This forum is dedicated to helping people with questions about installing radio equipment in vehicles. This can include antenna installs, electrical wiring questions/problems, and mounting systems. Pictures of installs are welcome.
Note: Discussions regarding lighting, sirens, and other equipment now has its own forum in the 'off-topic' section below.
Well I bought a new truck a month ago and got my console installed last night.
I am still waiting on another bracket for another cdm750 to be installed as a tac radio and also I have some cup holders coming for it as well. Since I had the seats out to install the brackets I ran the wiring under the carpet to keep it hidden. I will post more pics after the bracket and cup holder comes in. I will try and post the pics later of the lights and antennas also.
BigTex1136 wrote:Well I bought a new truck a month ago and got my console installed last night.
I am still waiting on another bracket for another cdm750 to be installed as a tac radio and also I have some cup holders coming for it as well. Since I had the seats out to install the brackets I ran the wiring under the carpet to keep it hidden. I will post more pics after the bracket and cup holder comes in. I will try and post the pics later of the lights and antennas also.
Lookin' just fine! I am glad you found a console to fit.
I do have a CDM face panel for a Troy console if you haven't found one already.
I found the bracket on ebay and made custom the bracket for the MaCom 700m. I just got the last of the parts in today so I will go work on it some more and post some more pics as I go along. Thanks guys
Well I have been busy as hell but I got everything installed and done for now. Here are the pics of the radios that are installed under the back seat. Its a nice safe hiding place too that you can also lock. The console has all 3 radio heads and switch box for lights and siren controller. All said and done it is a nice install that works for my needs. Even installed rear cup holder lol.
Top Radio Moto MCS2000 VHF 110watts (Main Radio)
2nd Moto CDM1250 VHF 45 watts (TAC Radio)
3rd Ma Com 700M 800mhz Edacs Trunking with Provoice
Roof is also done. The front antenna (Coke Can) is tac radio CDM1250, 2nd is 800mhz, 3rd is for the main radio the Motorola MCS2000 in the back.
I was told by many people they were not happy with the coke can antenna there in the dront. I will say I tried it out for a bit on the main radio and yes I could notice some loss but over all was not bad. When our dispatch uses our local repeater works great, when they use the repeater up north it was spotty and with the whip antenna its understandable but not 100% clear. So over all I am happy with the coke can. And its really just going to be a tac radio.
C-, bad choice of antenna locations: no ground plane for the VHF antenna.
The 'back' antenna is way too close to the edge of the roof. Swap the 800 ant and the VHF ant to get more closer to the required ground plane. You need 1/4 wave minimum in all directions from the mount.
Even 800 mhz antenna would need 3 inches from any edge.
thank you for the information about the Ground plane I was wondering about that myself.
OP, That Blue network cable stuck in the side of the CDM... did you make that? do you have any issues? I was thinking of going that route but for the under $20 price (when I checked last) price from Moto Online I thought I can go wrong.
Radios by Fisher-Price? Never!!!
I use /\/\otorola!!
Cheers
73, de'N2GIG
Thanks for the input. I don't have any issues all around. I know the back antenna is not 100% but works well. You see it all the time. As for the network cable on the CDM it works great. I have never had any problems. Its 15ft long and works great.
Hey Tex,
ok I was curious.... I was thinking of making one but the prices were so cheap it was easier just to buy a few of them. glad that everything is working out for you!
Thanks for the reply.
Radios by Fisher-Price? Never!!!
I use /\/\otorola!!
Cheers
73, de'N2GIG
