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Showing results for tags 'ham'.
Found 10 results
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are there any ham radio operators in here (gotta be...). I am wondering what sort of 2m radios people have installed on a venture and if you cna make them work with the Yamaha headset? VE6HBY
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I have noticed, when browsing the Members list, that there are quite a few Amateur Radio ops on here. I am looking at possibly installing a Dual Band Yaesu FT-10 on the bike. Yaesu came out with this new weatherproof VHF/UHF Dual-Bander, and it looks like a good radio to mount on a bike. Comes with AM/FM receive too! (wont need that). You can get a handlebar mount, and a bluetooth headset/mic, and even an amplified speaker if needed. Has anyone mounted one of these yet? If you have this radio or some other ham radio installation on the bike, how about some pics? Years ago, I mounted a handheld on the tank of a Sportster, but it was not a good match. The vibrations the bike put out shook the radio too violently to operate well when moving. I did wire up a noise cancelling boom mic, and eventually solved some of the vibration problem, but I'm thinking the Venture and this new radio might be the way to go. I might look at one of the CB/AM-FM spitters to combine my broadcast receiver and the CB on the one CB antenna, then this would enable me to convert (or replace) the existing AM/FM antenna to a dual band (maybe comet/diamond) whip. Any ideas/experience?
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Sena SMH10B-10 Review This is a review of my new Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Headset and how well it functions for my particular application. Spoiler alert! It works extremely well! The Sena is a replacement for a three year old Scala Cardo Q2 headset. I considered a new Scala 4 but the reviews were not stellar. I have tried several different wired systems over the years but have a need to go wireless for some of my activities. I have used starcom, kenedy, rider and a couple others. Basically I need connectivity between the headset and the following items: 2 GPSs, phone, MP3, intercom, ham/wx band radio. Why so much stuff? I have only one motorcycle and it needs to meet all the requirements for its intended duties; pleasure rides, long distance endurance rides (IBA), touring, bicycle charity ride escort (Motorcycle Marshal), and anything else that comes to mind. The idea is to throw my leg over the FJR1300, turn on the headset and go. No fuss, no hassle, just go. I will not discuss the installation and set up of all this equipment here. Only the bluetooth connectivity and headset operation. Here are the general equipment specs: Headset - Sena SMH10B-10 FW V4.1, BT V3.0 GPSs - Garmin Zumo 550 Ham/WX Radio - Yeasu FTM10R Transceiver, AM/FM/VHF/UHF, Dual channel Bluetooth Phone - Apple iPhone 4 The Sena SMH10 allows several connection profiles including Headset Profile, Hands-free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio Video Remote control Profile (AVRCP). I have yet to try all the possible profile combinations but have already found that by simply using HFP and A2DP everything works as I need. With the multiple connects and the availability of the SM10 Dual Stream Stereo Transmitter (dongle), which allows wired audio connections, the connectivity is nearly limitless. The basic helmet mount comes with a single stereo 3.5mm input. My particular needs have been met without having to acquire the SM10 dongle. The old Scala Q2 worked pretty well but two major problems were the short battery life (3-4hrs) when connected to the ham radio, and the fact that it could not be paired to anything else when the ham radio was in use. When not using the ham radio, it was paired to another headset (intercom) and the GPS which also paired to the phone and those worked well also. Battery life was then extended to a more realistic 6 hours or so. The Sena allows for multiple connections via HFP profile and allows me to connect to the ham radio, GPS, and intercom at the same time. I use A2DP profile for the GPS to allow stereo MP3 streaming. Another plus for the Sena is the available volume is 3x that of the Scala. Instead of straining to hear, I am able to run it at about 75% volume at highway speeds. The audio is clearer and has more bass than the Scala even though the speakers are only slightly thicker. With the helmet on, I can fill up with gas at the pump, walk inside the store while still hearing and talking on the radio or phone. While assisting a down or injured rider, I can stay in contact via the ham radio with out having to carry a separate hand held radio on my belt. Audio reports from the phone and ham radio have been very positive. Audio prompts from the menu system are nice. I found this SMH10 on ebay for about $160. Not bad when comparing to other available units.
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OK, I know most folks are not to interested In AM Radio Reception on motorcycles. However: If you are, I have hit on a simple ( but cost a few bucks ) way to greatly improve AM Radio reception on the bike, and also cars. Being a Ham Radio Op, helps a little here. ( I'm also an antenna, "freek" in addition to a Motorcycle adict) Anyway, by modifying some Unused, Ham radio Antanna's I have come up with a greatly improved AM Antenna for the bike. If interested, PM me for the Details, if you are interested in an Antenna project, IF, better AM reception is of interest to you.
