Who’s Who?

It was suggested that a new "sticky" topic be created so the professionals and shop owners and installers on the forum can introduce themselves.  This way, if anyone wants to know who is responding to them, they can check this thread and see how people introduce themselves.  So please add a message here and let us know who you are.

I'll start.  I've been working in audio as a professional since 1973 and in car audio for almost as long.  I have a Ph.D. and a BSEE and I worked for several well known companies that deal primarily with professional and movie theatre sound schemes and certifications.  (I cannot name them as I want to keep it clear that what I post here is MY opinion, not that of my company.)  My system design and installation activities these days are mainly centered around very-high-end home theatre, although I do an occasional job in car installations, especially for SQ.  I am assigned by my company to special projects as an engineer and was involved, for instance, in a car audio design program through Creative Labs and Pioneer for the Lincoln THX-certified systems.  I am a former college professor, which is why I get long-winded sometimes.  :)  I have never installed car audio for a living, but I have in the past sold equipment at the Good Guys and been a competitor sponsored by Blaupunkt.  I've worked in professional sound reinforcement (touring rock shows) and done sound design for theatre and films, and designed speaker systems for commercial companies and for large movie theatres.  OK, who's next?

Wow Dyon.  I have always been very impressed with the knowledge and experience you bring to the table.  But you have a very impressive background.  It really shows in your posts.  This forum is very lucky to have you.  Do you have pics of some of your work?

I work for Adire Audio doing a little of everything around here.  My main job is shipping/receiving though.  I got this job in March of this year.  Before that I was a car stereo installer for about 3 years where I learned a great deal about fiberglass fabrication.  I have been active in online boards for about 4 years now.  I don't have a colledge degree.  I have just picked up a lot of information over the years.  I am very fortunate to work for a great company where I can learn even more.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

I refer to myself as " just an audio guy ".... I started my business in 1979 at the tender age of 20 ( who knew ) and i'm still doing it today.... I started it as a custom stereo installation centre and now do about 65 % service work and 35 % installation work.....I went to university and tech school during the first 10 years or so of running the biz ( i refer to those days as "a buck a beer and all the girls you can chase" )... i've got degrees in Psychology and Electronics Engineering... as we are not an audio retailer ( the only things we sell are Security Systems and Remote Starters ) any advice i tend to give would be from an installer/service perspective....... which a lot of my customers appreciate as we are not trying to " sell them something "

when travelling i always try to check out similar shops ( i showed the boys at a shop in Moscow two years ago how to install a remote starter)... so beware i may drop in and say hi to someone on here someday

that's about it.....pretty uneventful story...heck, it would barely fill the inside jacket of a good novel......

kgerry wrote:

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when travelling i always try to check out similar shops ( i showed the boys at a shop in Moscow two years ago how to install a remote starter)... so beware i may drop in and

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You're totally welcome to stop on by.  We are in Seattle, so if you ever are passing through.............

One small thing I forgot to add to mine.  I worked for Sonitrol installing alarms in homes and businesses for a year.  I am half way through the low voltage apprenticeship program in Oregon.  It has a little to do with electronics, so I thought it was important to add.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

Well then we can make them more fond by showing you a subwoofer that can move 3" linear one way.  Or let you hear an amazing home theater setup.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

auex pretty much summed it up for me too. But I'll go into depth. I'm only 18, but i've been fascinated with electronics since i was 5. (And people say video games were a bad invention!) I got my first nintendo and computer when i was 5. while I never had trouble with the nintendo except for the occasional dirty cartridge, i had tons of probs with my comp. My dad was kind of a computer geek, and he was always ripping his apart tryin to make it better and faster..... ( i dunno how much faster u can get than a 286 ;) but hey ). So, growing up with that i learned a bit about electricity. Eventually i got better than he did with computers, and to this day he asks me to fix his, but im not into that anymore. In high school i took home maintenance, which was entirely about electricity. I figured out how to make a complete circuit, which carried over into the next year when i got my first car. Ever since i was a kid, i always bought the big monster head phones cuz of the bass. So, naturally, i wanted that in my car. Started off small, radio here, radio there, amp now and then. Now, after all the previous installs (i've got about 100 cars or so under my belt) and with all the help i've gotten on here, i'd say i've got a pretty good knowlledge of how it all works. If all goes well, by next summer I will be attending Mobile Dynamics in phoenix to get my MECP, and become a professional installer, with hopes of opening up my own shop near me. thanks.

Sorry, no college degrees, no phd's, hell not even any fancy companies, but its a passion, and thats good enough for me.

Thanks for all the posts so far, everyone.  Keep 'em coming.  I really respect you folks who are out there "doing it" and installing every day.  It is not easy work and you have to know your "stuff."  Congrats and keep going.

I hope no one thinks I was trying to brag by posting my degrees.  It's just kind of comes natural for me, and in the circles I deal with every day people expect it.  I'll be completely honest and tell yo that the only reason I have the education I do is because I am a Nam vet and I kept going to school as long as the GI Bill held out!  Besides, college degrees have NOTHING to do with whether someone can install or not!

..... and next comes Jeff  from Velocity . Hey guys and gals, it's my turn on the mike and here goes............ I've been installing for about 12 years now and I've owned my own business for about 6 years of those 12. I got into the stereo installation soon after graduating high school and a hobby turned into a business for me. All my buddies and my buddies friends asked me to install their stereo's for them and after about 30 vehicles, I thought I should start charging for my time (  not too smart on my end, should have started charging after the 29th vehicle  )

I eventually got bored with just installing normal stereos and ventured into remote starter's and alarm systems. Through trial and error I figured out how to install my first remote starter into a 1993 Toyota 4Runner ( Manual ) after a mere 16 hours of install time, not bad for the first time. The rest is history I guess and now I try to dabble into everything I can get my hands onto like custom fiberglass designs, paint and body work, engine mods, Play Station 2 and XBox mods, etc................

I like to learn by experience and work with real life, tangible things so that I can get a grasp as to how it works. I don't have any other education other than grade 12, but I sucked at school any ways..... too boring for me. I TRUELY believe that anyone is capable of learning any trade without going to school for it. Heck, most of the trades in the world had to be grandfathered into the whole scheme of things, right ? So who taught the teacher ?

Peace out and like I've been saying for the past couple of years on this forum " ............ no problemo "

Oh yeah, one more thing................ I want to thank my fiance for being so patient with me and the way I am when it comes to installation and my job. If anyone has a significant other, you know what I mean !! Those late nights in the garage or those mysteriously disappearing hundred dollar bills from the bank account going into the project car ..................... Thank you & I love you Wanda !!

( That's it ......... NEXT !!!! )

OK, me next. I guess I'm fairly new to car audio. I mean, I've been playing around with it for years, but a few years ago I found out I didn't know as much I thought I did. I've been playing with electronics since I was a kid (and had all the little project kits), but never got serious at first. I went to college for Automotive Technology (Mechanic) and Electronics, but never did that professionally. Now I am an Industrial Maintenence Mechanic. I have to fix mainly everything that does anything at the plant I work at. This includes anything that moves (chains, belts, Etc.), 115 to 575 volt motors and drives, high voltage ignitors, variable speed drives, bearings,  welding, concrete, fabrication, blah, blah, blah.

