KB5ILY
Member
Sweet ride and very nice clean install. Granted I have never owned a Diamond antenna, but the Larsen's have always been hard to beat.
New car, woohoo perfect platform.
- Thread starter marcin4
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quarterwave
Member
Thanks
I figured once someone claims it's a whacker mobile, I am screwed LOL. I won't even try to fight that loosing argument. For all it's worth, I have no interest in pretending to be the police. Anyway, thanks for all the nice comments. It's a work in progress, I think a new antenna for the ham radio is next as this diamond one is turning out to be a p.o.s. The Larsen I use to scan with does a much nicer job transmitting signal.
So if someone prefers to drive a base model pickup truck (sans chrome and nice wheels) should they be accused of said "whackering" (lol) on the gas, power or telephone company? I've never seen any DOT or Federal law about what color, shape, trim level, configuration or anything else a vehicle can or cannot be and who is allowed to own it. Granted, I see the issue, but people are obviously fixated on things that they think are exclusive to them or infringed on their self proclaimed power. Unless you are striping and decaling your car with numbers and stars/shields....I really don't think you are hurting anyone.
Nice car, enjoy.
Really nice setup! Looks good.
N5TWB
Member
Thanks
I figured once someone claims it's a whacker mobile, I am screwed LOL. I won't even try to fight that loosing argument. For all it's worth, I have no interest in pretending to be the police. Anyway, thanks for all the nice comments. It's a work in progress, I think a new antenna for the ham radio is next as this diamond one is turning out to be a p.o.s. The Larsen I use to scan with does a much nicer job transmitting signal.
Glad you included a report on the performance of that antenna as it was in the mix for consideration on my next ride, hopefully sometime in the next 60 days. On my SUV, which I will keep when I acquire the next vehicle, I use a dual-band shorty Antenex at 19" for clearance into the home garage. Since it appears you are trying to go with low-profile, I'd suggest either the Antenex or the Larsen shorty dual-band antennas.
Larsen: Larsen NMO2/70SH [NMO2/70SH] - $39.95 : The Antenna Farm, Your two way radio source
pjtnascar
Member
Hey, I think it looks cool. It definitely looks like a police car, and the console, etc adds to that. Does a police car make a great platform for radio equipment? Certainly. I have had radio equipment in every car I have ever owned since I was 18 years old and I never felt the need to purchase a police car or specialized police consoles to install the equipment. But I don't want to look like I'm driving a patrol car, either.
I'm not trying to knock it, it's just funny to see the great lengths people go to in order to NOT look like a cop. And the postings here about how to make a cop's job more difficult by calling out an officer who is expressing concern at your whacker mobile adds to the perception that the OP is a cop wannabe. I'm sure driving down the highway and watching other drivers slow down or pull out of your way is a cool fringe benefit of owning a radio equipment platform.
Thankfully, most of us amateur radio operators do not find it necessary to get a decommissioned Crown Vic or new Police Package Charger to accomplish mobile ops.
I'm not trying to knock it, it's just funny to see the great lengths people go to in order to NOT look like a cop. And the postings here about how to make a cop's job more difficult by calling out an officer who is expressing concern at your whacker mobile adds to the perception that the OP is a cop wannabe. I'm sure driving down the highway and watching other drivers slow down or pull out of your way is a cool fringe benefit of owning a radio equipment platform.
Thankfully, most of us amateur radio operators do not find it necessary to get a decommissioned Crown Vic or new Police Package Charger to accomplish mobile ops.
pjtnascar
Member
See posts 23, 24, 25.
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
You could always get amateur license plates or a sticker or two to draw attention away from the PD similarities.
When I was in LE I personally never had too many problems with the drivers of look-alike vehicles, as long as they didn't respond to calls or get in the way. Many times they were a good source of intelligence.
We had a few incidents where private security over-stepped their bounds or someone was pulling people over, even assaulting or robbing them, which is the usual cause for police concerns with persons driving look-alike vehicles. Nice install job too by the way. If I were you I would also remove the spotlight.
Not all cops are jerks but we definitely have our fair share.
