Ham gear install, getting closer

[scurrie]

It's been slow progress, but I am getting closer. I have the antenna mounted, and now the radio control head mounted. I also mounted the GPS and wired it to where the radio will be mounted (the GPS will share the radio audio path to the Autocom for turn by turn instructions, the radio has a external audio input for iPod, etc). Still need to mount the radio, run the antenna, power and Autocom cables, and also the remote control head cable. This is actually on hold for the moment, since Yaesu has still not released the CT-M11 option cable (headset/intercom connection) in the US yet, and I need that to connect to the Autocom. Grrrr! Anyway, thought folks might want to see the progress. The equipment is as follows:
Autocom
Garmin 2720
Yaesu FTM-10R
Diamond NR-77

-Scurrie, NS7C

[NI9N]

Did you have to buy the whole CB antenna kit to get the right-side bracket, or did you find another way? The kit is $180!

Pete, NI9N

[used2jeep]

Very nice job so far. I don't have an LT yet but it is on my short list of items. I am very interested in the total parts list that will be required for this type of install.

Now where is that thread "subscribe" button???

[scurrie]

Did you have to buy the whole CB antenna kit to get the right-side bracket, or did you find another way? The kit is $180!

Pete, NI9N
I just used the CB mount, which actually requires several part numbers:
65212337377 Aerial FO CB, qty 1
07119920067 7-Fillister Head, qty 2
65212305992 Cable Holder, qty 1
65212305959 Screw M3x4, qty 4
65212305993 Cover-Antenna, qty 1
About $150 worth of parts. You can see how I assembled it here:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8339

Not the cheapest route, but I wanted it to look stock.

-Scurrie

[scurrie]

Very nice job so far. I don't have an LT yet but it is on my short list of items. I am very interested in the total parts list that will be required for this type of install.

Now where is that thread "subscribe" button???

Yes, I will document all that when I am finished. Only problem is I will then know how much I spent!

[ErnieA]

I found this info when I Googled your radio. I'm guessing you have the main part of the unit stashed. Where, may I ask?


"Industry 1st - Waterproof/Dustproof* detachable Front Operation Panel to Support All-Weather Outdoor Activity. A high quality 1.1 inch/28 mm speaker is built into the FTM-10R/E detachable front panel; you can operate it like an HT! The microphone and PTT button are built into the front panel. Detach the front panel with one-touch release when transmitting! The detachable front panel may be separated from the main chassis, and attached to a flat metal surface with the magnetic mounting bracket. Incredibly versatile vehicle mounting options. The detachable Front Control can even be mounted on a motorcycle handlebar using the optional MMB-M11 multi-angle bracket. *Meets the IP57 standard. Waterproof at 3ft (1m) for 30 minutes and protection against dust. *The FTM-10R/E die-cast Main Body chassis section is NOT a waterproof structure"

[NI9N]

That looks like an Autocom PTT switch. Which one?

[NI9N]

I've duplicated your antenna installation, with no trouble at all! However, four of the filister head screws are required, not two. Turning the BNC to SO239 adapter into a "mount" was really easy, as was the rest of it.

So far I have a 2-meter transceiver (Kenwood TM-221A bought for a song at the Dayton Hamvention) along with a TinyTrak3Plus from Byonics (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/) and a Deluo WAAS (http://www.byonics.com/tinytrak/gps.php) GPS receiver to comprise a GPS tracker system. You can see the results at Google APRS Maps (http://aprs.he.fi/?call=NI9N-10&mt=m&z=11&timerange=86400)

[Zotter]

SCHWEEET!! Man, I gotta get going on my install - that looks so good!

By the by - here's a map for NI9N
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=NI9N-10

[scurrie]

Well, this took a lot longer than I thought it would, mostly due to the delay getting the Yaesu CTM-11 optional cable. That put the whole project way down on the to do list. Thanks to some questions from another local Ham who was doing a similar install on his GS, I decided I needed to finish this project so I would have the answers!

I still need to do a good road test of everything, but at this point it all seems to working to my satisfaction.

Instead of a long posting, I created a big Word doc with all my notes and thoughts compiled, then made it a PDF. If you are interested in the final outcome, take a look at the attached.

Now if we could just get some good riding weather....

-Scurrie

[jackson_wr]

Nice install. I was having a discussion about this radio on the BMWST forum. I noticed that you are concerned about running this at high power. I was concerned for another reason. Overloading the bikes electronics (i.e. engine management controls etc.). Have you tried it? Also I saw that you are running your through the Autocom system. I was going to try going bluetooth and going with a bluetooth mounted head set in my helmet.

Thought?

Many thanks, in advance for your response.

Randy (KA6TJH)

[scurrie]

Nice install. I was having a discussion about this radio on the BMWST forum. I noticed that you are concerned about running this at high power. I was concerned for another reason. Overloading the bikes electronics (i.e. engine management controls etc.). Have you tried it? Also I saw that you are running your through the Autocom system. I was going to try going bluetooth and going with a bluetooth mounted head set in my helmet.

Thought?

Many thanks, in advance for your response.

Randy (KA6TJH)

Hi Randy,
Good questions. I did the RF power density calculation for this system at high power for both 2M and 70CM. At the riders seat, it is probably right at MPE or just below, and at the pillion it is most certainly over MPE (for a controlled environment, well over for an uncontrolled environment). Low and medium power levels are OK.

