Ham Radio Enthusiasts

[Tom_Becker]

I'm planning on getting my ham radio license again. I had a general class license many years ago that I let lapse (too young, no money, etc.).

What are other's experiences putting a small transceiver on the LT? I'm thinking about a very low power rig. Can it be interfaced to the comm system? What practical antennas could be used? I would like a range of options to work not only HF but also VHF and UHF.

What issues will I run into and how have others resolved them?

Tom

[garyj]

I'm planning on getting my ham radio license again. I had a general class license many years ago that I let lapse (too young, no money, etc.).

What are other's experiences putting a small transceiver on the LT? I'm thinking about a very low power rig. Can it be interfaced to the comm system? What practical antennas could be used? I would like a range of options to work not only HF but also VHF and UHF.

What issues will I run into and how have others resolved them?

Tom

I believe you will have a problem with sufficient ground plane and reasonable size antenna on HF. On VHF-UHF this should not be a problem. I don't know about your comm system.

[Steve_R]

I agree with Gary in that there is just not enough metal mass for a good ground plane to do any HF work at all. There several folks here that have VHF/UHF rigs on their bikes. If I wanted to go with a HT, all I need would be to purchase a Kenwood unit as I already have the cable that would let it interface to my AutoCom no sweat.

I am looking at adding a higher powered Yeasu unit along with a GPS so that I can run APRS so my family can track me across the country.

Cheers and 73's.

[CharlieVT]

There are folks operating rigs on their bikes with more experience and activity that I have.
I don't do HF stuff on the bike (I don't do much HF anyway).
I have a little ICOM HT which I did a mod on to allow out of band transmission. This allows transmitting on FRS freqs. etc., in addition to the VHF, UHF.
I have an Autocom intercom system. I homebrewed an interface but you can buy them off the shelf as long as you tell Autocom what kind of radio it is.
I like the Autocom because it has a VOX circuit. My interface has a switch so I can disable the vox if I am using intercom with passenger and I don't want to TX the convesation.
If you want more specifics about my setup don't hesitate to ask.
73 OM
N1AUN

[BecketMa]

We are near the bottom of the sun spot cycle. Most consistent band will be 20.

Think quite a few people use a screw driver antenna for mobile work. Bike sure has enough mass to function as a current return path when used against a vertical.

73
Bob, AE7G

[Tom_Becker]

I agree that mobile HF is likely a problem. I don't know the current HF mobile antenna technology but unless there has been substantial improvement since I was on the air, the mobile HF antenna would probably be a lot to drag around on the LT.

On the other hand, I'm thinking of getting the Buddipole antenna for HF portable work. I would want the option of doing HF work while camping on the road. It seems like a reasonably portable (not mobile) HF antenna.

What rigs have you used on your LTs?

Tom

[Zotter]

Just take a look at the challenges folks are having getting 11m to work reasonable on an LT. Anything lower, it's gonna be tough - at best.

I run an HTX-202 for APRS on my LT. Home brewed a mount for the R side of the tail trunk that's patterned after the AM/FM mount on the left. Stuffed a 5/8ths base load for 2m on it. Someday, I may bow to cosmetics and match the angles of the two whips. Having one vertical and the other swept back - eh, looks a tad odd. The 202 and TinyTrack are stuffed under the seat. I have a speaker mike that can be plugged into the 202 and it's cable run under the seat for access. Still gotta pop the seat to QSY though. Not so good for chat'n while underway - but when stopped, tiz the bees knees.

See this thread over in the GPS Gadgets section for more on APRS: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218

No headsets, no voice coms while moving for me. Personal choice - no need to whack that horse again. <g>

An option to consider may be to setup 'transmobile' HF on an LT. Build yourself a 'roll out' grounding system - even just a few runs of appropriatly long wire you can toss out when stopped. Base end has some suitable quick connect (bannanna plug, Power Pole, gaters) Maybe some kinda spool/weight on the other end - to facilitate 'tossing' and stowage. Screwdriver or other vertical on a 'trailer hitch' type mount and work some HF from the side of the road, rest area, etc. Maybe even make a 'module' that'll go into one or the other side bags. Radio, tuner, etc with a small desk. Set a bench on the ground, open the side bag and go DXing! Maybe even get 'trick' and set it up so it's just part of the cover. Something like an IC-706MKIIG with the remote head would be easy to setup. Stuff the 'guts' under the rear seat where the canister was. http://www.icomamerica.com/products/amateur/706mkiig/
Retain some cargo space in the bag propper. Not a truely 'mobile' solution, but easily moved from site to site. Be great for grid hopping or county hunts.

73

[tvguy]

Go here. http://www.aesham.com/
Everytime I have a question or need to buy something these guys can help :)

[dasBike]

Tom:

I use a hand held Kenwood VHF/UHF when I ride. Radio Shack sells a nice Vox unit for hands free use.

Be sure you take a good look at the harmful effects of using HF with too much power on your bike. The proximity of the antenna to your head could be really harmful. Keep the power down, way down - like 5 wts., and you may be okay.

das

[dsorrel]

I use my LT and Ham radio to support bicycle ride events and other activities here locally.

I have a Kenwood TMD700 (VHF/UHF) mounted in the right rear compartment with the control head mounted just above the radio dash on the front to of the bike. The mike connection is under the seat and can be removed as can the control head when not needed or raining. I bought a OEM CB antenna mount used from this site. I removed the antenna guts and that left a hole in the mount that a bulkhead SO-239 connector fit in it just fine and I have a Diamond SG-7500 antenna mounted (I thread directly on the SO239 with the coax on the other end). I also have a Garmin GPS V (external gps antenna mounted on a plate below the Am/FM antenna) mounted in the same compartment as the TMD700 that feeds NEMA GPS data for APRS. We use that on the bike rides so the Bike Event personnel can track certian stages of the race. For audio I use an FM modulator with a splitter for one band (The TMD700 is a dual band radio) on the right stereo side and one band on the left stereo side. But since one band is usually dedicated to APRS I usually only have one band to work with.

I know someone will ask about overload on the FM side for the audio during transmit. The answer is it is not a problem except on the low end of 2 meters. But I don't need to listen and talk at the same time.

In this type of work we are sometimes out of repeater range. High powered radios are the best way to go. The TMD700 is a 50 watt unit.

I wear an open helmet and do not use or currently have the intercom system. The audio comes out clear through the main speakers. I guess though this setup would work fine with a full helmet with speakers and an an intercom system.

PM me if you would like pictures or more details.