Updated Mobile Configuration

[tweiss3]

2015 Ford Transit. First install was UHF only with a 1/4 whip, hole drilled towards the rear of the roof. Since then, I moved to a dual band radio. I wasn't happy how close I drilled for VHF performance, plus I wanted to add a scanner. I finally got the time last month to "complete" my updated install. I drilled a new hole forward for the radio, new Larsen NMO to N cable assembly for the CS800D, and replaced the cable for a scanner with a new Larsen NMO to SMA, which connects to a HP/Agilent 5086-7261 RF limiter before a BNC connector to the SDS-200. I also had to build a sheet metal bracket for the SDS 200 to mount overhead. Radio head is tilted so I can see it when driving, enough to grab the right channel. Scanner can be seen by co-pilot, I don't need to see who is saying what. Scanner antenna is Larsen NMO120/450/758, radio antenna is Larsen NMO2/70SH.

 

[weathermedic]

Looks nice. Finally something useful for that "shelf" in the front headliner

 

[kayn1n32008]

Thank you for putting the proper connector on the feed line, rather than using adapters.

 

[tweiss3]

Looks nice. Finally something useful for that "shelf" in the front headliner

Yea, the wife and I sat in the car for 90 minutes with the SDS200 and SDS100 figuring out where a scanner should be put that wouldn't get in the way, and would also be "hidden" from the general public walking by.

Thank you for putting the proper connector on the feed line, rather than using adapters.

I figure if I'm pulling down the headliner, and pulling the headliner, I'm going to put the correct connectors on, especially since you can order the Larsen cables with the correct connectors for no extra money.

I should mention, this is the wife's car. She doesn't have a ham license, but she has a huge interest in the scanner and EMS/Fire calls, and while she didn't throw a fit when I said I was installing this in her car, I did get an eye roll, but she finds herself listening to the scanner a ton.

Well, 1400 mile round trip vacation report. I didn't mention before, but I also had the GPS puck installed. Things worked flawlessly. Actually, the properly installed Larsen NMO120/450/758 worked outside its range pretty well. I had no issues picking up conventional 2m, 70cm, VHF low band, CB 19 and the statewide systems (VA STARS, WV SIRN, NC VIPER and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Moto II).

Throwing channel 19 CB was a last minute thought, and I'm glad I did it. I heard as much chatter/bickering/advisories in between public safety transmissions that it was helpful. I would say I heard about 99% of what I would have heard if I had a dedicated CB installed.

I also had 146.52 and 446.00 FM on the scanner and heard absolutely nothing on there the entire 10 hour trip each way. For that matter, the NC PRN network was dead both directions, for the 4.5 hours I was in range. I even was calling about every half an hour when possible. I guess I'm spoiled up here, there is almost always someone on the repeaters talking away. Overall, the amateur radio worked well, but traffic was nill.

The long and the short, proper install worked properly.

 

[KN4EHX]

I’m not a CB guy but your best traffic information comes from channel 19. You’d be lucky to hear anyone on 2m calling for a traffic update. I actually don’t have a CB or scanner in my car, but that is a good ideal. My brother is a truck driver. I’ve noticed he’s been more curious about my radios after CB has saved his hide a few times. A real success story of traffic safety: My brother managed to avoid a head on collision due to sharing a truck with the CB powered on whenever he left from the terminal. Another driver warned of a north bound driver in the south bound lanes on I-81. So whoever that was I thank them for saving some bones and lives.

We hammies / public service folk are a little snobbish about CB but it definitely has its place and highly dynamic traffic reports are at the top of the list.

You made a very nice and clean professional setup. Where did you mount the radio bodies?

 

[tweiss3]

I’m not a CB guy but your best traffic information comes from channel 19. You’d be lucky to hear anyone on 2m calling for a traffic update. I actually don’t have a CB or scanner in my car, but that is a good ideal. My brother is a truck driver. I’ve noticed he’s been more curious about my radios after CB has saved his hide a few times. A real success story of traffic safety: My brother managed to avoid a head on collision due to sharing a truck with the CB powered on whenever he left from the terminal. Another driver warned of a north bound driver in the south bound lanes on I-81. So whoever that was I thank them for saving some bones and lives.

We hammies / public service folk are a little snobbish about CB but it definitely has its place and highly dynamic traffic reports are at the top of the list.