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is anyone a ham doing the field day this year, I hope to be on the air KJ4YSR
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I have been using bluetooth headsets for operation of my Yeasu ham radio for about a year. It worked very well but I could not use the same headset with all of the onboard electronics. If I was going to need intercom and CB, I had to switch to a wired system. I got tired of changing headsets on my helmet and decided to integrate all the electronics into one system. Since this upgrade is fairly extensive and will require a lot of disassembly of the bike, I decided to complete a couple other upgrades at the same time. Here are the planned upgrades: 1. Upgrade/replace antennas for CB and Ham Radio 2. Install antenna ground plane to improve antenna operation 3. Install interface for GPS with bluetooth phone and Ham Radio into existing audio system 4. Install fuse block to clean up electrical connections 5. Install LEDs on front half of bike to compliment rear half lighting 6. Install auxiliary LED turn signals for visibility from the sides and off angle I have been collecting the required items for some time. Here is a photo of the interface from Kennedy Technology Group, Inc. http://gallery.me.com/k1oj/100179/IMG_1983/web.jpg?ver=12959141270001/ The antennas and ground plane are out in the garage. I have about 2 weeks to complete this project before I need to use the radio. I will attempt to document this process as I progress. -
First off, let me say, "Happy Thanksgiving" to all the VR.ORG members from Jean and I. Now, on with the story. Jean and I had the pleasure to go to my brother's house for Thanksgiving Dinner this year. We live in the "Valley" (400 ft. above sea level) and my brother, even though he lives only 20 minutes away, lives at 2800 feet. As we started up the mountain, the entire landscape turned into a winter wonder land, with Ice covering EVERYTHING as if this part of the world had been dipped in glass. Tree branches hung close to the ground loaded with ice and the scene was akin to "Venturing" to another planet. I have seen this "Ice Effect" many times over the years, but it never sises to amaze me. With the snow tires crunching away, and the wipers going full blast, we made it to my brother's house safe, and sound. We ate more food than I care to think about, and a good time was had by all. Now, the time came where my brother's wife had cut the ham bone from the remainder of the ham that was left and stepped to the back door, to throw it out side for my brother's dog, COOPER. Well, as that ham bone flew through the air, my brother, and myself, and Cooper shot towards the back door like we were shot from a cannon! I remember being mear inches from that tasty morsel before it had bounced off the ground, I looked back, and to my surprise, my brother had me by the belt, and Cooper, his trusty dog had my brother by the pant leg! Needless to say, the house erupted into a roar of laughter, and I stood there as the ham bone fell to earth, bounced off the icy landscape, and skidded to a stop a few feet from Cooper's dog house. I lost all interest in the ham bone once it had slid into the icy mess of the back yard, at which time, good old Cooper, trotted past my brother and myself, picked up the ham bone, and proceeded into his dog house, Proud that he had foiled this "snack" from two old men that had already eaten, "Way too much". After the laughter had died down back in the house, my brother and I "slunk" back into the house, with our heads hangin' low, mumbling something about, "That darn dog would have never beat US to that bone when we were in our prime, ea brother"! Well the loss was soon forgotten, with more helpings of pie and cake and coffee and laughter. So I share this story with you today my friends, to remind you that the love of friends and family is a blessing, you can NEVER have too much Pie, and lastly, "Every dog has his day", but as Arnie used to say, "I'll Be Back!" and that pesky dog will be tied up the next time that ham bone goes a flying! I hope you had as much fun as we did on this Day of Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving from Earl and Jean, and "The Little Shop By The Creek"!
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I have been researching this for weeks now. and I have one on it's way to me... the Yaesu FTM-10R dual band water and dust proof motorcycle radio. It does 2 meter, 440, has a FM/AM receiver, allows ipod input and can wire up to two headsets and has intercom between them as well as audio sharing. It also has a stereo audio amp to drive my speakers in the faring. On second gens it looks like it would fit in the cassette location. on first gens it can pretty much mount anywhere. This will allow me to stay single antenna and still feed my ham radio hobby. and if I want to be "naughty" I can mod the radio for Marrs and CAP operation and transmit/recieve on the FRS frequencies to talk to the other guys in the riding group. 440mhz on low power is 3 watts, so if you stick to the high channel numbers and get a GMRS license you will be "technically" legal. just transmitting on a radio without the correct FCC type certification.
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I know there are som ham radio operators here, how many of you have sucessfully mounted your gear to the bike? What mobile radios work well for on the road DX'ing? or even good old 2meter chatter? also what brands do you use for an antenna and how did you mount it? It seems that Diamond does not make any of their no ground plane antennas for 10 meters or 6 meters anymore... what do you use? -
Have not read about one in the Seattle area before, but I am guessing there are more than a few of us around that know how to use a wrench and how to work on our Venture/RSTD/other bike. I have the basic tool collection, jack+lift adapter for the 2nd gen Venture, a CarbTune sync tool, and '87 and '07 Ventures with work coming up (brake pads, lower throttle cables, grease the '07 rear hub pins...) and lots of room in the garage for many bikes. Could be my place to start with, somewhere else, or rotate around some. Also some folks around here are ham radio operators and like to fish, so yet more reasons to put off the landscape work and hang out (I am into VHF/microwave contesting/roving - hopefully now by motorcycle this summer). - Mike, K7MDL