I started being more intersted in car audio when I bought my first brand new truck in 1996, when I was 18. I bought 2 Kicker Impulses and a 150 watt kenwood amp for $350 from this kid at work (Yeah, I know... now). Since then I buy stuff when I can for my rides, and all my friends come to me when they get new gear to save money on the pro install. They all say it's just as good as getting it done at the shop ( maybe they're just saying it cause it's free!) I don't know, I just try to help. I've done at least 20 complete installs with no complaints, and 1 alarm, 1 starter, and 2 alarm/starter/door locks (all my own vehicles).

My dream is to open an audio shop here, as there are none for 120 miles from here, except for the one across the river in Canada (yeah, if you got a good arm you could trow a rock into Canada from here), but the only decent stuff they sell is Rockford and Alpine at overpriced prices, even after the exchange. But we all know that takes money, and some credentails would help (n  e  e  d    m  o  r  e    k  n  o  w  l  e  d  g  e !) If I could quit my job to work on stereos all day....  "find a job doing something you love and you will never have to go to work a day in your life ever again" -- can't remember who wrote that.

If I do ever give bad advice on this forum, please correct me right away as I never mean any wrongdoing, I only try to help. 

And a big Thank You to all who have ever answered my questions or given their advice to me here.

Matt, MN   

Guess I’d say a little about myself,

I guess I could say I am one of those that don’t know what in the world I want to do.  I have an extensive background. I grew up the son of a teacher, which means I have read all types of books related to car audio.  After getting a few pyramid amps that did not last to long I started to teach my self about electrical circuits and how diodes and relays react in an amp.  The love for audio didn’t stop there since my friends let me tear apart their cars to do installs. By 17 I had enough money to get my first system, which was loud even at today’s standards.  My system consisted of JBL, Earthquake, Kenwood and Orion and hit about 150 db.  That was about 12 years ago when most amps were called cheater amps.

Since my family is large and mostly self-employed I learned woodworking from my dad and fiber glassing from my uncle while growing up.  Currently, I don’t do much installs since I have to be sitting at this desk all day long listening to idiots that don’t have a clue. But I do some installs during the weekend when I have free time.  Other than that I am not MECP certified but have my MBA and working on my CPA.  I have been thinking about opening a shop but don’t know what to expect.  With all of the changes in the auto industry it is becoming harder to change out or add additional radio and amplifiers.  In addition, I talked to a few guys that have their certifications and some really don’t have a clue about car audio in specifics.  They can brag about their certifications but I prefer know how.  Man, it kills me when someone who is certified tells me that you can’t wire 2 four ohm dual voice coil subs to a 4 ohm load.  That let's me know that when my shop opens not to look for some one that is certified but someone that learned at home by trial and error and by visiting www.the12volt.com

Well that’s about it before I get long winded..

oooh....can I go now?    k 

My name's Josh, i'm a computer/car/electronics geek. Im 21, and have been installing professionaly for about 7 years. I have a degree in Computer Aided Design, which really helps with the custom design. Im currently the shop manager at Kawartha TV & Stereo in Peterborough, ON.   I have one employee and we have alot of creative control.  

I have worked for a few audio shops, unfortunatley Future Shop was one of them.... damn,did i ever learn my lesson.

I'm 18 been into car audio and all around cars since i was 14 at least.  I'm 100% DIY.  Most all my friends that know I know what im doing have me setup and tune their systems. 

I'm getting interested in doing some fiberglass work...

Well then, most of you know who I am, if not my name is Rob Atkinson. I am the owner of two car audio stores on Vancouver Island, BC. (at least for now). I have been indirectly in this business since 1986 (graduation and into the workforce which of course led to tunes for the car). I taught myself how to install as I got sick and tired of always paying for installation for all of the WRONG equipment that was being sold to me by Mr. Commission salesperson.I have been directly involved since 1988 when I was hired to do installation for a company in Vernon, BC whom had been referring people to me and finally realized that they could make their own money off of it. The first day they were too busy on the sales floor and I ended  up helping out. After that day I was no longer allowed in the install bay (seems I could sell based on my knowledge - who would have known).

1992 brought be to the land of the Big Box in Kelowna, BC at A&B Sound, made lots of friends there, sold lots of equipment (possibly still hold the store record?) but as a good salesperson I was highly demanding of the chain of command and their lack of looking after my concerns for the customer (thus I was a big pain) meant it was time for me to move on from a good company. Back to the land of the indipendent (Andres) and continue to sell everything (not really my calling). This company was one of the best family owned businesses that one could hope to work for, real good people.

So finally I found my calling and in 1996 opened my first store, followed by a second in 2003. Forbidden Audio Ltd. Now after all my years in this business it is time for a career change. While I will still be around, maybe working for someone else in this industry and of course on forums, I am trying to head into the RCMP where I can give you guys (not all of you) tickets and remove from vehicle orders for using Sony (the crappy stuff), Bose and other real fine audio pieces that you should not have in your vehicle. Actually this was the career choice for me 15 years ago, I was just not ready for it. Someone back there nailed it, all the girls you can chase and booze you can drink...... It's been a blast in all of my years and I'm glad to have helped out so many people.

One store is pretty much sold, the other is for sale and has been described as one of the nicest car audio salesfloors in Canada. Should I end up closing the other store down, yes there will be some deals to be had but I still must respect the site. I am not a advertiser on it and as such should not benefit from it. If Jeff does not mind this, maybe it will help out when the time comes.

 I think that Sir or Constable Atkinson would have a nice ring to it. The RCMP is not an easy job to do and it is much harder to gain entrance to as well. It will take me some time and patience, I'll just have to wait and see. So who is using Sony here? Pimp I think is......

Hey Rob, if you come to depot here, dont be a stranger.....

I forgot a couple of things. I have a BS in BS (if you haven't noticed - I need some kind of title) and I got my real start installing my own stereos usually around 1:00am to 6:00am in -40 C frickin igloo weather. That is real damn cold for you southern boyz, maybe not for some of my Northern brothers in the prairies but still, damn cold even with a space heater.

Wow, great topic, though I have spent quite a few hours buzzing through threads, and through time. I have sort of figured out alot of the regulars through discussions and kidding around.

But I will give my testimony so here goes........Like alot of others I have learned through trial and error. I have been a music fanatic since the days of the spoon on the high chair beats! So initially as I was getting older, My listening pleasures didn't change, LOUD!!

As time went on, I used to install for friends and their friends and so on, I purchased my first vehicle, an 88 F150, and started toying with it, in which I cut the back wall and had 8 12's in the bed. That in turn inspired me to start competition, qutie a few local competitions and one state, and I had enough of that. Didn't have the time to dedicate to the sport, as I was more into what most guys chase after!!

After the competition fun ended, I went for a while with a few small, but researched audio systems. And now have quite fallen into the trap again. But this time for SQ, not for competing, but for personnal listening and demo-ing for my buddies shop

All through the duration I have a close friend that I have used for a knowledge crutch, and also spent time working for.

I now work offshore in production on oil platforms. my schedule fits my nic, 7 and 7, so on my 7 days off, I work as an installer for my buddies shop, and try to receive and give knowledge through this thread. 

Wow, that was alot of reading...Thought I'd never get my turn.

well, My name is Matthew and I've been installing for bout 17 years.  I started when I was 15 doing my own systems through trial and error and once I figured enough out I started on my friends.  Got my first "Official" installer position at 16, that job lasted bout 3 months before the owner ticked me off so I quit and moved on to another shop, stayed there till I turned 18 and then went in the military (U.S. Navy) for 4 years.  Got out of the military and went right back to Car Audio.  Moved from shop to shop for a couple years doing everything from mild to wild, lotsa fiberglass and custom stuff, then got hired at Clifford Electronics as a tech support instructor.  I might have even been to some of your shops for trainings.  I was at Clifford for about 2 1/2 years then Directed bought it out and I was out of a job.  At that point I started doing commercial and residential security, video surveillance, and access control.  Did that for 3 years and wound up back in Car audio again.  now i'm running an Audio/Video and customizing shop in a full performance center owned by the largest Ford dealership in the world....  And that's all I got to say bout that.

Well I am relatively new to this forum but I will chime in. Real name is Derrik; I have 10 years in the install bay and 3 years as a DIY for friends. 3 years ago I decided to go Installer Institute and get my MECP cert. the program was great and a lot of fun but it just reiterated the fact that MECP only gives you the basics and without the bay experience your still a noob. On the other hand the courses in fabrication and box building helped me to take my game to a new level. I work at a shop In Kansas City, Mo.  In the Hood where I have the great opportunity of helping all the street pharmacists spend there money. (I don’t care where they get the money as long as they listen to me when they want to spend it on Music for there Caddy) my day to day stuff is alarms and Remote starts and deck and 2's or 4's.  And average at least 2 $3000 or more complete systems a month. I hate doing the everyday stuff alarms irritate me but it pays the bills.  I build Computers and mod them in my free time I helped create, build and maintain a Computer modding website www.Gruntville.com there I am known as ThEChRoNiC but lately I haven’t had time to keep up on it so the Site founder and the rest of the staff make do with out me. My love is building for SQ but nobody around here cares (just make it boom man). So I do it for my self. I am currently in the process of building my 96 Dodge Neon Coupe into a killer SQ car using Clarion, Polk, and still undecided on what amps I want. 

Nice to meet everybody.

hey Qinstaller, i'm from KC, MO also. where do you work? anyway....

my name is Kelly and i''m 23 yr. old. i'm married with a 3yr. old boy. i've been working at Best Buy for 2 yrs and am (well sorta) Senior Installer. the sorta part is that i am also in the Missouri Army Guard and have been activated again.  good news is that i have been state side. Nov. 2003 i was called up and am currently at Ft. Bragg, NC as Military Police until spring '05.

Im a active duty US Marine stationed in southern South Carolina.  Im an Ordnance Technician on F-18 Delta Fighter Attack Hornets.  I got into car audio by installing my buddies decks in their cars in the barracks parking lot, and led to building boxes and systems in the same parking lot.  Word was spread around and a stero shop owner heard about me and offerd me a part time job.  So now I work for Absolute Audio in Beaufort South Carolina.  I do most of the installs and systems, audio and some video.  And a lot of retail and shiping/ordering.  Im not as "salty" or vetraned as most of you but I can do most of the basics and intermediate stuff, and if i dont know the answer to a question im really good at finding out how to get it.  Id love to get my MECP but time doesnt allow, my boss at the audio store said he'd pay my tuition aswell, unfortunatly, during this time, my squadron won't let me take 4 weeks of leave.  I just wanna say this sight rocks and has helped me dramatically in my install side of life.  I own a 01 Dodge Ram reg cab 4X4. Thats about it,   OOOOOOORAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan 

I have always wanted to install for a shop and I got my chance......I would describe it as a day late and a dollar short. I did learn alot in my short time there and despite the low pay and having to file a 'non-payment of wages' complaint form....I'm glad I had a chance to do it. I've never been afraid to take apart a car, but I got very efficient and learned a few time savers.

I was an Electronics Technician in the U.S. Navy, specializing in Rf communication systems and automated message traffic systems.  Instead of re-enlisiting, I joined the civilian population again and earned an AS degree in Computer Networking.

I have Fiber Optics Installer's & Technician's certifications, as well as MECP basic.

Strangely enough, I'm currently repairing and calibrating LASER measurement equipment. I have multiple interests and talents when it comes to technology.

I still install stereos and fix cars after work and over weekends. sometimes I wire networks, electrical, plumbing, HVAC ect... 

I'm always learning something new and that's what keeps things interesting.

Well i started off by doing some small things like home stereos (not serious stuff...just plug into the wall then speaker wire to the speakers) now i have started to get into car audio. After i get out of high school (yea finally a senior) i would like to go to school and be certified to install car audio. Right now its just a hobby for me but i would like for it to become a career and would like to learn all i can...which is why im here. i read almost every thread that comes through just to see if i can learn something. But so far i have built a few boxes tuned a couple of amps but just learning...dont wanna do too much and screw someones stuff up! but keep it up guys, keep this board going and thanks for doing what ya do!

allen

I started building speaker boxes when I got a jigsaw for Christmas, at age 9, with any kind of components and material I could find. Since then it has always benn an obsession of mine to strive for perfect sound. I got my first MTX 12's when I was 10 and ran them of of an old marantz stereo receiver.  At the local college I took basic acoustics and studio recording at age 17. At age 18 I got started in a career in live concert production mixing sound for a wide variety of bands. After all the traveling wore me down 5 years later and decided to start a family with my wife I settled into the 9-5 job of permanent A / V systems design which I've been doing for around 2 years. Though I love what I do, my heart is still in car audio and that is were almost all of my spare time is spent.

Hey guy's, first off I have to say that this forum is great. I have learned a whole lot in the past week reading all of the posts.

        Ok, My name is Chris. I started dabbling in car audio back in the late 80's (the days when the epicenter was the Sh*t and MTX was considered by many as crap) and after a few years and a few installs I decided that I wanted to jump in Home Theater. All of the installs that I have done were primarily in my vehicles and a few in other family members cars. I am not a big tycoon when it comes to car audio but at the same time I didn't just fall off of the turnup truck either.

    I have never worked in car audio rather I have worked as a machinist for the past 13 years. Well, thats just a little bit about me

Yeah well, here I go...

I never really worked in installing car stereos, but have done all my own. I used to do piecework for a local car audio shop making fiberglass enclosures. At one point, I had a few shops calling me for my work. My pride and joy to this day was a pink honda civic crx which I did a killer job fiberglassing the whole rear area of the car to house 4 fosgate 12" subs. Mind you, the driver of the car was a pretty hot chick, and I asked her out, we did, and 4 years later, we're still married. That was the pick up joint around town, LOL.

Not too often you meet a "life partner" (politically correct for homo/heterosexuals) that is nuttier over amps and subs, then knick knacks for those unused shelves in your house! LOL.

Now, I do all kinds of fiberglassing customs, in and out of the vehicle.

There's my penny for my thoughts... Can I have my change now?

My career started 4 years ago when my obsession led me to attend Mobile Dynamics in Toronto Canada. After 6 short weeks I was MECP certified basic installer, and also passed the test for First class installer. Because I didn't have 1 year experiance installing, I could not recieve the certificate.  Shortly after that I started working at a small install shop.  I was there for a year, and decided to change direction to be closer to home. I was working for a security company, installing residential and comercial alarm and fire systems(still 12 volt).  After a couple years of that my focus was turned to car audio once again.  I am now working for an awsome company in Annapolis MD. I have been here since April 2003. We do high end A/V, Home and car.  For example, next week I will be working on a Lamborghini Gallardo.  I love what I do for a living.  There is nothing better than getting paid for what started out to be just a hobby.

I have been researching some car audio sites on the web and liked this one the best for is value and information.

