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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. I eventually decided I wanted a radio that hides quickly without disconnecting wires and cables. So I installed a YAESU FT-90R VHF/UHF transceiver in the ashtray in 2000. After upgrading to a General license in 2007, I installed a YAESU FT-857D 100 watt "multi-multi" transceiver which is capable of operating in all modes and on all ten HF/6m ham bands plus VHF/UHF. I use a Diamond K400 heavy duty mount to hold a variety of VHF/UHF antennas, a Diamond HRKS mount to hold a 1/2-wave antenna to the driver's door, and I 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-90R now serves as a hidden APRS transceiver any time the ignition is on. But I'm on the lookout for a new rig which can handle voice and APRS duties simultaneously (and through a single antenna). 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. |
 Having the same car since 1998 and driving it well over 300,000 miles, one can imagine I've been through a few stereos. They don't last forever. ;-) My current stereo is 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 stereo removal keys, adapters to use factory wiring, and directions specific to your vehicle's year, make, model, and trim. 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 can display diagnostic trouble codes and clear the Check Engine Light.
I used to feature the Garmin Nuvi 650 with my stereo and/or ham radio equipment. But I opted to relocate it for better security. Yes, it's more visible to thieves if I leave it out in the open. But, since I don't do that, what's left behind is much more discreet than a suction cup on the dash or glass. I usually just remove the navi and stow it, leaving the mount in an unexpected position (I think most thieves are looking on windshields and dashboards). But it takes just a few seconds to pull off the mount and hide the wire. Check out THIS VIDEO. This is especially beneficial if I find myself parking someplace where cars get broken into simply for having a "halo" on the windshield which indicates a suction cup mount was removed for storage (keep this in mind when visiting DC or other large cities). |
 These days it seem everyone has a cell phone; and many have smartphones. So what's the big deal about mentioning one here? Well, to be honest, it seems to be part of the car when it's on the road. I'm relatively new to smartphones. So I'm still fascinated by them. I don't normally talk on the phone while driving. But, if I do, I only send/receive short calls with a hands-free Bluetooth device. My current choice of phone is the PALM PRE PLUS. The phone does a bunch of stuff one should NEVER do while driving such as e-mail, web browsing, games, and a ton of other applications such as navigation and streaming music (okay, navigation and streaming music on the road is safe enough...). But perhaps the coolest thing for the sake of bored passengers on long trips is the the included mobile hotspot. A few simple taps on the touchscreen can provide wireless broadband Internet access for up to five computers! Not that I'd connect that many, but I can. It's amazing to see the fast downloads through a cell phone, especially when I recall the days of dial-up Internet access. Not in a 3G coverage area or need to watch my data usage? No sweat! This phone can access Wi-Fi hotspots, too.
I adapted Palm's TOUCHSTONE inductive charging mount for use in the car. So the phone is connected to wireless power simply by resting it on the charging pad (pictured at left). Of course, the phone comes with me any time I leave the car. There are no wires to disconnect. Just grab it and go! :-) |
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