New Antenna Installs

[Seaking]

Alrighty.. just got back from installing two new Firesticks on my Midnight Venture with mixed results.. a lot of work and it LOOKS great but with a few probs..

 

A quick note, hopefully someone has an idea to help me out..

 

The AM/FM antenna was the hardest part and it turned out awesome.. good audio but with a few weeks of rain coming our way it's going to be hard to test for range.

 

However, the CB antenna install was a shambles.. argh. Right now, when I press the CB button on the control unit, I get a CB:ERR message and it shuts off.. oops!

 

Though I tested the AM/FM radio before putting everything together, I failed to test the CB at all.. argh..

 

I'm sure I plugged in everything under the trunk when I re-installed it..

 

Antenna cable plugged from antenna to box under trunk OK.. but before I start yanking things apart again, is there something I should be doing first?

 

I must say, it does look awesome with a midnight venture hehe

[Sideoftheroad]

Seeking,

Hopefully it will be an easy fix. All I can say is when Bummer put it together for me and he got the SWR set, it has been running great day 1.

 

I know I didn't buy a new cb cable. I just didn't want to mess with it and I asked around. Consensus was those cables didn't need to be replaced unless you want to replace them. Even though I didn't have to, I bought a new am/fm cable so I went ahead and Bummer put it in for me. At least I think we replaced it. I couldn't find it in the garage so I am assuming we did.

 

I am (obviously) electronically challenged so Bummer put things in easy to understand term's for me. Don't do this or that or else you will see the magic blue smoke. It was blue right Bummer???

 

Hopefully nothing like that happened. Unless someone posts "Don't do it" might want to try and switch the 2 cables from the black box under the trunk to see if that fixes it. This will confirm if cb was put back into the correct spot or not. Just guessing it wouldn't matter which side you put the am/fm on.

[Seaking]

I'll have to take the time tomorrow to pull the trunk off and have a look at the CB connection again.

 

What I can tell you about the whole deal is that it's worth it for the looks alone.. and hopefully for better range as well once I get it all put together. I was rather disappointed with the fold down parts 03EZ (2) Antenna Fold Over Adapter - 203EZ is what broke when I hand tightened it to the mount... not impressed.. I installed the other one gently this time but found that the whole contraption is so not well made and loose fitting where it folds that it would seriously cause a lot of vibrations.. wow.. talk about loose! So I opted to not add these at all and leave my antennas "not fold-able" at all.. very simple process actually.

 

I had to remove my trunk ANYWAY because of a busted up box of laundry detergent from my trip to PA this summer got all over the place and needed a water wash to get it all out.. as far as I can remember there is a round plug under the seat and the two speaker connectors there.. perhaps I missed something else.. or worse case scenario I fried the CB all together.. who knows.. I don't use it much but it would be nice to have in case I need it later, ya know?

 

I would need to find a couple of 90' connectors though to complete the look of it all..

[gibvel]

Did you set the SWR? Seems to me that this would not cause an error, however, but it absolutely NEEDS to be done before you push the talk button. SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) sets the effective length of the antenna. At certain wave lengths an antenna will broadcast a certain amount of the power and reflect some back (this also depends on which frequency you are broadcasting on). You want to get the reflected signal to the minimum that you can. Too high and you're not getting any power out and the reflected signal will burn your transmitter up. You can't set the SWR perfectly for all channels. The best thing to do is to set it the closest you can on the frequency you use the most and try to balance that to get the best on all the frequencies. If you can get below 1 on most all the channels, with the sweet spot (your preferred channel) being the lowest that's pretty good.

 

Did you go with Firesticks?

 

Don't think it's possible to screw up the connections in the box, I would say you may be on the right track with the cable under the seat. I've had the comm. system connections come undone under the passenger seat before. To keep the connectors together I took 6 cable ties (number depends on how long your cable ties are). 2 I looped loosely around each end of the plug after it was plugged together, then I took two, put them together and looped from 1 cable tie on the end of 1 connector to the cable tie on the end of the other connector. I did that on both sides of the connector. Then tighten the 2 ties that you have wrapped around the ends of the connectors and then tighten the 2 pairs you have running from end to end of the connector. That should keep the 2 plugs together.

[Seaking]

yep went with the two same firesticks..

 

I haven't had a chance to set SWR, no meter yet.. Hopefully I haven't fried anything before hand by turning on the radio.. that would suck.. if such is the case then may as well cut that antenna mount off as I can't see myself replacing the CD radio for the $$ it would cost compared to how often I use it.. ya know? Hopefully nothing more than an opps, loose cable..

 

Thanks for the info.. I'll have a look there too.

[Freebird]

Also, make sure you have the nylon spacers correct on the antenna so that nothing is grounded.

[gibvel]

yep went with the two same firesticks..

 

I haven't had a chance to set SWR, no meter yet.. Hopefully I haven't fried anything before hand by turning on the radio.. that would suck.. if such is the case then may as well cut that antenna mount off as I can't see myself replacing the CD radio for the $$ it would cost compared to how often I use it.. ya know? Hopefully nothing more than an opps, loose cable..

