Test car previews mobile electronics installation program

Electronics students have rolled up their sleeves at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical and are working on a prototype vehicle, a 1997 Acura Integra that will make its debut March 31 at Trade and Tech Day on the Red Wing campus. The prototype is aimed at attracting interest in the college's new program in mobile electronics installation.

Installations on the first test vehicle include security, remote starters, special acoustics, a rear-mounted camera and a special pop-up display screen controller. Future installations will include global positioning. The program will be launched this fall.

"They will learn all the basics we offer in our traditional electronics program, while learning all basics of mobile installation," electronics instructor Marc Kalis said. Kalis attended training at the Installers Institute in Daytona, Fla., last summer and learned the fine art of installing the latest high-tech electronic devices in automobiles and sport utility vehicles.

Student Jerrad Stoltman is installing mobile electronics gear into a test vehicle at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical.

He also was recruited to participate in a 48-hour "celebrity automotive makeover" on the Speed Channel's "Car Crazy" special in August.

Students will earn a one-year certificate and will be certified if they meet the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional standards, recognized nationally and backed by the industry's leading manufacturers.