Motorcycle Mobile Operation
December 2006 saw my first attempt at Motorcycle Mobile Operation. To date I have not managed a single QSO, but have successfully operated bike to bike using a Kenwood TK-350 handheld programmed to the PMR 446 Band.
Things have moved on and it is now February 2007. I now have a proper duel band aerial mounted on the bike but I'm having problems getting a positive signal report. By this I mean the discerning ears of fellow hams is being offended by the canned / processed effect of the audio from inside my bike helmet via the Autocom system. Essentially the VOX trip position and mic sensitivity is varied by one microphone monitoring ambient noise as the bike goes faster and wind noise increases. Another mic then drives the transmission. All in all, not the sort of FM signal we are used to - it's more like SSB.
On a more positive note, using it with the PMR446 has given a far better bike to bike result. Now using a TK-3201, but unfortunately it doesn't have a detachable aerial, so I can't use that one with the newly installed Top Box Aerial. I have got a TK-805D on order from VK land though, so watch this space!
October 2010 Update
The TK-805D didn't provide a solution as it didn't do quarter KHz spacing but my friends and I were soon up and running with modified TK-3201 (SMA aerial socket installed) then TK-3207 for more power. Then we eventually settled on TK-3160s because of size and compatibility of mic gain level. Radio GaGa might not be Amateur Radio but it is very useful having 10 or more of you on Bike to Bike Radio!