CB radio use k1200lt

[longtmrdr]

Hello, Are many still using the CB in their travels? I would like to install one on my bike I have an auto Com proM1 intercom and cell phone now but think a CB might be worth installing. I contacted Autocom and they suggest(only suggest) if I must have one the Cobra HH38 for my system. This will be fine with me. Has anyone done this install? Thanks Denny

[zimbazi]

Denny,
Yes I enjoy the CB unit.
I have the J&M CB and it is trash.
My dealer is installing the fourth unit next week.
Hopefully this one will work correctly?
So far I cannot transmit only listen to everybody yakking.

[sprdoorman]

Hey Jeff,

Make sure your dealer checks that the mounting where the antenna attaches is achieving a good ground. They are supposed to scrape this area bare when mounting it. I have a J&M and had the bike back to the dealer 6 times with no success. Had the same problem your having. Could hear everyone fine, but no one could understand me. Took it to another dealer and they fixed it first time by scraping this area clean. Cost me $150.00 to have them do this, but it works fine now.

[BillyOmaha]

Howdy Denny,


I have the J&M comm system with a CB and like it. I don't use it much with my riding buddies, but have used it to communicate with truckers about road conditions and fuel.

Mine was especially handy when we out in the middle of nowhere along the West side of the Great Salt Lake and a WalMart trucker was very helpful.

Most LT guys tend to use GMRS units for bike to bike comms. Recommend the Kenwood or ICOM units.

.

[rspyder]

I have the J&M unit as well and the CB works very well to communicate primarily with truckers and occasionally other riders. With the J&M I can listen to my tunes and adjust the squelch so I only hear the very local CBers.

The CB needs to be installed so the antenna has a very solid ground. It is very necessary to scrape the paint from under the bolts on the antenna mount.

[early1]

and the IntaRide RP-1 intercom have worked well together, and i can swith to the ICOM -21 (from Raffy) just by plug/unplug between the two radios.

[Bruce7]

I have the J&M CB on the handlebar, properly gorunded antenna, it works poorly, far too much noise, squelch is all the way up. The stock BMW antenna is tuned to a transmit frequency to high, around 35Mh versus the high 29 range, this generates high SWR and casues grief.

I also have the J&M unit installed on my wifes V Star 1100 no joy there. J7M have never responded to emails about the noise problem and the BMW dealer is yet to solve the antenna problem, the antenna is electrically too short.

I suspect that all these bikes generate a load of RF hash and they need ot be redesigned to be radio friendly as well.

My opinion...

Bruce

[strsout]

I do have the Midland CB unit, factory installed, that I very rarely use.
I think the FRS is more user friendly and less noise then CB.

[mtrevelino]

I have the cobra HH 38 WXST cb with the autocom pro 1. What I found is that with the bmw antenna, it would produce a loud squealing sound while trying to transmit. I currently have the cb laying in the left side case. What I eventually want to do is to mount the cb somewhere on the handlebars, and to use the stock cb antenna (not the bmw antenna). As a test with the cb laying in the side case and using the cb's antenna, I do not get the screech that was produced by the bmw antenna.
Good luck!

[RSnyder]

Here is some information I found reference information on "Dual Antenna Motorcycles" from Firestik Antennas

http://www.firestik.com/Tec_Doc/mc-dual.htm

I hope that this will shed some light on some of the different antenna problems that others have spoken about.

After I submitted the post I found the link does not work. The same information can be found by going to the Firestik main web site and going to the Tec help section and looking under motorcycle information.

[longtmrdr]

Thanks for the input.
I guess being away from the world of cb radio for a while, quite a change in things. The FRS/GRMS seems to have established itself.

I installed a PTT cable to my autocom and have it mounted on my left handle grip. I think I will try a CB unit that should plug into the autocom if I have the right cable? I hope the PTT will work with a FRS/GRMS unit as well again with the proper connector on the autocom side.

I think the CB is helpful on the road but if with a group of bikes the FRS would be a better option?
Denny

[strsout]

I think the CB is helpful on the road but if with a group of bikes the FRS would be a better option?
Denny

In my opinion YES.

The CB for the bike still have a limited range (2 to 4 miles if that), so there is no point in favor of it.
FRS is clear and noise free.