Re: Valentine w/out laser

[a6561TB@gnn.com (Igor Kessel)]

Hi, Vince:

>Did you get the remote for the V1?

No, 'cause I live in PA. I think only VA (and, naturally, DC) forbid the use 
of a radar. And it is not visible from the outside, because:

>Mount V1 above or below mirror?

Above and slightly to the right, since the facia of a V1 is angled towards 
you. I have it clamped to the visor, on its narrow part, right at the hinge. 
Drop the piece that has sunroof/light switches and test light the wiring.
You need a battery wire (const 12v), an ignition wire (12v when ON) and a 
ground wire (any SOLID brown). Hide the V1's tiny distribution block in the 
headliner, there is a lot of space. V1 uses a standard modular telephone 
cable to connect the distribution block to the radar. I have replaced it 
with a short one that came with one of my telephones. You know, they always 
give you two, a long one, and a short one, for wall mount. If you decide to 
use the same, DO check the polarity consistency between both jacks on its 
ends. Some telephones have a "twisted line" connection, so be very careful 
not to use such a cable, you may fry the radar.
 
>What CB, antenna combo should I buy, & from where?

Stay away from Radio S**t stuff. Poor sensitivity and horrible selectivity 
and signal to noise ratio. Mine is a vintage GE, works great, who would have 
guessed?!... They say, Cobra rules...

I've tried two magnetic based, short mast antennas, rubber and coiled. Work 
awful and scratch paint.
I've also tried a long "fishing rod" on a magnetic base. Worked great but 
scratched the paint and looked like s**t.
I've tried a gizmo that lets you use the OEM antenna.The idea was very 
appealing since we have two of them, and both are the active type 
(amplified). The trouble was that the gizmo did not work at all.
At last I ordered a glass mount cellular style CB antenna from (please, no 
laughs) JC Whitney cat, p/n 71ET1330U @$24.95, and it works like a dream. I 
have mounted it on the "forhead" of the car, in the center of the top of the 
windshield, right below the edge. It is approx 35 cm long, has a bulge in 
the center and if you rake it back it looks very euro-style.
 
> Can I use a cellular phone antenna?

No. CB band is 27Mhz, i.e.the wavelength is 11m. Cell band is 900Mhz, i.e.  
33cm. In order to work with max effectiveness the length of the antenna 
should be exactly equal to 1/4 of a wavelength (the so-called quater wave 
vibrator). One antenna can not be 2.5m and 8cm long simultaneously.
I have tried it anyway, hoping for a miracle (who knows, may be on a 
harmonic, 8cm and 2.5m ruffly have a common denominator). Nope!

Hope it helps

"Why would anyone in a right state of mind buy just a car,
when the mankind has invented a QUATTRO!"
Igor Kessel, Phila, PA, USA
a6561TB@gnn.com