 

Thanks for the info.. I'll have a look there too.

 

Chances are that the radio is still okay. On my 89 I did quite a bit of button pushing (before confirming that I wasn't getting anything out) with my SWR set too high and it didn't burn up the unit.

[BOO]

Also, make sure you have the nylon spacers correct on the antenna so that nothing is grounded.

 

Yeah that is kind of what I was thinking after him mentioning taking the fold-over pieces out. Also this also shortens the length of the antenna, physically and electrically.

They always tell you not to key up the transmitter when the SWR is not adjusted right but you have to do it anyway to adjust it. I don't think I have ever heard of anyone frying the finals just by keying it up for a second or so.

Almost sounds like the system is completely grounded.

Good Luck,

BOO

[Seaking]

Also, make sure you have the nylon spacers correct on the antenna so that nothing is grounded.

 

hadn't thought of that.. I installed the ONE nylon space / washer that came with it.. the AM/FM works fine.. The spacer was installed from the top down position.. there wasn't another nylon spacer or washer.. so the top part of the mount is isolated from the mounting bar but the bottom part of the mount is against the metal..

 

suggestions?

 

Thanks M8

[Bummer]

I'm suspecting a plug. Audio or power. The ERR should mean the audio system can not talk to the CB. The spacer being in the wrong place won't do that.

 

The DIN plug with the yellow band, inside the fairing, is the CB. Under the seat, on the left side, there is a DIN plug and a power plug. (Page 8-61 and 8-62 in the Service Manual - "CB does not operation".)

 

The nylon spacer goes on the top side of the stock mount to insulate the antenna from everything else. [ame=http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11486]Pics here.[/ame] It sounds like you got it right. Above the spacer is antenna. Below the spacer is base/ground. You can use a meter to test for continuity between the antenna and base/ground. If it beeps something's wrong.

 

If the insulating washer is on the wrong side you won't be able to set the SWR, but it won't kill the radio. At least not immediately. You can get away with trying to set it several times, put the washer in the right place, then actually set it. The biggest problem this caused was a dead battery from trying too many times with the bike off.

 

You have to key the mic to set SWR. I've always been told it's the talking that lets the magic blue smoke out of the radio. That's why I don't even plug in a mic while setting SWR. I also keep it to short bursts rather than just leaning on the transmit key. Just in case.

[Seaking]

Thanks Steve.. according to the pic I have the nylon washer in the right place..

 

Gosh I hope I don't have to split my fairing again.. the light bar is causing me huge problems and I think this time it may not go back on properly =( if I pull it off one more time.. so if I can't find anything under the trunk and seats then I'll wait till the garage is built and bike in the barn to pull everything apart again to get it working properly.. Darn light bar...

 

However, my buddy, whose garage I'm hiding my bike while my garage is being built, is not eye my set up closely.. he loves the looks of the black firesticks.. but hates the folding mechanisms.. too loose and rattly..

 

I'll drop you a shout as soon as I get to the seats and trunk again..

 

Cheers!

[Sideoftheroad]

If the insulating washer is on the wrong side you won't be able to set the SWR...The biggest problem this caused was a dead battery from trying too many times with the bike off.

 

 

I guess I wouldn't know about such things, would I Steve?

[Sideoftheroad]

but hates the folding mechanisms.. too loose and rattly

 

You aren't the only one. I went with them and had no issues. I think others didn't like it either. Could be on the Blue Dolphin site or another posting for an fixed mount alternative

[Seaking]

You aren't the only one. I went with them and had no issues. I think others didn't like it either. Could be on the Blue Dolphin site or another posting for an fixed mount alternative

 

I just took the ones listed in the article out of the equation and went without..

 

however, how tight can you put a wrench to these things? I'm so worried of snapping something after the fold-over thingy snapped off with only hand pressure..

[Bummer]

I guess I wouldn't know about such things, would I Steve?

And how long did it take me to notice? About a thumb's worth, I'd say. That's way too long. Nope. I see that one as a classic Anyone-Can-Miss-It problem.

[Bummer]

I just took the ones listed in the article out of the equation and went without..

 

however, how tight can you put a wrench to these things? I'm so worried of snapping something after the fold-over thingy snapped off with only hand pressure..

I wouldn't overdo the screw end on the Firefly. Seems a little light. The rest of it is pretty stout. Well, except for the folder's hinge, anyway. That's just a roll pin through pot metal. Very disappointing. Anyway, just keep in mind there's no need to over tighten this stuff as long as it's not going anywhere.

[Sideoftheroad]

Seaking,

I had a thought.

 

If you replaced the stock antennas with 2 tunable Firefly's then I won't matter which side the cb antenna is on as both antennas are the cb and radio antennas. This means it won't matter how the cables are plugged into the box under the trunk. If that is the case, then I would suspect the connection in the fairing or maybe the a loose connection somewhere. Maybe the connector in the fairing wasn't pushed all the way in or when putting it all together, something just not connected up right. Might even try putting the stock cb cable back in and and put it together from there (I think I remember you said you did replace yours). When the bike is all apart all you would have to do is unplug the ones that are currently there and plug in the stock cable. You wouldn't have to put everything back together to test it. I didn't replace my cb cable and it worked from the getgo.

