CB Radio Upgrade Kit
#11
Kevinch- thanks - I was hoping someone had a lit and could provide some answers.
One of the guys in our chapter told me the problem was indeed groud (k=lack thereof for the Harley). This guys is pretty high tech and made his own ground connections and said there was a big improvement.
He showed me where the frame was spilt thereby resulting is less ground. The J&M kit does exactly what he did so I figured it would make a difference.
He also told me to go with the short antenna - improvement noted.
The kit is on sale now for $101 and I will be at a rally in Montana soon. Sierra Electronics is going to install it for me. My hope is- they have all of the tools there to completely check everything out and make any other needed adjustments.
One of the guys in our chapter told me the problem was indeed groud (k=lack thereof for the Harley). This guys is pretty high tech and made his own ground connections and said there was a big improvement.
He showed me where the frame was spilt thereby resulting is less ground. The J&M kit does exactly what he did so I figured it would make a difference.
He also told me to go with the short antenna - improvement noted.
The kit is on sale now for $101 and I will be at a rally in Montana soon. Sierra Electronics is going to install it for me. My hope is- they have all of the tools there to completely check everything out and make any other needed adjustments.
#12
You are welcome & good luck. I hope it works out for you. Will you be doing any tests (as were conducted in the post I linked to) before & after to check performance? I for one would like to know the results.
#13
Yes I will do some test. Here is my plan.
I am going to Billing, MT - there is a bike rally there. Both J&M and Sierra Electronics will be at that rally. I am taking my portable CB radio with me so I can measure the distance before the install.
I also sent a note to John from J&M and shared my concerns that some folks don't think his kit makes a difference. Then I told him - since both he and the installer will be at the rally, I will bring the bike by before the install and after the install.
If there is no measurable difference, he can explain or share what might be wrong. This will hopefully provide a second opinion on the kit and give others some additional options/realities.
J&M said the poster is not correct - but you might expect that from someone that is selling something. My thoughts are - he is there, his master installer is putting it in - so, if no difference, then something is definitely wrong with his kit.
Yep, the cost if north of $100 plus the install - but, I guess I am willing to pay to find out. If it works - good. If not, then he can tell me why and try to explain his product.
Now, having said all of that - everything I have read about the bike CD talks about grounding being a problem. I even went to some CB sites and they said much of the same and talked about the RG58 cable - which is included in his kit but not currently on the bike. I also see the ground straps for the bike - so, it sort of makes sense to me.
I am going to Billing, MT - there is a bike rally there. Both J&M and Sierra Electronics will be at that rally. I am taking my portable CB radio with me so I can measure the distance before the install.
I also sent a note to John from J&M and shared my concerns that some folks don't think his kit makes a difference. Then I told him - since both he and the installer will be at the rally, I will bring the bike by before the install and after the install.
If there is no measurable difference, he can explain or share what might be wrong. This will hopefully provide a second opinion on the kit and give others some additional options/realities.
J&M said the poster is not correct - but you might expect that from someone that is selling something. My thoughts are - he is there, his master installer is putting it in - so, if no difference, then something is definitely wrong with his kit.
Yep, the cost if north of $100 plus the install - but, I guess I am willing to pay to find out. If it works - good. If not, then he can tell me why and try to explain his product.
Now, having said all of that - everything I have read about the bike CD talks about grounding being a problem. I even went to some CB sites and they said much of the same and talked about the RG58 cable - which is included in his kit but not currently on the bike. I also see the ground straps for the bike - so, it sort of makes sense to me.
Last edited by cycle7447; 08-16-2016 at 07:23 AM.
#14
Yes I will do some test. Here is my plan.
I am going to Billing, MT - there is a bike rally there. Both J&M and Sierra Electronics will be at that rally. I am taking my portable CB radio with me so I can measure the distance before the install.
I also sent a note to John from J&M and shared my concerns that some folks don't think his kit makes a difference. Then I told him - since both he and the installer will be at the rally, I will bring the bike by before the install and after the install.
If there is no measurable difference, he can explain or share what might be wrong. This will hopefully provide a second opinion on the kit and give others some additional options/realities.
J&M said the poster is not correct - but you might expect that from someone that is selling something. My thoughts are - he is there, his master installer is putting it in - so, if no difference, then something is definitely wrong with his kit.
Yep, the cost if north of $100 plus the install - but, I guess I am willing to pay to find out. If it works - good. If not, then he can tell me why and try to explain his product.
Now, having said all of that - everything I have read about the bike CD talks about grounding being a problem. I even went to some CB sites and they said much of the same and talked about the RG58 cable - which is included in his kit but not currently on the bike. I also see the ground straps for the bike - so, it sort of makes sense to me.
I am going to Billing, MT - there is a bike rally there. Both J&M and Sierra Electronics will be at that rally. I am taking my portable CB radio with me so I can measure the distance before the install.
I also sent a note to John from J&M and shared my concerns that some folks don't think his kit makes a difference. Then I told him - since both he and the installer will be at the rally, I will bring the bike by before the install and after the install.
If there is no measurable difference, he can explain or share what might be wrong. This will hopefully provide a second opinion on the kit and give others some additional options/realities.
J&M said the poster is not correct - but you might expect that from someone that is selling something. My thoughts are - he is there, his master installer is putting it in - so, if no difference, then something is definitely wrong with his kit.
Yep, the cost if north of $100 plus the install - but, I guess I am willing to pay to find out. If it works - good. If not, then he can tell me why and try to explain his product.
Now, having said all of that - everything I have read about the bike CD talks about grounding being a problem. I even went to some CB sites and they said much of the same and talked about the RG58 cable - which is included in his kit but not currently on the bike. I also see the ground straps for the bike - so, it sort of makes sense to me.
Looking forward to the results of your test
#15
The following users liked this post:
MilesOfTexas (08-16-2016)
#16
Stock Antennas are not tunable. One of our local RF "experts" and he really is swears the short Harley antenna is tuned better and puts out better the stock antenna. From listening to many other riders I believe it also. The other thing to check is the ground connection in your tour pack.
See post above.
#17
#18
You will change the tune of any antenna by changing the length. Tuneable, or more accurately "adjustable" antennas have an adjustment screw at the top which effectively changes the length as it is shortened or lengthened.
#19
#20
What bike rally is going on in Billings?