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Tahoe Install
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:47 pm
by dbcomm
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:09 pm
by thebigphish
nice...one question, why did you mount the traffic director and lts/ siren at opposite ends of the mount? IMHO, i like to have the blinky toys and noisemakers for the party all in one location, so i can make one quick swoop and do what i have to do...or are there other factors to consider?
nice work tho.
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 9:36 pm
by apco25
Nice,
I see you used the Havis-Shields half console for the factory GM console.
I had considered doing that on my Suburban but there just wasn't enough room with what I wanted to mount without even including the computer.
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:58 am
by x1sspic
nice - glad to see the Unitrol TM

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:21 am
by va3wxm
Very nice. What are you using for antennas?
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:39 am
by dbcomm
Thanks-
thebigphish-Put the T/A @ the top because the newer versions of the TACTRL control have an AUX input thats controlled by the TM4, that will put the T/A in FLASH mode.
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 5:58 am
by kc2kuy
Whats the yellow light (in the frount) for? That looks sweet...Good job....So are you in a Fire dept or what? LOL....
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:56 am
by thebigphish
dbcomm wrote:thebigphish-Put the T/A @ the top because the newer versions of the TACTRL control have an AUX input thats controlled by the TM4, that will put the T/A in FLASH mode.
ahhh, ok.
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:36 pm
by dbcomm
va3wxm wrote:Very nice. What are you using for antennas?
I am using a plain jane 1/4W for the 450 (CDM750) and for the ICOM 2800 dual bander, I'm using an Antenex QW144 for the VHF and a QWB430 for the UHF - both are connected to a diplexer as the ICOM has only one PL259 connector. I'm currently working on installing a DTMF controller to the TM4 to have remote control capability via my HT1250. So far, I have planned the following. (Door lock/unlock functions are pretty involved, as the contact closure from the relay on the DTMF board will be connected to a small device that will convert contact closure to GM's databus format, eliminating the need to cut in to any factory wiring.)
1-Takedown
2-Strobes
3-Alt Headlights
4-T/A
5-Siren MAN
6-Airhorn
7-Doors Lock
8A-Driver Unlock
8B-All Unlock
Basically, this whole DTMF thing really serves no functional purpose, just more of a project than anything. Although, it will be nice to have the ability of unlocking my doors if (when) my wife locks the key in the truck.
Onstar/Shmonstar.
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 5:26 am
by va3wxm
Wow, that's a pretty cool project. Hope you get it work!
I'm just happy controlling my Kenwood V7A in crossband repeat mode via handheld DTMF.
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 7:11 am
by USPSS
I hope he is authorized in California for the equipment. The CHP has no sense of humor.
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:39 pm
by dbcomm
USPSS wrote:I hope he is authorized in California for the equipment. The CHP has no sense of humor.
This whole argument again? Siren functions are disabled per sections 25806 and 27002. The red lamp may be lighted in an emergency per section 25269. I use it primarily as a demo vehicle, and have had it checked and cleared by the CHP, Westminster division.
COVERT ASTROLITE TECHNOLOGIES LEDs
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:21 pm
by freema22
I see that you have some of the Astrolite LEDs on the arrow stick. How are they? THey are so inexpensive, it makes me wonder how good they really are. Well? Good job on the install.
Mike F
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 3:58 am
by mr.syntrx
Nice job.
I envy you guys: you can buy custom consoles and stuff for your cars, to mount radios in. Mounting anything but a *very* small radio in mine is a joke, because there's simply nowhere to put it, so instead of putting it in the console, I've got my

