Author Topic: Legal use of pmr radios (Read 799 times)

Mr Rizla · « **on:** 28, January, 2008, 12:59:07 AM »

Hi, This year i intend getting all my gear working correctly and that included the ability to talk bike to bike, the tricky part is the use of PMR radios.
The standard pmr radio is not idea for a bike, storing it under the seat or in a tank bage is not ideal because of the small rubberduck ariel, now iv done some research on the tinternet and am considering modifying a pmr handset to use a bnc ariel connector and external ariel.
The idea is to setup the pmr along with my autocom under my seat and hook up an external 60cm whip ariel to the PMR, well at least thats the plan.
Only problem is its illegal because the radio has been modified and the license for the 446 specifies the radio must have a fixed rubber duck type ariel which has very poor performance compared to an external ariel.
So the question is..
If i was spotted riding out on the road with this ariel fitted would i be pulled over and had a word with? im only trying to get good reliable comms working, a lot of USR's have been asking me what they can get setup to allow interbike comms so i gota start somewhere D:

Flying Scot · « **Reply #1 on:** 28, January, 2008, 06:46:31 AM »

Quote (Mr Rizla @ Jan. 28 2008,00:59)

Hi, This year i intend getting all my gear working correctly and that included the ability to talk bike to bike, the tricky part is the use of PMR radios.
The standard pmr radio is not idea for a bike, storing it under the seat or in a tank bage is not ideal because of the small rubberduck ariel, now iv done some research on the tinternet and am considering modifying a pmr handset to use a bnc ariel connector and external ariel.
The idea is to setup the pmr along with my autocom under my seat and hook up an external 60cm whip ariel to the PMR, well at least thats the plan.
Only problem is its illegal because the radio has been modified and the license for the 446 specifies the radio must have a fixed rubber duck type ariel which has very poor performance compared to an external ariel.
So the question is..
If i was spotted riding out on the road with this ariel fitted would i be pulled over and had a word with? im only trying to get good reliable comms working, a lot of USR's have been asking me what they can get setup to allow interbike comms so i gota start somewhere D:

Simple mate autocom does a radio pouch and belt why mess about get the correct gear. ':p'

john · « **Reply #2 on:** 28, January, 2008, 08:16:23 AM »

I would have thought it beyond most plod to have any idea what a pmr radio is in the first place and a discrete aeriel would probably only attract the attention of the most anal traffic copper, they've got proper criminals to catch after all.

I'd been having some similar thoughts about modifying pmr using 2 radios in one unit to give always on, full duplex capabilities.

Stu · « **Reply #3 on:** 28, January, 2008, 08:57:27 AM »

CB Radio

Stu · « **Reply #4 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:05:34 AM »

I used to be a CB'er about 25 years ago, not always this legal type but I can't imagine too many people using it these days? Looks like you can add an external aerial if you want to and yu could always hide a burner (output amp) somewhere so you could talk to me in the distance

'>

trouty · « **Reply #5 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:10:56 AM »

breaker breaker! lets switch it up to two - four breaker breaker!

Stu · « **Reply #6 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:15:15 AM »

One four, for a lady breakerrrrrrrrrrrrrr

'>

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #7 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:26:48 AM »

O i do miss my Midland and my 50w burner was always good for interfering with the neighbours:D
I think the question should probably be better word'd around the ariel query, ie if a polis saw a bike with a ariel would it be pulled, whether im using pmr's or good old 27mhz

john · « **Reply #8 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:46:12 AM »

you see plenty of goldwings and other big tourers with aeriels and old school scooters often have them too, I suppose you could get pulled but prob of more relevance is what they could nick you for and the likelihood of them doing it.

You will probably only be breaking the wireless and telegraphy act I guess ?

Perhaps you could fit an fm radio too and explain away your aeriel that way if necessary ?

Stu · « **Reply #9 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:50:09 AM »

I can see it now lol GSXR1000 with a 32' Sigma4 straped to the back ':p'

I would be more worried about the affect on handling

'> but if it's legal what can they say?

Stu · « **Reply #10 on:** 28, January, 2008, 09:54:06 AM »

Quote (john @ Jan. 28 2008,09:46)

you see plenty of goldwings and other big tourers with aeriels and old school scooters often have them too, I suppose you could get pulled but prob of more relevance is what they could nick you for and the likelihood of them doing it.

You will probably only be breaking the wireless and telegraphy act I guess ?

