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Now I dont know that I would trust just anyone to install my rig. I
have always known people who "know" other people. Try your local radio
club. In your case that would probably be the Durham FM Society. The
installation of the radios in my truck was done by a ham named
Raymond Hoeger (W4RLH) who also does this sort of thing as a living
(car accessories). <br>
<br>
Remember that holes in the roof and holes in the carpet will not
decrease the resale value of a vehicle. Holes in the plastic panels on
the interior of the vehicle will. <br>
Most folks shiver when talking about punching a hole in the middle of
the roof but thats the best place for the antenna.<br>
<br>
My installation has 3 roof mounted antennas (Larsen)(holes punched
baby!) and a Gamber-Johnson (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.gamberjohnson.com/">http://www.gamberjohnson.com/</a>) multiple
radio mount. I used the large gauge wire for stereo amps (8 gauge)
attached to the positive and negative battery terminals, fused both
sides (50A) and brought them through the firewall. I terminated this to
a fuse block ,one each (stereo amp part again) on the transmission
hump. <br>
<br>
When you install a rig in a vehicle go directly to the battery using
both positive and negative terminals. Fuse near the batter. Do not use
less than 10 gauge wire. The hard part mounting inside the newer cars
is all they are all plastic and it is hard to find some thing solid to
mount to. If you have air bags find a place that doesn't imped their
deployment. A lot of the newer radios have detachable face plates. If
you have one of these radios you can mount the radio under a seat.Bring
the cable for the face plate up under the rug to the dash. These
detachable face plates are light enough you can use velcro or a
cellular adjustable mount.<br>
<br>
The most traumatic thing for some hams would be the antenna. The idea
is to find a place that will provide an effective ground plane. The
most effective position is the center of the roof. That can be attached
using either a magnetic mount or if you are a "real" ham (heh heh)
punch a hole in the roof. If this make you shiver you might want to
consider a mount for the roof gutter or side mount. Try Comet antennas,
they have a variety of mounts of that type.<br>
<br>
A source of information that will give you some Ideas would be to look
at the ARRL publications there is a book called Amateur Radio on the
move.<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.arrl.org/catalog/index.php3?category=Mobile+and+Portable">http://www.arrl.org/catalog/index.php3?category=Mobile+and+Portable</a><br>
<br>
73,<br>
Neil, WA4AZL<br>
<br>
<br>
Jason Evans wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:206b46040909081408u7bfa8c22w6a2b595c59e9dc8a@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">Does anyone know of a local stereo or other kind of
company or individual that would install a mobile ham rig? My car's
dash (2005 Saturn ION) is by no means conventional but I would like to
get a radio mounted in there and it not look like crap. Thanks.<br>
<br>
73,<br>
Jason Evans KI4GMX<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://jsevans.us">http://jsevans.us</a><br>
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