New Vehicle Install

[firetaz834]

Thank you for the suggestions of shops, I will keep them in my notes. Did stop by Priority One and placed my order for the console with them. He was quite surprised as to how detailed I was when I walked in giving him all the information he needed to place the order. He asked why I selected a Troy console over a Havis and when I explained that Troy had far more faceplates, he looked and could see why I selected Troy. He also told me how some of the manufactures are way behind the curve at having current faceplates for current equipment. Also, asked about getting my antenna holds drilled and he is going to take care of that for me when I pick up the console next week. Now, I feel like I'm getting some accomplished. He was also surprised that I had picked up a Taurus already.

 

[W9WSS]

Many times these shops have a limited number of "hobbyists" who use their services. Since it costs a lot of money to have a professional installation done, private citizens shy away from professional police / fire / EMS / public works install location. Fortunately, I have a good friend who does a select number of people "on the side." I was able to leave my new vehicle with him, and he took his time putting it together. No problems, no shorts, no surprises. You get quality work when it's done by someone who installs on a full-time basis. If you personally have the talent to make it happen, go for it. If you have questions, pose them here or on other forums, and you'll get answers most of the time.

For an average "pull out," and re-install in a new vehicle, you're talking $6,000.00+ for labor and wiring. I know of a local entity that is having a brand-new Tahoe tricked out for $13.000.00! It will be used strictly by one person of the command staff, and will be his in-service vehicle for five years. Then, it will be used as a utility vehicle after that for another 5-7 years. They are getting a quality install by a professional company (that my friend happens to work for full-time). I can't wait to see the end results!

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Look to hear how it is coming along.

I've recent began getting my 2013 GMC Sierra ready. I have also settled on a Troy console to house my gear. I ended up selecting a Panorama Sharkee for GPS/2.4/cell/VHF/UHF/7/800. The only other antennas I'm in the wind about so far is 900 MHz and low band. Anyway, keep us informed on your project please.

 

[W9WSS]

I don't want to seem like I'm raining on anyone's parade, but I've used "shark" and "transit-style" antennas for two-way radio usage. I would rate their performance less than an average 1/4 wave whip antenna. Other folks have had tremendous success with these antennas, but remember they are a compromise. The Panarama Sharkee may be perfect for GPS usage, but for transmitting/receiving on UHF, VHF, 800, & 900 MHz they (not the Sharkee) didn't perform well for me. When I switched back to heavy-duty thick whips such as Laird, EM Wave, and a few others, my performance went back to excellent. This is all based on my own personal usage; Others may vary.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I don't want to seem like I'm raining on anyone's parade, but I've used "shark" and "transit-style" antennas for two-way radio usage. I would rate their performance less than an average 1/4 wave whip antenna. Other folks have had tremendous success with these antennas, but remember they are a compromise. The Panarama Sharkee may be perfect for GPS usage, but for transmitting/receiving on UHF, VHF, 800, & 900 MHz they (not the Sharkee) didn't perform well for me. When I switched back to heavy-duty thick whips such as Laird, EM Wave, and a few others, my performance went back to excellent. This is all based on my own personal usage; Others may vary.

That's why Sharkee's have the whole whip option. Also why I didn't put mine over the third brake light of the truck...having had he 1/4 wave VHF whip on my truck I find it perform identically to a Sti-Co Flexiwhip.

 

[madrabbitt]

I don't want to seem like I'm raining on anyone's parade, but I've used "shark" and "transit-style" antennas for two-way radio usage. I would rate their performance less than an average 1/4 wave whip antenna. Other folks have had tremendous success with these antennas, but remember they are a compromise. The Panarama Sharkee may be perfect for GPS usage, but for transmitting/receiving on UHF, VHF, 800, & 900 MHz they (not the Sharkee) didn't perform well for me. When I switched back to heavy-duty thick whips such as Laird, EM Wave, and a few others, my performance went back to excellent. This is all based on my own personal usage; Others may vary.

this is pretty much the purpose of the sharkee. keeps the multi band low power stuff in one antenna, but has a whip for the transmitting antenna.

 

[FFPM571]

Many times these shops have a limited number of "hobbyists" who use their services. Since it costs a lot of money to have a professional installation done, private citizens shy away from professional police / fire / EMS / public works install location. Fortunately, I have a good friend who does a select number of people "on the side." I was able to leave my new vehicle with him, and he took his time putting it together. No problems, no shorts, no surprises. You get quality work when it's done by someone who installs on a full-time basis. If you personally have the talent to make it happen, go for it. If you have questions, pose them here or on other forums, and you'll get answers most of the time.

For an average "pull out," and re-install in a new vehicle, you're talking $6,000.00+ for labor and wiring. I know of a local entity that is having a brand-new Tahoe tricked out for $13.000.00! It will be used strictly by one person of the command staff, and will be his in-service vehicle for five years. Then, it will be used as a utility vehicle after that for another 5-7 years. They are getting a quality install by a professional company (that my friend happens to work for full-time). I can't wait to see the end results!

Hmmm anyone I know?

