Santa left me an FT-10R, which I plan to put on my Shadow Spirit 1100.
Nice bulletproof dual band unit with a detachable head, Bluetooth, and a
lot of other features.

While I'm deciding where to mount the radio - a Spirit is kind of retro
chopper style, not a lot of open space, and whether to go bluetooth or
wired for the headset, the antenna could be another issue.

I had originally thought about a 5/8th, but a possible setup might have
the antenna have no or little feedline, being directly connected to th e
unit.

I also want some sort of compromise between obtrusiveness and
performance. I'm willing to put a bugcatcher on the SUV, but aesthetics
are more important on the bike.

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

Mike,
Not being familiar with that bike, and also probably not having the
same 'aesthetic' values, what I would consider 'workable' probably
isn't going to be the same as your 'workable'. So, take this for what
it's worth.

Does your bike have a fairing? What are the chances of mounting an
antenna on that, if it does have one? Is it fiberglass? How about
just running a strap to the frame? Considering the size of
'groundplane' required by a typical VHF/UHF antenna, a bike isn't all
that small. Getting that antenna 'connected' to the frame ought'a do
just fine.

The idea is certainly do-able, so I think the 'aesthetic' value is the
'catch'. That's up to you...
- 'Doc

wrote:
Mike,
Not being familiar with that bike, and also probably not having the
same 'aesthetic' values, what I would consider 'workable' probably
isn't going to be the same as your 'workable'. So, take this for what
it's worth.

My aesthetics are variable. The



Does your bike have a fairing? What are the chances of mounting an
antenna on that, if it does have one?

It's a cruiser - it looks like this one, minus the windshield.

http://www.motorcycleminnesota.com/030107/05/05.htm

Is it fiberglass? How about
just running a strap to the frame?

The rear fender is steel. I think I'll opt for a small dual bander,
mount the radio on the back of the backrest, the antenna on the fender
and go from there.
Shouldn't be too much loss in the 6 inch piece of coax needed!

-73 de Mike N3LI -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Santa left me an FT-10R, which I plan to put on my Shadow Spirit 1100.
Nice bulletproof dual band unit with a detachable head, Bluetooth, and a
lot of other features.

While I'm deciding where to mount the radio - a Spirit is kind of retro
chopper style, not a lot of open space, and whether to go bluetooth or
wired for the headset, the antenna could be another issue.

I had originally thought about a 5/8th, but a possible setup might have
the antenna have no or little feedline, being directly connected to th e
unit.

I also want some sort of compromise between obtrusiveness and performance.
I'm willing to put a bugcatcher on the SUV, but aesthetics are more
important on the bike.

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

I hope the Shadow Spirit's battery is heavier than the unit in the CBF1000.

Anyway start developing your "dead battery bike pushing" skills...

Philo wrote:

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

I hope the Shadow Spirit's battery is heavier than the unit in the CBF1000.

Anyway start developing your "dead battery bike pushing" skills...

It's pretty strong. I bought the best one I could find, after finding
the previous owner had an underpowered one.

Side note: I don't know if is is an indicator, but this new heavy duty
battery was distinctly old school. It was shipped uncharged, and needed
a full charging after putting the acid in it. I've been used to the fill
'em and go pre-charged batteries.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:23:26 -0500, Mike Coslo backed
into a tree whilst ridin inna park then wrote:

Philo wrote:

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

I hope the Shadow Spirit's battery is heavier than the unit in the CBF1000.

Anyway start developing your "dead battery bike pushing" skills...

It's pretty strong. I bought the best one I could find, after finding
the previous owner had an underpowered one.

Side note: I don't know if is is an indicator, but this new heavy duty
battery was distinctly old school. It was shipped uncharged, and needed
a full charging after putting the acid in it. I've been used to the fill
'em and go pre-charged batteries.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

How did it work out for ya?

