Installing a scanner or CB radio antenna on an Aurion or Camry

[acid8000]

Hi everyone, just thought I'd share a few pics of my installation of an antenna for my analog Uniden UBC355XLT scanner. A standard Z shape or L shape bracket won't work on the Aurion or Camry due to the angle at which the bonnet and fender meet. As a result I bought a bracket designed for the Mazda BT-50 from Prestige Communications and it fits perfectly. More info about that bracket is available here:

http://www.rfiwireless.com.au/mobile-products/mobile-antenna-accessories/fender-mount-bracket-tlm-2-bt50.html

Pics below:

I plan on eventually adding a Uniden UBCD396XT digital scanner with the UBC-RH96 remote head accessory and using the antenna with that. When that happens I'll revert the analog scanner to using the wire antenna hidden in the A pillar. My setup looks much like the below at the moment, though there have been a few changes since this pic was taken:

Has anyone else here got a scanner or CB radio antenna on their Aurion or Camry?

[LordBug]

In case you haven't, you may want to add a bit of rubber or similar between the bracket and the bonnet & side panel, otherwise the flex will possibly wear down the paint leading to rust and other unpleasantries.

[acid8000]

The bracket shipped with some 3M outdoor mounting tape at exactly where you're referring to between it and the side panel. I may need to add something between it and the bonnet however.

[sportivo2007]

Nice install phil keep up the great work !

[acid8000]

Another minor mod, not worthy of its own thread, but still communications related. I've installed a Carmate ME117 USB charger that fits in a spare button spot and modded a phone holder from KMart designed for the iPhone 4 to fit in one of the blank cover plates for the empty button spaces. The parking sensor button had to have a small amount of plastic shaved off to fit on the slot to the left rather than the normal one. Pics below:

[07Prodigy]

Hi there I too have a uniden mounted in my Aurion.

It's mounted above the ash tray and below the clime mate control.

The antenna, in a sticker so to speak that sticks to the wind screen in the top left corner.

I'll try to get some pics for you.

By the way, I like your rims, off the series 2 kluger

I've seen the series 1 rims on an Aurion and I think they would suite mine better, but can't afford it yet.

Edited February 10, 2015 by 07Prodigy

[acid8000]

Good clean setup there 07Prodigy!

[trentmeyer23]

Fairly clean install.

[07Prodigy]

Thanks guys. Acid8000, did you need to do any mods for the Kluger 2 wheels?

[acid8000]

Nah mate; they simply bolt on. I was reading on various other forums with suggestions the US Toyota Camry brake calipers need to be modified for the US Toyota Highlander wheels to fit without them scraping on tight corners but no such problems with the Kluger wheel + Aurion combination. No need for spacers or anything like that either thankfully.

[07Prodigy]

Aww sweet. Thanks mate. Looking forward to having Kluger alloys.

[acid8000]

Scanners. Scanners everywhere.



Here's the Uniden UBC-RH96 remote head for my new handheld digital scanner (hidden in the above photo), mounted underneath the steering wheel. The wiring is tucked into the centre console for power and signal to the scanner itself. The previously installed UBC355XLT analog scanner and USB/Aux port for the sat-nav radio can also be seen in the former lighter socket area.



Here it is; the Uniden UBCD396T digital scanner. It's normally tucked in the glovebox. The current setup is temporary as I plan on hooking it up to the externally mounted antenna in the OP once I get the appropriate adaptor from Jaycar. That antenna is currently connected to the analog scanner for mostly picking up UHF CB (Channel 40 of course).



Here's my temporary setup for power to the digital scanner and remote head. Any further wiring is hidden within the centre console. Also seen here is the external speaker I installed for the analog scanner shortly after installing that. It doesn't work so well with the digital scanner and I assume this is because of an impedance mismatch or something similar. Lastly there's also the extra USB power socket installed like the one in this post.

[sportivo2007]

Very nice neat install phil keep up the great work !

[07Prodigy]

Looks like a unmarked cop car

[trentmeyer23]

Why do you need so many scanners?

[acid8000]

Makes it a tad easier to listen to two different channels or services at the same time. For example channel 40 UHF CB on the analog and unencrypted NSW GRN, like the RFS, transmissions on the digital. Also I did plan on getting the digital scanner eventually, but couldn't afford the digital set up a year or so ago when installing the analog one. Still waiting on the extension BNC lead to run from the digital scanner to the analog one, as I've now got the external antenna hooked up to the newer one. It also can pick up UHF CB at the moment anyway.

[07Prodigy]

Maybe he works for the government...

Maybe he's an undercover agent but he's proud of his work and likes to share...

Looks good mate,

Did you take out the ash tray section to put that in?

[acid8000]

Maybe he works for the government...

Funny you mention that! I only recently started working for the state government but this setup is merely in a hobbyist capacity, being a bit of a tech geek rather than any professional use. The NSW Roads and Maritime Services broadcast on the NSWGRN without any encryption so it is possible to hear them broadcast where crashes and lane blockages are as they happen using the digital scanner. The analog scanner I typically use for listening to UHF CB with all the truckies on there. I will likely replace that with a proper UHF transceiver radio and a separate antenna in the medium term so I can transmit back.

Did you take out the ash tray section to put that in?

Yeah that section's all gone, including the lighter socket. In that place is the analog scanner and to the left the USB/Aux port for the GPS sat nav/radio head unit.

[acid8000]

Another update: Replaced the analog scanner with a UH089NB UHF CB transceiver and completed the install of the digital scanner (connected it to the external antenna and external speaker in the centre console). The UHF CB is hooked up to an aerial hidden in the rubber trim of the B pillar so it doesn't have as great a range as would otherwise be possible, but it does what it needs to. Pics below:

UBCD396T digital scanner hidden in the glove box connected to the external antenna, RH-96 remote unit below the steering wheel, remote speaker near the aux 12 V port in the centre console and charger:

Overview of all the gadgets installed:

Slightly different angle:

Another different angle:

[acid8000]

I don't think I can fit any more radio gear in my Aurion!

[07Prodigy]

Ok so what you need to do is go get the Uniden UH8080NB, small unit that hides under the dash, just have the mic come out.

Have multiple if you like

Has all UHF functions and is a scanner also.

Do you use analog or digital scanners?

[acid8000]

Theoretically that's possible especially with windscreen mounted antennas but I think it is possible to have too much of a good thing haha! My radio gear is as follows:

UBCD396T digital scanner with UBC RH96 remote head - picks up Roads and Maritime Services over the NSWGRN

UH089NB 80 channel CB radio - usually on channel 40 to listen or transmit to truckies

UBC355XLT analog scanner - Sydney Buses, air traffic, to listen to a different CB channel at the same time, that sorta thing

All Uniden gear. Sometimes I hear useful information but often it's just for entertainment while on the road. I'll soon redo the part where the analog scanner is mounted to remove the gap between it and the AC control panel which I've temporarily filled with fly screen spline.

[07Prodigy]

Ok fair call,

The reason for the 8080 is you can use two and you can't see anything but the remote.

And when I said get on I ment replace what you have with them.

Two in one, saves space.

I don't know if it's analog or digital though.

Would have to visit there website