PA (Public Address) installation

[SUT-UP]

Very Nice. Make sure you shoot some pictures of the befores and afters. I'm curious to see how everything mounts up. Esp where the bearcat is now. That could end up being my alternate CB install location if I can't settle on one that will fit within the Onstar slot.

[SUT-UP]

Have you looked into the Bearcat's remote control face?

[SUT-UP]

This might help with your depth issue. Yes added costs.

http://www.scannermaster.com/Product...FQhN4AoduE_hdw

[guruerror]

AWESOME....(sigh)...except I have a BCT8.

[SUT-UP]

It always works out that way...

How do you like the bearcat? Do you use it often?

Any big advantaged to it that you couldn't live without?

[guruerror]

I like the BCT8 a lot. I had a BC355C prior and it was a bit of a pain to use, because it was difficult to program...but it worked well for an entry level scanner.

The BCT8 was definitely worth the upgrade, mainly because you can program it from a computer and just upload all the frequencies. The clarity and range seems good...no real complaints there. I've got it connected to a 3' Firestick on the rear tire carrier. I also purchased a whip to switch out for road trips, but haven't had a road trip yet this year. I'm sure that will further improve the clarity and range.

Could I live without it?...absolutely. It's great if you wanna know what's going on with traffic or nearby emergencies, but I mostly use it to entertain myself. Some of the stuff you hear when driving through the rural counties is just hilarious.

[SUT-UP]

Yea. Grew up in the sticks of Pa always had one. Don't think I have much of a use for one up north now though.

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by SUT-UP

Very Nice. Make sure you shoot some pictures of the befores and afters. I'm curious to see how everything mounts up. Esp where the bearcat is now. That could end up being my alternate CB install location if I can't settle on one that will fit within the Onstar slot.

Okay...I'll snap some pictures this evening or tomorrow when I finalize the wiring and troubleshooting a problem.

Regarding location...I couldn't get the Bearcat in the dash, its just too big. My "behind the dash" space is at a premium due to other equipment in the truck, so I didn't even try to get the 385 in there either. Instead I just surface mounted the unit on the side of the console...on the carpeted triangular bit just to the right of the gas pedal. This was where my Cobra CB hung, so it was a good location for me.

The unit works great with the slim Carson ("basic") speaker that I already had with the Carson stutter horn. Nice and loud...the neighborhood kids LOVED it. The PA works well too...so far I'm very happy with this unit.

The problem I'm troubleshooting is a blown fuse. Both the 385 and my stutter horn connect to the same speaker. I figured this wouldn't be a problem, but the 385 blows its fuse after 1-2 seconds of siren when the stutter horn is connected. If I disconnect the stutter horn from the speaker (leaving just the 385 connected) I can run the siren indefinitely without blowing its fuse.

I'm thinking I may be able to keep them both connected if I put a diode in the lines connecting the devices to the speaker...dunno, I've gotta research the problem a bit more. So currently my stutter horn is disconnected so I can play with the siren/pa.

If anyone has some insight on what maybe causing this, please chime in.

Pics coming...

[SUT-UP]

I am glad you are happy with it. I will order it tomorrow morning. I will go with 1 speaker first. If it doesn't get me where I want volume wise. Hopefully the diode solves your fuse trip issue. Can't wait to see pics.

[guruerror]

I heard back from Carson this morning...I can't run both devices to one speaker without putting a switch on the speaker. That's too much trouble and I really don't want another switch....lol!

They recommended that I remove the stutter horn and use the 385's air horn tone instead. It's got an auxiliary connection to connect it up as a horn too. So it looks like that's the route I'm going next weekend...hopefully it's as loud as the stutter horn. That's a real attention-getter.

[SUT-UP]

Ah that's a shame. Even the best laid plans sometimes just won't work out. I ordered the 385 today with 1 slim speaker. Went to radioshack for 3 new switches for items; more strobes and auxiliary powerports in the bed of the SUT. Went with the similar low profile black switches. Too bad my 4 corners strobe switch is so large would have liked to switch that one out too but the original hole would be visible. New headlight lenses shipped today. Had to replace them from some rough on-roading. Hit a 55 gallon trashcan at 40. Cracked the grille and shattered the headlight. Grill is going to stay cracked but new headlight was necessary. Went with the Delta replacements. We'll see how they work out. Hopefully the 385 comes quickly, I am def ready for it.

Waiting on Pics.............

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by SUT-UP

Waiting on Pics.............

Here's a few to give you an idea of the mounting locations. I still need to neaten up the wiring this weekend when I connect the 385's horn up...and MAYBE vacuum the floormat...lol!

[SUT-UP]

Looks great.

[H2005]

What is the bottom radio for and the lock below the tow haul mode switch?

[guruerror]

Originally Posted by H2005

What is the bottom radio for and the lock below the tow haul mode switch?

The top unit is a Bearcat BCT8 scannnner. The bottom unit is the Carson SA-385 siren/PA.

The lock is actually a keyed switch. It cuts power to the onboard computer system that's installed in the dash...I typically cut the power whenever I drop it off for service to keep the techs from screwing with it.

[SummitUp]

Using a Cobra CB/PA combo... PA is plenty loud enough for me.

[Contract_Pilot]

My Scanner Install..