CB Module in 2017/2018 Ultra Limited
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Likes: 10
From: Jarrettsville, MD
Novice
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Thanks for great info!
anyways it sounds like a black magic for me tho
For last 3-4 seasons before i bought my HD, i was using Sena 20C, it was pretty good for 2 maybe 3 guys connected, but for more, it was nearly impossible to pair, on the begining battery was ok, but after while it was just getting worse and worse, seems like range get worse too but maybe im wrong.
So since CB is built-in in my bike, i bought 2 hd wired headset from craigslist and give it a shot.
Man, intercome with me and my lady on the back is crisp clear, she love it, and shes kind of picky so that means something haha, same thing with making phone calls, now after software updates even iphone SIRI works with interface witch is awesome (speed dial and rest).
The one thing what i hate is just that range..
And from what i read in that topic, just to upgrade cables and grounding we looking on 100$-200$.
Most of my buddies in the club (we usually out for the weekend, like 10-20 guys) using Cardo Scala PackTalk Headset, wich is around 250$ range, and its 1-2-3 to pair (5 MILES multihop range!)
Make long story short, i think i just leave hd cb the way it is for me and woman, and for group rides i will invest in that scala thing..
Thanks again
anyways it sounds like a black magic for me tho
For last 3-4 seasons before i bought my HD, i was using Sena 20C, it was pretty good for 2 maybe 3 guys connected, but for more, it was nearly impossible to pair, on the begining battery was ok, but after while it was just getting worse and worse, seems like range get worse too but maybe im wrong.
So since CB is built-in in my bike, i bought 2 hd wired headset from craigslist and give it a shot.
Man, intercome with me and my lady on the back is crisp clear, she love it, and shes kind of picky so that means something haha, same thing with making phone calls, now after software updates even iphone SIRI works with interface witch is awesome (speed dial and rest).
The one thing what i hate is just that range..
And from what i read in that topic, just to upgrade cables and grounding we looking on 100$-200$.
Most of my buddies in the club (we usually out for the weekend, like 10-20 guys) using Cardo Scala PackTalk Headset, wich is around 250$ range, and its 1-2-3 to pair (5 MILES multihop range!)
Make long story short, i think i just leave hd cb the way it is for me and woman, and for group rides i will invest in that scala thing..
Thanks again
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
Thanks for great info!
anyways it sounds like a black magic for me tho
For last 3-4 seasons before i bought my HD, i was using Sena 20C, it was pretty good for 2 maybe 3 guys connected, but for more, it was nearly impossible to pair, on the begining battery was ok, but after while it was just getting worse and worse, seems like range get worse too but maybe im wrong.
So since CB is built-in in my bike, i bought 2 hd wired headset from craigslist and give it a shot.
Man, intercome with me and my lady on the back is crisp clear, she love it, and shes kind of picky so that means something haha, same thing with making phone calls, now after software updates even iphone SIRI works with interface witch is awesome (speed dial and rest).
The one thing what i hate is just that range..
And from what i read in that topic, just to upgrade cables and grounding we looking on 100$-200$.
Most of my buddies in the club (we usually out for the weekend, like 10-20 guys) using Cardo Scala PackTalk Headset, wich is around 250$ range, and its 1-2-3 to pair (5 MILES multihop range!)
Make long story short, i think i just leave hd cb the way it is for me and woman, and for group rides i will invest in that scala thing..
Thanks again
anyways it sounds like a black magic for me tho
For last 3-4 seasons before i bought my HD, i was using Sena 20C, it was pretty good for 2 maybe 3 guys connected, but for more, it was nearly impossible to pair, on the begining battery was ok, but after while it was just getting worse and worse, seems like range get worse too but maybe im wrong.
So since CB is built-in in my bike, i bought 2 hd wired headset from craigslist and give it a shot.
Man, intercome with me and my lady on the back is crisp clear, she love it, and shes kind of picky so that means something haha, same thing with making phone calls, now after software updates even iphone SIRI works with interface witch is awesome (speed dial and rest).
The one thing what i hate is just that range..
And from what i read in that topic, just to upgrade cables and grounding we looking on 100$-200$.
Most of my buddies in the club (we usually out for the weekend, like 10-20 guys) using Cardo Scala PackTalk Headset, wich is around 250$ range, and its 1-2-3 to pair (5 MILES multihop range!)
Make long story short, i think i just leave hd cb the way it is for me and woman, and for group rides i will invest in that scala thing..
Thanks again
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
I know this much if it was designed correctly for a bike it would work. Back when I was riding Goldwings them CB radioes would talk and receive clear for 2-3 miles. Now at 50 yards with H-D all you get is static and garble and you can forget about communicating with anyone 200 yards away. You can get a portable hand held that will work better than these and that has no ground plane. So it can be done if the engineers wanted to.