I am 19 from Indiana. I raced electric and nitro rc cars since age 11 and this devoped a love for mechanical and electrical things. I do many custom mods to autos for friends and I always do it for free, you can't pay for experiece. I have been installing misc car stereo equip. since I was 14, I have purchased many audio books and have done some homework. Last year I went to Purdue for Mechanical Engineering but as times have changed, I have decided to go to Valparaiso University here in Indiana (ranked 27th best engineering school in US) but have decided to go along the Electrical Engineering route now. I wish I could multi discipline but thats another story. All we have here is corn and the steel industry so I hope to land a job for GM one day, or becoming a member of the Corvette C5-R racing team. I would like to do some design work for an audio company but I find most of them to be in California, just a bit skeptical about moving out that way. If school didnt get in the way I would be off to Canada to get MECP certified but finding the time is hard. I hope you enjoy me on the board. Robert

Guess the OLD Installers should get in on this too.
My first professional install was a Craig 4 & * Track Floor Mount for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap...........Circa 1969.........Boy I feel old
Mobile Electronics is the only real job I've known.  Have seen them come and go, but I sure love the progress the manufacturers have made in the last 5 years.  Video seems to be a big part of our work now, along with Remote Starts and Cruise Control. The Car Manufacturers are back to their old tricks of trying to offer what Installers have been doing for years.
Well, enough of the rambling..........
GREAT SITE and I hope everyone who contributes spreads the word.

DG
MO-Tronics

Guess the OLD Installers should get in on this too.
My first professional install was a Craig 4 & 8 Track, with the FM Cartridge,  Floor Mount for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap..(Young Girl).........Circa 1969.........Boy I feel old
Mobile Electronics is the only real job I've known.  Have seen them come and go, but I sure love the progress the manufacturers have made in the last 5 years.  Video seems to be a big part of our work now, along with Remote Starts and Cruise Control. The Car Manufacturers are back to their old tricks of trying to offer what Installers have been doing for years.
Well, enough of the rambling..........
GREAT SITE and I hope everyone who contributes spreads the word.

DG
MO-Tronics

P.S. MUNTZ where are you??

Robb Casini   22yrs old.

I live and work in Hamilton Ontario..  R Rated Performance & Audio..

Been installing for 6 years.. Done it all except enclosures.. Im still learning new things everyday. 

My names Richard  and I'm 19.  I used to work in a shop in Simcoe Ont. for about a year. Then it closed up and now since I don't have my MECP I can't find a job nowhere else.   All of the other shops around me won't even think of hiring me.  Someday I'll get my ticket.

It sucks alot. 

 This face can't even describe my sadness of not being able to install.

Thank you.

My name is Chad, from Jacksonville, FL.....22 years old, In the military, been installing Car audio for about 7 Years, Video for about 4. Have a little business on the side. Nothing major.

Hi everybody, name is Charles, and I've been installing for about 2-1/2 years professionally.  Worked for Fry's Electronics for about two years, and learned a lot of cars.  While I was there, I worked with three first class MECP 10 year vetrens and tried to soak up all that I could.  We installed on 50 to 80 car per week.  Installations ranging from simple head unit to remote start.  I was the "pop and go installer", and mostly did all of the fast type installations.  I've been at my new install job for about 1/2 a year in a small town and have to install, order, talk on the phone, ect.  I'm the only mobile electronics guy here at this store.  I've probably installed between 1000-1500 head units, no BS, 50-75 amps, god knows how many speaker replacement installations, about 40-50 video systems.  My weaker side would be alarms, remote starters and navigation; however, I have installed these also, just not on a regular basis.  I know I haven't been doing this that long but I feel very confident in my job and do contain a lot of installaton knowledge, so feel free to ask me anything, and I'll try to help.  I'm still learning a lot everyday!!!!

robb420in323 wrote:

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Robb Casini   22yrs old.

I live and work in Hamilton Ontario..  R Rated Performance & Audio..

Been installing for 6 years.. Done it all except enclosures.. Im still learning new things everyday. 

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i wouldnt call doing driveway jobs for the past 6 years experince, when u get a job at a shop then u can say u have experince like ive had for 6 years, i recall u calling me asking how to install a neon kit and when i showed up at your place u had the bulb zip tied to the rear wish bones, ive got more but im not going to say anything cuz i dont know what people are like here and im the newbie

anyways.... my name is mike nunes im 24 and i also live and work in hamilton @ HI-FI plus  ive got 6 years shop expirecne and 8 years driveway expirence

Caraudiorich wrote:

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My names Richard  and I'm 19.  I used to work in a shop in Simcoe Ont. for about a year. Then it closed up and now since I don't have my MECP I can't find a job nowhere else.   All of the other shops around me won't even think of hiring me.  Someday I'll get my ticket.

It sucks alot. 

 This face can't even describe my sadness of not being able to install.

Thank you.

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hey rich im guessing u worked at simcoe hi fi plus, ryan and todd wanted out of it, i was going to take that place over, but the deal fell through he was asking a little to much for what it was worth, im still thinking about opening a shop up there tho, and if i do ill let u know man!

19, live in Nanaimo BC, more into sales right now, but i'm working on my ticket and so on.

Big Alpine and infinity fan.

and JVC for the Burr-Browns. (gotta love that)

My names TJ and I'm 18. I am a certified Electronics Technician. Right now I'm in the process of going to college for Electroncis Engineering. I'm trying to get  MECP(spelling) certified. I have done mostly installations for friends and other people for a little bit of cash. I'm gonna be trying to get a job at a shop in Rhode Island if possible to help pay for college and to have fun with Car audio.

I just saw this thread for the first time. Name's Larry, I'm 45. I have nothing to do with Delphi the electronics company. I'm a general surgeon. I like to write software using Delphi. Never could stand C++ and Visual Basic doesn't let you do API calls without calling C++ procedures.

Back in the 70's lots of people still had 8-track decks. We thought we were doing good if we had a Dolby cassette deck with a pair of Jensen 6x9 coaxials. Our idea of mods was cutting out some speaker spacers out of shelving board so the coaxs would fit in the doors of the ratty imports our dads let us drive. None of us had our own cars so we put our money into our home stereos and made sure we could get our car stereos out of the cars they were in and into the next car we were allowed to drive. My family had 7 cars for 4 drivers and usually only 4 of them were driveable. I liked having an under-dash casette deck mounted in the glovebox.

I've always liked doing things with my hands. Did a lot of electrical and instrumentation helper jobs in chemical plants while I was in college. Installed our sprinkler system, network wiring, and alarm system in our home. Lots of tinkering with computers.

My son is about to turn 16. He's all eat up with getting a pickup truck and putting in a lift kit and booming stereo. He's already got the subs and amp even though he doesn't actually have a vehicle yet. He got me to looking at the system in my Envoy. I started out just changing the door speakers. Then I decided I needed an amp. Now I'm playing around with relays and adding some sorely-need overhead swivel lamps in the roof. Next I think I'll add some tweeters to the dash. I might add a small sub later but I'm into more of a high-fidelity sound than booming. I don't care to make people's mirrors vibrate at red lights.

I sure have enjoyed using this site. I try to get the information that I need from it for my purposes without getting into the brand name squabbling that invariably occurs in forums- Boss sucks, Kicker sucks, everything-but-my-brand-sux. Lots of knowledgeable people here. I've gained a appreciation for how difficult it is to install an after-market system in modern vehicles.

Hi, my name is Brian and I'm an alcoholic...  Oh, wait...  Wrong forum...