 

[firetaz834]

Hmmm anyone I know?

I do know exactly what you mean, Back many years ago I had my 2000 Durango fully outfitted for my response on the Department I was with and it still has lasted throughout the years. Very quality install, but I paid the price.

 

[firetaz834]

Many times these shops have a limited number of "hobbyists" who use their services. Since it costs a lot of money to have a professional installation done, private citizens shy away from professional police / fire / EMS / public works install location. Fortunately, I have a good friend who does a select number of people "on the side." I was able to leave my new vehicle with him, and he took his time putting it together. No problems, no shorts, no surprises. You get quality work when it's done by someone who installs on a full-time basis. If you personally have the talent to make it happen, go for it. If you have questions, pose them here or on other forums, and you'll get answers most of the time.

For an average "pull out," and re-install in a new vehicle, you're talking $6,000.00+ for labor and wiring. I know of a local entity that is having a brand-new Tahoe tricked out for $13.000.00! It will be used strictly by one person of the command staff, and will be his in-service vehicle for five years. Then, it will be used as a utility vehicle after that for another 5-7 years. They are getting a quality install by a professional company (that my friend happens to work for full-time). I can't wait to see the end results!

I completely agree, but I also know if you want professional work done you have to pay the price to have the professionals do it for you. Through out the years, I have followed the same thought process which I think other thought I was a little over the top but I believe if you are a professional you maintain that throughout everything you do.

 

[W9WSS]

Hmmm anyone I know?

Ya better!

 

[FFPM571]

The friends and family rate is much less than the shop rate.

 

[firetaz834]

Well, were now in the final stretch. All my parts are ordered and in process. Even made my final purchase of a cable that I needed. It was time to start making sure I had all the software and cable to program all the radios, and that was interesting in itself.

My UHF Kenwood is an older radio that I hadn't had in a vehicle in years, so I had thought the programming cables and software, were in parts unknown but somehow I found them (so saved a few bucks). But, the interesting part is that the software is DOS based, kenwood never made a windows version for programming the radio. So, I will have to pull out an old laptop that I kept around for just this situation (Wish, I could be lucky enough to find my X9000 programming software as easy as I did my Kenwood).

Though, I did find disks to program some older Motorola radios, Standard radios, and also Bendix King radios. Interesting what one finds when they look through there archives. Ohh, for those that like pictures, here is a shot of the cables I had to order.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Well, were now in the final stretch. All my parts are ordered and in process. Even made my final purchase of a cable that I needed. It was time to start making sure I had all the software and cable to program all the radios, and that was interesting in itself.

My UHF Kenwood is an older radio that I hadn't had in a vehicle in years, so I had thought the programming cables and software, were in parts unknown but somehow I found them (so saved a few bucks). But, the interesting part is that the software is DOS based, kenwood never made a windows version for programming the radio. So, I will have to pull out an old laptop that I kept around for just this situation (Wish, I could be lucky enough to find my X9000 programming software as easy as I did my Kenwood).

Though, I did find disks to program some older Motorola radios, Standard radios, and also Bendix King radios. Interesting what one finds when they look through there archives. Ohh, for those that like pictures, here is a shot of the cables I had to order.View attachment 51765

Last I checked. The X9000 RSS with amateur mods was up on the P25.ca forum.

 

[firetaz834]

Well, with this quiet weekend and knowing that next week my console should be I decided to check some of my equipment to see if it was still working and all of the equipment I checked is still working. Have to find the power cables to one radio and it should be good to go. But, here are some pictures of my equipment that I will be installing in my vehicle







[/ATTACH]

 

[firetaz834]

Here is one last photo

 

[firetaz834]

Latest update.... Got word that my console will be in by Monday, which means the fun will begin. Also, purchased a GPS unit for the vehicle (Couldn't find the one that I had). Have to purchase and additional bracket so that I can mount it in the area on the dash meant for a radar unit. Though, I did find a company that sells a bracket for that area utilizing the screws that are there (nice to know for future use.

 

[SCPD]

Need more space?

If space is a premium, think about mounting the speakers facing you or face up in the rear window.
I've done it a few times. It clears up room, and can be heard just fine.

 

[firetaz834]

Well, after weeks of nothing, finally have something new to post. My console finally came in. Have did a mock up of all the radios and it looks good. Troy did a very good job of having the right plates for my radios.

I even had the holes drilled for my antennas and have them in place. The only negative is that one of my plates was a bit too long to be mounted in the lower portion of my console.
So, I had to switch up how the radios are to be mounted but still looks good.

 

[firetaz834]

Ready for the next step. Planning on doing majority of the install if not the complete install this long weekend. First step is to pull the OEM floor plate. Thought that was going to have me pulling the seats to get to the bolts that fasten it down. My surprise, when all I will need to do is just move the seats all the way forward. So, later my first step will be complete.

Each little step puts me so much closer to getting it totally done. For my install it won't be too hard since I won't be mounting any lighting in the vehicle so all I have to do is just complete the install of my radio equipment.

 

[madrabbitt]

Police package vehicles are pretty good to install into, since they were designed with that in mind.