CB on a Dyna?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 10
From: Kentucky
To provide a little more context for my question... No I don't want to talk to truckers and no I am not trying to replace my cell phone. I tour with a group of 5 or 6 other bikes on a regular basis (I am talking about week long trips with 400 to 600 mile days) and it would convenient to be able to communicate with others in the group while we ride. Most of the guys I ride with are on touring bikes that come with CB's, so I am not going to convince them all to buy Sena or Scala intercoms to communicate with me. And before someone suggests I just buy a touring bike, let me say I have rented a few touring bikes and prefer my Dyna.
Adding a CB to a Dyna is no big deal. It is easy to add an accessory outlet under the seat to plug in a small portable unit like the one I mentioned, and it can be mounted to the handle bar or clipped to the tank panel for easy removal when not needed. Likewise a magnet mount antenna can be unplugged and removed in seconds leaving no wires or extra hardware on the bike.
So if anyone has helpful information on the components I listed, or can recommend another comparable set up, I would appreciate your input.
Adding a CB to a Dyna is no big deal. It is easy to add an accessory outlet under the seat to plug in a small portable unit like the one I mentioned, and it can be mounted to the handle bar or clipped to the tank panel for easy removal when not needed. Likewise a magnet mount antenna can be unplugged and removed in seconds leaving no wires or extra hardware on the bike.
So if anyone has helpful information on the components I listed, or can recommend another comparable set up, I would appreciate your input.
The antenna will be the biggest factor, as I said before. I magnet mount will work ok but in my experience they are hard to get a good SWR reading on. You want SWR to read low and closest to zero as possible. It's important when you setup your radio that you check the SWR reading. If it's high your rig will sound like crap and not talk very far or clearly. high SWR means the power transmitted out is mostly returning to the radio instead of broadcasting into the airwaves. Low SWR means all your transmitting power is being transmitted into the airwaves with almost no feedback to the radio. Make any sense? You can try the mag mount setup and test the SWR and see what you got, most antennas have a adjustment to help lower the SWR. Personally if it were me I would bolt on a 2 feet FireWire antenna with adjustable top. They get good SWR readings and can talk 10 miles on a 4 watt radio. That would be more than enough for your biker buds to hear you loud and proud
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I was a big CB'er back in the day but I wanted to ask you if you stuck on CB or will a VHF handheld work? On my road trip a couple of years back, I packed a small $80 Midland VHF handheld in my riding vest with a lightweight headset. Other than wind-noise, we had no difficulty communicating as long as the other radios were within 7-10 miles, line of sight. We got them to use for backup when we were out of cell coverage but ended up using our cells mostly for backup.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
The biggest factor in a radio is the antenna setup. You can have the best radio in the world and it won't be worth 2 cents with a poor antenna setup. That being said, talking to some road buddies only feet away on bikes any radio will work just fine. Just choose the one you like and will fit the best. They are ALL 4 watt radios in stock form which is plenty.
The antenna will be the biggest factor, as I said before. I magnet mount will work ok but in my experience they are hard to get a good SWR reading on. You want SWR to read low and closest to zero as possible. It's important when you setup your radio that you check the SWR reading. If it's high your rig will sound like crap and not talk very far or clearly. high SWR means the power transmitted out is mostly returning to the radio instead of broadcasting into the airwaves. Low SWR means all your transmitting power is being transmitted into the airwaves with almost no feedback to the radio. Make any sense? You can try the mag mount setup and test the SWR and see what you got, most antennas have a adjustment to help lower the SWR. Personally if it were me I would bolt on a 2 feet FireWire antenna with adjustable top. They get good SWR readings and can talk 10 miles on a 4 watt radio. That would be more than enough for your biker buds to hear you loud and proud
The antenna will be the biggest factor, as I said before. I magnet mount will work ok but in my experience they are hard to get a good SWR reading on. You want SWR to read low and closest to zero as possible. It's important when you setup your radio that you check the SWR reading. If it's high your rig will sound like crap and not talk very far or clearly. high SWR means the power transmitted out is mostly returning to the radio instead of broadcasting into the airwaves. Low SWR means all your transmitting power is being transmitted into the airwaves with almost no feedback to the radio. Make any sense? You can try the mag mount setup and test the SWR and see what you got, most antennas have a adjustment to help lower the SWR. Personally if it were me I would bolt on a 2 feet FireWire antenna with adjustable top. They get good SWR readings and can talk 10 miles on a 4 watt radio. That would be more than enough for your biker buds to hear you loud and proud
Johnny Reb, thanks for your helpful reply and detailed explanation. Based on your recommendations I have started investigating the FireStik Antenna. Looks like the 2 ft version is a good option.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
MamaBear, yes I did set up the CB on my Dyna and I am very happy with it.I went with the Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio. It is a small handheld unit that I combined with a Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter. Since I already owned the Sena SMH-10 Bluetooth Headset this was a logical way for me to go.
