[Elecraft] Could this operate on a motorcycle?

Sun May 4 21:54:53 EDT 2014

How big is that unit, what brand and model?

If something is the same size and does 50-70w, I am all for it.

My stated requirement is to mount it on the handlebars, and that space is
just about 4x9x3, the size of the RAM mount box I specified.

So what unit meets those previously stated requirements?

On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 6:47 PM, Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org>wrote:

> I am pretty sure I never suggested using a 5W rig. Mobile VHF rigs are
> 50-75W.
>
> The KX3 is limited to 10W (8W at 12m and above), so it would not give any
> more range than a 5W HT.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
>
> On May 4, 2014, at 6:39 PM, Russell Conner <rgconner at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > As I have stated many times. 5w is not cutting it.
> > Sorry, it is not. People saying it is all I need is not changing the
> facts. With a 5.1Db gain antenna, the local terrain is killing the signals
> in larger than 12 man groups, single file through the hills.
> >
> > We need more in many cases.
> >
> >
> > On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 6:29 PM, Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org>
> wrote:
> > You asked about a specific application, "co-ordinating rider
> leader/wingman/tailgunners actions during rides". A VHF mobile or VHF/UHF
> mobile is perfect for that. They are small, affordable, and the mobile
> antennas are efficient.
> >
> > The issue is not Elecraft, it is using HF for this purpose. HF mobile
> antennas are inefficient, often losing 10dB compared to a full-sized
> antenna. That means you really need 100W. One reply suggested two 100W HF
> rigs, the IC-706 and IC-7000.
> >
> > The Elecraft 100W amp would work for this, but it raises the cost to
> around $2500 per vehicle, which is 10X the cost of a 2m mobile radio. One
> of the reasons Elecraft gave for building the 100W amp was to make the KX3
> usable mobile.
> >
> > 6m or 10m do not have much advantage over 2m in this application, so
> there is no reason to spend more money to run on those bands. If you did
> want those bands, the IC-8900R covers 10m through 70cm with 50W for $400
> (35W on 70cm) (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/0890.html).
> >
> > I'm a backpacker and I love my KX3. I go lots of places where cell
> phones don't work. But I would not recommend it for a motorcycle. I'm
> driving up to Oregon next week and I'll try to get on the noontime net with
> 10W mobile, but I don't really expect that to work.
> >
> > wunder
> > K6WRU
> > http://observer.wunderwood.org/
> >
> > On May 4, 2014, at 6:10 PM, rgconner <rgconner at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Hmm. What I think the biggest issue is that I am both a motorcycle
> > > enthusiast and a budding HAM enthusiast... although the shine is
> coming off
> > > quickly.
> > >
> > > "Motor scooters" come in 600+ cc now, they are as big and fast as half
> the
> > > motorcycles out there. BMW's C600 will cruise all day long, and you
> can get
> > > up and 1000 miles again the next day if you want.
> > >
> > > This highlights the difficulty: lack of mine and others knowledge of
> both
> > > spheres in equal depth. I know motorcycles. I don't know HAM as well.
> You
> > > all know the HAM as well, but there seems to be not an overlap with
> > > motorcycles so much.
> > >
> > > And, considering the spec this was designed for: "home, backpacking,
> and
> > > travel." it sounds like another product: cell phones.
> > >
> > > And we motorcyclists mount our cellphones to the handlebars all the
> time,
> > > even small tablets.
> > >
> > > So I am surprised those products fair better than the KX3 in the
> > > overlapping "home, backpacking, and travel." environment.
> > >
> > > I have broken 3 phones packpacking, so I guess the KX3 is out
> altogether if
> > > it is not as rugged as as say, a Galaxy S phone.
> > >
> > > My 2c worth.
> > >
> > > On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 5:59 PM, Jim Brown-10 [via Elecraft] <
> > > ml-node+s365791n7588568h31 at n2.nabble.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >> On 5/4/2014 5:17 PM, Russell Conner wrote:
> > >>> well, the naysayers have convinced me, the Elecraft is not the radio
> for
> > >> me
> > >>> for this application, and this is the application I need to solve
> first.
> > >> A
> > >>> home station is a year or two away, if ever.
> > >>
> > >> Hi Russell,
> > >>
> > >> Congratulations on getting your license. The experience and
> backgrounds
> > >> of those who have offered advice is pretty widely varied -- everything
> > >> from true expert to opinions only to hearsay. Most of us own Elecraft
> > >> rigs, and most have owned lots of other rigs too, over the years. I've
> > >> had nearly 20 in the 60 years I've been a ham. Many of us own and use
> 2M
> > >> and 440 MHz rigs -- I certainly do -- and I mostly use them on the
> road.
> > >>
> > >> I agree with the advice that Elecraft does not make a product to do
> what
> > >> you want on your motorcycle -- for the short distances involved, I'd
> be
> > >> looking at either a 2M rig if all the guys in your group are hams, or
> an
> > >> FRS radio if they are not, looking for something you can fit with a
> > >> suitable headset.
> > >>
> > >> As others have noted, the KX3 is a great rig for home, backpacking,
> and
> > >> travel. That's what it's designed for. When you are ready for a rig
> like
> > >> that, it's head and shoulders above the rest. Sort of like the
> > >> difference between a Harley and a motor scooter. :)
> > >>
> > >> 73, Jim K9YC
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> > --
> > Walter Underwood
> > wunder at wunderwood.org
> >
> >
> >
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> --
> Walter Underwood
> wunder at wunderwood.org
>
>
>
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