I'm not snobbish, but on my normal commute, there is zero CB traffic and I have since not paid it much mind. I did get good info, which lane the accident and car fire were in miles before getting to the traffic, UC radar officers, even someone in the median at night with a flashlight looking for something, but no reflective vest or anything.

Listening to the PD/FD/EMS at witching hour (3AM) was wild, but did alert us enough that we were able to slow down enough to avoid debris in the middle of the night on the highway, that came from the other side.

You made a very nice and clean professional setup. Where did you mount the radio bodies?

The radio body is tucked behind body panels where the jack is. I still have full access to the jack. This is the photo when it was UHF only, but the CS800D body is there now. Wires are a bit better managed as well.

 

[KN4EHX]

Looks like it is working just fine. Do you have any issues with heat? I never had much of an issue with heat until I parked a radio body in a similar compartment. Motorola XTL 5000 to be specific. I was getting consistent poor audio reports and eventually they would turn into reports of no modulation. I would drop down to low power to be able to continue. Eventually I went to the back of the car and noticed how hot the radio body was and moved it to an area of better airflow and the problem was corrected. I’ve had a CS800 but never the D model. It was pretty much trouble free and easy to use. Excellent radio, but I had too mas Motorola in life and going between the Motorola mic to the CS mic was what made me switch. The BFD they recently came out with has made me consider getting a 800D to use at the house.

 

[sefrischling]

Tell me about your headliner shelf. Where did you find one? I am trying, with no luck, to find one for a 2010 Suburban.

 

[KN4EHX]

Tell me about your headliner shelf. Where did you find one? I am trying, with no luck, to find one for a 2010 Suburban.

Amazon.com: VDP SH1115 Shelf-It' Overhead Storage : Automotive

Buy VDP SH1115 Shelf-It' Overhead Storage: Overhead Consoles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

VDP® - Shelf-It Overhead Storage

Chevy Suburban 2000, Shelf-It Overhead Storage by VDP®.

www.carid.com

I have no connection to this seller and it may or may not be what you want.

 

[sefrischling]

Amazon.com: VDP SH1115 Shelf-It' Overhead Storage : Automotive

Buy VDP SH1115 Shelf-It' Overhead Storage: Overhead Consoles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I have no connection to this seller and it may or may not be what you want.

They do not make a version for the 2010 Suburban. Their "newest" version is 2006, which does not fit the 2010 model. I have looked over their offerings more than once. The Amazon listing says 7-10 (which would have been 7-14) , but the company says the last model year for them in 2006.

 

[KN4EHX]

My apologies. I searched 2000.

 

[drdeputy]

2015 Ford Transit. First install was UHF only with a 1/4 whip, hole drilled towards the rear of the roof. Since then, I moved to a dual band radio. I wasn't happy how close I drilled for VHF performance, plus I wanted to add a scanner. I finally got the time last month to "complete" my updated install. I drilled a new hole forward for the radio, new Larsen NMO to N cable assembly for the CS800D, and replaced the cable for a scanner with a new Larsen NMO to SMA, which connects to a HP/Agilent 5086-7261 RF limiter before a BNC connector to the SDS-200. I also had to build a sheet metal bracket for the SDS 200 to mount overhead. Radio head is tilted so I can see it when driving, enough to grab the right channel. Scanner can be seen by co-pilot, I don't need to see who is saying what. Scanner antenna is Larsen NMO120/450/758, radio antenna is Larsen NMO2/70SH.
View attachment 106211

View attachment 106212

My daughter loves her 15 pass. Transit, and it's not one of the tall ones, but even so, she has about 1" clearance to get into the garage. An antenna would cut it for her.

 

[tweiss3]

Tell me about your headliner shelf. Where did you find one? I am trying, with no luck, to find one for a 2010 Suburban.

Standard equipment that comes with the Transit, so I don't have a clue where to tell you to look.

My daughter loves her 15 pass. Transit, and it's not one of the tall ones, but even so, she has about 1" clearance to get into the garage. An antenna would cut it for her.

The Transit Connect's are shorter than the 15 passenger version. That being said, the antennas do hit on some parking decks. It's the one reason I went with Larsen spring base antennas. The roof rack cross bars keep the base from getting hit in a way it would sheer off, and the antenna will fold as flat as necessary to get under the roof rack height without deformation.