CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 6
From: Reston, Virginia
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
Considering how difficult it would be to get an SWR meter between the fairing and antenna, and the very small amount of play on the antenna, I would say consider it good. Mobile systems, especially on bikes with a crappy ground plane, don't transmit that far anyway.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
ORIGINAL: berettag
Considering how difficult it would be to get an SWR meter between the fairing and antenna, and the very small amount of play on the antenna, I would say consider it good. Mobile systems, especially on bikes with a crappy ground plane, don't transmit that far anyway.
Considering how difficult it would be to get an SWR meter between the fairing and antenna, and the very small amount of play on the antenna, I would say consider it good. Mobile systems, especially on bikes with a crappy ground plane, don't transmit that far anyway.
I'm not so worried about the actual CB range - as you said,the essentially non-existent ground plane of a bike limits radio performance. My concern is that the factory/dealer just sticks the antennae on without any tuning and you end up with SWR ratio high enough to damage the finals in the CB. The last time I messed with CB radio was back in the '70sand I spent a lot of time hanging out in a local radio shop.It was very common to have radios brought in that were fried due to improper antennae installation/tuning.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 6
From: Reston, Virginia
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
I hear you. I seriously doubt that there is any tuning of the antenna of the CB or AM/FM radio antennas. Radios these days have built in overload protection to protect against most anything, short of (pun intended) a shorted coax. Even transmitting into an unloaded coax doesn't cause any damage. Best you can hope for is that they remember to hook up the antenna (usually done at the factory) and don't crimp the coax. Best test is to take her out , go to 19 and ask for a radio check. I'm sure you know the drill.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
That's what that large plate in the tourbox is, a ground plane..
You could theoreticily adjust SWR's by trimming mast... but the meter WOULD be
tough to connect, the HK Radio may have this built in..
I tried to use the CB on the 06 Ultra I had and it never worked..
You could theoreticily adjust SWR's by trimming mast... but the meter WOULD be
tough to connect, the HK Radio may have this built in..
I tried to use the CB on the 06 Ultra I had and it never worked..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
The SWR has to be set at the time the bike is put into service (PDI), by the dealership Sevice Staff....
FWIW, it is a requirement of the set-up procedures......
And yes, it is a PITA...... As the outer fairing must be removed....
FWIW, it is a requirement of the set-up procedures......
And yes, it is a PITA...... As the outer fairing must be removed....
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
ORIGINAL: Shovelhead Bob
The SWR has to be set at the time the bike is put into service (PDI), by the dealership Sevice Staff....
FWIW, it is a requirement of the set-up procedures......
And yes, it is a PITA...... As the outer fairing must be removed....
The SWR has to be set at the time the bike is put into service (PDI), by the dealership Sevice Staff....
FWIW, it is a requirement of the set-up procedures......
And yes, it is a PITA...... As the outer fairing must be removed....
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Florida
RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
The SWR cannot be set at the factory. The bikes are shipped without the antenna attached. Depending on how far the shaft is placed into the mount affects antenna tune or SWR. On my 07 Ultra. The very first thing to fall off was the cb antenna. The day I picked it up. I would make sure it is locked down tight and forget about it. The cb's are not good for much but bike to bike communication when group riding anyway. JMHO
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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RE: CB question: SWR set from the factory ?
I guess you need to find another Service Dept......
The techs that do the PDI's at the shop that I work at are the experienced ones, that use manuals and tools, that know how to set it up......
Don't be compiling ALL techs into some catagory of "Minimum Wage"... Sounds like it's a welfare job the way you present it......
Customers like you that feel that Techs are there for their bidding.....
Do yourself a favor, invest in the proper tools and associated hardware and do all of the work yourself.....
The techs that do the PDI's at the shop that I work at are the experienced ones, that use manuals and tools, that know how to set it up......
Don't be compiling ALL techs into some catagory of "Minimum Wage"... Sounds like it's a welfare job the way you present it......
Customers like you that feel that Techs are there for their bidding.....
Do yourself a favor, invest in the proper tools and associated hardware and do all of the work yourself.....
