Bike to bike performance

[zerocool]

Im particularily interesting if finding out what could be limiting my connectivity with other bikes. Ive positioned my radio in the only location where there is some space on my bike, under the seat along side the autocom unit and the battery.

I played with the bikes not moving and I could get a quiet signal from the bike about 10ft away but as soon as we were moving it was near impossible to hear.

I purchased a handlebar accessory so that I can control the PPT, constant or VOX feature of the radios and im not sure that helped one little bit.

Not sure what would help. I could try it in a tank bag but I dont really have that much slack from the autocom without ripping out all the wiring ive neatly put in so I would rather somebody could tell me how they have achieved thier best operating conditions.

All I would like is 1/2 mile communication or there abouts, and most of these radios promise 2 miles +.

TIA

the ZC

 

[Droopy Dick]

My radio and Autocom sit in a slightly modified tool box.

As BMWs are so reliable, I felt that I wouldn't need tools in the UK - anyway, the RAC can always get me home.

So, my radio (Kenwood) lies flat in the box and I seem to be able to hear most of the time I'm riding in the group. Certainly 1 -2 miles and sometimes more.

You're not getting RF interference from the alternator, are you? I deliberately put my radio as far away from the source as possible.

Then again, one pal has his Autocom and radio in a Baglux Mini TT tank bag with the aerial poking out the top so as to be vertical. Another has mounted his radio in his top-box. And yet another has it mounted in a cradle attached to his handlebars using some form of RAM mount. Mind you, he's hoping that his Kenwood really is waterproof.

 

[beemerboy9]

Are you powering the radio from its own internal batteries or external 12V supply ( e.g. not from the Autocom)

If you are then that elimates the potential power problem, and it might be the channel setting on the radio is not quite "on target". I do not pretend to offer advice in this area - others please chime in.

 

[Kritou]

Does the radio work normally if you remove it from the bike? If not it may be that the "finals" have blown (can happen if, for instance, the transmit button is activated without the antenna or a dummy load attached) This will also affect reception

Be sure that there is no uninsulated direct metal to metal contact between your bike's frame and the antenna, otherwise all the RF energy will take the easy path to ground and none will be transmittted

If you have a radio where the antenna can be removed (unusual) have a close look at the connector to make sure it is seating correctly

For optimum performance the antennae of the radios trying to communicate should be using the same polarity ie all horizontal or all vertical - the latter being preferable

Kinda sounds as though there is an internal radio problem

 

[Simert]

If it's a volume issue and not reception, then here's some advice:

If you have an super pro AVI autocom, this has an additional microphone which reduces the volume of the reception when the back ground noise is low. If this microphone isn't positioned correctly it won't pick up the additional noise when travelling and so won't increase the volume. If you do have this model, try exposing this microphone more.
Also, my transceiver (kenwood) volume control affects the volume I get through the autocom, so make sure that is turned up.

Final advice would be to make sure your speakers in your helmet are positioned correctly, as if they are not aligned with your ear properly the volume is reduced.

Note my transceiver is positioned in the same place as yours, in the tool tray on its side.... autocom is above the battery.

Hope this is of some help.

 

[zerocool]

My radio was positioned next to the autocom near the battery and ECU. Its sat against the tank so it could be loosing signal becuase of that.

the Aerial is insulated with a plastic housing so isnt making contact with any earth point and as the aerial is not removably it cant have blown. Plus the radios are spanking new. Ill try bunging it next to the tool kit and see if that helps. Or maybe in the tank bag, however I dont want to be forced to use it except when I want to.

the ZC

 

[Greg Masters]

All these PMR 446 radios have an output not exceeding 0.5 watts. When they say that the range is 2 miles or 5 Kms, they mean in PERFECT conditions - you know, line of sight, no buildings, outdoors, open countryside, aerials both vertical, low air pressure etc etc

If it's not perfect, range can be VERY short.

Ming and I were riding through Norway a couple of years ago, and I reckon that the range was about 20 feet - yes, 20 feet! We figured that it had something to do with the rocky terrain that the road ran through - perhaps it was absorbing all the signal, I dunno.

But for normal use half a mile was a fairly reliable range on the road.

Greg

 

[greencat]

There are a few things working against you here most of which I think have been covered but just to reiterate. Placing the radio under your seat is almost akin to placing it inside a Faraday's cage. The frame is insulated from the ground but it does nothing for the propgation pattern from the radio. The other issue with that location is electronic noise from injectors, pumps, ignition etc. Finally, as someone has already said, how you power the radio can make a big difference as these are typically low power units (although I did once have a morse code conversation with a chap in Italy using just 100mW ).
So...
1. If you can get the radio up higher, on the tank or in a pocket that will improve propogation. If your radio accepts an external antenna add one to your top box or handlebars (they're only small). If you are having trouble hearing others but they can hear you then do this first.
2. Get the radio physically as far away from sources of electrical interferrence as you can. If you're powering the radio from the bike try it on internal batteries to see if your getting interferrence vai the power lead. Reducing interferrence wont improve range but it will help weak signals become more intelligable (is that a word?).
3. Power the radio from the bike. I personally just use the radio batteries but the performance of the radio quickly falls off, especially if you are using rechargeables. Powering the radio from the bike keeps you at maximum power out which doesn't help you receiving but will help others to hear you.

Long and boring but I hope it helps...

 

[KMD]

I've used Autocom for many years, together with a group of friends who regularly ride Europe. Whenever we've had radio problems to such an extent we've had to call Autocom for advice, almost without exception the problems have been down to settings of the radio or positioning of the mic/ear piece parts.

I'd say check and check again all of the basics. You may be on the same channel but are you all on the same sub channel? Are the ear pieces in the correct position? they don't have to be far out to lose huge amounts of their capability. These things are quite capable bits of kit, which to be honest I don't fully understand, and many of our problems have been due to our lack of understanding (how to use it properly) rather than faults with the kit.