 

If you did like me and bought one tunable firefly and one am/fm antenna, then it would matter and would start w/ the cables under the trunk. Especially if the stock cb antenna was on the right side and you setup the tunable firefly cb antenna on the left side but kept the cables the same. Switching the cables should fix it at that point I would think.

 

Keep us posted.

[Seaking]

Seaking,

I had a thought.

 

If you replaced the stock antennas with 2 tunable Firefly's then I won't matter which side the cb antenna is on as both antennas are the cb and radio antennas. This means it won't matter how the cables are plugged into the box under the trunk. If that is the case, then I would suspect the connection in the fairing or maybe the a loose connection somewhere. Maybe the connector in the fairing wasn't pushed all the way in or when putting it all together, something just not connected up right. Might even try putting the stock cb cable back in and and put it together from there (I think I remember you said you did replace yours). When the bike is all apart all you would have to do is unplug the ones that are currently there and plug in the stock cable. You wouldn't have to put everything back together to test it. I didn't replace my cb cable and it worked from the getgo.

 

If you did like me and bought one tunable firefly and one am/fm antenna, then it would matter and would start w/ the cables under the trunk. Especially if the stock cb antenna was on the right side and you setup the tunable firefly cb antenna on the left side but kept the cables the same. Switching the cables should fix it at that point I would think.

 

Keep us posted.

 

Close but no ceegar..

 

The CB antenna on the left side got a new cable and gos directly from antenna to inside the box under the rear trunk.. nothing else was changed up front or anything..

 

the AM/FM antenna on the right side, is the SAME antenna as what I am using for the CB.. so they are both the tunable Fire Sticks.

 

I don't think it's the antenna grounding out on the mounts for lack of nylon washer as my buddy held it so it would not make contact with metal and got the same results.

 

I haven't had a chance to get out there to pulls the seats to check it out properly but will let you know as soon as I do.. I won't be splitting the front fairing until I get that new signal light bar..

 

I seldom use the CB so its not a burden to fix but hopefully it will be a quick fix like a disconnection or such.. hopin =)

[Sideoftheroad]

Well I tried. LOL.

 

I just thought I remembered an old posting of yours w/ the antenna's switched. Guess not.

 

Have you checked the manual out to see if there is anything in there about the cb error message?

[Seaking]

Well I tried. LOL.

 

I just thought I remembered an old posting of yours w/ the antenna's switched. Guess not.

 

Have you checked the manual out to see if there is anything in there about the cb error message?

 

error message in the manual? CB:Err is the message and the manual isn't available.. The fella with the SWR meter isn't around for a month now so the rush is not there anymore.. shame.. wanted to see what this was like =)

 

if I do find the cause, I'll post it for sure

[Seaking]

So today, a total wash out with rain.. I decided to tackle the issue with the new CB antenna install that gave me CB:Err errors on the remote.. If I press the CB button to turn on the CB, it would give me that fault error, and turn off.. buggah

 

So today I pulled the seats off and turned the key to turn on the radio, my intent was to wiggle connectors and wires until the fault went away..

 

But when the power came on, the CB light stayed on.. huh? I swung the bars side to side and nothing, it was working.. Ok.. key the mike.. still working.. Put the seats back on, still working.. what the heck?? OK.. kick this, kick that, pull this pull that.. nothing.. it all works..

 

I thought about it for a few minutes and concluded that FM was the brutal cause..

 

FM you ask? Yeah "Frikken MAGIC" ... no other explanation..

 

weird.. dunno what to say.. I haven't test ridden it yet so we'll see what happens then..

[Sideoftheroad]

Glad to hear Seaking. I am sure with help from members of the board you won't have to wait a month to get your SWR set. Maybe you can borrow your friends meter and members on the board can assist in getting it set. You don't want to let the magic blue smoke out.

[Seaking]

Glad to hear Seaking. I am sure with help from members of the board you won't have to wait a month to get your SWR set. Maybe you can borrow your friends meter and members on the board can assist in getting it set. You don't want to let the magic blue smoke out.

 

Well, here's the funny thing.. Cold out riding, I wore my comms helmet and my buddy and I decided to see if we can get it dialed in by hand sans meter.. and well yeah, we did it.. and wow.. what RANGE and clarity!! impressive.. much better than stock antennas.. wow.

 

Very impressed.. I'm scared to put any torque on these mounts or antennas after killing a fold down mounting so I tweaked it every so slightly and pulled seal tape around the connections to keep it from turning loose.. and it kept it on for the day's ride.. no issues.. one antenna seems to spring around more than the other.. (am/fm) but man.. it's all good..

 

Gotta love it.. When my buddy gets back from his road trip I'll ask him to dial the SWR thing properly for me..