| Author | Message | ||
     F_skinner |
I doubt anyone is interested in this but just in case I figure I would let you all know my latest modifications to the Uly. I decided to add a VHF/UHF transceiver to the Uly. I also decided to add an external speaker that can be used as a PA system only because the radio had that feature. Some things I was unsure of is if the radio would mount to the handle bars in a way that I can still see the gauges. I tested this with the handle bar mounting bracket that is an option with this radio. It worked.  The next two challenges were how to mount the Antenna and the external speaker for the PA system. Of course the speaker could have been a lot easier if Buell had the mounts on all Ulys instead of just the XB12XP. No matter, I had some aluminum in the garage along with some antenna parts and ordered a new dual band antenna.   The only requirement I had is that everything must fit while the hard bags are installed. Easier said than done. After examining many possibilities I decided to use one of the bolts that holds the bag frame on the bike.  Next is to attached the antenna mount and antenna.  The radio is a Yaesu FTM-10 (http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=AF7E08DC3F2467B1B4B2CB4DA49BCF88&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0) which has a detachable face (control panel) that will be mounted on the handle bar and the radio itself a long with the connections will go under the seat where the seat bag is. In fact I may be able to place it in the seat bag, it is that small.  The radio will get here Wed and I will complete the install. The hard part will be learning a new radio. I also need to figure out the headset design but have a big box of old parts and can fab something out of that. Here is how it looks so far.   Why would I put a VHF/UHF radio on the Uly. Well there are many times while in the mountains that I am out of cell phone range. I have never been out of range of a repeater. Also, Lynn recently got her ham license and I will be working a different setup for her bike using a handheld radio so we can communicate on long trips bike to bike. The range of this setup is line of sight but in practical terms it will be about 10 to 20 miles on simplex (bike to bike). It is longer using repeaters. Learn more about Amateur Radio at www.arrl.org. In recent years the FCC has relaxed the licensing requirements and it is extremely easy to get a ham license. For HF communications I have an entirely different setup using solar cells, low power and wire antennas while camping. That is a different thread if anyone is interested. Frank | ||
| Froggy |
Nice, more electronics that I won't need. I might just have to borrow you ideas  | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Not much for ground plane there. Please post after some testing. That's a nice clean installation! | ||
| F_skinner |
Dan, your right. Not much of a ground plane. The bolt goes through the aluminum to the frame of the hard bag brackets. That will help but I have another solution if it does not perform well. I have not tuned it yet so we will see. I have never believed the antenna advertisers that state "no ground plane needed" especially with these short antennas. | ||
| Court |
Darn you. | ||
| Oddsc |
Nice! N8NMC | ||
| Alchemy |
Great topic. I have been mulling how to put a 2m rig on the bike. I miss the repeater when I am on the bike. I have never mounted a 2m rig on a bike and it seems a bit challenging just to operate. A bluetooth mike to the helmet seems like it would be nice. Could it be hooked up like a cell phone maybe through a GPS. I will have to look at the FTM-10. Son and wife are going to take their test on Thursday. Got the son copying some code last night for the first time. Thanks for posting. I will be interested in how this works out. | ||
| Jlnance |
Thanks Frank, I've got a ham license, though I haven't really used it since my daughter was born (she is 14 now.) I've considered doing what you've done, I like to take long rides, and sometimes it would be nice to switch on some company. I've also been in the middle of nowwhere, and thought that it would sure be nice to be able to talk with someone if the bike broke. I see the radio you've selected is vhf/uhf. Back when I was active, everyone was on 2M. I assume the radio is 144/440 mhz (yes, just checked your link.) I remember 440 as being high tech, I guess it's pretty mainstream now. Are most people on 2 meters or 440? Jim KB4FXD | ||
| F_skinner |
it seems a bit challenging just to operate yes, it could be and also one of my concerns. I did not want the blue tooth for the simple reason of charging the headset. I am not sure how many hours you can get out of those but figured I would hard wire to the radio face itself and not worry about it. I will use a PPT switch because I do not think the VOX will like the wind noise in the helmet. I can hook ipod or anything else that has an audio out to the radio and have it pipped into the helmet. There is a lot of capability in this radio however the reviews on eham have not been good. I believe most of the bad reviews are due to operator error and installation. The ground plan issue is real due to the aluminum framed bikes. I remember 440 as being high tech Jim, I am not sure by what you mean by high tech but there are a number of 70cm repeaters in this area. Yes 2 meters is much more popular however the only rig I could find for this application had both so that is how I decided that. As far a freq to use I think 146.520 is the simplex freq for 2 meters (I could be wrong on that) and the last time I traveled across country I only heard one other person. We