2 way radio advice
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Cellular and Communications
Forum Discription: Cell Phones, Hands Free Kits, Bluetooth, Two Way Radios, CBs, Pagers, Wireless Internet, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=112028
Printed Date: April 25, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Topic: 2 way radio advice
Posted By: ninno
Subject: 2 way radio advice
Date Posted: March 01, 2009 at 8:41 PM
ive got a chance to install about 30 2-way radios. i think they are all motorola brand. ive never installed a 2-way radio, but plenty of other 12v work. so i have a few questions about the installs. heres what i know so far. the radios only take a power, ground, and antenna. all radios have been programmed with the right frequency needed( or so im told). all vehicles will need an antenna. so heres my questions: 1. how do i know what type of antenna is needed( i think i have a supplier for these unless someone has a suggestion). 2. how do i know if they have been pre-programmed with the right frequency, if not do they need to be programmed by computer software and the appropiate cable. i think they are only going to use 2 channels. 3. is there different types of antenna for different ranges and/or frequencies. 4. what is the going rate for a basic 2-way install with no hitches( i usually charge about $35 for a stereo + kit and harness). some will be in road graters and backhoe tractors. 5. is there any special tools needed such as power meters, crimpers... 6. is there anything else i need to know about 2-way radios? thats all i can think off for now, but im sure there will be more! thanks in advance!
Replies:
Posted By: jeffwhiteman
Date Posted: March 03, 2009 at 3:13 PM
pretty simple installs. like you said- power, ground, antenna, key mic, and radio mounting bracket. You will need to find out the frequency of the channels to get the correct antennas. depending on the application you will choose roof mount, mirror mount or glass mount (try to stay away from the glass mount, they have the most signal loss and are more easily damaged.) ideally you would select the "gain" of the antenna depending on the geography and terrain but I like to go with 1/4 wave antennas (unity gain) because they tend to be lower profile thus less apt to be damaged by trees etc, especially in a construction envionment. also check to see if they want external speakers. This is an accessory for motorola radios and a nice add on. You will also need a good pair of mini uhf (mini tnc) crimpers for the coax termination. Pay special attention to this connection because it is the most important for optimal signal. I usually charge by the type of vehicle. like any other install, its mostly running wires. depending on the vehicle, the antenna most likely will take the most time.
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: March 03, 2009 at 10:30 PM
thanks alot i hope i get the chance to do this job. its something i havent done before. how would you choose the gain does it matter the physical size of the antenna. theres alot of mountains, and they want them to work thruought our county, which is prettty spread out.
Posted By: jeffwhiteman
Date Posted: March 04, 2009 at 7:25 AM
generally speaking, 0db is good for the mountains, 3db is a more universal type and 5db is well suited for flat terrain.
Posted By: paul howard
Date Posted: May 07, 2009 at 5:35 AM
i cant emphasise enough the importance of the earth of the antenna to the vehicle - a good earth and VSWR can make the difference betweent the installation working and not working. as always in any 2 way radio installation the antenna is always the most important part of the installation. a little tip to ensure that your Ae (antenna) has a good earth is to make sure the teeth of the base of the Ae make good contact with the chassis/body of the vehicle - use a dremel or something similar to grind away the primer/paint of the vehicle on the underside of the antenna location.
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: May 07, 2009 at 10:57 AM
thanks for the info on the antennas, so far i havent gotten the job(politics). buy i hop to soon. thanks ill keep you guys posted.
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: May 17, 2009 at 12:35 PM
looks like i start tomorrow on 15 units. so i think i got it heres what i understand so far. to choose the right ant i need to know the frequency their on. i know thres 2 frequencies an old one and a new one. ill probably be using unity gain ant. do i need an swr meter, do the ant need to be tuned or are they plug and play. i know one guy that got one of the new radios and plugged it into the old radios location and it did not transmit or receive, so im thinking the 2 channels are not on the same ant. and no one seems to know the channels i need to know.
Posted By: paul howard
Date Posted: May 18, 2009 at 2:31 AM
do you know what type of antenna (Ae)? Make/Model ? if its a standard whip then it only needs cutting/trimming to length for the relevant frequency. ideally you should have a VSWR meter but they can be expensive and if your not doing it all the time it may not be worth you investing in one. if you have a fluke/multimeter set it to tones and make sure there is no contact between the centre pin and outer sheathing of the Ae co-ax/feeder. do you know the actual frequencies. i can supply you witha formula to work out the correct 1/4 wave length that the Ae should be. hope it goes well, Paul
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: May 28, 2009 at 8:54 PM
ok so far so good. but i got a question for you guys. 6 done and working so far. i was told that the whip should not bottom out in the coil. it should touch and be pulled up slightly then tightened. is this true, so far i have put the whip touching the center of the coils and have had no problems. i was told it could burn out the radios if its touching. another question is there anything that could happen to "burn out" a 2-way radio? i actually found 3 that were already connected on the 24 volt side of a tractor that didnt transmit then connected to the proper 12 volt side and worked perfect( so far). if the antennas have to be grounded how does a magnetic ant. get a proper ground?
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: June 02, 2009 at 12:09 AM
so does leaving the ant, the length it come from the factory, affects its far range. i tried one radio today about 30 miles away and didnt get any reception. will it make a difference on the far range if the ant is not trimmed. what else can be done fo further range? what should the average range of radios(45 watts) in the 154.??? range be? will a radio shack swr meter help for tuning not sure what type of connections on a radio shack meter but i need one with mini uhf connections.
Posted By: ninno
Date Posted: June 03, 2009 at 12:06 AM
another question for when someone gets a chance im using crimp on mini uhf connectors do i need to solder the center tip. im using cable with a stranded center, if that makes a difference.
Posted By: stealthone
Date Posted: August 29, 2009 at 5:28 AM
Questions you have asked:
Do I need an SWR meter? Yes, you should have one and tune the antenna. You are installing a 40 to 50 watt transmitter costing $400-600 each. A $50 swr meter is not too much to spend to protect yourself against end-user claims.
Do I need to solder the center connector? You need to solder the center conductors together before inserting them in the tip.
30 miles through mountainous terrain? Not at 154mhz. Anything over 50 MHz is considered LOS [line of sight]. To do the job you are trying to do will require a "repeater" located at a high spot centrally located that can see the vehicles requiring its service.
There is a wealth of knowledge that is required to properly install a mobile communications system. The easiest way to obtain a lot of this information would be to become an amateur radio operator. It is a learn-as-you-go method and it is inexpensive (the test costs $14). There are three exams, but you only need the first to get on the air. You can study for each of the three exams for free at www.qrz.com. I would be glad to give you the exam, if you are in the SE Georgia/NE Florida vicinity.
Posted By: austin123
Date Posted: October 28, 2009 at 8:21 AM
how would you choose the gain does it matter the physical size of the antenna. theres alot of mountains, and they want them to work thruought our county, which is prettty spread out.
Volvo steering rack.-------------
|