Perhaps you could fit an fm radio too and explain away your aeriel that way if necessary ?

We had a rig doctor who fitted a switch, that was activated by one of the screws in the side of the radio, The switch chanded the radio from am to fm because it was not good to have the 800 chanel am radios ':rock:'

trouty · « **Reply #11 on:** 28, January, 2008, 10:00:53 AM »

dont hold back on this, good comms is a must. you need a diapol.

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #12 on:** 28, January, 2008, 11:24:37 AM »

If i had a whip ariel fitted, id be worried about the car/bike in front of me when i braked

'>

TallGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** 28, January, 2008, 12:55:22 PM »

Go for it, though I would recommend TNC over BNC any day.

Not really a Police issue as the airwaves are governed by someone else. Road Policing Unit would only be interested if the aerial posed a danger to yourself or anyone else.

Aerial should have an effective length of 74cm (for a 1/2 wave dipole) which can be comprised of physical length and inductive tuning. The bigger the physical portion the better. Bikes don’t make very good ground planes though, unlike a car roof so aerial will almost certainly need tuning and this is best done by somebody else while you are sat on the bike. The reason for this is that the rider has a huge effect on the aerial beamwidth because you are essentially a large vertical water mass right next to the aerial which absorbs radiated energy.

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #14 on:** 28, January, 2008, 01:00:11 PM »

Thanks TG, looks like the biggest weakness in pmr's is the ariel, doesnt matter how much power u pumping out if the ariel is naff, get that fixed/optimised and even the standard 0.5w units can work a lot better in terms of noise quality and increased range

'> once we get this far, then we can look at other mods

'>

STEM-VFR · « **Reply #15 on:** 28, January, 2008, 01:53:15 PM »

Is this what you need?

PMR aerial

Steve

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #16 on:** 28, January, 2008, 01:59:45 PM »

there are several rather good options for an ariel, especialy as we have no effective ground, on plastics, its just having guts to hack open pmr, and start unsoldering things thats the tricky part

john · « **Reply #17 on:** 29, January, 2008, 12:09:16 AM »

sounds like mounting it on top of your helmet would be the optimum position...

'>

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #18 on:** 29, January, 2008, 01:22:34 PM »

DangerMouse · « **Reply #19 on:** 31, January, 2008, 10:16:01 PM »

I remember my old man had 2 cbs in his van! AM and FM. My handle was skateboard about 25 years ago aswell Stu!! Bloody hell doesnt time fly! Remember talking to my gran on the cb telling her to put the kettle on. EYEBALL EYEBALL!!!!

'>

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #20 on:** 31, January, 2008, 10:25:54 PM »

any excuse so i can play wif my rubber ducky

Stu · « **Reply #21 on:** 06, February, 2008, 11:20:34 PM »

Riz have you looked into any bluetooth set ups? I really fancy putting radios on our bikes but can't be bothered with plugging in and out. I just know she'll forget to remind me to plug it in

'> Sometimes I don't even get reminded to srart the engine.

'>

I want a bluetooth lid kit that can connect to 2way radio when the bike is turned on?? I know your going to say they don't work or worse...

Weaver · « **Reply #22 on:** 07, February, 2008, 07:26:32 AM »

Quote (Stu @ Feb. 06 2008,23:20)

Riz have you looked into any bluetooth set ups? I really fancy putting radios on our bikes but can't be bothered with plugging in and out. I just know she'll forget to remind me to plug it in

'> Sometimes I don't even get reminded to srart the engine.

'>

It's only one plug each!!!! ':crazy'

'>

Mr Rizla · « **Reply #23 on:** 07, February, 2008, 08:56:03 AM »

Am going to try and organise a meeting for anyone interested in Comms, especialy useful for USR stewards, anyone interested? send me a PM

Stu · « **Reply #24 on:** 07, February, 2008, 08:58:14 AM »

Quote (Weaver @ Feb. 07 2008,07:26)

Quote (Stu @ Feb. 06 2008,23:20)

Riz have you looked into any bluetooth set ups? I really fancy putting radios on our bikes but can't be bothered with plugging in and out. I just know she'll forget to remind me to plug it in

'> Sometimes I don't even get reminded to srart the engine.

'>

It's only one plug each!!!! ':crazy'

'>

One plug too many lol in our house we're luck to have the lights turned off or the shower come to that

'>

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Author Topic: Legal use of pmr radios (Read 799 times)