Harley Tri Glide - HAM and CB Radio

[t0m0]

I wish to open this thread as I didn't find to many posts on the subject. Being one who retrofitted my 2014 Tri Glide with a missing CB module and the pair of illuminated handbar controls (the PTT button was missing also). I was lucky enough that the wiring was already there and it was a matter of plug and play installation. I was so happy that I managed to do the retrofitting until I measured the SWR (Standard Wave Ratio) of the antenna. It was 2.4, way beyond the acceptable value.

I said OK, let's tune the antenna (as I did so many times in the 25 years of HAM radio). I started by searching for Harley Davidson tuning instruction in the manuals...surprise! didn't find any tuning procedure. I tried the mighty youtube...nada! Started to "dig" in the old HAM knowledge of DIY antennas...writing down some notes for next week tuning trial. I know that we are talking about a NGP (No Ground Plane) antenna and I admit that I'm not familiar with it.

In the mean time I'd appreciate any info in the matter of tuning HD CB antenna. Maybe there is somebody who already did it.

 

[cycle7447]

Interesting thread. For some reason, Harley is moving away for the CB units - trying to go totally wireless. Many of us old guys sort of disagree with this.

In any event, while I may not be adle to answer your question, I will offer that J&M Audio use to sell a ground plate that is to be installed in the trunk or the Harleys. I had this on my 2014 and it made a world of difference.

When they installed it at an event, they also tuned the radio - if I recall, this was done by Sierra Electronics at one of the rallies. So, either JM Audio or Sierra Electronics may be able to help you with this

 

[t0m0]

Interesting thread. For some reason, Harley is moving away for the CB units - trying to go totally wireless. Many of us old guys sort of disagree with this.

In any event, while I may not be adle to answer your question, I will offer that J&M Audio use to sell a ground plate that is to be installed in the trunk or the Harleys. I had this on my 2014 and it made a world of difference.

When they installed it at an event, they also tuned the radio - if I recall, this was done by Sierra Electronics at one of the rallies. So, either JM Audio or Sierra Electronics may be able to help you with this

It seems that J&M 40-ch CB Antenna System Upgrade kit is no longer available. I saw how it looked like.
I think I'll start by grounding trike's frame properly, fork to front frame to intermediate and rear frame as well as the metal plate in the tour-pak. Some sort of daisy chain grounding. This should be Step #1.

 

[HDUSA1]

I was hesitating to say much, but you can try a continuous bonding ground from the radio to the antenna picking up frame grounds along the way. Honestly, unless something is seriously amiss, I’d try doing a few other quick checks first.

Did you try ohming from the ground on the radio to the ground lead on the antenna? And then the center lead in the coax end to end? Then the center to ground lead on the coax with both ends disconnected? And lastly, the center to ground on the antenna base with coax and antenna removed? That will tell you pretty quick. If they all check out, run a temporary ground wire from the radio to the antenna ground and check it before tearing the bike apart and spending a lot of time with it.

I’ve tried checking SWR’s mostly on Victory bikes, but a few Harley’s as well. Almost all have read over 2 and most were 2.5-3.0 or more.

Sierra used to have an adapter for the Harley’s to use the factory antenna base but use a top end tunable fiberglass Firestick. I can’t find it on their website now however. I also can’t find the J&M ground plate either. I had seen a post several years ago where someone was putting 1/8” hardware cloth in the tour pack tied to the ground to make a lightweight ground plane with limited success.

A couple other things to consider. With a NGP antenna, they react weird if there is anything metal or electrical nearby where the bike is parked when checking SWR. I always try to find a wide open space free from other vehicles, power lines, and buildings when checking and usually it was lower. Another thing to try is unscrew the radio antenna and see if there is any difference as I’ve seen that affect it. They make a hidden radio antenna for Harley if it makes a difference.

Personally on my Victory Vision, I finally bought a short Firestick NGP antenna and mounted it on top of the panel in front of and to the left of the windshield. After sawing an 1/8” off the end of the antenna, it dialed right in and I went from a 1/4 mile range withe the factory antenna to well over 2 miles. Looked kind of goofy though but it worked.

 

[Gorilla]

The engineers at Harley had no clue about the NGP antenna they installed in the factory system. I tried all sorts of attempts at tuning the antenna on my 2013 TRI and just lived with the limited range. I never let my wife get more than an 1/8 mile from me.

 

[N8DC]

Grounding can or cannot be a problem. I never saw enuff metal on a bike to make a good ground plane but bonding is key. I have never ran a CB as 48 years ago when I got my Ham license I sold every piece of CB stuff I had. I have in the past ran a 2 meter ht to a rubber duck antenna mounted on the bike with good results . I dont run any radios when I am riding. I do have a remote base setup here at home in the radio room where I can access most any band or any mode while traveling . Good luck on your quest for resonance !
De Dave N8DC

 

[cycle7447]

It seems that J&M 40-ch CB Antenna System Upgrade kit is no longer available. I saw how it looked like.
I think I'll start by grounding trike's frame properly, fork to front frame to intermediate and rear frame as well as the metal plate in the tour-pak. Some sort of daisy chain grounding. This should be Step #1.

