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Communications
 I earned my FCC Amateur Radio license in 1995, callsign KE4WMF. I started with a YAESU FT-11R handheld transceiver (HT) for mobile use. Wanting a radio that hides quickly without disconnecting wires and cables, I eventually installed a YAESU FT-90R VHF/UHF transceiver in the ashtray. After upgrading to a General license in 2007, I installed a YAESU FT-857D, a 100 watt "multi-multi" transceiver capable of operating in all modes and on all ten HF/6m ham bands plus VHF/UHF. I use Diamond K400 heavy duty mounts to hold a variety of VHF/UHF antennas. I also use a well-grounded, reinforced hole-mounted Larsen NMO Thickmount on the trunk lid for my YAESU ATAS-120A "Active Tuning Antenna System" for 7 MHz to 54 MHz (antenna length is changed remotely to match frequency). My most distant contact to date was from SE Virginia to Serbia (nearly 5000 miles) on 100 watts SSB. My contact from the Delaware Bay to Hawaii was just as far. My FT-11R remains in service as a hidden, permanently mounted APRS transceiver any time the ignition is on. All radios are easily hidden when I'm not in the car. Click here to see overall photos. Click here to see installation photos. Interested in
Ham Radio? Visit my Ham Radio
Page. |
 I eventually installed a
PIONEER DEH-P6900UB CD/MP3/WMA head unit with rear USB input. My favorite music is stored on a hidden 8 MB flash drive. I can easily drive for days without hearing the same song twice. I also installed a DELPHI Roady2 XM satellite radio receiver into the visor. The low-pass output from the head unit enters
a COUSTIC 190A 125W
RMS stereo amplifier. The amplifier feeds a
DEI COMPETITION 10 inch subwoofer which is enclosed in a tiny 0.4 cubic foot sealed
box. The box is visible when the trunk is open,
but
low profile enough to draw little attention. All equipment is connected
to the battery via a 4 gauge StreetWires Hardware Kit with fuse and grounding blocks. All periferal equipment is completely hidden. The car looks BONE STOCK to a passing thief. BTW, I shop at CRUTCHFIELD. They supply everything needed for DIY stereo upgrades, including adapters to use factory wiring. Use referral code p51fi-8u9y3-ui7qz to get $20 off your order. |
Instrumentation
 I fabricated a custom gauge panel that mounts in the place of my cupholders. The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and Manifold Pressure ("boost") gauges are commercial grade by ISSPRO. The LEDs indicate lift pump and water injection status (on, injecting, empty). The SCAN GAUGE II (SGII) acts similarly to trip computers found on today's newer cars. It can display Current MPGs, Fuel Rate, Voltage, Coolant Temp, Intake Air Temp, Engine RPM, Vehicle Speed, Manifold Pressure, Engine Load, Throttle Position, Max Speed, Avg Speed, Max Coolant Temp, Max RPM, Driving Time, Driving Distance, Fuel Used, Trip MPGs, Tank MPGs, Distance to Empty, Time to Empty, and Fuel to Empty. The SGII can be calibrated for improved accuracy; plus, it has a scan tool which displays diagnostic trouble codes and clear the Check Engine Light. |
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