My RTA uses a full length ISA slot, this requires the use of an "old style" full size computer chasis. I usually park the car close to the front porch of the house and run my signal and microphone cables to the car through a window. For this test, I put the PXA-H900 controlling laptop in the trunk because I didn't have a long enough cable to run it into the house. Next time I'm home, I'll be running everything from inside the house for RTA work, as the porch door was really getting a workout.

I've parked a laptop in the front seat to tune the H900 a bit, but for the most part, I have no desire to make my car an more complicated than it already is. Thanks for the ideas, but for now I'm playing the KISS game.

Adam

 

algore,

The subs are 8s

thanks for the tips on finishing the alluminum

Adam

 

no problem dude. just wondered how big the subs were as in the picture they looked kind of small. Must have been just me.

 

come to GTA, then i will let u try my brax, tru, butler, DLS, anything that i have.

 

Ha, ha, ha........... ok, now that I've seen the pictures, you are truly bent with the constructors sic-ness !!! Too bad you couldn't have had that "wicked" aluminum for the subs machined for perfect circles. Would have been an awesome showpiece. Out of curiousity, where'd you acquire the "thick" aluminum from??? It's giving me some "BAD" ideas about those 15" I want to install for my "Linkin Park" music episodes !!

BTW, before I forget, nice work/ideas. AND...... now that you have the ultimate tuning tools available, NO MORE EXCUSES, eh !!!! Only perfection is allowed from now on. Ha, ha, ha............ And you know when you come up here, you're bringing the car right. With the directions you're going in, I still think you should go with a pair of Soundstream Tarantulas and passives !!!!

[ August 03, 2004, 07:23 AM: Message edited by: dawgsbreakfast ]

 

Tom,

It was a learning experience. First I thought I'd cut the holes with a jig saw. Then...after spending a whole minute cutting about 1cm, I decided to go get some help. The plasma cutter did the job in about 15 minutes for all 4 holes.

Now thinking back, I'm kicking myself for not going to a machine shop to have the holes cut. But, I was under time contraints. It was late thursday afternoon, and I had until Friday night to complete the whole project. So I went somewhere I knew I could get the work done fast. If I had gone to the local machine shop, my baffle would still be sitting there waiting to be worked on "when they have a few spare minutes". Been down that road before...

The funny thing is, I'm actually planning on covering up the entire rear baffle. It looks pretty kick butt, but it draws a bit too much attention for my tastes. Some day though...

Bling Bling!!

Thanks for the compliments Tom. I think you know just how much thought I put into this stuff, I really enjoy the planning as much as the exicution of my ideas.

Most welding shops can get 1/2" aluminum by the sheet pretty easily. The problem is weather they will make you pay for the whole sheet. I think I paid about $25/sq. ft. for my plate, and it had some cutting and stuff done after that that cost a little bit. All totalled I think it was $150 for the whole plate, but I deal in cash and boxes of donuts with coffee. (works every place I go)

The rest of the aluminum came to $250, but it was part of the same deal described above.

For fasteners, I used all Stainless Steel. I pretty well cleaned Canadian Tire out of a few types, and my wallet was a bit lighter too.

I'd say including broken cobalt bits and taps (oops!) The project cost me about $500 out of pocket. The wiring and stuff I had in my Monster Cable Stash. (man it's one expensive box of wire snippets)

...I'm just getting started with that rack...I'm already looking at adding more electronics.

Headroom? What's that?

Adam

I've really enjoyed it so far, and I hope some other people take some of my ideas and do them right. (go to the machine shop, get the showpiece done...even if it takes a month)

 

Anyways, once again, hats off to you for having the "*****" to give her a go............. I've been watching what you've been up to .......... sort of from the start I guess. You've gone a long way, done interesting things, played in toys that make some of us others jealous (RTA...... bastard), bought and played with gear many only talk about and wish they could acquire. Your old man has golden ears, which is a resource that's priceless. Most importantly, you've shared a TON of your experiences etc with the forum and actually had the old guy drop in for a few chuckles........ cool. So as far as 2004 goes, you're up for the gold star member award for contributing the most-est I think. [img]graemlins/bow.gif[/img]

cheers [img]graemlins/cf2.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the kind words Tom.

As far as my project goes...yeah I'd say you've gotten the biggest ear full of all the crazy stuff that I think up...

I am very fortunate to be able to share this hobby with my old man.

As far as contributions go, I find the forum collectively contributes more to my life than I put back in. So in a maner of speaking, I owe people at least a fraction of the amusement that they provide me. I think that's generally reffered to as a community folks!

Regarding the price of some of the toys I'm priveliged to play with:

First of all I have built really good relationships with enthusiasts in the industry. I pay fair prices for products, but I'm very mindful of supporting those that support me. I don't pay full retail, but I don't pay cost. I work my but off to afford this stuff, making sacrifices that are hard to put into words sometimes. For this reason, I'll probably make a bigger effort to keep prices out of my comments. Because in reality, my costs are more than just monetary.

I lead a pretty hectic lifestyle, car audio helps me bring some balance to my life. It's my escape from reality, and my reality when I need to relax.

For those that enjoy my adventures, I'm glad I have people to share this stuff with...it makes it twice as fun!

Now all I've got to do is figure out how to pay for all these crazy ideas. I'm fresh out of arms and legs!!!

Keep grinding,

Adam