Last edited by K Melancon; May 19, 2018 at 07:39 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From: South FL
Sena and CB
I added a CB module and a hidden antenna to my 2018 Ultra Limited and using the Sena FreeWire for wireless connect.
The result: awesome! No more cable to the helmet. The CB range is up to 1.5 miles, more than I need...and of course, I can talk to other bikes and my passnger, too!
The result: awesome! No more cable to the helmet. The CB range is up to 1.5 miles, more than I need...and of course, I can talk to other bikes and my passnger, too!
Last edited by jackhis; May 19, 2018 at 08:24 AM. Reason: Mispell
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 707
Likes: 470
From: IA
I know this much if it was designed correctly for a bike it would work. Back when I was riding Goldwings them CB radioes would talk and receive clear for 2-3 miles. Now at 50 yards with H-D all you get is static and garble and you can forget about communicating with anyone 200 yards away. You can get a portable hand held that will work better than these and that has no ground plane. So it can be done if the engineers wanted to.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
From: Tucson, Az
I'd have to agree. If you are having those difficulties, something is wrong. Transmit and receive of 1 to 2 miles is about right. You can't expect much more out of 2 to 3 watts into the OEM compromise antenna.... The shorty antenna is even more of a compromise. Hidden antennas even more so. ( I've run simulations on them.... I'm an engineer... I can't help it)
I installed mine on a 2017 ultra classic. I used the JM Audio kit to replace the coax and bond the travel trunk ground plate to the frame. When I checked the SWR on the antenna, I found it to be tuned low in frequency. After trimming it a bit, I was able to get the SWR down to an acceptable level.
The JM audio kit bonding straps are simply 1/4" copper braid covered in shrink tubing with crimped lugs. Adding that bonding creates a better RF ground than the travel trunk plate alone.
A good RF ground is key to preventing feedback and garble in the transmit. Without a good RF ground, the coax shield and the case of the radio becomes the RF ground (the reason for the garble). This is called common mode current. In extreme cases, ferrite beads can be added to the coax at the base of the antenna to reduce the common mode current.
The OEM 36" antenna is a base loaded 1/4 wave antenna. It can easily be tuned by removing the plastic tip and carefully cutting the fiberglass and internal conductor. When tuned the tip can be replaced by sanding the cut end into a slight taper and re-inserting it into the plastic tip. Antenna efficiency is loosely proportional to the SWR. Therefore range is loosely proportional to SWR. Usually an SWR better than 2:1 is sufficient. My SWR on channel 19 is 1.5:1 trailing off to 1.8:1 on channels 1 and 40.
So the moral of the story if you want to improve the range and performance of the CB is to check and improve the RF ground, use the least compromise antenna and then carefully tune the antenna.
I installed mine on a 2017 ultra classic. I used the JM Audio kit to replace the coax and bond the travel trunk ground plate to the frame. When I checked the SWR on the antenna, I found it to be tuned low in frequency. After trimming it a bit, I was able to get the SWR down to an acceptable level.
The JM audio kit bonding straps are simply 1/4" copper braid covered in shrink tubing with crimped lugs. Adding that bonding creates a better RF ground than the travel trunk plate alone.
A good RF ground is key to preventing feedback and garble in the transmit. Without a good RF ground, the coax shield and the case of the radio becomes the RF ground (the reason for the garble). This is called common mode current. In extreme cases, ferrite beads can be added to the coax at the base of the antenna to reduce the common mode current.
The OEM 36" antenna is a base loaded 1/4 wave antenna. It can easily be tuned by removing the plastic tip and carefully cutting the fiberglass and internal conductor. When tuned the tip can be replaced by sanding the cut end into a slight taper and re-inserting it into the plastic tip. Antenna efficiency is loosely proportional to the SWR. Therefore range is loosely proportional to SWR. Usually an SWR better than 2:1 is sufficient. My SWR on channel 19 is 1.5:1 trailing off to 1.8:1 on channels 1 and 40.
So the moral of the story if you want to improve the range and performance of the CB is to check and improve the RF ground, use the least compromise antenna and then carefully tune the antenna.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
Well out of the 15 or so bikes we ride with mine is the best transmit and receive. The rest are half the distance I can get and this is not my first harley but it sure works better than my last one.
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Going to try this antenna setup
I took off the CB and AM/FM antennas on the tour pack and bought the kit for putting them in the front fairing a while back so I could put on a cover and possibly buy the removable tourpack kit. They have worked ok, but don't get the distances I want with the cb radio when riding and communicating with the club. I just bought a new 4ft firestik antenna, 9ft PL-259 cable , TNC Male to UHF female adapter, and a Stud mount with L-bracket. I am mounting this to the back bottom bolt next to the Exhaust and angling the mount so it doesn't hit the tourpack. Haven't tried yet but will let you know how it works out or doesn't work. Lol
Last edited by bretth50; May 29, 2018 at 06:26 PM. Reason: Need to correct spelling