I am thinking of adding a CB radio to my R. Has anyone out there added one and how does it work? Did youa dd the BMW or J&M?
Thanks
CB radio
Moderator: Moderators
Re: CB radio
Generally, CB is useful if you ride with people that have CB's. That radio is an AM radio that generally is good for about 2-3 watts actual transmitter power, and operates at 27Mhz or the 11 meter band, which is a high frequency (HF) band. There are 40 channels available for use.
Advantages: Cheap, no license required, installation is relatively easy, and a lot of bikes have them.
Disadvantages:
1. Being AM, it is subject to a lot of interference from other users, power line static, atmospheric interference (thunderstorms particularly).
2. The 40 channels make for a lot of people jammed into a few channels, with the attendant problem of everybody talking on top of each other. There are also a lot of illegal power amplifiers that cause an even worse interference problem if you are near them.
3. Low power equals limited range, generally a mile or two at times.
4. The 27mhz frequency is somewhat unique in that at certain times during the 11-year sunspot cycle it is subject to "skip" effect and you will find that the stations you are hearing and can make contact with can literally be on the other side of the earth, and when the band is "open" the interference level rises greatly. The noise level unless you really close up the squelch control, is seriously distracting.
Suggestions:
The FRS (family radio service [no license required]) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service- [requires a license right now]) radios are FM radios in the 462mhz band, and are far less subject to the problems of AM CB radios, give better coverage up to 5 miles at times, depending on terrain. The GMRS system uses repeaters that extend the range between the radios depending on the height of the repeater system antennas and can run higher power. There are a lot of good radios in these services that can be used for motorcycles and are very much preferred to CB. One of the nice features of these radios are what is called "selective calling" or tone or code squelch. This causes the radio to only hear other radios that are set to the same code tone, and eliminates a lot of interference.
Bluetooth radios are very short range and unless you are using them as wireless intercom systems, are not really useful when bikes spread out .
If you are the least bit interested in technology and can spend a few hours studying a little, come over to the Amateur Radio Service ( HAM Radio). We have a "no Morse code required" Technician license that is easy to obtain, and give you access to a lot of really neat radios, a bunch of orbiting satellites, really nice long-range repeater systems that are generally available to all HAM's, and because HAMS can run, legally, up to 1500 watts of power, the ability to run radios on a motorcycle that run from 1/4 watt to up to 100 watts or so in a small package. These radios are FM and other emission modes, and even come in combined packages that have AM/FM/SSB high frequency radios [General Class license required here] that can legally talk to anyplace on earth while you are riding around. Obviously this would be useful if you are riding outside cellphone coverage, and need help.
An example of the great coverage is the "Zia Connection" in the Southwest. I can access a repeater located in west Texas that is interconnected with repeaters all over the southwest over into California and north into Colorado seamlessly. All for free ! Ham Radio is a great match for motorcycles.
For an example of a nice motorcycle specific radio, check out the Yaesu FTM10R:
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Di ... Archived=0
Licensing information can be obtained here using the Gordon West Study Guides:
http://www.w5yi.org/catalog.php?sort=5
When you are ready for an exam, the W5YI Volunteer Examiners or American Radio Relay League (ARRL) VE's will give you the test in your area and shortly thereafter the FCC will send your license.
Come play on the air with us. It is a great hobby in itself, and really cool on the motorcycles !
Advantages: Cheap, no license required, installation is relatively easy, and a lot of bikes have them.
Disadvantages:
1. Being AM, it is subject to a lot of interference from other users, power line static, atmospheric interference (thunderstorms particularly).
2. The 40 channels make for a lot of people jammed into a few channels, with the attendant problem of everybody talking on top of each other. There are also a lot of illegal power amplifiers that cause an even worse interference problem if you are near them.
3. Low power equals limited range, generally a mile or two at times.
4. The 27mhz frequency is somewhat unique in that at certain times during the 11-year sunspot cycle it is subject to "skip" effect and you will find that the stations you are hearing and can make contact with can literally be on the other side of the earth, and when the band is "open" the interference level rises greatly. The noise level unless you really close up the squelch control, is seriously distracting.
Suggestions:
The FRS (family radio service [no license required]) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service- [requires a license right now]) radios are FM radios in the 462mhz band, and are far less subject to the problems of AM CB radios, give better coverage up to 5 miles at times, depending on terrain. The GMRS system uses repeaters that extend the range between the radios depending on the height of the repeater system antennas and can run higher power. There are a lot of good radios in these services that can be used for motorcycles and are very much preferred to CB. One of the nice features of these radios are what is called "selective calling" or tone or code squelch. This causes the radio to only hear other radios that are set to the same code tone, and eliminates a lot of interference.
Bluetooth radios are very short range and unless you are using them as wireless intercom systems, are not really useful when bikes spread out .
If you are the least bit interested in technology and can spend a few hours studying a little, come over to the Amateur Radio Service ( HAM Radio). We have a "no Morse code required" Technician license that is easy to obtain, and give you access to a lot of really neat radios, a bunch of orbiting satellites, really nice long-range repeater systems that are generally available to all HAM's, and because HAMS can run, legally, up to 1500 watts of power, the ability to run radios on a motorcycle that run from 1/4 watt to up to 100 watts or so in a small package. These radios are FM and other emission modes, and even come in combined packages that have AM/FM/SSB high frequency radios [General Class license required here] that can legally talk to anyplace on earth while you are riding around. Obviously this would be useful if you are riding outside cellphone coverage, and need help.
An example of the great coverage is the "Zia Connection" in the Southwest. I can access a repeater located in west Texas that is interconnected with repeaters all over the southwest over into California and north into Colorado seamlessly. All for free ! Ham Radio is a great match for motorcycles.
For an example of a nice motorcycle specific radio, check out the Yaesu FTM10R:
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=Di ... Archived=0
Licensing information can be obtained here using the Gordon West Study Guides:
http://www.w5yi.org/catalog.php?sort=5
When you are ready for an exam, the W5YI Volunteer Examiners or American Radio Relay League (ARRL) VE's will give you the test in your area and shortly thereafter the FCC will send your license.
Come play on the air with us. It is a great hobby in itself, and really cool on the motorcycles !
MSF #127350 NAUI #36288
2011 RT
WARNING: TEST RIDING THE R1200R IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR FINANCES
2011 RT
WARNING: TEST RIDING THE R1200R IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR FINANCES
-
silvermcoupe
- Lifer
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:05 pm
Re: CB radio
Thanks I really appreciate the information. I have looked at both FRS and CB radio's. The CB's seem old school with a lot of drawbacks but a lot of the people I ride with have them. I looked at the Scala helmet to helmet, but your right the range is limited. I'll come over the site you sent and check it out.
I've never really thought about the alternative you mentioned but that could be a lot of fun. I live in Indiana and usually ride do a lot of touring in the 3 seasons. The HAM could be fun to play with in the winter. I traded motorcycles twice in one year to wind up with the R12R that I love. Don't want to make that mistake with the radio's.
I really appreciate the advice.
I've never really thought about the alternative you mentioned but that could be a lot of fun. I live in Indiana and usually ride do a lot of touring in the 3 seasons. The HAM could be fun to play with in the winter. I traded motorcycles twice in one year to wind up with the R12R that I love. Don't want to make that mistake with the radio's.
I really appreciate the advice.