will use simplex unless I need to use a repeater for emergency use, the reperater listing will be a handy tool in other cities. Lynn has a handheld (VX-170 2 meter only). I will make a power adapter to her battery (although it works fine on the internal battery) and a PPT switch/headphone and mic in her helmet and she can just clip the radio to her belt. The antenna is on the radio and will not have the range I will have but that is ok. She will only use it for the long trips when we need to talk. RANT ON (Just to let you know I am a code op. I do not use voice on HF at all. I have never had much use for anything above 30 MHZ. Not that it is not a viable band of freqs but I just do not care for the CB type of operator the FCC has been cranking out lately. With the death of the morse code requirement (based on NO research) and the re-allocation of the code only spectrum my activity has wained a bit.) RANT OFF Alchemy, it is great to hear you have your son copying code. I think it is a lot easier for young minds to absorb cw. I taught myself for a merit badge many moons ago. I have an idea for a better bracket but will need to fab it up and test it. I also built a portable vertical for QRP HF Ops. I power the radio from the battery of the bike supplemented with a solar cell. The radio is a Elecraft K1 however they have much smaller ones now and are super easy to build. It is good to find a couple of Hams on the BadWeb. I almost did not post this since I did not think that were not that many around be if I can help or inspire one person it is worth it. | ||
| Jlnance |
It is good to find a couple of Hams on the BadWeb. I almost did not post this since I did not think that were not that many around A picture of me, 25 years and 50 lbs ago.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Great Scott!! Where is that flux capacitor. Emmett Lathrop "Doc" Brown, Ph.D. is a fictional scientist and one of the lead characters in the Back to the Future motion picture trilogy. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on February 24, 2009) | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Note; Ecm's don't like amps. I let the smoke out of the ecm in a company truck with a Palamar 500 amp while yakking with a base in Subic Bay. The boss frowned a lot. | ||
| F_skinner |
The boss frowned a lot.  .5 amps receive and 2 amps at transmit (5 watts) | ||
| F_skinner |
Also, do not use what I did as a bracket. I will be doing a proof of concept on a new one shortly. What I have on there now is temporary until I get the antenna performance where I want it and test the PA function. Testing / modifying is where all the fun is! | ||
| F_skinner |
One more thing. In order to protect a ECM a low tech solution is wrapping it in tin foil, completely. | ||
| Alchemy |
Frank, I would be very interested in your comments on a QRP unit for light traveling. I want to get my son on the HF bands on CW and also want to get him some kit experience (or me maybe<grin>  . I have never worked QRP and want to give it a try so if you know something that compares favorably with the Elecraft K1, I would be interested in your comments. All I have is a straight key at this point and your comments there would be appreciated as I should probably move my son to something a little more "modern". | ||
| F_skinner |
The great thing about a straight key is you will develop good character spacing. I started on a straight key then moved to bugs and finally a keyer but I still use a straight key from time to time. There are actually two types of iambic keying (mode a and b) but with most radios you do not need to worry about that, I think most use B. It takes a little practice but a lot easier than using a bug. I recommend using a straight key and concentrating on spacing and accuracy and do not worry about speed as that will come later. A lot of new hams get in trouble sending too fast and when someone comes back at the same speed they are lost. I find a straight key is ok up to 15 wpm and after that I use a keyer. The first HF CW contact is a scary thing. If you need someone to make a CW contact with let me know. There are a few freqs on HF where new CW ops are very welcome (search on SKCC / Straight Key Century Club) for the freqs. It is a good organization and free. As far as the K1. I have not used any other QRP radio (besides a HW-8 in the 70s). I am very impressed with the K1. If building the kit is a problem I think Elecraft will build it (or have someone build it) for you. I really like the KX1 but it was not out when I got the K1. I highly recommend you do not operate QRP as a beginner. It takes a lot more skill and a new person can get very frustrated trying to have a QSO with less than 5 watts into a wire antenna. Band conditions and freq are critical with QRP. I am not saying it is impossible but just be prepared to have your CQs go unanswered and QSOs to suffer QSB. After I get this project taken care of I will post more on my QRP HF setup. I once setup a dipole ten inches off the ground and had great results but I was camping at 12 thousand feet which helped. 73 | ||
| Dr_greg |
Darnit, wish I had a picture of my rig from 1962. My call was WA6UXL from 5 miles east of Hemet, CA. Anyone go back further than that? I was 15 YO at the time. Had my 15 wpm code certificate from W6OWP (still framed in my office). Lotsa QSL cards (rarest was from Bouvet Island---look it up---LH4C from a DXpedition). Love those single-letter calls. Viking Valiant transmitter and Hallicrafters SX-101A receiver. Big beam antenna (w/rotator) on a telephone pole. I was a hotshot CW operator too, finally bought an automatic keyer (forgot the name). Finally, I was told not a few times that I "had a good fist." Ponder that for a while... Yeah, all the Q-stuff. The local guy who ran the (tiny) ham radio shop, Gil Severns, had the best call I've ever heard of: W6QR And to think it all came to a screeching halt when I got my CA driver's license on September 8, 1963. --Doc | ||
