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Mounting two-way radio under rear-view mirror?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Ranko Kohime, Jul 14, 2019.

  1. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    I currently have my CB mounted on the passenger side of the center console, right around the thigh area. This has presented two problems that are making me consider moving it, namely that the sun reflects off of the screen making it unreadable at sometimes of the day, and the unfortunate positioning of the mic connector, which is on the lower right of the radio, and so in a position to get bashed easily. Nothing bad has happened to the connector yet. Yet being the operative word here.

    I'm debating mounting directly under the rear-view mirror. Obviously this would require fabricating a custom bracket, but I think it would solve my two problems. Anyone have thoughts/suggestions?

    The extension you see is partly to avoid having the microphone cable sticking straight up (which reduces bash a lot), but also adapts my 4-pin microphone (Ranger SRA-198) to my 6-pin radio.

    Here is the radio in it's current position: IMG_20190714_193328.jpg

    And here is where I'm thinking of placing it. I may place a reflective shield on the back just so it isn't exposed to full-strength sunlight, even though it will be mostly in the shade of the camera shroud.

    IMG_20190714_193413.jpg
     
  2. chipinopo

    chipinopo Junior Member

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  3. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    Definitely an interesting design, though as high up on the dash as it would need to be mounted in the Prius so as not to obstruct the MFD's, I find objects in that location distracting, especially when I'm wiping the nose of the car across a wall in tight locations.
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I have stuff added to the dashes of a few cars. Vastly prefer dashtop to undermirror myself. But I’m tall, and “under the mirror” represents a significant portion of my forward-rightward view.

    The biggest problem I have with dashtop is reflections on the glass, but it’s not a big deal to put an antireflective bit of fabric over the dashtop accessory.
     
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    NO, not a good idea.
    First, it very likely is illegal.
    Second, it will get VERY HOT when the sun shines on it.
    And then getting the cables to it will be unsightly and a PITA to install.

    I suggest that first you put a "block" of Styrofoam or similar under the bottom in it's present location to tilt the face toward you a bit.
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    2nd pass…

    in your shoes I would scrap the stock stereo system and replace it with a single-DIN stereo with your 2-way stacked under it. From a quick lookup just now it appears to be DIN size as well, so that should work great.
     
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  7. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    I thought about that, then came up for air when my Crutchfield shopping cart started resembling a used car price. :D

    Because you can't just replace the H/U, of course the speakers aren't audiophile quality, and of course the H/U alone isn't enough to drive the new speakers, so a 4-channel amp is needed, and naturally one is going to get the subwoofers too... :whistle:
     
  8. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    And here I thought my avatar gave away my disregard for the state. :D

    I did mention the heat concern, I was thinking a piece of reflective material. The largest part of the radio would already be shielded by the forward camera cover anyway. Beyond that, radios generally like to run hot, or at least the crystals do.

    I already tore the headliner out once to get the antenna installed, and I'm going to be ripping it back out again before too long to replace it, so ehh...

    As to the styrofoam block, well, in it's current position the radio has ZERO motion. It's up against the center console at the face, (the face is nearly flush with the top of the console), and the connector side is against the carpet beneath it.
     
  9. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I dig the avatar, made sense to me. But it was already clear from the presence of the radio anyway. :)

    idea: next time (or next car) just run some good coax from the antenna position to the radio position, and try to hide some slack if those change a little. That way you only have the ceiling open once for the life of the car, and when you change antennas or tx, the worst you face is adapting the connector.

    I’ll admit, we went as far as an aftermarket head unit and replacement of all 6 factory speakers in ours. But we had planned approximately that from the day we bought the car. It’s a nice improvement over stock and while I know it could always be better on an absolute scale? I know it’s right for the car now with no need to add more.
     
  10. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    Ehh, I'm going to have to do up a completely different mount, which is going to require structural reinforcement to the roof. Going from ~60" to 108 inches may only be an increase of 80%, but the torque forces on the roof are going to be PHENOMENAL.

    I originally installed a Wilson 1000 roof mount, and I'm upgrading to a 102" whip, to perfect that RC car vibe. Well, that and the base of the Wilson has cracked, so, it's on borrowed time.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Seems like you are going to a LOT of trouble just for a "look".

    Then.....102 whip plus 6 inch mount......on top of a car that is maybe 4 feet tall.....and the tip of the antenna is 13 feet off the ground.
    This likely means that you will scrape various things while going down non-interstate highways. Some of those things might be carrying POWER.

    And you will not be able to enter ANY parking garages.

    But you want what you WANT so.......good luck. You certainly will need it.
     
    krmcg likes this.
  12. Ranko Kohime

    Ranko Kohime Member

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    I get the feeling it will be... an electrifying experience. :D

    And I've been to the odd place where the 9-10 foot height I have now has touched power lines... :whistle:

    If it's any consolation, I am planning on using one of these to be able to enter parking garages.
     
  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I hope you know that extra few inches will mess up the SWR big time.

    And it may not be strong enough to withstand the wind load of a 9 foot long whip.
    And it will do NOTHING if you forget to stop and fold it down.
     
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  14. ice9

    ice9 Active Member

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    You beat me to it. Murphy's Law. Your last sentence pertains.

    Anyone know the dielectric strength of a Prius tire? I couldn't find it in the specs. :cool: