Radio installs in CAP vans

wuzafuzz · June 12, 2009, 01:41:54 PM

Our CAP vans don't seem to have a lot of options for installing radios. We planned to build a console for ours, but leaving room for engine cover removal would place the console so far back it would be tough to view. I would love to do a slick install, but at the moment I'm considering bolting it to the side of the seat.

What have others done?

The van in question here is a 2008 Ford E-350.

wuzafuzz · June 12, 2009, 01:42:20 PM

I should have mentioned in the first post, the radio is an EFJ 5317. Radios with control heads would be so much easier to mount than these one piece wonders, at least in these vans.

EMT-83 · June 12, 2009, 01:51:00 PM

Bolting it to the seat makes it very tough to see and use the radio. The doghouse and air bags don't leave a lot of options.

I've seen lots of them mounted right on top of the dash. It's a little ugly, but with the cables dressed properly, it's acceptable.

NC Hokie · June 12, 2009, 01:55:05 PM

Quote from: wuzafuzz on June 12, 2009, 01:41:54 PM
Our CAP vans don't seem to have a lot of options for installing radios. We planned to build a console for ours, but leaving room for engine cover removal would place the console so far back it would be tough to view. I would love to do a slick install, but at the moment I'm considering bolting it to the side of the seat.

What have others done?

The van in question here is a 2008 Ford E-350.

The radios in our van are mounted on perpendicular brackets bolted to the floor between the two front seats. They're angled towards the passenger seat, but a passenger in the front bench seat can operate them as well.

isuhawkeye · June 12, 2009, 02:02:54 PM

Iowa outfited several vehicles a few years ago. They had a local public safety provider do the cases. here are a few pictures

Here are the guys that were used
http://www.keltekinc.com/

I even used them for my personal truck

LtCol Hooligan · June 12, 2009, 02:22:40 PM

We build boxes that sat between the driver and passenger seats. Then mounted the radio to the front of them. The boxes were secured to the floor with butterfyl bolts for easy removal.

wuzafuzz · June 12, 2009, 02:35:58 PM

Quote from: isuhawkeye on June 12, 2009, 02:02:54 PM
Iowa outfited several vehicles a few years ago. They had a local public safety provider do the cases. here are a few pictures

Here are the guys that were used
http://www.keltekinc.com/

I even used them for my personal truck

Thanks for the info. I can't see the photos, although I tried both Safari and Firefox browsers.

notaNCO forever · June 12, 2009, 02:58:33 PM

Quote from: wuzafuzz on June 12, 2009, 02:35:58 PM
Quote from: isuhawkeye on June 12, 2009, 02:02:54 PM
Iowa outfited several vehicles a few years ago. They had a local public safety provider do the cases. here are a few pictures

Here are the guys that were used
http://www.keltekinc.com/

I even used them for my personal truck

Thanks for the info. I can't see the photos, although I tried both Safari and Firefox browsers.

Try opening them in a new tab; that is what I do with google chrome, and it works.

RedFox24 · June 12, 2009, 03:08:22 PM

http://www.tessco.com/products/imagedisplay.jsp?itemID=81986

Mount to floor so that the passenger or the driver can see the display.

Use Anderson Power Poles http://www.powerwerx.com/ for your 12v DC connections. It makes taking the radios out much easier. I use them on all my power connections for all eletronics.

isuhawkeye · June 12, 2009, 04:32:48 PM

sorry about that. Here are the blog posts that the pics came from

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/radio-console.html

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/11607-command-a.html

JoeTomasone · June 12, 2009, 04:36:10 PM

Quote from: RedFox24 on June 12, 2009, 03:08:22 PM
Use Anderson Power Poles http://www.powerwerx.com/ for your 12v DC connections. It makes taking the radios out much easier. I use them on all my power connections for all eletronics.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm a big fan of Powerpoles.

