Motorcycle Mobile

[AB9LZ]

Anybody out there have any experience with running an HF motorcycle mobile setup? I see products for CB, mounts, helmet mikes and the like, any recommendations? I have a DL1000 with a Givi trunk case, so have room for an antenna mount, easy access to the battery etc.

I commute daily, at the least I'd like to take advantage of the good repeater traffic around here, on weekends I'd like to try and work HF from up on the blue ridge parkway and other high spots around the state.

tnx 73 Mark/4

I have not tried HF on my bike, but one thing I can add is that you will want to be sure your bike can handle an HF rig at 100w ... you may have to go QRP. It will be interesting to hear of the bike set ups that other hams are running. Pictures would be cool too. Good luck with your project.

73
W4HDM (Harley Davidson Motorcycles)

[KG6TOP]

Hi, check this nice dual bander out, it's designed for motorcycles. I'm thinking about getting it as soon as I get my bike

Yaesu FTM-10R

Pretty nice, I like the blue tooth option. I would not be able to afford gas for the bike after getting all of the accessories! Chrome would have been nice.

Is it water proof? Alot of money to loose if you were caught in the rain with out a place to pull off.

[KG6TOP]

It looks like the front panel is waterproof and dust proof. You'd probably have to mount the main unit in a saddlebag or something like that. take a look on Yaesu's website about it. There's too much to list here! hehe

[K9FV]

That Yeasu is slick!!! Built in mic? Bluetooth? Does that mean the bluetooth attachmet I have for my cell phone would work with that? Talk about a neat mobile for the car - cell phone and radio on the same ear peice - IF that would work.

On the HF on a bike - I ran a HF setup a few yrs ago on my 1500 goldwing. Now I run a VHF only setup. I had a screwdriver on the 1500 wing and it work pretty good - considering.

You say you would like repeater traffic AND HF work - that pretty much requires a "station in a box" type radio - 706, 857, etc. Unless you are thinking of mounting two different radios?

Does your bike have a factory intercom? OR just cruiser style with no built in intercom, radio, etc? Makes a LOT of difference how you connect and implement the PTT>

73 de Ken

[AB9LZ]

Quote[/b] (K9FV @ July 30 2007,05:23)]That Yeasu is slick!!! #Built in mic? #Bluetooth? #Does that mean the bluetooth attachmet I have for my cell phone would work with that? #Talk about a neat mobile for the car - cell phone and radio on the same ear peice - IF that would work.

On the HF on a bike - I ran a HF setup a few yrs ago on my 1500 goldwing. #Now I run a VHF only setup. #I had a screwdriver on the 1500 wing and it work pretty good - considering. #

You say you would like repeater traffic AND HF work - that pretty much requires a "station in a box" type radio - 706, 857, etc. #Unless you are thinking of mounting two different radios?

Does your bike have a factory intercom? #OR just cruiser style with no built in intercom, radio, etc? #Makes a LOT of difference how you connect and implement the PTT>

73 de Ken

Neither, it's a dual sport so it doesn't have any built in comm's capability. Yes was thinking of the 857, but now that I have thought about it more, VHF only might work just fine (btw that Yaesu looks nice&#33. The repeaters here in western NC have pretty wide coverage and I'm a CW guy anyway, I'd probably have more fun on HF with my K2 at a picnic table.

What did you use for a helmet mike?

73 m/4

[K9FV]

The goldwing has build in intercom/radio/CB, etc. I have used a J&M headset, and a couple other factory build headsets with the wing. Now, most of my headsets are homebrew.

Let me think a bit on your situation.... I do agree a VHF is the easiest to install on a bike and lots of fun also. You really need a 1/2 antenna so you don't have to worry about a ground plane.

Have you visited the MARC website? (Motorcycle Amature Radio Club).

http://www.marc-hq.org/pages/homepage.htm

http://www.marc-hq.org/40.technotes/40.htm

They have a good bit of info there, but most of it is geared toward the goldwing type bikes.

Now that I think abit - your system should be pretty easy. Take a cheap (cause I'm cheap) set of headphones like for your walkman (I guess that should be Ipod now?) - anywhere from $5 to $15. Radio Shack has a mic you can use - don't remember the part number now, but will look for it - $10. That will allow you to put the speakers in your helmet, and rig up a mike... BTW, do you wear a full face, 3/4 or 1/2 helmet?

Now you will need a "wiring harness" for your radio. Depending on the radio chosen - you might have a RJ-45 connector that will bring out the PTT and mic - if you are lucky you can also get the audio from the RJ-45. The PTT will need to be routed to a N.O. button on your handle bar (left side more standard for PTT).... Yea, that would be pretty easy to do.

Tell me what radio you plan and I can email you a PDF file with a pretty good wiring diagram of what is needed if you like.

73 de Ken H>

[N3IXQ]

Some of these answers were eye opening to me that's for sure.. #I ride a Harley FLHT.. #I clamp a Yeasu VRX 5 HT on the handlebars. #I use the wired speaker/microphone and plug in an ear piece. #I also use my left hand when transmitting. #Sometimes I tie wrap the speaker mike to the bar to... #So I can shift and transmit at the same time.

Without a external antenna it limits the range to about 5 miles, IF we aren't on a repeater. #But for the weekly rides and the hauls to Myrtle Beach, it beats having nothing..

I hate anything permanent on the bike.

[K9FV]

That reminds me, I have also used a VX-150 HT with the ear peice & mic from MFJ - and it does work. You need a foam cover for the mike to reduce wind noise. but it does work pretty nice.

I am using the same VX-150 with a Comet dual band ant mounted on luggage rack and usually can work the local repeater (good coverage) for 20 miles ok on 5 watts.

Ken