[Elecraft] Subject: Re: Could this operate on a motorcycle?

[Pete Barth]

1) The fellows at MARC have years ago optimized ham radio on cruising
bikes. Please take their hints to heart.

I have not made long rides on my BMW K1200LT for years but when I did I had
a 742 with modules on 2 mtrs, 220, and 450 with separate antennas up on the
top of the baggage trunk on a huge metal plate.
There was a bike am/fm antenna on the rear left.
I fabricated a similar mount on the rear right for a short screwdriver
antenna with a trailing counterpoise wire held up in the air with a short
length of fabric on the end to make it fly.
I ran a 2 inch copper strap (folded over to one inch) from the trunk in the
back all through the chassis up into the front fork for a valid
counterpoise.
I used my Elecraft K3 on a plate above my speedo.
I used a Palm paddle on the right handlebar. A miniature straight key too,
with a changeover switch to do morse on the horn.
A second electret mike in the helmet.
Cruse control and cw on the highway! Slow cw for me though.

I had a second 17AH battery (diode isolated) buffering the cycle battery
for the radios. That way the bike battery never ran down.
I was never lonely on the road with the radios. The Iron Butt rides get
lonely!
I miss the fellows in the MARC club. They were dedicated riding and ham
fanatics!
Just writing this note makes me want to put the antennas back on and get
out on the road.
I always feared the 100 watts would interfere with the BMW engine/brake
computers, but it never did.

-- 
Pete / พีท / W6LAW
323 460-7018    Hollywood home
323 461-7018    Pete cell