are installed, or being installed, in all fire apparatus, Chiefs' vehicles and ambulances. The cost benefit and ease of use of using a stock iPad just makes sense.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Also, most agencies don't need that many radios, even CHP has 4 radios pared down to one control head now.
And I cannot imagine why a public utility would need that many radios. That's distracting on it's own.

At one point in the north my vehicle had 5 mobiles just to talk to 2 counties. We had Lowband for Fire, VHF for City Fire/County Law, UHF For City Police/County Parks, 800mhz Edacs for Fire, 800 MultiNet Trunking for Fire/EMS in an adjoining county. On top op that the MDT was a DOS Based CF31. Although I love my 8500 in my truck now I still ended up with multiple as when on an incident you need to be on different bands and systems for command staff. Not ideal but does still happen.

But your right that is a busy truck. Dual Deck cleans up alot in todays radios.