I invent electronic gizmos' for the Pontiac Grand Prix.  If it has wires or moving parts, chances are pretty good I've disassembled it and made it better...

Somewhere along the way, I've installed countless audio packages, remote starters, alarms, etc into just about everyone I know's automobiles...  (Anyone seen my remote boat starter?)

Hi my name is Sam and I am 31 and live in montreal(quebec)--------->yes it is pepper(french) land. I have been installing for 10 years for a company....I would say I am strong on the car starters cause of snowy winters and freezing cold snaps. I also know my stereo's system area. I left the company and still do this type of work in my garage at home. I can't let go of this field, I love it to much.

so I am to spread my experience and information to whoever needs help.

P.S. if anyone live close by to me and needs assistance......send me an e-mail.

Hi all,

I'm a new member from the UK.

Started installing Moss Car alarms in the uk when I was 16, progressed through various jobs installing ICE, Alarms, Hands free kits, Telematics eqpt.

Self employed now at 28 years of age, mainly installing 90% Telematics 10% Hands Free.

I run a similar forum to this place in the UK and we are always looking for US members, I think I have one out of 500!!

The forum is aimed at engineers and not DIY fitters.

Hope to see some of you over here?

Speak soon,

Andy Wiggett

Hello everyone.

I'm new to this forum, but I have been reading up on everything I can. 

I am part owner of a father/son Auto Repair shop.  I have been turning wrenches since I was 11, and car stereo has always been a hobby of mine.  I have been installing remote starters and alarms for a while now, and have been installing systems on the side for more than a few years.  While the auto repair business has been good, I've always wanted to start my own install shop.  Maybe some day....

Thanks,

Gregg

hi, im 21 and i am fairly new to installation.  i started when i turned sixteen and by 18 was eager to get a "paying" installer position.  i got lucky and jumped on at circuit city where iwas very fortunate to work with the best tean circuit city had in the midwest.  i learned alot when they moved so did i now i am currently employed by american which is an actual custom shop(very different from circuit) and between ourcrew there and all the extremely experienced people hear hope to learn even more

I am Ringo.  I live in Colorado.  I am not a professional, in fact I always pull my hair out when installing, but it ends up working and I do a clean and neat job of it.

Next week I am doing my first alarm install with remote start and keyless entry.  Wish me luck...

PS - I have installed an alarm before, but not with the keyless entry and the remote start.  I am printing out everything that I can find to help me.

My name's Dave and I must say i'm impressed with all of the professionals and their backgrounds in this forum. I'm just a 16  year old high school student who's real interested in learning new things about car audio. Right now i have: (2) 12" audiobahn 400wrms subs( I forget the model number), 1 Audiobahn A8000T mono amplifier 800.1, Sealed enclosure, DB 2 guage wires, Pair of 5.25 blaunkpunkt pro component speakers in the front and back. I drive a Jeep cherokee and i'm planning on adding a new system real soon. I'll post about that later. I feel like the black sheep in this forum! I have no installation expertise although I know some basic things. I'm really looking forward to getting a lot of tips and advice from all you experienced pro insallers! That's pretty much all I've got.

Hi,

My name is Ed. I have been installing Car Audio as a hobby since 1990. I never had any training besides by doing and asking questions. I do have an EE degree and I am working on getting my Master's in both EE and Business. At this time, I have installed about three alarms with remote starters and I can honestly say, I had problems with the 2002 Plymouth Voyager but thanks to the professional on here, I was able to resolve the issues and I have not heard back from her...good sign I hope. I currently work in the telecommunication industry and have been every since after high school, I joined the Army and stayed there for seven years. My true passion is mobile electronics and I tried on many occassions to get a job with a company to get some training, but no one would hire so, I started my own part time business doing what I love. I must say every car is a challenge when it comes to alarms. I live in the Marylnd area and if anyone knows of any shops or schools I can get some training let me know. I am planning on taking the Basic MECP test in November.

since i've been flooding the forum here lately i guess it's time i introduced myself...the name is kozon...i only have about two years of install under my belt...just recently got into building boxes...getting ready to start foxing around with fiberglass...went to college for 5 years and majored in drinking...due to the fact that it took me 5 years before figuring out that ball state wasn't for me is one good way that you can tell that i am genuine pollock(did i even spell that right)...the only thing i KNOW about cars and or car audio is that i want to know more...so if my numerous posts make anybody mad...sorry...always trying to learn more...as for you vets who try to apologize for your achievements...don't...it's what most strive for...essentially...working with cars is the only job i've ever really enjoyed...i currently work for a large retail store...and i too would like to keep their name out of it so that my opinions won't be associated with the companys...i am not a fan of large retail stores but they pay better than any other option i have right now...so until i win the lottery and can open up my own shop...i guess this will have to do for now...

Well, I guess it is my turn, even though no one will probably read this thread anymore, but oh well. Well, my name is Alex,... Duke, where is where DukeDuke comes from(just what everyone calls me) I am 19 and in college with a major in EE, my days of wanting to figure out how things work and how they are put together started when I was probably 3 or 4, about a month or two after Christmas, when my parents had bought me one of those little cars for kids, my dad had takin the battery out so I couldn't drive it, because I had done something bad, and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work, so when he got home, needless to say, it still would never be able to be driveable, there were about 5000 parts on the garage floor and it was totally apart. I always wanted to build with my hands. So I guess around the age of 6 or 7, I wanted to learn how the entertainment center in our basement worked, which was a very complex system, so I took it apart about 5 or 6 times, pissing my dad off even more each time. Around age 16, I started driving my moms car for a little bit, which is when the Car Audio started, I bought my first subs, 2 Kenwood 10's in a bandbass for $100.00, and wired them to the rear deck(didn't have an amp at the time, did it ghetto style) then I bought my amp, a Planet Audio 600/4 for $350.00, what a rip off. Oh well, it still works today, 5 yr warrenty which is why I bought it. Untill I fried the subs by bridging the amp for the 10's. Then I got into GS Redline's, I bought one brand new in a custom ported box for $275.00. Which is the 3rd time I got ripped off, I started using the internet, and found the sub for $100.00, this is one pretty good sub if you want cheap. Then I started interning here at a shop in Chattanooga, did that for about 3 months until one of the installers started some drama, then I went over to tweeter and hung out there. I am just starting a SQ system, which I hope will be awesome, I do ask a lot of questions, I am 19, I am inexperienced, but I will help anyone out with the information I have, I have probably installed 40-50 HU's, 10-20 Amps and as for Video, alarms, remote start, I am still wanting to try it, so I will probably try it on my new car! Thanks for all the great help you guys have given me, I am sorry if this is long, but just thought you could get to know me. Thanks everyone!

Joining the vast number of replys,  I am currently an intaller for Circuit City formaly (no cutom shops around here ever seem to be hiring), but I do a lot of cutom work on the side since our insurance at CCity won't let us do it under their name.  I have been installing profesionllay  for 1 year but started serious installing a little over 3 years ago when a friend asked me to build and install a custom trunk with all the gear.  Unfortunately myself and my custom clients aren't quite rich enough yet to afford competiotion systems, but I am getting online with a local custom shop to get equipment and parts at cost so hopfully in the near future I will be building one.  All of my knowlege has been gained through personal experience, a few exelent books, and of course there is always something to learn here at  the12volt.com.  All in all I'm pretty good but still have a lot to learn.

