Ok, I have a few questions regarding antennas, and vehicle radio setups

1. placement, where is the best place on a vehicle to place the antenna, or does it matter.

2. where can I find small antennas, I want some small antennas, approx 1/2 a foot high or smaller, eg, B&M stores, Online, etc... I have looked at my local stores and all they carry are the huge CB antennas

3. by using a smaller antenna I assume it will cut down the tx and rx distance of the device, can I get some form of amp for the antenna?

4. I am looking for the domes that are found on York Regional Police cars (maybe others), any any information on them. I would like to get a couple to hide a GPS antenana under and some other things, or even use them as an antenna if thats what they are.

5. I'd like to have a UHF & a VHF radio in the vehicle, what are the best radios to get, that would allow a programming cable to always be attached (I am also building a carputer that will interface with them at all times so I can programm then without hooking up cables). (I know its kind of a vague question)

thats it for now.

Thanks,

Conundrum

Info provided by father who has been in radios forever. He says connector on the cable right or the antenna doesnt work right. look for amature electronic supply, and ham radio supply has good stuff.

1. Yes depending on the freq you are using. However generally the top is the best. High band or low band can go down low on car however UHF, VHF,800 should go on top depending on antenna.

3. Yes tx and rx distance but UHF gain type antennas are only a foot and half or so. Realize that you need the right antenna for the right freq.

4. The things you are talking about are fat coil looking at for 800mhz etc. There mainly put on trucks and busses. However my father believes the antenna doesnt radiate as well. You loose gain. There is also a combo UHF VHF antenna. IT has a splitter.

go to radio world, they carry a great selection of antennas... they are a block or so east of the 400 on the south side of steeles.

well i have officialy got the day off on friday, after an appt I have to get a few radiso, but after that I wouldnt mind going and either getting some cadpat or an antenna, roadwolf you interested in joining me?

anytime after 3 PM, and sure, that would be great

No!

Negative!

Don't go to Radioworld whatever you do.

They charge *WAY* more than the stuff is really worth.

What kind of stuff do you need to get? There's a number of other sources in Toronto that are MUCH more reasonably priced.

I love doing vehicle installs, and do a number of them, so if you need a hand...

Friday would work for me as well

Posted by ExKa|iBuR No! Negative! Don't go to Radioworld whatever you do. They charge *WAY* more than the stuff is really worth. What kind of stuff do you need to get? There's a number of other sources in Toronto that are MUCH more reasonably priced. I love doing vehicle installs, and do a number of them, so if you need a hand... Friday would work for me as well

well.

I need to install the radios im getting, get a holder for them, and get antennas and install them, plus run a main power line not from the cigerett lighter outlett, and finaly mount the speakers. I was thinking of making a box out of MDF and covering it with vehicle carpet (subwoofer carpet)

so what I need is
an extension cable for the antenna for my CB Radio or a smaller antenna with longer cable
a 800mhz antenna
a UHF antenna
a speaker for my CB
and a rack for 3 radios

Nice.

Sign me up, I'll give you a hand.

Hell, I probably have everything you need here already.

-Mike

I'v seem Exka|ibur's installs, no comment


Radioworld are a fuckin bunch of fuckin motherfuckers IMHO. They are the only ham radio shop in Toronto, and they know it. Horrible prices and service is the norm. Seriously, just find a NMO mount w/ cable and a antenna, you can always cut an antenna to freq. I have a VHF one here that you can chop down if you want it, sorry no NMO or cable! New motorola ones are like 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost of pretty much the same stuff at radio world.

Power cables, the 2pole plugs, fuses, shink wrap Etc can be found at Active surplus or Canadian tire.

Biggest install advice is to really plan it out. Think/plan for possible expansion or changes, and how easy it would be to fix and or program. I.e. taking out 3 radios to get to the DB15 on the back of a spectra is no fun.

Your best bet is to make a custom console. Since Maxtracs, Spectras and CBs arent the same size, or have mounting holes in the same spots, finding a console is expensive. I have seen great results using MDF and carpet.

Good luck, feel free to harrass me with questions any time

Jamie

...

You've never seen any of my installs.

But, just for arguements's sake, take a drive down to Niagara Falls and look at some of their Fire Trucks, or take drive to Port Colborne and look at their Ambulance, or take a drive to Port Dover and take a look at their Coast Guard Auxiliary vehicle.

