A lil' 'bout the Jester (for those that wonder)

Hey all,

Figured I'd give those of you that are curious about who and what I am a little bit of info......

I'm an MECP first class certified installer (for atleast two more months than it expires!!  Time to renew!!)

However for the past three and a half years, I have been basically doing Commerical GPS (qualcoms, etc.) and Mobile Data terminals (MDT's).  Recently, due to our present economy, I have gone back into the car audio and security field.  I have done it on and off throughout my hiatus of it, but it was mostly for fun.  you know, installing an alarm/system for a few friends and building a couple of competition systmes to be used in local outlaws.  but that's about it.  Now I find myself going back into an install bay and scratching my head sometimes, mostly due to technological advances that weren't around, or weren't that common...mostly it's the bypass modules and some other things.  But it all seems to be coming back to me, slowly real slowly, but surely it is...all else fails, this winter I might go back to school and take the courses all over again...than again, when I went through, cell phones were still popular to install!!!

All I ask, is if I post a response and it's like way off (which I try not to do unless I am pretty sure I am right or on the correct path atleast), don't put me down...I'm used to just having to find ignition 2, 12V constant and a ground....just point out where I screwed up...

Well that's it.....That's what my background is in the field....not a whole hell of a lot, but atleast I got the theories of how to do it...

Well, all take care and keep installing...than again, as someone said in another post ( i think it was Glasswolf), This is an addiction!!!  we can't help but to keep installing...

Welcome aboard DJ12V !! The more experienced installers ( old school or new doesn't matter ) the better. As a side note about the MECP certified installer certificate..... let it run out, man ! I am not MECP certified but as far as this certificate goes..... I think it's not worth the paper it was printed on. If you were a MECP installer that just received his " degree " and came to me at the shop and wanted a job, you would probably get one but your not going to be making anymore than the other guy without a MECP certificate but knows his/her stuff. If you have experience with installations and the 12 volt electronics you are worth more to me than a MECP graduate with little or no experience. Sorry if this offends any MECP installer but in some states I've heard that MECP installers don't get anymore than a non-MECP installer. This is just my personal opinion

Velocity:

I'm thinking about letting it expire anyways....Never helped me get a job really.....Hell MIT was do to a grad list...not MECP!!  And half the time, when you are certifed, most stores and shops that have ignorant staff (c'mon we all know a few) expect you to be able to do everything....that's why, the only time I state if I'm MECP certified, is like I did here in the forum, or when asked by a possible employer...otherwise...I don't let no one know..  Only thing MECP is good for is Best Buy and Circuit City...not they are bad places...they just lack in the high dollar installs, know what I mean.... Do I think newbies should go to school for this, sure...the theories, etc..all come in handy, and they throw out an MECP test...would I renew it...not unless an employer asked me to...

Glasswolf:

I agree man, I so agree...Hell I know a guy, spent four years in college to get his BA in like networking or programming, something computer related.  worked at a few places as an apprentice or something in school...did everything that high school guidance liars (yes I mean liars) tell you to do...and what's he doing now...Flipping burgers at McDonald's.....same damn thing he did in High School....Than again..I'm doing the same thing I did in high school.....LOL!!

Damn brain in the trunk, cradle up front...back in the day!!  Way old school....way old school....

Well guys thanks for the welcome....