Stealth Honda Install - 800 Spectra - PICS!

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.

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apco25
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Stealth Honda Install - 800 Spectra - PICS!

Post by apco25 »

We did 2 vehicles like this for the same guy - his Honda Sedan and his 99 Tahoe (pics are coming of that one including the special mounting plate)

Control head and mic were mounted inside the factory glove box. Custom bracket was made to fit the box properly. Close the lid and the radio goes away. Speaker was hidden under the dash. Glass mount antenna used so it looks like only a cell-phone is installed.

Image

Image
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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KG6EAQ
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Post by KG6EAQ »

He must have some really bad breath to have all those mints!

Good job on the install, reminds me of the the BC780 and Spectra in Dale's 'Burban. Good job~!
-Robert F.
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ExKa|iBuR
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Post by ExKa|iBuR »

Just curious...

The "ZONE" button.... Is that a Motorola part, or custom made?

If it's Mot...what's the part number?


-Mike
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tvsjr
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Post by tvsjr »

ExKa|iBuR wrote:Just curious...

The "ZONE" button.... Is that a Motorola part, or custom made?

If it's Mot...what's the part number?


-Mike
38-05672X79, last I checked...
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FFParamedic571
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Post by FFParamedic571 »

I just finished an isntall for a Chief of police on his 2004 Trailblazer. Put the MCS2000 remote head in the center console and the other remote MCS in the glovebox. The speakers are under the the dash and passenger seat. Dual band am/fm Sti-co and LED predators in the grill.wigwag head lights, strobe the tail lights.. Unless you get up wayyyyy close can you tell it has any equipment..
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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

I bought a bunch of the "ZONE" buttons. Its really pointless to have an up and down zone button unless you have an A9 head.
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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chipjumper
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Post by chipjumper »

Those sti-co antennas work well? I am nervous about putting even a quarter wave VHF on my suburban in fear of a traumatic antenna impact.

Anyone have a VHF sti-co? Performance?
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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

Where are you driving that you are worried abour hitting antennas?
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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chipjumper
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Post by chipjumper »

Parking garages, covered parking, drive-thrus, tunnels,...
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tvsjr
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Post by tvsjr »

chipjumper wrote:Those sti-co antennas work well? I am nervous about putting even a quarter wave VHF on my suburban in fear of a traumatic antenna impact.

Anyone have a VHF sti-co? Performance?
I have an Expedition with 15 antennas on the roof - quarter-waves for UHF and VHF, 3db curly-Q gain antennas for 800.

Secret #1 is to buy Maxrad antennas which use .062 rod for the whips, rather than the more common .100 rod. Check out part number (B)MFT120. I can bend all of the antennas back to where they're below the roof rack - it's not *good* for them, but, unless I clean the roof-rack off the roof as well, I won't snag them and tear a hole in my roof.
Secret #2 is to realize your limitations - I won't take my truck through anything less than about 8'. If you're dependent on parking in a parking garage, that may leave you SOL. Buy a shorter vehicle!
Secret #3 is to realize that the antennas *are* going to get scraped up, etc., so you just have to deal with it.

Other things to consider would be using a lip-mount on the hood and dealing with the slight reduction in signal, or using a lo-profile antenna on the roof. Either is probably a better option than the StiCos.
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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

chipjumper wrote:Parking garages, covered parking, drive-thrus, tunnels,...
I avoid parking garages in principle. Haven't found a drive through yet that was so low I couldn't fit under it with 1/4 antennas

Tunnels???????? Shouldn't those be high enough to get a semi truck through? Somewhere between 11 and 13 feet high?
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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chipjumper
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Post by chipjumper »

TVSJR - I am going to have phantom antennas for uhf,800,900 and I think i'll go along with that maxrad .062 whip. 8)
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tvsjr
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Post by tvsjr »

chipjumper wrote:TVSJR - I am going to have phantom antennas for uhf,800,900 and I think i'll go along with that maxrad .062 whip. 8)
One other helpful hint... on most vehicles, the AM/FM antenna extends just above the roof line... if you hit the AM/FM antenna, you damn well better stop!

Of course, on the 2001+ Expeditions, the antenna is integrated in the right rear quarter window... so no more early warning system :-?
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