| F_skinner |
Got me beat Doc. I was first licensed in 79. Born in 62. I still have my novice call of KA4JQZ although I upgrade to Extra in 85 (I think) when the code requirement was 20 WPM. I still use a bug (Mac Key) made before I was born. Your call sign has been re-issued go to www.qrz.com and type in your call... Your rigs were a couple of boat anchors but effective. I hear a couple of Vikings on the air every so often. | ||
| Alchemy |
Frank, Thanks so much for your comments. Yep, the KX-1 was one I looked at a while ago. My son just recently got the ham fever so I am re-investigating a few things. There was a post on QRP on a bike in the archives I think. Fine Business on the straight key. We will proceed with that and maybe look into a KX-1 for a project if the interest holds. He seems to find CW interesting and I think CW is a little more friendly to young hams.... we will see how it goes. I have a HF TS-430 that should work ok for CW but I will have to work on the antenna situation a bit. I may take you up on the generous offer to be the first contact<grin>. Jim, great picture!!!! Dr Greg, I got licensed about the same time 62 or 63. What a hassle it was in those days. I drifted away when motorcycles and girls grabbed my interest. I got back into it for a while in my 20s getting my Advanced after finally passing the 13wpm code test. Upgraded further later when relo'd to the east coast but have kept the station modest since then. I started thinking about a 2m rig on the Uly when contemplating the Alaska rally in 2010. The FTM-10R looks interesting. Lots of opinions about it. The last connection to the helmet seems to be the interesting one. It is a lot easier to play with radios when the weather is this cold. | ||
| F_skinner |
I made another bracket.   It seems to be a little stronger. I played with the antenna a bit and although it will work satisfactory I am going to make a ground plane and install it. The ground plane will actually be a butterflied piece of wire cut to resonate frequencies. The reading is for the simplex freq I will use on 2 meters. On 70cm it is flat across the ham band which makes since. The antenna is 5/8 wave length on 70cm and 1/2 wave on two meters. I also managed to loose the allen wrench used to tune the antenna in the Uly somewhere. I think I will have to disassemble the bike to find it!  | ||
| Garyz28 |
Your install looks good. I've been thinking of doing the same on my Uly. Lots of back roads around here with no cell phone reception but like you said, there's always a repeater. KQ6RT | ||
| Alchemy |
It will be interesting to see your antenna now that the bracket is working out. I saw there was a license plate mount by Yaesu. Does the FM/AM reception work out? That was interesting to me that the radio will pipe in Am/FM or Ipod music. Are you making some provision for using the radio without wearing the helmet? Mic? | ||
| F_skinner |
The mic (headset) will be the next challenge. I have not decided on anything and need to do much more research to see what will work. No matter what I do I will have to wire it up for that radio because I do not think there is anything on the market for it. I always wear a helmet but for operation off the bike the display unit that mounts on the handle bar can be used as a handheld and has a mic built into it. I am thinking I will fab a PPT switch that can be easily manipulated while riding. BTW: A couple of things I do not like about that license plate bracket; I do not think it clears the bags on the Uly and when mounted to the Uly it is mounted to plastic. That is a lot of weight on the license plate bracket along with the wind moving the antenna. The radio is going to arrive today so I will post more info (pics) as I install it. Anything with an audio output should work. I do not listen to music while riding so I doubt I will use that feature at all. | ||
| 44mag2 |
Nice! Was was thinking about doing that as well. KC7YUU | ||
| F_skinner |
Got the radio today. It is small, real small. Here are all the pieces left to right, the control panel, the main unit and mic connectors.  The main unit will fit in the under seat Buell bag with room for tools.  The radio control head on the bike.   The bad news is it does not work. I called HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) and they are sending a new unit and I am sending this one back. Oh well. | ||
| F_skinner |
I still have not figured out the headsets but I ordered a cheap pair that I will have to modify for this purpose. There is a PTT switch on the radio itself in a easy to get to spot so I will use that. | ||
| Alchemy |
DOA, oh the humanity. Bummer. Size looks interesting. Keep us posted. | ||
| F_skinner |
Yep DOA, I hooked it up to a power supply and nothing. I decided to mock it up on the bike to see how I would have to run the cable. Looks to be pretty easy. I have used HRO for years. This is the first time this has happened but it is not there fault. I have it boxed up and ready to go back tomorrow and the new one has already shipped and will be here 2 March. Sad thing is I still have temp tags on the bike, I have added the Signal Dynamics mod, GPS, sliders, Bags, Siren/Speaker, Antenna and radio. I have the brake light mod on order. Man this bike is expensive! | ||
| Gugnheim |
Sweet! More to think about installing when I can ride again! Gug W1RCD |