mounted on top of the dash.
Re: COVERT ASTROLITE TECHNOLOGIES LEDs
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:59 pm
by dbcomm
freema22 wrote:I see that you have some of the Astrolite LEDs on the arrow stick. How are they? THey are so inexpensive, it makes me wonder how good they really are. Well? Good job on the install.
Mike F
Actually, they aren't Astrolites. I had them custom made by a guy I found in Canada. $30.00 for both. I also forgot to mention that they are connected to the FedSig Strobe power supply so both they and the 2 just like it behind the grille "strobe" simultaneously with the hideaways. I'll try to get some pics while the Tahoe's in Code.
Re: COVERT ASTROLITE TECHNOLOGIES LEDs
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:09 pm
by freema22
dbcomm wrote:freema22 wrote:I see that you have some of the Astrolite LEDs on the arrow stick. How are they? THey are so inexpensive, it makes me wonder how good they really are. Well? Good job on the install.
Mike F
Actually, they aren't Astrolites. I had them custom made by a guy I found in Canada. $30.00 for both. I also forgot to mention that they are connected to the FedSig Strobe power supply so both they and the 2 just like it behind the grille "strobe" simultaneously with the hideaways. I'll try to get some pics while the Tahoe's in Code.
Right, the guy's e-mail address is
[email protected]. The name of his company is COVERT ASTROLITE TECHNOLOGIES. How good are they? He sells a crap load of them on eBay, and I was thinking about getting some. I haven't been able to get any feedback from actual users though.
Mike F
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:17 pm
by dbcomm
Huh. I wasn't aware they were called Astrolites. Anyway, I was impressed with them. My only suggestions to him were to beef up the power leads (to better handle harsh conditions) and they pivot from side to side too easily. Easily solved with a lock washer though.
tahoe install
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 5:48 pm
by TacticalOne
whats that hanging over the rear passeneger seat?
I have a similar looking install in my Suburban.
Re: tahoe install
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 7:38 pm
by dbcomm
TacticalOne wrote:whats that hanging over the rear passeneger seat?
I have a similar looking install in my Suburban.
The Traffic Advisor? I'm not sure what else you could be talking about.
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:03 pm
by thebigphish
Tahoe
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 6:33 am
by TacticalOne
No, there appears to be something strapped to the headrest of the rear passenger seat...???
Re: Tahoe
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:14 am
by dbcomm
TacticalOne wrote:No, there appears to be something strapped to the headrest of the rear passenger seat...???
Ohhhh. That is the directional youth monitoring system.......Or the mirror so I can see my son in his carseat.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:36 am
by kc2kuy
Are those red or yellow? You in fire or something? Thanks...
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:55 am
by dbcomm
kc2kuy wrote:Are those red or yellow? You in fire or something? Thanks...
Light in front is a Whelen Talon (Red). Like I posted earlier, I will take some pictures with everything on and post them soon.
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 10:33 am
by kc2kuy
oh sorry did not see the last post....Looks yellow...Sorry again.....
MPEGs
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:00 pm
by dbcomm
Here are some pictures of the equipment operating. The front strobes are disconnected - getting new connectors.
http://dbcommunication.com/tahoe/FRONTOP.MPG
http://dbcommunication.com/tahoe/REAROP.MPG
note: you may have to right click and save as in order to view the files.
Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:37 am
by jedi_saber
Looks nifty. What kind of grillights/LEDs are you using?
Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:51 pm
by dbcomm
jedi_saber wrote:Looks nifty. What kind of grillights/LEDs are you using?
I had them custom made by a guy I found in Canada. $30.00 for both. They are connected to the FedSig Strobe power supply so both they and the 2 underneath the T/A "strobe" simultaneously with the hideaways.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:42 pm
by PriorityOne
What did you do, wire the LED + wire to the trigger wire on a strobe outlet?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:11 pm
by eboe
fedsig makes a strobe power supply that has outputs for sync'd LED's. it's their model # 460L.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:21 pm
by 007
USPSS wrote:I hope he is authorized in California for the equipment. The CHP has no sense of humor.

Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 8:34 pm
by dbcomm
eboe wrote:fedsig makes a strobe power supply that has outputs for sync'd LED's. it's their model # 460L.
That's what I'm running. Although, I suppose you could use the trigger output of a a strobe PSU to flash an LED. Might be something to consider on a different install.