• 1 Nakamichi CD-45z Head Unit (Fantastic HU - excellent sound quality)
• 1 Cadence ZRS-4 Amplifier (125x4 RMS @ 4 ohms this thing is a beast for midrange)
• 2 Cadence CVL-6K components (Loud as hell with extreme SQ capabilities)
• 1 Cadence ZRS-9 Amplifier (1500 W x 1RMS @ 2 ohms, or 2200 W x 1 RMS @ 1 ohm)
• 2 12'' Adire Audio Brahma MK II
• Optima Yellow Top Battery
• 200+ Amp High Output Alternator
• Lots and Lots of 0 guage
• 2 0 guage Distribution Blocks
• 3 sets of Monster Cable RCA's

I guess I'll go next. I have been to this site several times but never registered.

My name is also Anthony. I'm 33 years old and work as a car salesman for the last 4 years. I have been into car stereos since I was 15 years old.

I recently decided to do a system in my 2004 Mazda 6s that has Bose stereo. So I bought a MA1250W 12" sub and an HK297 amplifier. And I am very pleased.

Future plans include redoing the entire Blose stereo. Just waiting on Scosche to finish their dashkit for this car.

I worked for Yamaha Corp for 5 years in the electronics division. Then in the Motorcycle division. Yea I know Yamaha does not make Car Audio Systems, Don't ask me why I have no idea.

I know work for myself as a commercial electricain in the Dallas area.

I work on peoples car audio/Electrical systems that get so fried from poor installs I should open a shop I get so many calls. I just like working with Audio Systems since I was a kid. Never have reached that holly grail sound system yet I try to learn something new everyday that I can use down the road "Where ever that may lead".

My name is Doyle Smith, I live in nice hot Texas near Dallas. I am 30 yrs old on the 5th and have been doing audio since I got my first car at 17--- blew up alot of stuff learning the hard way...I have been interested in electronics since I was about 4 . I am married and have two kids. I do have a degree in electronics, but I work as an engineer. I have always had systems in every car I have had, and out of them, almost all have been broken into and equipment stolen. As I am older I learn ---if the want it, they will take it , I just make it hell on them now.. :) I really like this site and I enjoy learning more... I still at this age do not know what I want to do...I also do systems for my friends on the side and... have a small business doing repairs in houses...   I wanted to say Hi to everyone on this site... Thanks for keeping it up....

John Bauer, from Paducah, KY.  28 years old and have been installing since I was 16.  I currently work swing shift at a Uranium Enrichment Facility.  The schedule keeps me working 15-16 days a month.  On my off time, I travel to car dealers in town and do keyless entries, remote starts, video, and car audio work.  I also work out of my garage by "word-of-mouth".  I average about 15-20 cars per month with no advertising or footwork.  The dealers keep me busy, plus when one customer shows off his new toy that I installed, his friend calls, then his friend and so on.

I also work with my parents with their business.  They own www.stevescartshop.com.  We sell golf cart accessories.  There are a few carts in town that we have done video systems on, but nothing too elaborate yet.  Lots of cd players/speaker installs though. 

I worked for a couple shops before I started this job I have now.  The first was Long Run Audio, which I worked at for two years.  They did high-end home, and car audio.  The next was Sound Gallery.  I worked there for 4 years and was mentored by one of the area's smartest installers.  He taught me everything I know about alarms/keylesses.  He currently works as an installer for Circuit City here in Paducah. 

This has been a great site full of information for me.  It's a very useful key on some of the newer vehicles. 

My turn, I guess...

I'm Ron, I'm 38 years old, and have been doing installs for about 22 years. when I was 15 or so, My older brother took me for a ride in his new car. He just got done putting a system in it. He had the old pioneer amp/eq, with the uv meter on the front, you know the one I mean!! We were Bangin' in that old car! well, that was it for me. The bug bit, and I haven't been able to get away ever since. I started like most do, family and friends installs, and a whole sh*tload of reading books, magazines, ect... No formal education. Opened my own business in 1990, and gave up in 1994 for personal reasons. well, in 2004, my personal reasons got thrown out of the house, and I dove back in without her!!

I competed this year with SLAP, and did a few custom installs, and I hope to open up another install joint by the end of this year.

Hey everyone

There's some knowledge up in here for real. Props to all those that have introduced themselves thus far. My name's Nixon, 30.Been installing here in Oz for 7 years. The first audio sales company i worked for in 97/98 started courses for installers (basics in electronics etc etc) so they could claim their installers were the only qualified ones in Australia. Courses didn't last long. Guess it had something to do with government funding. Got as many certificates as was available though. And like many of you have stated, the courses don't make u an installer. Ain't nothing like hands on experience.

Anyway I trained under a lotta knowledgeable guys here and have installed a lot of audio, built boxes(MDF-have done minimal work with fibreglass), door trims/pods, fit alarms, cdl, starters, visual over the years(a lotta a/v especially in the last 1-2 years) and still find myself scratching my head sometimes. 12volt is a godsend..it has helped me out more than a few times.

that's it for me..good lookin out everyone..peace

how much are the MECP courses anyway? The fabricating part of the course sounds interesting.

methinfinity wrote:

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Hey everyone

There's some knowledge up in here for real. Props to all those that have introduced themselves thus far. My name's Nixon, 30.Been installing here in Oz for 7 years. The first audio sales company i worked for in 97/98 started courses for installers (basics in electronics etc etc) so they could claim their installers were the only qualified ones in Australia. Courses didn't last long. Guess it had something to do with government funding. Got as many certificates as was available though. And like many of you have stated, the courses don't make u an installer. Ain't nothing like hands on experience.

Anyway I trained under a lotta knowledgeable guys here and have installed a lot of audio, built boxes(MDF-have done minimal work with fibreglass), door trims/pods, fit alarms, cdl, starters, visual over the years(a lotta a/v especially in the last 1-2 years) and still find myself scratching my head sometimes. 12volt is a godsend..it has helped me out more than a few times.

that's it for me..good lookin out everyone..peace

how much are the MECP courses anyway? The fabricating part of the course sounds interesting.

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     thad

SOOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE HERE!!  It's great!  So far I've only had one question go unanswered on this forum.  It feels good to know I'm not the only one putting so much time into trying to make the things I love better.  There's not much to say about me.  I'm 20.  I'm a Communications Specialist in the US Air Force, and I'm in South Korea, 9000 miles from my car.     I've built nearly 80 computers since I started with electronics, around 5  years ago, and when time and location allows, I've worked really hard on my true love, my car.  I've been through nearly 3 years of constant technical training, most of which was electronics principles, to perform my job here, working on communications equipment and software.  I guess the good thing is that it all counts for college and I'm just a couple semesters away from my Bachelors in Communications Technology.  But we all know that field, like history, never stops changing.  I've got sooo many things lined up to do, and ideas to try as soon as I get home late this Feb.  I'd have to say that learning, along with trial and error would be my number 1 hobby.  I love to learn hands on.  My quote pretty much wraps it all up,  "Experience is something you never get until just after you need it."

Hey my name is Ryan I'm a car audio installer in Colorado @ Automotive Stereo & Alarm. It's just myself and the owner. Ive been installing for around 7 years and am 26 years old. I love competing in DB dragracing always making our customers smile and take great pride in what i do for a living. Sometimes the hours suck or the pay or warranty work when we have it but i definitley dont mind waking up in the morning. I am married and have two beautiful girls 4 and 8 years old. It really funny the always like to ride in my car cause it's louder than moms,.