Call Sierra Electronics - 800-338-6938. Looks like they may still have one.

Part Number - JM CBAU-H414

 

[t0m0]

Grounding can or cannot be a problem. I never saw enuff metal on a bike to make a good ground plane but bonding is key. I have never ran a CB as 48 years ago when I got my Ham license I sold every piece of CB stuff I had. I have in the past ran a 2 meter ht to a rubber duck antenna mounted on the bike with good results . I dont run any radios when I am riding. I do have a remote base setup here at home in the radio room where I can access most any band or any mode while traveling . Good luck on your quest for resonance !
De Dave N8DC

I know what you said and I agree with but I'm trying to keep busy when retired

 

[N8DC]

I know what you said and I agree with but I'm trying to keep busy when retired

Well I do play plenty of radio 337 of 340 mixed Honor Roll as well as DXCC SSB CW Digital 8 band etc.

 

[t0m0]

UPDATE:
It's been easier than I expected. Solution found. I have replaced the factory CB antenna with a Firestick-like one from PNI. Tunable CB PNI ML40, 57 cm long. I was able to get a 1.2 SWR on 27.225 MHz, which was less than I expected. So far so good. But I didn't like how it looked so I replace the AM/FM antenna with another PNI ML40. It does its job on FM Radio also. So, quoting from classics, from now on: Don't touch a running system.

 

[nitehog]

I wish to open this thread as I didn't find to many posts on the subject. Being one who retrofitted my 2014 Tri Glide with a missing CB module and the pair of illuminated handbar controls (the PTT button was missing also). I was lucky enough that the wiring was already there and it was a matter of plug and play installation. I was so happy that I managed to do the retrofitting until I measured the SWR (Standard Wave Ratio) of the antenna. It was 2.4, way beyond the acceptable value.

I said OK, let's tune the antenna (as I did so many times in the 25 years of HAM radio). I started by searching for Harley Davidson tuning instruction in the manuals...surprise! didn't find any tuning procedure. I tried the mighty youtube...nada! Started to "dig" in the old HAM knowledge of DIY antennas...writing down some notes for next week tuning trial. I know that we are talking about a NGP (No Ground Plane) antenna and I admit that I'm not familiar with it.

In the mean time I'd appreciate any info in the matter of tuning HD CB antenna. Maybe there is somebody who already did it.

Read my QRZ page regarding my Tri Glide and my Yaesu FTM-500DR that Bluetooth to my helmet comms.
73 de KB6LFM

 

[pwhoever]

Read my QRZ page regarding my Tri Glide and my Yaesu FTM-500DR that Bluetooth to my helmet comms.
73 de KB6LFM

Wow, "Read my QRZ page..." I enjoyed your page and am astounded on your very storied life! You have lived the life of several people in your life.

 

[t0m0]

Read my QRZ page regarding my Tri Glide and my Yaesu FTM-500DR that Bluetooth to my helmet comms.
73 de KB6LFM

I did read your QRZ page. It seems that you have presented a short version of your life story. Respect!
On the other hand, I wish to ask you to detail here the part involving your Tri glide-HAM, especially mounting of the FTM-500 and the dual band antenna. How did you solve the antenna grounding for VHF-UHF. Personally I will try to fit a Yaesu FTM-10S, a 2024 ebay aquisition, specially designed for motorbikes. One of 2025 summer projects.
73 de YO2LTC

 

[nitehog]

Hello Tomo,

I installed the FTM-500DR control head on the top of the trike's dashboard and installed the main radio onto the front bulkhead in the trunk. There is only 1 wire/cable running between the radio and remote control head. The antenna is mounted onto a piece of chrome plated angle iron which is then mounted to an aftermarket rear bumper. I hope this helps with your installation.
I sent text and photos to your email address from your QRZ page.

 

[nitehog]

Wow, "Read my QRZ page..." I enjoyed your page and am astounded on your very storied life! You have lived the life of several people in your life.

Thanks Mike

 

[t0m0]

Hello Tomo,

I installed the FTM-500DR control head on the top of the trike's dashboard and installed the main radio onto the front bulkhead in the trunk. There is only 1 wire/cable running between the radio and remote control head. The antenna is mounted onto a piece of chrome plated angle iron which is then mounted to an aftermarket rear bumper. I hope this helps with your installation.
I sent text and photos to your email address from your QRZ page.

Hello Bill
I got the email
Thanks