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Post by funkystickman on Feb 9, 2009 10:56:10 GMT -5
Hey, I'm Jeff. I'm a computer freak, but when it comes to driving, I haven't had much need for equipment other than a reliable, fast car. I'm putting finishing touches on my CarPC, which will handle my GPS, entertainment, and engine monitoring stuff. But I'm new to the radio world, and the only piece of radio equipment I've got is a 4W Cobra CB with a magnetic short whip (and some 2-way handhelds).
I'm leaning heavily towards getting a Uniden BCT8, as I don't believe any of the units around me have gone digital yet. I'd also like a linear for the CB, but I'd need a better antenna, preferrably something OEM looking that I can mount where the factory Stereo antenna is now, probably a black 3' flexible fiberglass? Not sure. Also, with aftermarket software, I can remote mount and control the scanner with my carputer. Haven't decided on a radar detector yet, but everybody says the V1 or Escort 8500/9500 are the way to go.
Can you guys give me some logic or uses for some of the other pieces of equipment? I see everything from strobes, radar drones, and other crazy stuff... what is some of this for? (obviously I know what the strobes are for.)
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Post by Team Avanti on Feb 9, 2009 19:27:57 GMT -5
hahahaha i gues its my time for a write up lol
STROBES; DO NOT USE THEM!!!!!! Unless you know or have back round on them. Every state is different there are alot of rules to the colors. CT cops are red and Blue, but fire fighters use just blue but fire chiefs use red and white, sometimes blue too. Now CT you need a permit to use them and in most state as well, RI, and mass cops use blue only, RI fire fires dont have lights only chief officers and they use red. so basicly there are only used in emergancy sittuations. You can be ticketed or aressed for using or even just desplaying colors (not on but lense is a color) CT law. Do i use them yes i have will i stop no i wont. I used to be a fire fighter had the permitt but got out of being a fire fighter so permit is no good. Need more just ask i will tell you or find the info.
SCANNERS; Uniden BCT8, Not a bad choice, i my self are going with the BCD996T Digital Scanner only because we do have The state police on the trunk bands. As for antennas when you use them with scanners and cb you need to the hight to get the range and reception to hear what you need to befor you get caught NOT That you should lol.
RADAR DRONES; HAHAHAHA, thats a fun toy lol. good luck finding a cheap good one
need more info let me know
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 9, 2009 20:55:17 GMT -5
Great info... I've got a friend who is a volunteer fireman here, he's got sirens and hidden strobes in his truck. He's also a computer geek like me, so he's a good resource when I need it! LOL I would like to get a good antenna for the CB. I hear the 108" whips are the best but do you guys think they're worth the trouble of mounting them? Do they make a quick-release strong enough for a 108" that will hold up at 80+ MPH? If not, I can get a very good fiberglass unit, make sure it's SWR calibrated... not sure what else I'd need. A linear would be nice, but I think a tuned antenna would be better first. I'll post up pictures of the Car PC later on, it's a regular small home PC running off a 400W inverter. I'll probably run as much as I can through this, if I could afford a cell card I'd run Trapster and a few other tricks Anything else I'm leaving out?
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Post by Team Avanti on Feb 9, 2009 21:12:49 GMT -5
Um Im running 2 6' ones on a permint/ removeable setup. in other words im making brakets to attach to the frame members and having them come out thefrom under the rear bumper. but mag ones i think did hold up at high speed 80+ but you still got to be careful
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 9, 2009 21:38:56 GMT -5
You got any photos of the antenna setup? Okay, I did my homework, and just went through the scanner frequency database for my area. Looks like they did go digital a while back... the State Police now use Apco-25 digital, and only a few others (local and Parish police) use Motorola II analog systems. Here's a map of P25 coverage in LA: www.radioreference.com/trunked/la/LATIE.jpgSo it looks like I'll be saving up for a 996T after all...
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Post by rxmclaren7 on Feb 12, 2009 11:12:17 GMT -5
if you only plan on going 80+ you may want to learn how to put pedal to metal to keep up with bobby in his RX8 and the RS4 driven by dave and me! as far as electronics i would go with a trunking scanner and a 4 foot whip a good CB with the same sized whip, GPS system that you are intimately familiar with (this will cut down on time at checkpoints, putting info in), Valentine 1 radar dector (there is no substitute!!), laser jammers front & rear(rear only if you think you will need it!), 2way radios!! ( a must on this rally, really funny things are said on them!!), and some non electronics you will need, TWIZZLERS (just because i want one!!), balls of steel, a sense of humor (no getting pissy at me when i ask why you were driving so damned slow and had been waiting at the checkpoint for an hour before you decided to show....you know who you are out there!....sorry about the tangent there funkystickman!), and a sense of adventure!
Hans
damn i forgot one thing a camera, we like pics!!!!
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Post by peter91118 on Feb 12, 2009 12:02:57 GMT -5
the magnetic antennas are fine for this rally. i used the wire to keep it down in the front by pinching it with the trunk and it stayed on going 130. for an added measure we added a duct tape air foil. for a radar detector, the v1 or 8500x50 are perfect. the 9500 wont matter because most likely you have never been there before to mark where false alarms would show up.
hans forgot one other thing... a white board!! or paper and a marker. maybe one of those things that you stick on your back window that scrolls a message out. that would be pretty funny
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Post by rxmclaren7 on Feb 12, 2009 13:15:23 GMT -5
good point sir!!!! and you may need to bring another engine!! hahaha!!!! J/K!!! a white board is a must especially for toll plazas!!!!