I did my first custom fiberglass enclosure in her expedition and she loves it. Thanks to all the people who post helpfull information on this site for veteran installers as well as DIY's. Thank you 12volt for a great monthly paper and this truly wonderful FORUM. That's my peice.

                                                   Thank's all.  RYAN McCOMAS

I'm an idiot.

I've been doing car audio/home audio for 15 years. Now I finally decide to try doing it for a living.

I did construction for 6 years.

I have a Class A CDL with Hazmat and drove for 3 1/2 years moving furniture.

I've worked in a billion different plants doing machine setups and anything else mechanical.

I did drafting for........a lot of years.

I built and repaird repaired computers since.......

Anything mechanical, electrical or envolving cars, I can do. If i've never done it before, I just pick up a book and/or talk to someone that knows about it.

I was told that I have Adult ADD.( or i'm just retarded lol)

I just  decided a year ago to focus only on car audio/video.

Problem is that I keep trickin' out motors, suspensions, interiors and body work, painting...you name it, i'll do it.

I have no help and I keep doing too much. But what the hell, I love it.

If it's car stuff it's my passion of choice.

My name is Jeff I'm in the fabulous and always overcast Rochester New York Area. No it's no where near New York City. It's about 6 hours or so away. I learned installations while I worked for Circuit City as an operations manager. When it was slow I would go back and hang with the boys in the shop. That unfortunately was most of the time I was working. I'm not mecp certified but my friends call me the macgyver of the group. My real specialty is alarms/starters and sub-enclosures. I'm a do it yourselfer when it comes to just about everything these days as I no longer work for circuit city. I've learned from watching, reading, and then doing it myself.

Biggest thing I've done is an RX300 with remote start and a cool defogger mod. Pretty tricky and lots of great Lexus stuff to bypass to make it all work. Worked on the 1st try with all functions and no blown fuses. Thanks to www.the12volt.com,  this site is awesome! 

Hey I'm 19, and grew an interest in Mobile Audio installing sents 17. Thanks to Car Audio magazines I new how to fiberglass before even knowing how to properly install a head unit. I haven't had much experience in the field so I'm always open (all ears) when someones sound like they know what their talking about. I'm currently in college, (Georgia Southern) and hopfully I will be transfering to Ga Tech, to get my B.S. in EE. I'm trying to get on at an installing bay (any one around the area please allow an opertunity)... Well I guess thats it, nothing fancy but just an young eagered mine trying to one day contribute to the 12v. technology.

Hey everyone.  I am in Ashland, Kentucky, am 30 years old and have been into stereos and music since before junior high school and into car audio since I was 18 and got my first car, an '82 Chevette.  In those days, I knew nothing about car stereos or how to do it right but over the years I learned from trial and error as well as reading up on it all.

I have always been a DIY'er on most everything and turned "semi-installer" about 6 years ago for a little sideline business to bring in extra $$$.  I say semi-installer because I used to think of myself as an installer(hence the name "audeogod") but since reading on this site as well as other sites about what all there is to be done and the necessary skills to do it with, I had to downgrade that designation.  I do not know how to fiberglass or put in car alarms and remote starters, but that is just because I have never attempted to.  I can learn anything in a very little time when I want to.  I still go by the name "audeogod" because I am now used to it.  It's been my internet name for about 4 years now.  And yes I know there's an "e" where there should be an "i" but do you have any idea how many people out there think of themselves as an audiogod??  That name is never available when you register on a website.  

Anyway, my skills are installing head units, amplifiers, building subwoofer boxes(sealed only so far), and installing speakers in factory locations as well as cutting out new locations for them too.  I can also usually run down electrical problems in a stereo system when things aren't working like they should.  I am a licensed electrician in my state.  That training helps me alot with things like that. 

I look foward to learning more from this site and contributing to it as well with my "limited" knowledge.  I will try not to post any false information but I won't say that it will never accidentally happen anyway.

Hello,

My name is Austin and yup I'm from Canada, EH. I'm only seventeen and just finishing up high school, but my love for car stereos has been with me for years. Even though I have only had a car for almost 2 years, I have had my car stereo iready for nearly 3 years, lol. From the age of 14, I would go to the soundsaround near my house and sit there for hours with the sales reps in car stereo. This may seem odd but I actually learned alot from them and acquired some great friends! I bought all my subs, amps, and deck at the age of 15 and just couldn't wait to put them in my 89 tempo!!!! I guess it was silly to put 2 12" JL's and an overhead monitor in a tempo, but it was fun to see peoples faces when I turned it up, lol. Since then I have bought a 92 saturn sc and have uninstalled everything from the tempo and reinstalled it in my saturn. I still have an alarm, underglow, ps2, and loads of dynamat waiting to be installed,  but I think I'll wait till it warms up :). I've been looking into the mecp program in Toronto and wondering if it's worth the (5390 + canadian). This site is really interesting and it's great to know that this is such a large field of interest!!

Thanx, Austin

Hey lets hear it now for an aussie hey mates...

As u can guess i'm from Australia...Perth, Western Australia...i've got 6 yrs experience as a profeesional installer doing audio right thru to alarms and yes OMG I can do Remote Starters too! only kidding...no really i can ..

Been a hobby of mine electronics and stuff and well after doing electrical engineering at TAFE thats like a college to u guys looked for work and ended up being an installer...hmm don't know what keeps me in this job but all i can say is that its a passion i think...knowing that u achieved some victory and glory when u make something just work...its not egotistic just means your'e damn good!! hahahaha gotta have a sense of humour...geeze u need it in the car audio industry! well thats about it...and Yes down under we do have a Passion for cars too..

Hey everyone. My name's Ken, coming to you from Sisters, Oregon (pop. 1480).  I've been into car audio since '98 when I was 16. I had an 86 Subaru Hatch...First was a Pioneer bass tube running off a Blau deck.I built that up to 4 Thunder 7000 10's ported in the back. 150 dB and one bleeding ear later I earned Hon. Mention in a local comp.  Been hooked since.  I got my degree in electronics theory (co majored diesel mechanics) in the Air Force when I was 19, did my time, and stayed in Las Vegas.  Started working at Best Buy as Car Audio Sales, then moved to the Install Bay.  They offered to pay the test fee for an MECP cert. so I jumped on it.  Tested, passed, then grew tired of the corporate scene, so I quit and moved back up to OR.  Got myself the Jetta and headed straight for the 'buy one get one free sale' at my stereo hangout.  I build all my own boxes and have yet to let someone install something besides tires on my car.  My wife tolerates (and regulates) my passion for the sport, so we both stay happy.  I've claimed one trophy so far (third) in the IASCA lanes for getting 154.4 dB.  So here's my little 'hallo' ... I'll be back soon prob.

PS- How long does the FNG status stick?

Hello everyone. I'm pretty new here so I guess I'll give ya'll a little background on me. I've always loved good quality sound systems. My first car stereo was a Craig Powerplay with a built in WHOPPING 25 AMPS! Man, I thought I really had an awesome system back then, and at that time it sounded pretty good. Boy things have change alot since then. Currently my best system is my home theater system, a Sony 600W, not overwhelming but it sounds pretty good. I'm not a professional installer. I am an I & E technician in an industrial manufacturing facility ( that's Instrument & Electrical). I''ve been doing that for about 20 yrs. now. I've studied electronics in college and some OJT. I should have had an AAS but I got lazy after I finished the electronics and I already had the type of job that it would qualify me for. Marriage and kids slowed down my hot rodding and audio experiments but I'm getting back into a little of both now. I can see there is alot of good knowledge available here and I will be definitely be using it often. I am going to start a side business installing audio, video, and security and so forth. I might have to fall back to it full time someday. You never know when a large corp. will decide to just cut you loose.

