New CB installed - transmit is very weak

[dradams89]

I just had a new CB installed in our 2013 Spyder RT. My wife can receive fine, but when she transmits its very weak (low volume out). I connected my helmet to the bike and receive fine but when I transmit she can’t hear me, very weak. Has anyone run into this issue, what are my options.

Thanks
Doug

 

[Stubby]

Turn your Mic volume up.

 

[Easy Rider]

Turn your Mic volume up.

Assuming it is the integrated BRP product.....yes.

The controls for the CB are confusing and not well documented.......but if you got the paperwork that came with the new radio, it has MUCH better information than the owners manual. If you did not get those papers, try to get them now.

 

[Sarge]

So, are you saying the transmit is weak or the received signal is weak? Noise canceling helmet mics are very fussy. You have to just about put the thing in your mouth. Try moving the mic closer. Should be touching your lips when you speak. Check your antenna connections and your SWR. The SWR should be 1.5 or less. Also, if you are trying to receive while sitting next to a transmitter, your receiver will cut the received signal power so the receiver section doesn't get fried. Try moving the receiving radio 100 yards away. Hope this helps. N2YVK

 

[dradams89]

Yes I tried that but no luck, thank you

 

[dradams89]

I did get some paperwork when it was installed, I will look at those today, thank you. Also, it is the integrated BRP product, thank you.

 

[dradams89]

Yes the transmit is weak, I’ve been reading about the SWR lately and a lot points to that. This is something for me to look at. I told my wife about the microphone and it didn’t help. Thank you

 

[Easy Rider]

Yes the transmit is weak, I’ve been reading about the SWR lately and a lot points to that. This is something for me to look at. I told my wife about the microphone and it didn’t help. Thank you

A high SWR or other antenna problem will effect the total signal strength of the transmitted signal.
It will NOT contribute to a strong signal but low volume on the transmitted voice.

Signal strength and voice volume are two different things.

It is also possible that the radio they installed is defective.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What headsets are you using? The BRP CB requires a preamplifier in the mic line. If your headset & cord doesn't incorporate that, or if it is defective, then that could be your problem.

 

[Motorcycledave]

You should invest in an SWR Bridge and hook it up to check what your SWR is,
You can trim your antenna to match it to your CB if it is the type that can be tuned.
SWR is very important, no matter what unit 2-6-10-11 meters. CB operates on 11 meters.
If you can not do it go find a CB shop and have them do it, most truckers can point you to one.
Dave

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What is your settings in Preferences? You can select Local or Distant. Don't know if that has an effect on transmit or not, but worth checking out.

 

[Easy Rider]

What headsets are you using? The BRP CB requires a preamplifier in the mic line. If your headset & cord doesn't incorporate that, or if it is defective, then that could be your problem.

Where did you get that information ?
Pretty sure that mine does NOT......and it works fine.

 

[Easy Rider]

You should invest in an SWR Bridge and hook it up to check what your SWR is,

A slightly high SWR is over-rated as far as causing any detectable problems.

It CERTAINLY will not cause low transmit volume......if the signal strength is good.

 

[Easy Rider]

What is your settings in Preferences? You can select Local or Distant. Don't know if that has an effect on transmit or not, but worth checking out.

Where do you see that "setting" ?
I don't see that in my CB section.
FM section maybe ??

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Where did you get that information ?
Pretty sure that mine does NOT......and it works fine.

From Ed Davis of Edsets.com. He's been designing and building motorcycle headsets for years. The best way to see the info about preamps is click here: http://www.edsets.com/edsets_docs/PopularPinouts.pdf. Look on sheets 2 and 6.

You probably have a preamp but just don't know it since it is likely built into the cord connectors or in the helmet module of whatever system you have.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Where do you see that "setting" ?
I don't see that in my CB section.
FM section maybe ??

Preferences/Audio/CB. Options are LO & DX.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

A slightly high SWR is over-rated as far as causing any detectable problems.

It CERTAINLY will not cause low transmit volume......if the signal strength is good.

The BRP factory installed CB system has a high SWR, upwards of 4 IIRC. When I was trying to figure out my CB squeal problem I got a meter. Even with a Firestik No Ground Plane antenna with length adjustment I can't get the SWR down to 1.5 across all channels. I think I got it down to 1.45 on channel 1 but it climbs to over 2 on channel 40. Or something on that order. It's been almost 2 years since I battled with the squeal, only to finally determine it must have been a short in the headset coil cord.

 

[Easy Rider]

You probably have a preamp but just don't know it since it is likely built into the cord connectors or in the helmet module of whatever system you have.

Maybe. I really don't care because mine works OK.

I suggest that the person who is having the problem check with whomever they bought the headset from.

 

[Easy Rider]

Preferences/Audio/CB. Options are LO & DX.

Yep, it's right there.
Mine was set to DX.
Will have to test it to see what difference LOcal makes.

All the rest of those settings have to do with the audio going to the speakers/headset.
I suspect that one will too.

 

[Easy Rider]

The BRP factory installed CB system has a high SWR, upwards of 4 IIRC.

Typical of a system that is just "thrown together" with parts from the lowest bidder.

BUT.....it still has virtually NO impact on the volume of the transmitted audio.
It impacts ONLY the effective strength of the transmitted signal......and a small impact on the strength of the received signal too.