UHF radio mount

[John Meara]

A mate found this UHF radio mount on the Adventure Riders forum and it worked for him.  It fits my Uniden UH076SX.  A small allen key is used to screw in a locking screww, preventing the radio from being removed (easily anyway).  This way, once in place for the day's ride, no need to worry about anyone quickly knocking off the radio unit while you are away having a feed or drink etc.

Craig Krantz makes them with a little help from a laser cutter. Beautifully made, albeit a tight fit.  he charges $98.00 (can't recall if that includes postage) via direct deposit into his account.  Worked for me with quick turnaround (when he has them in stock).  I think he's on the Sunshine Coast?  Email: craigkrantz@gmail.com

Here's some pics of it in place.

[royst1100]

looks really good john will have to look into that.  i assume the ram mount extra

[John Meara]

Yes, the RAM mount and the backing mount with the RAM ball are both extra - I had both "in stock" at home, so was no hassle.

[Biggles]

I went another route, screwing a RAM ball to the existing attach point on the radio:



and then mounting it with the RAM lockable link:



Cost:  $29 for lockable link plus $(not much) for a standard ball.

[Gavo]

This is my DMME supplied unit with ball

[John Meara]

I previously had the same angled RAM ball mount and at least it allowed the unit to be placed into the charging base each night for recharge. 

I also had the RAM locking unit with the key - certainly a good cheaper option. I was using it to lock the old Zumo 550 on my 2003 ST:



However with the 2008, new risers and the Zumo 660, I wanted something a little less cumbersome.  I now have the Touratech frame mount for the Zumo 660 (http://www.touratech.com.au/home/139-touratech-gps-mounts/5739-gps-bracket-mvg-for-zumo-660/flypage.tpl.html), so the RAM lock is unused at present.

[terrydj]

I've had that lockable Ram thing for a few years and not a problem. I never take my GPS off

[sac468]

Jesus John with all that stuff hanging from the bars can you even see the speedo??

[John Meara]

sac468, you are not the first to make this observation  .  A few called it the cockpit.  This was my old ST. 

The newer one doesn't have the Honda radio or the J&M CB system, so a lot less buttons etc.  This is the red one now:

[sac468]

[/quote]

hey john,

what is the yellow button on the left grip for??
Also the buttons on the right?

[John Meara]

Yellow button on LHS is PTT (Push To Talk) for UHF radio.  Both are connected into the Starcom Digital comms system under the seat.  The Zumo 660 is also connected in and it acts also as an MP3 player. 

The socket you can see in the top LHS of the dash (just to the right in the pic of the UHF radio's on/off dial) is where I plug my helmet audio wiring into the Starcom.  The toggle switch, barely visible under the RHS upper dash above the warning lights, is the spotlight isolation switch.

The buttons on the RHS are the Oxford heated grips control unit.  I had the Honda OEM heated grips on my first ST1300 but they have fiddly wires that tore out twice.  So when I bought this newer ST and it didn't have heated grips, and I'd heard such good reports on the Oxford gear (I have an Oxford magnetic tank bag I love), I looked at their grips.  the Oxford grips are slightly larger diameter, which I like, but the wiring and whole setup is really robust.  I haven't really tested the hot grips yet as Winter in Brissy hasn't hit yet.  I could have done with them at Cradle Mountain in early March though!!

[Biggles]

I reckon I'd find it annoying to have my helmet lead going forward over the handlebars, but great if that's what works for you.
I have the "tail" of the lead from the Starcom coming up the back of the tank held in position by the seat.  That means the lead just goes straight down my front to the socket and stays in front as I dismount.

[walton]

I faced a few issues when it came time to fit a UHF. The first issue was mounting a handheld radio. The second issue was all of the the cables and adaptors that come with changing aerials for better reception. The third and biggest issue I faced was keeping it charged. Then while I was researching I notice some guys were installing full sized mobile units.
How hard could that be? Easier and cheaper than you think. I bought a GME TX3100 Secondhand which came with the aerial and base. I then called on Dale from http://www.dmme.com.au/ who supplied the cable to connect to the starcom digital and a PTT button for the left grip.
The install was very easy. I made up my own bracket to bolt under the top box mount for the aerial. Then I installed the unit in the left fairing pocket next to my two 12v sockets to keeping it out of the weather. I had to drill a hole in the bottom of the fairing pocket and fit a rubber grommet for the wiring.

[ST2UP]

Have done similar with a TX3100....mounted mine in the Topbox.....used one of Dales Starcomm units, the disadvantage to the Topbox mount is channel selection etc, not really a issue to me as I only use ch40 on and vary rarely transmit. If I was to do this again I would use a GME TX4600 radio which is water and dust proof(ish), mount on the dash for easier control and adjustment.

Cheers

[walton]

 

Have done similar with a TX3100....mounted mine in the Topbox.....used one of Dales Starcomm units, the disadvantage to the Topbox mount is channel selection etc, not really a issue to me as I only use ch40 on and vary rarely transmit. If I was to do this again I would use a GME TX4600 radio which is water and dust proof(ish), mount on the dash for easier control and adjustment.

Cheers

It all came down to dollars in the end. The TX4600 was plan "A" but they are just too expensive for now. On the plus side, I can still use mine on the run. I just have to open the fairing pocket first. As I am a truck driver, I know most of the guys on the road. So needless to say, it gets quite a bit of use.

Having said that, I still plan to upgrade some day.   

[terrydj]

I'm cheap, so I look for stuff that works at the cheapest price I can get it for. I can always put a Brand Name on the cheap stuff so I can be trendy but as everyone one who knows me knows, the stuff on my bike works.
My mount cost I think $15.00. Had it for years on a couple of bikes and it has never failed. No idea where it came from????? Oh yeah for those with questions, my radio not waterproof but I can get a heap of plastic bags for bugger all to put over it that are, if it rains. No idea how far it transmits but seeing as I only use it to say hello to things I can see, don't care Oh and the mount beside it is for a SPOT Tracker