Hello all,

   Pretty new here.... I've read alot, just don't post often. Strarted doing my own thing with car audio in HS, went to a local shop about 3 years doing the same ol slam installs (deck speakers) and didn't get paid jack. Quit there to find a better job and now I just do it for fun on the side. In the proccess of building a 80 malibu wagon w/ all old equipment. Old RF amps (2 200ix, 1 4080ix 2 60ix's) old EPX 2, old 8175 clarion deck, RF Fanatic Q 5 1/4" comp set in qform kicks (hey they were cheap ....$25). 2 - 5 1/4 rf punch (old) in each door.... 2 Soundstream SPL 10's in BP box. Excalibur alarm etc. Should be ok..... got out of the SPL thing after actually seeing some of the "modern" spl vehicle's that have 2 subs doing 160 and stuff that sound like dog doodie. I did my festiva (myself) with 8 Soundstream spl 15's with 2-200ix's in 1995 that would do 154 (legal) on flashdance. It sounded good and looked good. Oh well....

Hello Everyone, I've been selling and installing car audio since 1973 ( think Craig Powerplay and Jensen Coaxials ) and have had between 1 and 3 shops in Central California since 1982. Stumbled on this this sight on a recommendation of a customer and have been bailed of tough install situations by you guys more than once. Because of this I'm going to try to give back to the sight and try to answer questions a couple of times a week. I've been an Alpine dealer since 1983 and can address a lot of old school questions about older cars and older equipment. Thanks for starting this sight...Bob

If the racecar ( spell it backwards ) looks slow, it probably is.......

hey ppl,

im just some schmo(Anthony) who did his first amp and sub install in my 2000 expedition. It was fun and i cant wait to expand my mobile media.

ok  im in . imstrange [mike]  ase master tech[auto repair] since 91. vw registered tech 5plus y

ears exp.; mazda master tech and master guild member [93 i think]  toyota certified since 96

more recentlly attended volvo master tech challenge may 02 in rockleigh NJ. [only the top 70 volvo techs in the entire country {usa} are invited .  and last of all  attended icar training

sessions for my last former employer [10 gold class points for him-nadda for me. ;and  fyi

i am most certainally a little strange.look forward to helping you any way i can M>S>

My name is Mike, 30yrs old. I am the head of a four man install team employed by the State of Utah, Information Technology Services. We install and maintain all public safety equipment for all state agencies in Utah. That includes everything from over 500 highway patrol vehicles to the Governors vehicles, Armored personnel carrier for the state swat team, prison perimeter vehicles, undercover and surveilence vehicles, bait cars with GPS, mobile command centers (40ft RV usually with 3 or 4 dispatch consoles, satellite phones, mobile data, communication links, onboard repeaters, telescopic video camera, generator, PBX, GPS, automated antennas, etc.) and anything else related that you can think of. The area of +12V a lot of people forget about  =)

I started coming to this board when I was trying to locate a wiring diagram for a Toyota Camry that was being used as a bait car. Great people here and a lot of knowledge....if any of you come through the Salt Lake City area and want the nickel tour of our shop, let me know... Mike

SoundExplosion

    Born and live in new york. i have been installing for about 7 years my brother started me in this 12v life and i never left. and i dont think i will. i love it to much. i am 24 and have passed all mecp tests but master hope to do it this year. i own a shop and have four guys that work for me . if anybody needs a job always looking for new people.  

SoundExlposion

My name's Eric I'm a high school senior and so far I've done 3 installs including 2 component installs and 2 sub installs. I LOVE loud bass. I"m not certified in car audio but I do have my CCNA for all of you that know that one. I've taken a hundred million electronics courses and I have a pretty good grasp of theory. I am a member of good standing in this and other forums...carstereos.org, caraudioforum.com, splxbass.com, elitecaraudio.com, jeepsunlimited.com, jeepforum, naxja.com. In my next enclosure I look forward to glassing for the first time.

Hey guys, another bloody aussie here too annoy you all! What can I say?hmmm...start from the start I guess huh?

My father was a Aircraft Technician for 35 years, it was only natural that I do something of the ilk, aircraft wasn't my thing, I hate aircraft..even though I have the move of my life coming up 22hours in a plane just ain't my thing, but I love my fiance and my kid so when she had to move back to the states it was only natural that I do the same thing once my contract runs out.

I have been installing for about 6 years now, the company work for isn't just your bread and butter installations we do it all, theres a saying that we keep in the shop "If it was designed to go in a car, we put it there, if it wasn't designed to go into a car, we still put it there!".....3phase 415 volts in your car anyone?

We use a lot of lateral thinking in our bay, something just aren't meant to work but we have to make them work. Some of the more exciting jobs is in installing for the undercover police cars, we do some pretty incredible things with them, you climb into the after we have finished and all you can see is a handsfree kit,  unfortunatly due to my Confidentiality Agreement, I can't tell you too much more oter then WOW!!!!!! it takes about 2 days to kit one of these cars out and thats 2 installers working non-stop.

I got side tracked didn't I? guess it doesn't matter I'm looking forward to my move to Wisconsin, Tessa has said that there isn't much work for me in Eau Claire or the twincities so I may have to look at moving away from car audio and doing something else, I just don't know what? does anybody the name os some shops I can look at?

I love using this forum, I use it more for a place to whinge about problems more so then questons pertaining to cars, but it's nice to see that I'm not alone with some of my problems...see post in General Discussion "The Apprentice"

Later y'all, I just got word that a truck has stopped reporting via Navman and now the truck wont start...it's 1500 km's away....nice little drive huh? see you in a few days!

Raymond Wilkinson-Reed

Hey fellas, been in the retail biz for 7 years. I currently work for a custom shop in Mt. Airy NC. I am the lead installer/shop mgr. Ive always worked local and have a good amount of repeat customers. Never had any MECP training, just experience. I have been my current location for 4 years now, The Audio Video Spot. I have done quite a few custom jobs in the past few years. Recently had an installation featured in a mag, Road+Track Road Gear, check out the 350Z. Anyways, I currently dont have a stereo worth a crap in my ride, but thats all about to change, getting a new truck in the next couple of months, I'll post pics when I start.

Jason Collins

Hey guys,

Well I'm by no means a professional, but, I'm studying for the MECP exam now. I installed my first radio at about 12 years old, and my first entire system (H/U, amps, speakers) before I could even drive legally. I do all my learning mostly on my own vehicles, and apply that knowledge to help frined and make a few exra bucks here and there. I have recently gotten into alarms/remote starts as well. I'm also going to college for civil engineering.

Uhmm, I'm new to this Forum but I'll introduce myself.

My name is Juddi and I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I work at Fry's Electronics as a Car audio/video installation tech. I've been installing for 2 years now at Fry's. I got into the job because they needed installers and I was the next best qualified for the position since I went to school for automotive repair. I race cars for a hobby and I build them to race. I'm 22 y ears old... and uhmm.. what else... I dunno. Any question just ask I guess. :)

Hi,

My name's Bob. This is my first post here on this site.I didn't know where to go for introducing myself, so here I am.

Hi David!

* My experiences with car (truck) sound systems date back from the later part of the seventies.And more often than not I did all my setups myself.

Thank you & best to all,

Bob