How many people use PMR radios?

[Surrey_gareth]

I've just spoken to Interide and they said this...

They sell huge ammounts of fixed arial kits for PMR radios i.e. no lilcence.
She checked and said they have no knowledge of a law against it and that if this was the case, then all the riding schools etc who be subject to this law too. I am to guess that this law is about licenced radios?

I'm waiting for a quote, but I'm looking at about £170 for radio, power, arial & PTT button...

Not bad for such a high spec radio!

Now all I need is to speak to Autocom about patch cable to my system (and also Zumo cable).

Gareth.

 

[ebbo]

Just a little more information on radios to help confuse you http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124276

 

[Surrey_gareth]

Just a little more information on radios to help confuse you http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124276

I see reference to setting 4W with external arial, but not just the arial?

I'm not going to worry about it unless I can find reference to the actually .gov paper...

interesting read though

 

[Surrey_gareth]

A quote from an email from Intaride...

"With regard to your question of the legality of using a remote antenna, it is a technical issue relating to the approval of each radio.

We are in the process of talking to OffCom and the Police. We will be placing information onto our website that will hopefully clarify the situation on the next day or so."

I really like this company... top marks for customer service!

 

[ebbo]

With the Puxing you can set .5w or 4w regardless of the ariel, I’m certain that’s the same with Intaride’s radio which is the Wintec A80. As for the legality of an external ariel, Interide will know its illegal, what there hoping for I’m not sure, dispensation?

Don’t expect 4w and an external ariel to work wonders though, in open country it can go far, but if your mate drops behind a hill it will kill it.

 

[jondan]

I have had an Intaride PMR radio for a couple of years, with an external antenna as you can see.
Found it a great help when group riding. As for getting stopped with the external antenna. It is NOT a police matter (I know). It would be the Home Office radio people that would take any action NOT the police. Most Police officers wouldn't know what the antenna was anyway! (I Know)
You would be very very very unlucky to get caught by the H.O. mob and done for having an external antenna, oh and did I mention the wattage...........

 

[roddy]

Jondan,

where did you put the radio, I would have thought with it that far front you would get interference issue's from the alternator ?

and is the radio shielded ?

cheers

 

[jondan]

Roddy,

I undid the computer plug from off the top of the air box and pushed it under the back of the tank, blocking off the two screw holes in the top of the air box with the mounting screws. The radio is mounted on a piece of stainless steel sheet on top of the air box. The S/S sheet is stuck to the top of the air box with valcro and the radio is stuck to the top of the S/S sheet likewise.The wire is run along the offside of the frame to the antenna. I put a small of plastic sheeting over the radio to protect it from any water.
The radio is not shielded in any way and I have never had any interference from the alternator.

 

[ebbo]

I rather like Jondan’s antenna, its very discrete, I’m guessing its eighth wave, but that doesn’t mean its any the less capable than mine. The only thing I don’t know is if it’s ‘ground free’.

Below is Ken Goodwins antenna, its cut for ‘half wave’ and measures 37cm from mount to tip. It’s a ‘ground free’ design meaning it doesn’t need a mass of metal under it to work properly; it will work fine on a plastic boat. Because of the size, some people mount them lower down which is sure to ruin Tx/Rx as the bike itself will shield the signal, you might as well use the antenna on the radio. The coax on mine is 1.5m long and just a little short, 2m would be much better for me, then the radio would be in the tail compartment instead of under the seat. Cost was £60.54 with coax and plug, the Puxing 777+ radio was £40 posted from Hong Kong

 

[Zigo]

Well... I'm sold.

So...

I'm not going to buy a unit, I am not going to mount the arial in a way which looks cool (yet may be against some random law), I am not going to switch to 2 watts...

But is there not a way to power from the bike or Autocom aux cable (pro 7 sport)?

Also, what impedence is the arial cable? I work in TV and have endless supply of 75ohm coax... (not that I'm going to use it of course...)

cheers,

Gareth.

Gareth, the standard antenna impedance for radio transmitters is 50ohm. Use a good quality coax like RG58 and professional connectors of crimp-on type. DON'T use pliers to crimp, use the proper crimp tool for the specified cable/connector. When routing the cable on the bike, observe that the cable is not bent at sharp angels or squeezed flat anywhere, as this will reduce the radiated output from the antenna. If the antenna connctor is exposed to waterspray, protect it with self-sealing rubber tape, don't use heatcrimp sleeves as they still allow water seeping inside.

Zigo