Dan N9JBF
97 HD FXDS

What me worry? wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:23:26 -0500, Mike Coslo backed
into a tree whilst ridin inna park then wrote:

Philo wrote:

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -
I hope the Shadow Spirit's battery is heavier than the unit in the CBF1000.

Anyway start developing your "dead battery bike pushing" skills...
It's pretty strong. I bought the best one I could find, after finding
the previous owner had an underpowered one.

Side note: I don't know if is is an indicator, but this new heavy duty
battery was distinctly old school. It was shipped uncharged, and needed
a full charging after putting the acid in it. I've been used to the fill
'em and go pre-charged batteries.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

How did it work out for ya?


The installation was behind the backrest of the bike, I made an aluminum
plate that held the antenna and the radio body. the wires to the head
routed up under the seat and tank. The head was installed off the
handlebar, right in the middle.

Cosmetically, it's about a 9, performance is pretty good also. I can
hear well with a pair of "skull candy" headphones, which are a little
like earbuds, but rest on the ear instead of being pushed into them.

I do have to work on one problem. The head is waterproof, but the body
is only water resistant. A couple of rainstorms have allowed a bit of
water to get into the head/body connection. I have to add a little cover
over that. I might try to find some of that goo they put around tail
lamps to seal out water. Overall, I've been pleased. No dead battery
yet, although I try to avoid the full 50 watt output of the unit.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

On Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:08:16 -0400, Michael Coslo
backed into a tree whilst ridin inna park then wrote:

What me worry? wrote:
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:23:26 -0500, Mike Coslo backed
into a tree whilst ridin inna park then wrote:

Philo wrote:

Dual band 144/440 on a motorcycle...Any suggestions?

- 73 de Mike N3LI -
I hope the Shadow Spirit's battery is heavier than the unit in the CBF1000.

Anyway start developing your "dead battery bike pushing" skills...
It's pretty strong. I bought the best one I could find, after finding
the previous owner had an underpowered one.

Side note: I don't know if is is an indicator, but this new heavy duty
battery was distinctly old school. It was shipped uncharged, and needed
a full charging after putting the acid in it. I've been used to the fill
'em and go pre-charged batteries.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

How did it work out for ya?


The installation was behind the backrest of the bike, I made an aluminum
plate that held the antenna and the radio body. the wires to the head
routed up under the seat and tank. The head was installed off the
handlebar, right in the middle.

Cosmetically, it's about a 9, performance is pretty good also. I can
hear well with a pair of "skull candy" headphones, which are a little
like earbuds, but rest on the ear instead of being pushed into them.

I do have to work on one problem. The head is waterproof, but the body
is only water resistant. A couple of rainstorms have allowed a bit of
water to get into the head/body connection. I have to add a little cover
over that. I might try to find some of that goo they put around tail
lamps to seal out water. Overall, I've been pleased. No dead battery
yet, although I try to avoid the full 50 watt output of the unit.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

OK. Thanks
Thinkin of settin up a 706 on my HD FXDS. Runnin 20 watts or so. Not
sure about an antenna, but a small homemade screwdriver would be fun.
---

Dan TOASTY in Florida for now

Remove the X for e-mail reply
www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.SecretWeaponLures.com
A proud charter member of "PETAF", People for Eating Tasty Animals and Fish!!!
N9JBF

What me worry? wrote:
- 73 de Mike N3LI -

OK. Thanks
Thinkin of settin up a 706 on my HD FXDS. Runnin 20 watts or so. Not
sure about an antenna, but a small homemade screwdriver would be fun.


Document it. HF Motorcycle is rare enough that any effort would be of
great interest. You'll be wanting to maximize your "ground" area. The HD
has a lot of iron as bikes go, so you'll be starting out wit a best case
there. Of course on a bike, there isn't a huge amount of that. Ignition
noise will be an issue also, but with some effort, all this can be overcome.

Your screwdriver would be a good way to go.

I hope you do it, because it would be way cool.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -