"Paul Calman" wrote in message
...
Hi. I have a cb unit mounted on a motorcycle. it is a J&M, linked here,
http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=24 , using the 3 foot Wilson
antenna on the page.
It's a pretty decent unit (kinda expensive, mine came with another bike)
and can be operated without looking at it, a good thing on a bike. I use
it to talk with other riders, but the maker says about 1/2 mile is all the
range I should get. On a straight piece of road it gets tough to use at 1
mile.
The reason I am told is that the bike has no ground plane, but I don't
know whether that affects reception or transmission. What's the story
here?

Not much, that's part of the problem, length of the antenna is the other.
You sure as hell can't throw a larger antenna, it would look totally
stupid.

I know Linear amps are a no-no, but I don't intend on doing skip, using it
often, or even talking much to base stations and truckers, and certainly
don't want to run some giant power unit that stomps on others
transmissions, but would be interested in using a small linear to boost
transmission to a max range of about ten miles, an acceptable distance
when traveling cross country with other bikes.

Not going to happen, your bike alt sys couldn't handle much more than
what you are already running, so the box is out. Also, the problem
with your theory is that, even the other bikes would have to have boxes,
otherwise they could hear you, but you couldn't hear them.

Can any of you recommend what wattage would be sufficient for this use
without going overboard? Some of the problems to be dealt with are a
limited charging system, the inability to space wires far from current and
ignition units, and physical size. I would prefer to build my own unit,
rather that pay big bucks for garbage made in china. I have seen
schematics for sale for 30, 50, and 100 watt units. Know of any free
sources?

Again, take your charging sys total output, now take all of the accessories
total amperage, add the amount of amps the box would draw and I would
suspect that your alt won't be able to handle it.

Here's a couple of links, there are dozens more that offer a wide
variety of products for your needs.

http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/sto...nications.html

http://www.autocomamerica.com/docs/home.cfm

Other that a lecture on the illegality of linears, Do you have any useful
advice?

--
Paul C.


Landshark


--
Any day riding, is better than
being a newsgroupie

73 Baja Stroppe Bronco
98 Buell S3 Thunderbolt
99 Ford F-150 Supercab 4X4 (antenna platform)

The 76 Goldwing has only a 350 Watt charging system. I have added a few
things to the bike, like the CB, a GPS, a 90/130 Watt headlamp with high
beam modulator, 5 tail lamps, and a little air horn,
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn1.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn2.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn3.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn4.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn5.jpg
It seems to be ok, so far, the horn compressor added 4 A to the system, but
doesn't run continously, and i understand an amplipfier doesn't use power
unless you have keyed down.
I think i am going to install a headlamp kill switch, I don't need them when
i am following someone, but usually i am in front navigating , and my new
horns may make that position permanent.
Plan 1017 on this page,
http://electronickits.com/kit/plans/cbradio/cbradio.htm
looks promising, but it's most likely snake oil.
This one also looks like it could be adequate for the job,
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/1017.htm '
But I don't know if 25-30 Watts is going to do the job, but a 4-5 Amp load
could be acceptable.
I will probably build 5 units for the people I regularly travel with, but
even having some that can hear only is ok .
Moving the ant to ground level doesn't seem practicle, some guys tow
trailers, and won't the bike block forward transmission? It would have to be
centerline mounted, these mountain roads are all curves. We do a lot of
400-600 mile camping weekend trips, and in August spend 2 weeks on the road.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

The 76 Goldwing has only a 350 Watt charging system. I have added a few
things to the bike, like the CB, a GPS, a 90/130 Watt headlamp with high
beam modulator, 5 tail lamps, and a little air horn,
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn1.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn2.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn3.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn4.jpg
http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn5.jpg
It seems to be ok, so far, the horn compressor added 4 A to the system, but
doesn't run continously, and i understand an amplipfier doesn't use power
unless you have keyed down.
I think i am going to install a headlamp kill switch, I don't need them when
i am following someone, but usually i am in front navigating , and my new
horns may make that position permanent.
Plan 1017 on this page,
http://electronickits.com/kit/plans/cbradio/cbradio.htm
looks promising, but it's most likely snake oil.
This one also looks like it could be adequate for the job,
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/1017.htm '
But I don't know if 25-30 Watts is going to do the job, but a 4-5 Amp load
could be acceptable.
I will probably build 5 units for the people I regularly travel with, but
even having some that can hear only is ok .
Moving the ant to ground level doesn't seem practicle, some guys tow
trailers, and won't the bike block forward transmission? It would have to be
centerline mounted, these mountain roads are all curves. We do a lot of
400-600 mile camping weekend trips, and in August spend 2 weeks on the road.

Do you understand VHF-UHF vs HF?

Forget CB. It is old tech and needs ground planes and long antennas.

Use GMRS or FRS, it needs little or no ground plane and very small
antennas. Use the links Landshark posted.

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:48:09 -0700, "Paul Calman"
wrote in :

snip
Moving the ant to ground level doesn't seem practicle, some guys tow
trailers, and won't the bike block forward transmission?


Actually it's the other way around -- you get a little bit better
signal to the front when it's mounted in the rear.


It would have to be
centerline mounted, these mountain roads are all curves.


You shouldn't have to mount it -that- low. But I agree with the other
poster, you should think about GMRS or FRS. A lot of those FRS radios
have jacks for headsets, which would be dandy for motorcycles.







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