Like I say something on the car that would NOT be on a cruiser would definitely help.
When I was in LE I personally never had too many problems with the drivers of look-alike vehicles, as long as they didn't respond to calls or get in the way. Many times they were a good source of intelligence.
We had a few incidents where private security over-stepped their bounds or someone was pulling people over, even assaulting or robbing them, which is the usual cause for police concerns with persons driving look-alike vehicles. Nice install job too by the way. If I were you I would also remove the spotlight.
Not all cops are jerks but we definitely have our fair share.
Like I say something on the car that would NOT be on a cruiser would definitely help.
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pjtnascar
Member
There's nothing wrong with driving a model car similar to a police car. But setting it up in a similar fashion as a patrol car with antennas, tinted windows, consoles, etc. makes it look wackerish. And getting snippy with a cop or calling a supervisor because a real cop is double checking a fake police car is a little messed up. I often hear/read news stories of people in cars like OP's involved in incidents of harassment on the road, pulling over people, etc.
To clarify: I think it looks cool and very much like an undercover police car, which I imagine is what the OP was going for.
To clarify: I think it looks cool and very much like an undercover police car, which I imagine is what the OP was going for.
quarterwave
Member
I'm the author of 25, so since you didn't get it, I'll explain further.
The point was to say that an overzealous fool was the root of the issue...no one would have really assumed that a Tahoe, Black in color, LS trim, chrome bumpers, aluminum OE wheels, +1 tires was a "Sheriff's vehicle" just because it was Black, and said fool saw a Motorola mounted in it. The true story ended with him walking away, because his mouth was about to write a check his *** couldn't cash.
So I think, the main thing to remember is, yes there are people who go too far to try to look like who they are not, in the end those games don't pay off. No good will come of someone trying to be something they are not. The lightbar is not why a cop chooses to be a cop, or a fireman chooses to be a fireman. A guy that drives a utility company truck with a light on top and a radio antenna is not trying to be a cop...many businesses, utilities and services use vehicles that are plain in nature with work equipment affixed, and that's all a cop car is...a work vehicle with equipment on it.
So let's not get our panties in a wad over something someone else has. If he is out of line, he will find out soon enough...it sure won't be decided here....or Facebook!
pjtnascar
Member
I was just pointing out how good a job the OP did in outfitting his patrol car...er radio platform. You've got to admit, it's a bit whacker. I'm fine with my wife calling my car a "storm chaser" or hearing that I look like "a yahoo with that antenna." It's definitely a cool looking car. I should have guessed when I read some of the posts here that my humor would be lost on this crowd.
I say: "to each his own", but at the same time, if you have a vehicle on the road that looks just like a cop car, don't be surprised and don't act p.o.'d when you get pulled over, that's all.
Interesting conversations for sure. I am not offended by anyone thinking it's whackerish etc as each has their own opinions and ideas as to what looks nice. My point was to show off the install. Before that I had the radios scattered everywhere held with tape since I didn't want to drill holes. I am very happy with the outcome, so to those who complimented, thank you! Those who think otherwise, I appreciate your input as well, different opinions make the world go round!
CrabbyMilton
Member
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Though I'm not a CHRYSLER product fan, that car does look sharp. Yes, it can be mistaken for a police car. I have no problem with the way you set up your car up but while I'm not trying to accuse you but there are creep turds out there who do the same thing as you and impersonate police officers. So you can't blame some cops for not taking a liking to it until they know the whole story. I know you can't tell this to the cop haters in the world but it's better to deal with a cranky cop than a criminal puke.
I agree! Trust me I grew up in Chicago I appreciate what cops do. My only issue was they went a little too far with 3 squads and taking my picture etc.
GTO_04
Member
Not everyone wants to drive an appliance!
To the OP, nice ride and install! I would have liked to have a console like that in my 2012 R/T. Cop car or not, you will be very happy with it! Feel the power of the Hemi! I am assuming you have the Hemi. If not, the Pentastar is pretty good too for a V6.
GTO_04
Totally. Overstepped their bounds, it sounds like!
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