RedFox24 · June 12, 2009, 04:44:54 PM

Quote from: isuhawkeye on June 12, 2009, 04:32:48 PM
sorry about that. Here are the blog posts that the pics came from

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/radio-console.html

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/11607-command-a.html

Nice pictures and nice setup.........The only problem I see with your setup is air flow around the radios. If used for extended time dont they get hot? Or is there a fan for air flow on the box?

Most Ham setups I see like that have a fan on the box to keep things cool.......

wuzafuzz · June 12, 2009, 04:46:41 PM

Quote from: isuhawkeye on June 12, 2009, 04:32:48 PM
sorry about that. Here are the blog posts that the pics came from

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/radio-console.html

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/11607-command-a.html

Nice installs and nice ride!

wuzafuzz · June 12, 2009, 04:50:26 PM

Quote from: JoeTomasone on June 12, 2009, 04:36:10 PM
Quote from: RedFox24 on June 12, 2009, 03:08:22 PM
Use Anderson Power Poles http://www.powerwerx.com/ for your 12v DC connections. It makes taking the radios out much easier. I use them on all my power connections for all eletronics.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I'm a big fan of Powerpoles.

I like the idea and am a big fan of standardizing power connections. It removes the need to spend an hour soldering, crimping, and all around improvising every time we play CUL.

arajca · June 12, 2009, 05:29:32 PM

Keep in mind that the power connectors on the EFJ's are NOT supposed to be removed or modified.

Any good auto parts store has them - look for Weatherpack connectors.

I built a few Weatherpack - PowerPole pigtails.

added NOT

jimmydeanno · June 12, 2009, 05:44:05 PM

We've a '96 Ford 12 Pax at my unit. The radio is mounted between the driver and passenger seats approximately 12-16 inches from the dog house. The mount is a flat piece of steel mounted to the floor with a 1.5 inch pole about 18 inches tall. The top of the pole has an additional piece of steel shaped like a "U" the width of the radio. It has the ability to swivel and such. I like it, it doesn't even get in the way for van maintenance...

JoeTomasone · June 12, 2009, 06:09:04 PM

Quote from: arajca on June 12, 2009, 05:29:32 PM
Keep in mind that the power connectors on the EFJ's are NOT supposed to be removed or modified.

I think that's what you meant to say.

RedFox24 · June 12, 2009, 06:41:58 PM

Quote from: arajca on June 12, 2009, 05:29:32 PM
Keep in mind that the power connectors on the EFJ's are NOT supposed to be removed or modified.

Any good auto parts store has them - look for Weatherpack connectors.

I built a few Weatherpack - PowerPole pigtails.

added NOT

I have made up several PowerPole pigtails for different appliations so that you dont have to modify anything that is not "mine" or like the EFJ. You can have several made up and in your go kit for when you need them and they dont cost much at all to make.

Also I would suggest that you build a few with inline fuse's in both the positive and negative leads.............for those times when folks forget the supplied leads with fuses in them.

JoeTomasone · June 12, 2009, 08:09:36 PM

I have done the same, and also some reverse converters for those who need power FROM a powerpoled source.

BrandonKea · June 12, 2009, 11:44:23 PM

Quote from: RedFox24 on June 12, 2009, 04:44:54 PM
Quote from: isuhawkeye on June 12, 2009, 04:32:48 PM
sorry about that. Here are the blog posts that the pics came from

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/radio-console.html

http://www.halbrookassociates.com/halbrook_associatescom/2007/11/11607-command-a.html

Nice pictures and nice setup.........The only problem I see with your setup is air flow around the radios. If used for extended time dont they get hot? Or is there a fan for air flow on the box?

Most Ham setups I see like that have a fan on the box to keep things cool.......

I drove the Expedition at the IAWG SAREVAL last month, no issues with heating that I noticed. That was -THE- best CAP vehicle I've ever seen, and the radio setup is extremely user friendly. I was tempted to drive that sucker across the river and keep it for myself. :-)