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Post by ReddDesign on Feb 12, 2009 13:19:48 GMT -5
funny moment of the rally lsat year...russ' codriver holds up a sign...beep once if you think driver is hot, beep twice if you think codriver is hot...something to that effect. i beeped three times
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Post by Team Avanti on Feb 12, 2009 13:25:16 GMT -5
lol dale told sean his daughter was hot, tryed to get girls to show up to the hotel, told them they where hot, yess white boards are a must
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Post by fddave on Feb 12, 2009 15:38:43 GMT -5
First off, welcome...
I have the RS4, electronics to me are a balance between to much and not enough, remember everything you put in you have to manage with your co-driver. There are often many things going on communications, spotting for the driver, road attentiveness etc. My biggest piece of advice is get good GPS units, and know them well. Then after that decide what you most want to accomplish and focus your efforts in that direction.
Also important is to have seat time with your co-driver. The comfort and communication between you two is paramount to your success or failure as a team.
Sorry Tired today,
-Dave
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Post by ReddDesign on Feb 12, 2009 16:40:42 GMT -5
yeah don't take any codriver advice from me...i have yet to have one return for another cruise
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Post by antagonistace on Feb 12, 2009 16:58:40 GMT -5
I have a small compact RadioShack CB that I have had forever. I need a new antenna because my old one looks like crap. Here is my tech list:
Radioshack CB In-Dash DVD, Radio, Sat-Radio, GPS and camera unit All-in One. The ever amazing whiteboard and markers. The scrolling message window thing from JCWhitney.
I need to buy another scanner because I cant find mine since moving last year. It was hella old anyway. Last time I used a scanner was on the Lexus LS400 from Indy to Columbus, OH. The Bimmer has yet to be outfitted with one.
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 12, 2009 17:31:03 GMT -5
Great stuff! Okay, I've thought of a few more questions.
Do you need to have a certain type of antenna for a radio scanner, or can you use a CB one? Should I go with a metal one, or are the fiberglass ones good?
I've been working on the Car PC side of things, that's my specialty (computer stuff) so I'm going to try to pick up a serial GPS reciever soon, with a writeup on the software I'll be using with it. Right now I'm leanging towards RoadNav (I'm running Linux on it, and RoadNav is free and can cache maps for non-internet use). Lots of other ideas I've got going on, but please, keep the advice coming! I'm here to learn and share.
Currently, I'm working on making a mount for my Cobra CB radio, and I'll use the manget antenna until I come up with something better.
My car has a Double-DIN stereo, I'm sorely tempted to do a full-blown nav system in there, but I just can't afford it.
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 12, 2009 17:39:09 GMT -5
Oh, and just to give you guys an idea of the kind of computer work I'm talking about, here's my current carPC project made out of all used parts: Built out of an old Oscilloscope I found in the trash:
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Post by rxmclaren7 on Feb 12, 2009 19:05:13 GMT -5
thats great! i like your carPC!! i would love to have an old Oscilloscope just to have as decorations......nahhhh i would give it to my dad he is a big computer nut so he would get a kick out of it!
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Post by Team Avanti on Feb 12, 2009 19:11:29 GMT -5
no fiber glass for scanners, Very and udderly the last resort, please. I will get the antenna i use on here tommarow.
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Post by peter91118 on Feb 12, 2009 20:52:07 GMT -5
good point sir!!!! and you may need to bring another engine!! hahaha!!!! J/K!!! a white board is a must especially for toll plazas!!!! hahah thanks. hopefully that doesnt happen this year..
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 12, 2009 21:23:31 GMT -5
Okay, thanks... I told you guys, I'm a noob when it comes to radio equipment. I got to talking with my co-worker (who's on the fire department) and found out he has a HAM license! Crazy.
I went out to the workshop and found an old headphones extension cable, chopped the end off, found an old surround satelite speaker, and now I have an external CB speaker!
Look out, I'm learning... I could be dangerous! LOL
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Post by rxmclaren7 on Feb 13, 2009 9:13:33 GMT -5
you are going to need a hell of a lot more than a saturn ion to be dangerous!!! just kidding!! it is, after all, all about the fun
Hans
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 13, 2009 12:57:05 GMT -5
This is no ordinary Saturn Ion, my friend... It's capable of 145+ MPH. 12PSI of boost does wonders!
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Post by RPW00Mirage on Feb 13, 2009 14:49:36 GMT -5
very nice work! it looks OEM
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Post by funkystickman on Feb 13, 2009 16:02:33 GMT -5
very nice work! it looks OEM Can you keep a secret? It is OEM... google "Ion Red Line" and you'll see what it is. Factory Eaton M62 blower, water/air intercooler, upgraded trans and axles, 7 quart oil pan, oil cooled pistons, LSD, 11.6" front brakes and 10.6" rears, body kit, leather Recaros, steering column mounted boost gauge and LED ladder tach, etc. etc. They made less than 6000 of these, and less than 1100 with the LSD and boost gauge package. This car was developed as a result of Saturn winning the Economy Class of the One Lap of America rally 3 years in a row... But hey, nobody else knows it's not just a regular Saturn! ;D I'm about to put the Stage 2 kit on it, ups boost to 16 PSI and will be making around 260HP at the crank.
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Post by fddave on Feb 13, 2009 16:16:57 GMT -5
Not bad, my 1.3 liter motor makes about 450 RWHP on 14.7 PSI... But again that is not stock ... I don't really want to mention the RWHP at around 30 PSI. Boost is such a fun thing... I don't care what you drive, so long as you drive... -Dave
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Post by peter91118 on Feb 13, 2009 16:22:43 GMT -5
im about to fit my car with a eaton m90 twin screw. once i sort out the tuning aspect that is...
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