As for the power load, at high power the radio draws about 117W. I seem to recall the alternator on the LT is something like 840W, but I have no idea what the various systems on the bike draw. The power sockets are rated at 60W each, so that would suggest that the electrical system can handle at least 120W of additional load. If you start loading those up with heated gear and then run the radio at high power, I suppose you could overload the electrical system, especially if the battery is weak. At low power the radio draws about 28W which should pose no problem for the electrical system, even with additional accessories running.

I have not had a chance yet to do extensive "on the road" testing of this installation (darn rain!). In addition to the power loads, it will be interesting to see if RF causes any problems with the bike engine management computer and brake systems (or for that matter, the entertainment system). I will follow up here when I have done that.

Since I already have the Autocom setup, I did not consider Bluetooth. My biggest concern with BT would be getting the VOX gain set right. There are only 2 settings for VOX gain (high and low) which might not be enough range for the noise levels encountered at various speeds. Of course, you could use the PTT switch on the control head and not use VOX, but that seems rather clumsy. I suppose you could install a PTT switch on the bars and connect it to the mic jack on the back of the radio, as long as that works during BT operation. The owners manual is not real detailed on BT operation.

-Scurrie

[scurrie]

I have not had a chance yet to do extensive "on the road" testing of this installation (darn rain!). In addition to the power loads, it will be interesting to see if RF causes any problems with the bike engine management computer and brake systems (or for that matter, the entertainment system). I will follow up here when I have done that.


Hey, the rain stopped! In fact, the sun is out and beautiful blue sky! Must be time for a test ride. So far so good, audio reports were good both directions, even at 3 digit speeds. I also tested high power transmit on both bands and did not observe anything unusual on the bike systems. I forgot to test the auto vol feature, not sure if that will work through the autocom mic or if it uses the mic on the front panel. GPS voice works as expected too, so at this point I would say the installation is looking good. I need more time on the radio to figure out all the features and how well they work in the motorcycle environment. I'll add that update later.

-Scurrie

[jackson_wr]

Glad the test ride went well. BTW is that antenna a NR770HA?

[scurrie]

Glad the test ride went well. BTW is that antenna a NR770HA?

NR770HB actually, I wanted all black.

-Scurrie

[Steve_R]

Are you going to interface the GPS to the radio for APRS? I am looking to do that but I was looking at using the Kenwood TM-D710A as the interface as it has the built in TNC. I was going to use the serial out from the Garmin SP III for the serial input to the radio.

BTW, I like what you've done for your antenna and plan on implementing (i.e. stealing) the design. :D

Best 73s.

[scurrie]

Are you going to interface the GPS to the radio for APRS? I am looking to do that but I was looking at using the Kenwood TM-D710A as the interface as it has the built in TNC. I was going to use the serial out from the Garmin SP III for the serial input to the radio.

Unfortunately, the 2720 has a USB interface, not a RS232 interface, so it won't be talking to any APRS device. For APRS I just toss the D7A and a little GPS in the top case and let it play. Not the best set up, but it works. This install is just a voice setup, though I suppose it would be easy enough to disconnect the Autocom and plug in a TinyTrak if I didn't have anyone to talk to. The Kenwood D7x radios are the way to go if you want to integrate both voice and APRS.


BTW, I like what you've done for your antenna and plan on implementing (i.e. stealing) the design. :D

That's why I posted it! :-)

-Scurrie

[Johnnyairtime]

I'm new to this site, and only came here as I heard your mounting a FTM-10R to your bike....

I ride dirt bikes, and have the whole setup completed.
However, I use a wired helmet kit (as the bluetooth is NOT a road friendly setup) and have great results thus far.

If you care to read on it, or need some info... I'd be happy to help if I can.
Some info - http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41636

Good luck!! And enjoy... it's a GREAT radio!!

[scurrie]

A few folks have asked about the Autocom and Yaesu pin-outs on my isolator, questioning the pin numbers. Seems there are more than one way to number DIN connectors, so I made a new drawing showing the connectors and the pin numbers.

-Scott

[scurrie]

I finally got around to recording a brief audio clip of the FTM-10R installation at various speeds. Anyone interested can find the clip at: http://home.comcast.net/~ns7c/Share/FTM-10R%20K1200LT-1.mp3 I'll keep it there for a while. Typical compressed Autocom audio, but it is certainly good enough for radio.

The recording was made by connecting my computer sound card to my base station and using RIP Vinyl to capture the various clips. I then edited them together using Audacity. I did not make any changes other than merging the clips together.

-Scott

[speedtripleor]

Sounds very good!

Gregg Robinson
2008 LT
KA7MDM
Vancouver, WA

[Jriverside]

I use a FT7800 on my lt. I have the head mounted on a BMR shelf. It has been on my bike for 3 years no problems. It runs through my auto com. I use their push to talk and head phones. I have main body behind my back seat and mounted to the front of the box with velcro, I am using a piece of black plastic,But am going make lixan cover. My antenna is mounted on a plate on the top rack. It all works great. Jim KD6REA
PS I work with a bike club that helps out on charety rides, Check out there webb site MARC