To power the unit I installed an accessory outlet under the seat, and to attach CB to the bike I initially just rubberbanded it to the tank panel functional, but not the most esthetic solution, so I ended up replacing the stock tank panel with the HD Premium Tank Panel with Pouch (part number 91135-09). Its a tight fit, but the Midland unit will fit in the pouch and provides a more finished look (as well as providing just a little weather protection for the unit).
The Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter easily attaches to your handlebar and includes a push to talk button for the handlebar as well. It also comes with a coiled cable to plug the unit into the CB.
I planned to purchase the FireStik tunable antenna to complete the setup, but a buddy gave me an antenna that ended up working just fine.
To power the unit I installed an accessory outlet under the seat, and to attach CB to the bike I initially just rubberbanded it to the tank panel functional, but not the most esthetic solution, so I ended up replacing the stock tank panel with the HD Premium Tank Panel with Pouch (part number 91135-09). Its a tight fit, but the Midland unit will fit in the pouch and provides a more finished look (as well as providing just a little weather protection for the unit).
The Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter easily attaches to your handlebar and includes a push to talk button for the handlebar as well. It also comes with a coiled cable to plug the unit into the CB.
I planned to purchase the FireStik tunable antenna to complete the setup, but a buddy gave me an antenna that ended up working just fine.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 171
Likes: 9
From: South Texas
MamaBear, yes I did set up the CB on my Dyna and I am very happy with it.I went with the Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio. It is a small handheld unit that I combined with a Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter. Since I already owned the Sena SMH-10 Bluetooth Headset this was a logical way for me to go.
To power the unit I installed an accessory outlet under the seat, and to attach CB to the bike I initially just rubberbanded it to the tank panel functional, but not the most esthetic solution, so I ended up replacing the stock tank panel with the HD Premium Tank Panel with Pouch (part number 91135-09). Its a tight fit, but the Midland unit will fit in the pouch and provides a more finished look (as well as providing just a little weather protection for the unit).
The Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter easily attaches to your handlebar and includes a push to talk button for the handlebar as well. It also comes with a coiled cable to plug the unit into the CB.
I planned to purchase the FireStik tunable antenna to complete the setup, but a buddy gave me an antenna that ended up working just fine.
To power the unit I installed an accessory outlet under the seat, and to attach CB to the bike I initially just rubberbanded it to the tank panel functional, but not the most esthetic solution, so I ended up replacing the stock tank panel with the HD Premium Tank Panel with Pouch (part number 91135-09). Its a tight fit, but the Midland unit will fit in the pouch and provides a more finished look (as well as providing just a little weather protection for the unit).
The Sena SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter easily attaches to your handlebar and includes a push to talk button for the handlebar as well. It also comes with a coiled cable to plug the unit into the CB.
I planned to purchase the FireStik tunable antenna to complete the setup, but a buddy gave me an antenna that ended up working just fine.
Thanks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Linewatch, here are a few photos of my set up.
The first shows the tank pouch containing the CB installed on the bike. The large coiled wire running down the left side of the pouch provides connection to the auxiliary jack and antenna connection under the seat. The smaller coiled wire coming from the top right corner of the pouch leads to the Bluetooth radio adapter mounted on the handlebar.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Second photo with the pouch flap open shows the CB tucked into the pouch.One of the things I like about the Midland unit is that the on/off/volume **** and squelch **** are both on the top of the unit, so they are easily accessible without having to remove the unit from the pouch. Since the group I ride with always stays on the same channel, I really have no need to access the other buttons.