The Suburban is FINALLY done...pics attached

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Pj
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What radios do you own?: X9000 thru APX

The Suburban is FINALLY done...pics attached

Post by Pj »

Ok, finally I was able to get the ball rolling in selling and buying some equipment to finish my Suburban project. Unforutantly is rainy and cloudy today, but if I get a chance I will replace the pics with new ones with sunlight in them. For some reason a couple came out a bit blurry too. I'll work on that...

Details Console:

Gamber Johnson MCS package, 14" console with Notepad 3
1 A7 UHF Spectra DVP-XL V6 MLM (former JMR964)
1 A7 VHF Spectra DVP-XL V6 MLM (former JMR964)
1 W9 800 IMBE SmartZone Astro Spectra (Bought from The Pager Geek)
1 ICOM 2800
1 Kantronics TNC
1 Whelen MPC01 controller

Details Lighting:

50" (well....49.75") Whelen Edge Ultra SC
6 Strobes front, 2 LED flashers front, 8 strobes rear, cruise lights, duplex take downs, alleys. This is the programmable version, so there are a few different flash patterns and things you can do, and best of all...two little wires control all the functions. One neat thing is that it can use the rear strobes as a strobe traffic advisor. Flashing alley lights are also enabled. I also have to find a way to get the quick disconnect plug to lay flat. Any suggestions? Need to paint that too.

1 Whelen ISP188 180 watt power supply for the front grille strobes, 1 pair of turn sigal strobes and 1 pair of taillights.

The laptop interfaces with the GPS, Nextel and the TNC when I hook up the cables. I am searching for a Socket PCMCIA serial card so that I can hook them all up at the same time. In the dashboard in an open spot by the 4WD controls is the diagnostic display for the ISP188. The MPC01 will also show a fault for the ISP and any of the lightbar functions.

One sacrific that I made (sort of) was keeping the VHF antenna next to the lightbar on the roof. A few people worried about the RF noise from the lightbar and such, but so far no problems. I mostly use VHF simplex, so I wanted to be as high as I could. Drilling holes in the roof is a nightmare due to the rear heat/AC, and it would require taking down just about every piece of plastic in the truck.

Never mind all the dirt etc...inside still needs to be clean. Been painting the house and I installed most of everything a couple of nights ago from 8pm to 4am. It was worth it though. Still have a little touch up work with a flashlight etc, but 99.9% is done.

Any comments, questions, suggestions or critizims are welcomed.

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wa2zdy
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Post by wa2zdy »

Very nice, looks very practical too, as opposed to some that are so over the top as to look like they were done just to impress. Yours looks great. And as far as the antenna and the lightbar, I'd worry about the presence of the lightbar affecting how the antenna works, but if it does what you want it to do, great.

Good job, good luck.
Chris,
Hamming 31 years
http://www.wa2zdy.com
Wesley Chapel, Pasco County, Florida
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Code3Response
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Post by Code3Response »

Sweet! I like the added touch of the 2 AS3s in the door panel! :)
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apco25
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What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris

Post by apco25 »

Looks very nice and professional and reminds me of how my 95 Yukon was setup inside.

I
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RidgeRunner
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Excellent

Post by RidgeRunner »

Excellent I always like seeing peoples install pics! When I did my install I tried to utilize what I had in the truck to make the install take up the least amount of room. I am not involved in public saftey so I dont have all of the lights and warning stuff. One thing that I would like to do is have the use of a lap top...oh well someday excellent job!

Robert/N1XBM
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srefurd
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SLICK

Post by srefurd »

SLICK!!
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davkenrem
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What radios do you own?: STX, Spectra, Maxtrac, MTS2000

Post by davkenrem »

WHere are the rest of the antennas, I only see one? Also what do you have plugged into your two Spectra's mike jacks? It dosent look like the mike plug for my Spectra?

Looks great.
Davkenrem
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FFParamedic571
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Post by FFParamedic571 »

Those are just filler plugs. When you use the mic from the back of the head they plug the hole so you don't get crud in the connector.


PJ, BTW it looks great..
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gtl7001
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Post by gtl7001 »

Hey nice setup. Definitely a professional looking job. Just noticed one thing and it concerns your lightbar.. I noticed from the picture that you might be using a quick disconnect wire plug to hook up your lightbar. I also noticed you took the picture in the rain which illustrates my point. Have you considered that the wiring may not be weather proof, it seems that the plug may be exposed to the elements? Could cause problems in the future. Otherwise a great looking setup.
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Pj
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What radios do you own?: X9000 thru APX

Post by Pj »

The 800 and UHF antenna's (black) are on the lip mounts on the hood....one on each side. When I get some sunlight, I am going to replace the pics.

As for the QD plug, its weather resistant, so its no big deal.

The two A7 spectra's are "enhanced" spectra's with the dual Mic ports, and are connected thru the rear connector. Makes for a cleaner look when in a console.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
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KitN1MCC
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What radios do you own?: ht1550 XLS,6 MT-1000,

Post by KitN1MCC »

Dud why dint you just oerder the bar with a CSP Plug.

it look great. PJ seen mine and mine dont even look that good
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