| norcalchuck |
I always install a hardwired car kit for cell phone use in the car (hands free, privacy handset and external hi-gain antenna) so that I get more reliable signals, have a good handsfree system and can still take the handset transceiver with me. Prior analog systems had a 3 watt RF amplifier also, but no digital/CDMA amp is available as far as I know.
I purchased the Nokia CARK91-H car kit and am going to install it myself along with a glass mount Antenna Specialists dual band gain antenna.
Has anyone done a similar install? I am looking for the best place for the cradle/mount, mike and speaker so as to minimize drilling interior panels. Looks like the only decent location will be on the side of the console (as in my other cars). As for the antenna, I will likely have to mount it on the rear side window, although seems t me it could still go on the rear window--I think the coax can take the opening and closing of the lid.
Any feedback appreciated. |
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| Consultant |
| When I picked up my 2003 MDX in late January, the dealer said that a factory cell phone hookup would be available soon. He didn't seem to know very much more. It's probably worth a call to Acura before you do anything. I'd be interested in the reply. |
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| TheWorm |
| Do a search for Panavise or click in my sig for pics of the Panny w/Startac kit. |
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| norcalchuck |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Do a search for Panavise or click in my sig for pics of the Panny w/Startac kit.
Thanks for that link. Interesting ideas. Tomorrow I will scope out the dash for possibilities. I have to use the hardware from the Nokia CARK-91, as it integrates with the phone for the RF for the external antenna, and other connections. In this configuration, the cell phone stays docked to the cradle and there is a small handset that is on the mount so you can use either the handset or the speakerphone. Whe you leave the car you can grab the hand held transceiver or leave it there.
Here is the Nokia URL which has pics and info.
http://www.nokiausa.com/nokia_acces...436,category:40|product:CARK-91H|phonecode:6385|pid:118|nopc:1,00.html
(probably have to cut and paste this url as it is long) |
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| norcalchuck |
quote:
Originally posted by Consultant
When I picked up my 2003 MDX in late January, the dealer said that a factory cell phone hookup would be available soon. He didn't seem to know very much more. It's probably worth a call to Acura before you do anything. I'd be interested in the reply.
That cell phone interface is in the accessory booklet that came with my car. Won't work for me. It does not appear to be a mounting kit--just a cable that connects to the bottom of the phone and interefaces with a little mike and the car speakers. No RF conector and no way to use a privacy handset other than disconnecting the interface, then you have to plug it in again. I want a hard wired mount and an external antenna. The external hi-gain antenna is my first priority. Most of the issues people experience with dropped calls and "no service", etc, are due to poor signal strength. The Nokia kit is slick and well designed. |
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| TheWorm |
Nah, I get it. Have a permanent kit for the Startac/Timeport in the Lexus. Just wanted to give you the Panavise mount link - cleanest solution - and routing for the mic. I've been too lazy, but I think running the mic to the center (under the headliner, and mounting near the homelink) would've been better. It sometimes gets knocked off by the visor in its current A pillar location.
Do you have RES or not? If not, the speaker will probably fit in the WAY back of the cubby under the radio/nav stack. There's loads of room under the dash so you'll have no problems. I might recommend mounting the control unit itself under the Driver or Pax seats depending on which trim level you've got, else on the pax floorboard -- as far left and forward as you can get it.
If you don't mind the look of a cell antenna on the front glass (I don't care for it), the best coax antenna routing would be under the kick plate, behind the dash, up the A pillar then across the headliner. Pretty easy. Longer run to the back side window or tailgate (but better look IMO) but similar concept -- pull the kick plates and go; I found ample room to stuff 3 shielded RCAs (for video) under the kicks, then ran alongside/under the rear side trim panel (next to the 2nd/3rd row seats, where the 3rd row cubbies are) where they meet the carpet. Final run would be up the C pillar if you're doing the side or D pillar for the rear. You might have to dismount the seatbelts to remove the pillar if there isn't enough play. Sorry, never took pics of that. |
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| TheWorm |
| Oh, one last comment on the privacy handset -- Panavise sells an extension for their mount -- so you basically get 2 square mounting plates...1 for the phone "holster/charger" and the other could be for your privacy handset. You could also just run the wiring for the privacy handset into the top part of the center console if you want less "stuff" hanging off the dash :) |
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| norcalchuck |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Oh, one last comment on the privacy handset -- Panavise sells an extension for their mount -- so you basically get 2 square mounting plates...1 for the phone "holster/charger" and the other could be for your privacy handset. You could also just run the wiring for the privacy handset into the top part of the center console if you want less "stuff" hanging off the dash :)
Thanks for all those great ideas. I am also going to scope out mounting my ham radio gear. I had considered drilling the roof right at the Acura radio antenna, an putting in an NMC antenna mount. I could do 2 -- one for the dual-band cell phone and one for the VHF/UHF hams antenna. Just don't know if I want an "antenna farm" on the roof. However, I think the low profile mounts on the roof would be less unsightly than a window mount on-glass, especially on the front or side. If you unscrew the antennas, one would not even see those mounts on the roof. |
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| norcalchuck |
| Here are some photos of the install of the Nokia Car kit and a dual-band gain antenna. I opted for a professional install--decided not to mess with it. The mike is mounted at the rearview mirror and the speaker is in the lower r/f passenger kick area. Did a capacitance check on the tinted quarter window becuase of concerns re "passivated" tinted glass, but it checked out fine. All in all, a really workable solution. |
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| jedge78 |
| Did you remove the tint? Tint can render most glass mount antennas useless. You might want to consider a magmount. |
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| norcalchuck |
quote:
Originally posted by jedge78
Did you remove the tint? Tint can render most glass mount antennas useless. You might want to consider a magmount.
You cannot remove the tint from the window. It is part of the glass, unlike after market applications. As indicated in my post, if it is passivated glass it has metallic particles that can cause RF problems in glass-mount antennas. We checked the glass with a capacitance meter and it was well under the 3pf limits (actually less than 1pf) that antenna manufacturers are concerned with. Hence the install on the rear quarter glass is fine. It does not appear to be passivated glass and works fine with excellent signal strength. |
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| remydog |
I am about to take delivery of an 04 with the side curtain airbags. My current vehicle, a Volvo, has the Nokia handsfree and privacy handset kit installed with a Panavise bracket.
Can this be moved into the MDX? What do they do about the mic since it has the side curtain airbags (the mic normally gets threaded up the inside of the a-pillar)? Who can I contact to get firm technical support on this -- I don't want to trust the Cingular installers to know this.
I like the photos provided by Norcalchuck -- he's got the same phone and setup I have in my Volvo. It looks like the privacy handset would be in the way of the passenger, though. Any thoughts on where else to locate it? |
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