CB Radio experience?

[bandi]

anybody has any experience with using CB radios on motorcycle? I have an Alan 42 multi and I'm interested in:
- recommendation for an antenna - model and place to mount it;
- recommendation for a headset that would work properly at 60mph and over
- other useful hints and tips

thanks

[Lumiya]

anybody has any experience with using CB radios on motorcycle? I have an Alan 42 multi and I'm interested in:
- recommendation for an antenna - model and place to mount it;
- recommendation for a headset that would work properly at 60mph and over
- other useful hints and tips

thanks

Hi,

Any small whip would do. Problem with CB is that the wavelength is 11 meters so even a 1/4 wave ariel would be about 5-6 feet in length including the loading coil (without the loading coil it would be 10ft in length). Best mounting spot is always behind the rider due to size (either on pannier/luggage rack or top-box)

For headset either one with a decent noise cancelling mike or a inner ear or throat mike would stop the wind noise being broadcast and allow the usage of a vox unit.

Bike arn't suppressed as well as cars so expect the get a bit of a whine when you accelerate. Speak to a decent CB shop for suppressors of the correct frequency.

Kymmy (used to be on CB years ago but then passed my ham test)

[bandi]

thanks kymmy for the prompt reply

can you give me more details about the suppressor? what is this? I didn't understand what it does and my English level doesn't help me too much when it comes to tech stuff.

as for decent CB shops here in Romania... I don't know what to say I'll make a trip to Austria via Hungary so maybe I get lucky there if I get the answer in time

73's

[Cie]

Another Radio Ham eh!

Bandi, get yourself a decent bike intercom, like the Autocom, which has a noise canceling mic.

As for the antenna, there's no reason why you can't take a big flexible whip from a car and use that, but remember that your frame isn't going to provide much of a groundplane. Have a look at this for some more information.

You might want to think about your Amateur Radio license too, there's so much more that can be done with it, for example, a radio that does 144 and 430 Mhz, with a detachable front panel that can be mounted near the handlebars. The body of the radio (tiny) goes under the seat, and you get increased performance from better antenna's. Oh, and how about tracking your bike from home? Been there, done that.

Anyway, good luck with your project.

[Lumiya]

Another Radio Ham eh!

Bandi, get yourself a decent bike intercom, like the Autocom, which has a noise canceling mic.

As for the antenna, there's no reason why you can't take a big flexible whip from a car and use that, but remember that your frame isn't going to provide much of a groundplane. Have a look at this for some more information.

You might want to think about your Amateur Radio license too, there's so much more that can be done with it, for example, a radio that does 144 and 430 Mhz, with a detachable front panel that can be mounted near the handlebars. The body of the radio (tiny) goes under the seat, and you get increased performance from better antenna's. Oh, and how about tracking your bike from home? Been there, done that.

Anyway, good luck with your project.

Yeah! 430Mhz is a lot better on the bike, lot smaller antenna and a better crowd on it (no whippets, flat caps and mushy peas people as Jenna would say) :P

Bandi, as for the supressor it might need more than 1 as each coil will need it (depends on the bike) though a change of plugs and caps to ones with internal suppression might be an idea. You need a suppressor as it stops electrical interference with the audio and radio signals...only way of telling if you need a supressor is to try it without.

Kymmy

[bandi]

guyz & gilz,

thanks for the tips however CB 27MHz is THE choice, since it's the frequency used by truck drivers to exchange information on traffic (radars, accidents, police filters etc.)

[Cie]

Ok, well in which case, make sure that you put the antenna on the rear carrier. The bike frame will give a little directionality for your signals, that being in the direction you're going

It'd be great to get your setup details on the wiki, or even just here. Have you got any piccies?

[Jenna]

guyz & gilz,

thanks for the tips however CB 27MHz is THE choice, since it's the frequency used by truck drivers to exchange information on traffic (radars, accidents, police filters etc.)

I used to use CB all the time in the trucks and cant see any other frequency being practical out where bandi is.. ham is great if everyone uses it or its beening used as pit radios but crap for transfer of local info (its also very expensive compared to CB!)

Stilll have the midland set out the Land-rover which will get bunged in the truck.. CB rules

[bandi]

Ok, well in which case, make sure that you put the antenna on the rear carrier. The bike frame will give a little directionality for your signals, that being in the direction you're going

It'd be great to get your setup details on the wiki, or even just here. Have you got any piccies?

so far I use the Alan 42 with a President Florida on my Forester (Subaru rulez :P ) and can really see the benefit. I have improvised a headset out of some broken PC headsets and I am testing them in my car. I was thinking of sticking a metal plate on the topcase to mount the antenna (it has a magnet mount) and the radio will go either on the frame or into a tankbag. the PTT with be temporarily duct-taped on the handlebar next to the horn switch - till I get a fancy button or a factory-made headset kit with a PTT to fit on the handlebar

That's all until I get some positive temperatures and dry roads to ride the bike again

LE: suppressors... some sort of device meant to take the unwanted noise out of a car stereo?... or is it really different? sorry...

[Dilbert]

Suppressors, designed to stop the ignition coils interferring with the radio signal, they are both am frequencies, am has been illegal in Britain since the early 80's, but that never stopped truckers and taxi drivers carrying on using it