Best Vehicle

Motoman221 · Post by **Motoman221** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 5:17 am

I am getting ready to purchase a new vehicle and i have 8-10 radios that i would like to get in it. What do you think the best vehicle for mounting radios in is.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:15 am

An 18-Wheeler tractor with the passenger seat removed. Then build a steel deck on the roof for the antenna farm.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 7:56 am

8-10 radios? Damn!

What could one possibly do with 8-10 radios?

Most multi-county command units only need 4-5!

Suggestion: purchase a conversion van (aka perversion van) and set up "command" in the rear so you can sit in a nice, plush seat or sofa. You can also install DSS TV and everything else back there. You can use dual-head kits to run only the necessary radios up to the driver's seat area. You'll have a table in the rear if you need a desk to write on.
Order the RV/towing electrical system to get the big alternator and isolated 2nd battery.

If the van has a fiberglas false top, you'll need to install metal screen in the roof and ground it to the body for the antenna groundplane.

werdnuts · Post by **werdnuts** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:37 am

8-10?

Dude, face it... you are not that important. Someone who 'needs' 8-10 radios is either really lonely or a huge wacker. Please don't be one of those guys.

Why don't you narrow that down to what you REALLY NEED, and we'll help you from there. Figure out which 2-4 you talk or listen to the most. Maybe you can eliminate a bunch with a scanner. Hell, one radio pisses me off if it gets too noisy.

Short of building some sort of command center (like the suggested conversion van), there really is no good answer to your question.

-werdnuts

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 9:16 am

If it works for him who cares?

Explain what model and bands the radios are.

I'd say get something big - large SUV aka Suburban, Excursion, extended VAN, quad cad pickup etc etc

mavericknet · Post by **mavericknet** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 1:42 pm

I'm thinking about converting over a mid-80's nynex service truck into a command/mobile repeater type vehicle. If for nothing else, just the fun of turning some old POS into another whacker mobile..

Good luck to ya!

Motoman221 · Post by **Motoman221** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:43 am

I have 9 radios that Iwould like to get in to the vehicle:
1. CDM 1550 Low Band: 29-36
2. CDM 1550 Low Band: 42-50
3. CDM 1550 VHF: 136-174
4. CDM 1550 UHF:403-470
5. CDM 1550 UHF:450-512
6. XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio:764-870
7. Uniden BC796d
8. IC-706 MK II-G
9. Uniden Polaris-VHF Marine
10.Uniden BCT-8
Anyone have any ideas on a consel????

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:16 am

The 25th Letter of the alphebet comes to mind.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:20 am

For the console, I wouldn't even think about an "off the shelf" unit for this installation. Definitely use a custom.

Wouldn't it be more feasible to just put the marine frequencies in the CDM?

Is this your own vehicle for personal use or a command unit?

w7com · Post by **w7com** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 3:31 pm

Chevy S10.

http://www.qsl.net/k5lxp/mobile/QSTarti ... ticle.html

Motoman221 · Post by **Motoman221** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 5:52 pm

Jim this is for my personal use. I got many sugestions from friends to put the marine freqs. in the cdm. i have enough empty channels. I went out looking at vehicles today and i think i decide on a Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab Laramie. I was thinking of doing a setup so that the drives seat will swivel around to the back remove part of the rear seat and set up the radios in a custom consel. then i would mount speakers on the rear roof and buy wireless speakermics for the CDM. A friend of mine said he fould them with a channel changer and channel display right on the mic. I don't know where yet but i will pass it on when i find out. Then i will install a remote mount for the BC796(yes scanner master is going to be getting the remote mounts in for this radio real soon.) and the IC-706 MK II-G, XTL 5000. I don't know if i'll be able to do the swivel seat idea but if i don't that will be ok. Any other ideas will be accepted. Thanx.

gws · Post by **gws** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:09 pm

And you are actually licensed on all these bands? Hmm, How did you end up with a mobile marine license? What are you doing that needs this many commerical radios?

Motoman221 wrote:I have 9 radios that Iwould like to get in to the vehicle:
1. CDM 1550 Low Band: 29-36
2. CDM 1550 Low Band: 42-50
3. CDM 1550 VHF: 136-174
4. CDM 1550 UHF:403-470
5. CDM 1550 UHF:450-512
6. XTL 5000 Digital Mobile Radio:764-870
7. Uniden BC796d
8. IC-706 MK II-G
9. Uniden Polaris-VHF Marine
10.Uniden BCT-8
Anyone have any ideas on a consel????

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:53 pm

Gary, I ws thinking the same thing. Especially the marine radio - on land.

Two low band radios and two UHF radios . . . I smell some issues there, and two scanners mixed in - what could you possibly need scanners for with all those radios?

Anyway, about the scanners. With all that RF floating around, I see those scanners getting fried. Remember, unlike your comm radios, the scanners have broad front ends. With two comm radios on different bands, one will likely not be affected by the other. I have a Syntor X putting out about 135 watts on 2m and a GM300 on the 440 MHz ham band. Antennas, both Larsen, one 5/8 wave for 2m and the other the 5dB collinear for 440, are about 30 inches or so apart. I could transmit with either radio and there woould be no desense at all on the other. The front ends are very good, not to mention the frequency difference.

With a scanner on the other hand, that thing is just broad, and any transmitter you have will be transmitting on a frequency covered by that scanner. I just smell trouble. As I do in your case with the two low band radios, if not two UHF radios.

And an IC706? I assume you are a ham. If this is a mobile hamshack project . . . ouch.

Good luck, I think you're going way overboard.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:41 pm

For the lowband, I know it's not MOT, but what about a Kenwood TK630 with A & C drawers to do both bands?
Same thing for the other bands.

I just did a custom console for a 3500 Ram that eliminated the OEM front/center console. This console mounted to the OEM bolt locations without going into the floorpan. The one I did had a stowarge compartment, but would easily hold 10 radios if reconfigured. Email me for pics.

Cam · Post by **Cam** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 1:09 am

The radio police strick.

"Why would someone (other then myself) want a lot of /\/\ radios?"

Who cares, it his money.

I myself don't see a need to have that many radios, but what ever.

As for the Marine band radio, I'm sure he know that you can't Tx on those freq. on land and will only use it when his car/truck is in the water.

Motoman221 · Post by **Motoman221** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:05 am

I work for a company that has 14 different departments and instead of using common sence and putting all of the departments on the same band the are all on different bands. As for the marine radio i bout a brand new uniden polaris at a flea market for $25.00 and i thought i'd through it in. Jim i would like if you could send me thoes Pics.

Motoman221 · Post by **Motoman221** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:17 am

I work for a company that has 14 different departments and instead of using common sence and putting all of the departments on the same band the are all on different bands. As for the marine radio i bought a brand new uniden polaris at a flea market for $25.00 and i thought i'd through it inI made an error though i checked at work this morning and i only need three radios in.
CDM 1550 VHF: 136-174
CDM 1550 UHF:403-470
CDM 1550 UHF:450-512
The low band and 800 meg is used at another plant and my boss sid that i don't need all those radios because he would have to purchase them.
As for the following radios are mine personally.
Uniden BC796d
IC-706 MK II-G
Uniden Polaris-VHF Marine
Uniden BCT-8
So this is the conflict with all of the radios any other questions.

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