CB Squeal
Many Spyder riders, especially the 2014 models have a nasty feedback when using either a EdSets or a J&M, and I assume any other non-Spyder headset would also do the same.
Many of my customers have been working with me to find out what changed in the 2014 that causes the CB to feedback. Our headsets (EdSets Brand) worked fine on earlier Sypders.
In general, you tune your CB to a SWR lower than 1.5, and your antenna will push max power out the antenna, but in these bikes ('14) using non-Spyder headsets are in jeopardy because keying the CB with a SWR over 3 could cause damage to the CB unit because un-transmitted power from the CB WILL reflect back to the CB head unit where the damage could possibly cause problems. Most CB are well designed for reflected power, but I like to be on the safe side.
Now, to solve this problem, I have a few ideas that may be in play:
1. The Spyder before 2014 was good with most any headset you put it on. The current one squeals like a pig when you key it with anything EdSets, J&M, and other headsets. This tells me that something substantial has changed on the '14. Squealing means that the antenna is not tuned, and I understand that it is NOT tunable. Strike one!
2. Second, I designed a lower cable for the Spyder and we've used it for all our Spyder EdSets customers till the '14.
3. In all these bikes, there is a microphone pre-amplifier built into the headset, the bike, or the lower cable. This small preamp takes a roughly 0.005 Volt signal and brings it up to about line level, say 1 full Volt or so.
4. Because the CB squeals and can't be tuned, number one, you will NEVER get good performance, and if you do, it's fleeting at best. Doesn't matter who makes it. It needs to be tuned. Period.
5. My thinking is that the Spyder has a higher gain on the preamplifier than that is needed. I tested and perfected my "Power Cables" for bikes that needed a preamp, and I put the preamp right where you plug in your lower cable. These were and still are great cables, duarble, etc. The point, tho, is that I spent 2 years on that project before I went to production. I am not criticizing Spyder, but something has gone wrong with the CB.
6. If you give the preamp too much gain, it will cause any voice level line to howl, such as the CB, which (brobably) shares a line with the CB and Intercom.
7. I want to fix this problem if it's possible. I can make up the cables to test for high gain, low gain, but apparently you can't do anything with the stock antenna. One of my customers is looking into using an aftermarket antenna, I'll report on that when I hear from him.
8. If you're in Georgia, especially middle Ga, I'd like to find a rider with a 14 so we can see what's really going on. I'm not going to damage your bike, and I won't damage the electronics either. I know my stuff. Help me help you!
9. You can get my info at EdSets.com, and at
[email protected].
Disclaimer: Most bike shops don't know about audio, Bluetooth, nor even CB tech! I talked to a tech at another headset company, and the main tech didn't know why you needed a preamp. CB can be like black magic at times, and even the best of us scratch our heads more than any other body part.