Yeah.

-Mike

I guess I saw the least fine of your installs then.... Besides, ribbing Mike as we all know is too much fun to pass up! You know that! Its all about the budget too... A nice D&R console @ 600$ can make anyones install skills look slick. MMMMM, D&R.... Good lighting from them too

Latah

D&R is pretty good stuff. Their prices are rather steep though, but like anything, you DO get what you pay for. I do really like their consoles. Jotto Desk makes a mean looking console as well.

Making a custom console does have it's benefits though. Often, stock consoles are made to fit a variety of vehicles and only come "custom" with different mounting brackets. These don't always have the fit you're looking for because the contours of various vehicles do vary signifigantly. There are a few companies (Jotto Desk being one of them) who will custom build a console for you based on your vehicle and your installation requirements. You will pay more, but it's worth it.

If you're handy with your hands, you can build your own, but just be careful to measure everything properly. A well done "do it yourself" install can look VERY professional - often better than so called professional jobs I've seen.

-Mike

Posted by ExKa|iBuR D&R is pretty good stuff.

how about "radioworld" in the north end of the city - is this a good place to buy radio stuff from???

Posted by tbone how about "radioworld" in the north end of the city - is this a good place to buy radio stuff from???

Posted by r0sie Radioworld are a fuckin bunch of fuckin motherfuckers IMHO. They are the only ham radio shop in Toronto, and they know it. Horrible prices and service is the norm.

Radioworld is good if you have a "right now" need for stuff. You would be MUCH better off buying stuff elsewhere, but you might have to wait a few days or do abit of driving.

For every day things like antennas, connecters, antenna mounts, etc... I would strongly suggest *not* going to Radioworld. They will rip you off! For example, there's an 800MHz antenna I was looking at buying. Radioworld charges $99.00. You can walk into a "real" radio shop and buy the exact same antenna for $55.00. Hardly fair.

Not only that, but unless you're an Amateur Radio Operator, they'll treat you as if you are more of a hassle than a customer.

Just my opinion, but myself and NUMEROUS other people have opinions about them. Granted, I do go into Radioworld every week or so, but only to look at the new toys I can get elsewhere cheaper

-Mike

Posted by ExKa|iBuR Making a custom console does have it's benefits though. Often, stock consoles are made to fit a variety of vehicles and only come "custom" with different mounting brackets. These don't always have the fit you're looking for because the contours of various vehicles do vary signifigantly. There are a few companies (Jotto Desk being one of them) who will custom build a console for you based on your vehicle and your installation requirements. You will pay more, but it's worth it.

With most of them, you have to remove cupholders, trim, ashtrays and such... No fun .

Just to clarify to those that don't know, D&R is a Console/Light/Light controller/mounting systems for radios shop.... Great stuff, but $$...

rosie

yes i have been to D&R many times, a great place... love their equipment, but none of it would fit in my van (the consoles) so i had to build my own.

Roadwolf,

Posted by Roadwolf yes i have been to D&R many times, a great place... love their equipment, but none of it would fit in my van (the consoles) so i had to build my own. Roadwolf,

Im trying to contemplate building my own for my truck or seeing how much one would cost. I also have to decide whether to paint it flat black or carpet it, and leave a faceplace with removeable panels to add radios. and on top of that figure a way to mount the radios so they can be removed. how did you do it RoadWolf?

Mine is kind of small, it doesnt really extend between the seats because i still wanted room for my cup holder (which is beside the seat in the chevy venture)

thusly that area between the seats is now full of wires and radios... hmmm no drinks tho..

anyhow, i basically used some 1 by 8 boards and cut them to size to form the base.. and then I used 1/8th inch masonite board to make the faceplate and the top cover. it fits nicely in my vehicle. and all the relays and wireing is done inside the box

as well as all the fuses

as for places to put radios, i basically screwed a mount to the side for a CB Radio and that is all i had planned to install.

(now i guess i will have to install my motorola maxtrac 100 somewhere)

roadwolf,

I like Radioworld. The people were helpful, and I picked my CB and antenna there for a good price. I'm going there this week to look at some stuff.

Best place for an antenna.....your trunk. Trust me, I know. Conundrum, you don't have one, so I guess your stuck to the roof unless you make a platform in your truck bed somehow.

-Octane