LA Area Recommended Car/Mobile Radio Installers?

[szatoshi]

Hi all, I'm a new member looking for recs in the LA area regarding competent audio installers who can do a ham setup. I have most of components already programmed and ready to install but based on some of the electrical work I have seen done at supposedly "high end" LA shops, I am a tad concerned that I'm going to wind up with a less than great antenna install, something ungrounded, or a high SWR on some other electrical issue.

Any advice about specific installers who specialize in radio installs, or even just advice about where to start hunting beyond Al & Ed's, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and 73

 

[prcguy]

Car stereo/alarm installers can do a great job installing the radio and hiding wiring but they are usually clueless about ham/CB/GMRS antennas and ground plane requirements, tuning, etc. It would be best to find a land mobile shop that installs for police, fire, etc. Although they can be slow and expensive. I lived in both worlds a long time ago and am happy I moved on to other things.

 

[mmckenna]

^^^^ this, all of this.

Some meathead at work many years back decided they could save a few bucks by having the local stereo shop do the two way radio installation on transit buses. The installs looked good, but the antennas were a mess.

I'd second the green one, find a real two way radio shop and have them do as much as possible. If you ask them nicely, they'll sweep your antenna set up with a proper analyzer and can tune your antenna for you.

It might cost more, but you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[prcguy]

Where is the OP located in So Cal? If I'm close enough I would be happy to help but I don't want to do any more full installs. They are not difficult if you know some basics which I can share and I have all the specialized tools.

 

[szatoshi]

Thanks for the responses! I'm located DTLA most of the time. The radio is an ICOM 5100. The vehicle is a 2022 Rav4 Hybrid. I am working to fabricate a mount for one of the recessed roof rails/rack mounts so I can put an NMO on it without using the rack. Going for a bit of a stealth install due to what I'll call the "environmental factors" of being DTLA. The vehicle roof is largely glass but has a metal section at rear where the OEM radio mast is located. My main concerns for the install are 1.) antenna grounding since a magmount can slap right down on the metal section but the rail mounted antenna cannot, and 2.) avoiding water ingress from antenna cabling, which some have alluded to as an issue with this vehicle. Outside of that it's pretty much just running cable.

I'm open to any guidance on it or can send you a DM

 

[mmckenna]

Honestly, permanent mount NMO fixes all those issues.
If you want low profile, go with a 1/4 wave VHF whip. They are so thin they pretty much disappear. And they tune up just fine as a 3/4 wave on UHF.

 

[Eng74]

Try calling or stopping by Ham Radio Outlet in Anaheim. They might have some recommendations.

 

[szatoshi]

Honestly, permanent mount NMO fixes all those issues.
If you want low profile, go with a 1/4 wave VHF whip. They are so thin they pretty much disappear. And they tune up just fine as a 3/4 wave on UHF.

Also a good option and may allow for the use of the factory antenna cable passthru
For the antenna I've been using a Compactenna mast style dual band 2/70 and getting good results so far based on where I'm at in the city. Will definitely need a whip when I go camping...

Try calling or stopping by Ham Radio Outlet in Anaheim. They might have some recommendations.

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. Thank you

 

[mikegilbert]

Give Foothill communications a call. They're in East Pasadena, so super close.

Installations Foothill Communications Southern California

 

[Eng74]

Also a good option and may allow for the use of the factory antenna cable passthru
For the antenna I've been using a Compactenna mast style dual band 2/70 and getting good results so far based on where I'm at in the city. Will definitely need a whip when I go camping...

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. Thank you

Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees and all the leaves, or because all the smoke and flames from the fire. 😂