Mobile installers in Southern Oregon

[OregonJourno]

Can anybody recommend an audio shop in the Rogue Valley that that does mobile scanner installs? Looking to mount a PRO-652/PRO-197 on the passenger side of the center console. The mounting part should be easy enough, but I'm not the slightest bit automotively inclined, and am fairly convinced I'll end up zapping myself trying to get it wired into the car's electrical system. I was thinking I could just run it off the cigarette lighter adapter, but a bit worried about interference. The car is a 2014 Ford Focus, if that matters at all.

 

[mmckenna]

A car audio shop should be able to handle installing this for you.
Make sure you tell them -exactly- what you want, and make sure they do it.

Here's what you should probably be asking for:
-Dedicated power feed from battery.
-Fuse installed -AT- the battery, or within a few inches.
-Positive lead should go to positive post on battery, or factory installed accessory power point.
-Negative lead grounded to vehicle body.
-All wiring in split loom.
-Any and all penetrations through metal body must have proper sized grommet installed, this includes penetrations through fire wall.

Do not let them install wiring to fuse box, use fuse taps, or tap into -ANY- existing vehicle wiring. Don't let them BS you into accepting that. That includes tapping into cigarette lighter power feed.

Be specific about what you want and make sure they do it. All wiring should be neatly run and secured properly.

I've seen some audio shops do a good job, and I've seen some do total crap installs. If you know what it should look like, and you watch them closely, you should be OK. Talk to them about exactly what you want before letting them touch your car. Do not pay them until the work is done to your satisfaction.

Also:
what are you doing about an antenna?

 

[OregonJourno]

A car audio shop should be able to handle installing this for you.
Make sure you tell them -exactly- what you want, and make sure they do it.

Here's what you should probably be asking for:
-Dedicated power feed from battery.
-Fuse installed -AT- the battery, or within a few inches.
-Positive lead should go to positive post on battery, or factory installed accessory power point.
-Negative lead grounded to vehicle body.
-All wiring in split loom.
-Any and all penetrations through metal body must have proper sized grommet installed, this includes penetrations through fire wall.

Do not let them install wiring to fuse box, use fuse taps, or tap into -ANY- existing vehicle wiring. Don't let them BS you into accepting that. That includes tapping into cigarette lighter power feed.

Be specific about what you want and make sure they do it. All wiring should be neatly run and secured properly.

I've seen some audio shops do a good job, and I've seen some do total crap installs. If you know what it should look like, and you watch them closely, you should be OK. Talk to them about exactly what you want before letting them touch your car. Do not pay them until the work is done to your satisfaction.

Thanks so much -- I really have no clue about this stuff without you guys. I think one of our staff photogs has a scanner in his pickup, so I might ask him where he got it done.

Also:
what are you doing about an antenna?

I was looking at going with the Larsen tri-band on a trunk-lip mount to begin with. Not crazy about the idea of the external wire from a mag mount, and I'm not looking for a permanent NMO mount right now.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks so much -- I really have no clue about this stuff without you guys. I think one of our staff photogs has a scanner in his pickup, so I might ask him where he got it done.

Glad I could help. Another option would be to contact a two way radio shop in your area. I'm sure there is one in Medford. They might charge a bit more, but they really have more experience at doing this sort of stuff. They can also trim your coax cable to the length you need and install the connector as well as properly test it all out for you.

I was looking at going with the Larsen tri-band on a trunk-lip mount to begin with. Not crazy about the idea of the external wire from a mag mount, and I'm not looking for a permanent NMO mount right now.

Should be a good choice. Trunk lip mounts can do minor damage to the trunk lip where the set screws lock it down, but not a big deal. Just make sure where ever you mount it, you can open the trunk without smacking anything else, and that the coax is routed in such a way it doesn't get pinched.

 

[mmckenna]

Here ya' go:

Day Wireless has a shop in Medford:
Day Wireless Systems Motorola Two Way Radio Dealer Medford Oregon

Silke Communications has some up North of you:
Silke Communications : Locations

 

[DickH]

If the power feed is direct from the battery, he will have to turn the scanner ON and OFF every time he enters and leaves the car. He may be OK with that.