K11 Owners Group

lee richter · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:43 pm Post subject: 2 Meter Radio

Anyone here have a 2 meter FM mounted on your bike? Have you had any noise issues? What Antenna did you use? Did you have to fabricate an artificial ground plane?
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

drikko · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:14 am Post subject:

Wouldn't that be longer than the bike? Does it have a sub woofer?
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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
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Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:07 pm Post subject:

I have 3 meters on my dash, odometer, speedometer & tachometer. Very Happy

However, I do also use a dual band handie (2 Metres & 70 Cms) & a PMR446,
no problems with either using the supplied whips.
For 2 Metres, ideally, one should have a 19" or greater radius ground plane, but hardly practical. If you have a K11LT, the antenna could be fitted in the middle of the topbox lid, which, lined with tinfoil, would make an acceptable ground plane.
HTH
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Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

lee richter · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks Tim,

I had thought of that location, but not the aluminum foil approach. I really don't want to cut a hole in the top box. I had hoped that some one had an ingenious idea. My books show a real directional plane when mounted off center of a ground plane. Might give it up as a bad idea. I seem to have them now and again.

Thanks again for the reply.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject:

As we agree that the ground plane is impractical. Try the Goldwing aerial approach. Flat bar say 2" x 3/16 from a frame rail with the aerial mounted at the end & well earthed (grounded) to the frame at the other. This would in effect be a centre fed dipole (as opposed to end fed) which would present a typical impedance of 75 Ohms (instead of 50 Ohms). Which would give a VSWR of 1.4 : 1 as opposed to unity. IMNSHO that would be a livable compromise.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

lee richter · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

That is a great idea. I think I'll try that out. I really like the idea of having a ham radio on the bike. I run a lot on rural back roads and loose cell signal all the time. In Florida the Interstates are well covered but if you get more than 8-12 miles from one you have nothing.

Thanks.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

JerseyJohn · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 1:07 am Post subject:

The set-up I have on my 93 K1100lt is a Yaesu ft-60 with a workman 2-440 antenna mounted to a steel rack off my k100rt on the tail cowl that is grounded to the frame. I like the idea of the trunk with the tin foil but don't like the way the trunk looks on mine so I don't run it. I have been considering switching to a Yaesu ft-8800 w/ a Comet CA-2x4SR ant.
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Amateur radio operator KB3TKP

1993 BMW K1100LT- 80,000mi

1985 BMW K100LT- 50,500mi

winkbuul · Joined: 02 Jun 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Europe

Hi Lee,

look at these bikes, Dutch borderpatrole with radio on the K-bikes.

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestand:Dienstfietsen_BMW_K_75_RT.jpg

Should work on bigger K-bikes too.

73 & 55 from Europe Cool

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K1100RS -1995

lee richter · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks, That is an interesting mount looks like a piece of aluminum plate mounted to either the bottom of the top box or the case bracket. I've had some health issues and I'm ashamed to say that I've not done much in the last 7-8 weeks. But I will get back to it. It looks like riding is all I'll be doing from now on, they will not renew my medical after this.

Thanks again.
_________________
Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT