Project - Midland CB, SR10, Spyder's PTT

[finless]

OK folks, I get asked this like once a week!
How to use an after market CB (usually Midland 75-822) and the Spyder's PTT button!
I guess I get asked this all the time because the BRP CB is not that great.

So working with Motorcycle Dave, I am going to get a CB setup going that uses the Spyder's PTT button.
In fact thanks to another guy (spacetiger), it looks as though getting at the Spyder's PTT button should be easier than expected.
It does not go through the canbuss but is in fact wired directly to the RT's radio which then goes out RD02 connector to the ENT harness and CB.
So this project should be doable without too much hassle and just a custom cable. No a ENT harness won't be needed

This project will enable the following:
Midland 75-822 CB.
Sena SR10 which allows your Bluetooth headsets to work with a 2 way radio.
Custom cable I make which plugs into the Spyder's radio.


Now I have some question for folks as preferences for the setup.

Where would you mount the CB itself if you have a choice?

Options I am thinking of:
In the trunk with the SR10.
Up on the dash somewhere with the SR10.

Complications and why I ask:
The Sena cable that goes from the SR10 to the CB is not very long. Thus mounting the SR10 in the trunk would mean the CB would have to be in the trunk. Thus access to the CB for changing things (channels, volume, squelch, etc) while in the trunk is not convenient. Does this matter much?

We could make a long cable that goes from the SR10 mounted in the trunk to the CB mounted at the dash but this would be totally custom and expensive due to the odd connectors Sena uses and shielding requirements. Making a custom cable could run about $50.

The cheaper option if you want the CB on the dash, would be the SR10 has to be mounted up with the radio. Obviously this can make things look a little crowded at the dash. One thing Dave and I probably won't be doing is making any mounting system for doing this up at the dash. Folks will have to be on their own for mounting. But I will have some suggestions when I do this project.

Obviously the cable I make to get at the PTT button will be different depending on the preference on where to mount the SR10. Dash or Trunk.

Anyway, looking for some input from folks that would be interested in this one I have a cable done.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[WA5VHU]

PTT for Yaesu

Not using a CB here but a Yaesu FTM-350 VHF/UHF Amateur Radio mobile rig. The remote control head will go on the handlebars and the radio chassis will be mounted on the right wall of the top trunk. The Sena SR-10 will be stuck to the front wall of the top trunk and I was planning on running the SR-10's supplied remote PTT button up to the handlebars via an extension cable. I would much rather use the Spyder's PTT switch connected to the SR-10.

So all I need is a cable to go from the Spyder's PTT switch to the SR-10's PTT input jack.


Thanks!

Charles WA5VHU

 

[Marker]

This my setup on my 2015 RT
.The cable from SR10 to midland CB is not that long so mounting SR10 in rear trunk cannot be done with present cable. CABLE I REFER TO IS CALLED 2way Radio cable
I have been mounting my SR10 with provided rubber strap on left handle bars. I tried mounting the SR10 to the CB with a rubber strap as in the picture but I felt too cluttered on the left side of the handlebars. It felt that the SR10 was in my face.

It would be great to have a longer cable from SR10 to midland CB to mount SR10 in rear trunk. I have the SR10 PTT button mounted on inside of left hand grip but have to be careful not get in the way of the SE6 paddle shifters
and down shifting is awkward too.

Using OEM PTT button would be great.Make left hand grip clutter free.

2WAYRADIO CABLE would need to be longer.

 

[gmcgarrity]

cb

I have mounted my SM 10 in the glove box.
that way I can turn it on/off without thinking too hard.
when not using the SM 10 i plug in the SHM10 to listen to music.
i just drilled a hole large enough to pass the plug through. Put a grommet on it.
I would be interested in the cable once ready.

Ride Safe
Geo

 

[Browny]

CB

I have my 75-822 Midland CB mounted between the handlebars using a ram mount. I have a plug for power beside it and I going to put another plug for the ant. to connect to next to the power plug. I have not bought the SR10 yet. I'm waiting to see what this group comes up with. I hope it will use the OEM PTT switch. Standing by and hoping!!!

 

[lyonsden]

When I first setup my midland cb and sr10 I mounted it in the trunk. I did not have an ext ant. The reception was terrible. I ended up with it on the dash and I just put it in the center pocket of my storage pouch I mounted on the dash. Works pretty good. Most of the time I have it zipped all the way shut.

 

[Oldmanzues]

Lot of interesting idea/thoughts on here. Sounds a whole lot cheaper the factory, althou I have fair results with the factory. I think I had better with Middleland on the handlebars of a ST1100
Oldmanzues

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

In fact thanks to another guy (spacetiger), it looks as though getting at the Spyder's PTT button should be easier than expected.
It does not go through the canbuss but is in fact wired directly to the RT's radio which then goes out RD02 connector to the ENT harness and CB.

Thanks,
Bob

Sorry, but spacetiger is mistaken. The PTT does use the CAN. It's pointed out in the manual as well as in the chart at the bottom of the wiring diagram. Check Subsection XX (Controller Area Network) of the service manual. I don't know where he sees a direct wire from PTT to the radio. It's part of the MSL which feeds through to the right side switch, MSR. At least that's what I'm finding for the 2013 RT.

Your best bet is to decipher which connections between the audio unit and CB carry the PTT signal to the CB and use it to operate a relay connected to the handheld PTT input.

 

[finless]

Sorry, but spacetiger is mistaken. The PTT does use the CAN. It's pointed out in the manual as well as in the chart at the bottom of the wiring diagram. Check Subsection XX (Controller Area Network) of the service manual. I don't know where he sees a direct wire from PTT to the radio. It's part of the MSL which feeds through to the right side switch, MSR. At least that's what I'm finding for the 2013 RT.

Your best bet is to decipher which connections between the audio unit and CB carry the PTT signal to the CB and use it to operate a relay connected to the handheld PTT input.

Yes after trying to probe this out yesterday and studying the manual it is CAN. I will be talking with him later today as he says he has it working. So there maybe some pin that puts out a signal when PTT is pressed. But after pouring through material I now have that shows what each PIN is, I cannot find it. I did find 2 pins that are not listed in this info. This weekend I plan to check them.

Bob

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Yes after trying to probe this out yesterday and studying the manual it is CAN. I will be talking with him later today as he says he has it working. So there maybe some pin that puts out a signal when PTT is pressed. But after pouring through material I now have that shows what each PIN is, I cannot find it. I did find 2 pins that are not listed in this info. This weekend I plan to check them.

Bob

I was just thinking. If the CB is not installed will the radio respond at all to a PTT signal? Things are so interconnected that the absence of a component may well disable any and all functions related to that component. If that is the case then there would be no way to capture a PTT signal. If that isn't the case, then figuring out which pin from the radio to the CB carries the PTT signal will be the key to make this idea of using a handheld work.

Coming up with a way to use a handheld CB would only work for those who use BT, right? But that sure would be a huge step forward in overall system functionality. I might even be tempted to ditch the BRP CB and wired headset and go BT!

 

[finless]

I was just thinking. If the CB is not installed will the radio respond at all to a PTT signal? Things are so interconnected that the absence of a component may well disable any and all functions related to that component. If that is the case then there would be no way to capture a PTT signal. If that isn't the case, then figuring out which pin from the radio to the CB carries the PTT signal will be the key to make this idea of using a handheld work.

Coming up with a way to use a handheld CB would only work for those who use BT, right? But that sure would be a huge step forward in overall system functionality. I might even be tempted to ditch the BRP CB and wired headset and go BT!

So based on what I have now done a lot of research on. It's all CAN. Can works like a local area network. Each device has an ID and listens to the network for a command. Per the manual the PTT sends a message to the cluster which is the hub for the network. The cluster then passes this to the radio and the radio then passes this to the CB. If no CB is hooked up the radio will have nothing to pass a message to. So the CB is taking CAN messages for PTT key up passed through the radio. Makes sense as the radio probably needs to take some action and that is to probably stop the music or something....

So maybe what spacetiger found was some pin on the radio that is changing state as the radio processes the CAN message. We shall see. If not, he maybe picking up on the CAN Signal pins that go to the CB as the radio tries to talk to a CB?

Bob

 

[finless]

Well I got my Midland 75-822 today. Nice little radio!

BUT, I cannot even test it because there is simply no CB traffic out there. Been calling for radio checks all day on several well known (well use to be well known) channels and NADA!

Seems the old days of talking to just about anyone on CB are gone. No one is on the thing anymore....

I will take it with me on Monday to work and see if I can at least get a radio check.

Bob

 

[Deer Slayer]

I use a midland hand held cb with with a Goldwing headset wired into the Midland headset. I did remove the J &M mic element and use the Midland mic element. No Bluetooth no battery, just simple. ar de W4EH k....

 

[Vidman]

Well I got my Midland 75-822 today. Nice little radio!

BUT, I cannot even test it because there is simply no CB traffic out there. Been calling for radio checks all day on several well known (well use to be well known) channels and NADA!

Seems the old days of talking to just about anyone on CB are gone. No one is on the thing anymore....

I will take it with me on Monday to work and see if I can at least get a radio check.

Bob

I think you need to be near a Truck Stop....hahaha.

As you may remember I have a Midlands, Firestick and Sena SR10. The units are in the trunk. I have an extension for the PTT Sena button to the handlebar. This is the weak part. I am hoping you get the built-in PTT button to work. Good Luck.

 

[pegasus1300]

Very interested in this thread. Has there been any more progress. I already have a hand held Cobra that works well,and I gather so far that I will need a an SR 10. waiting to see what the final outcome is to get the rest of the parts. Since in the original post you asked for preferences I would prefer the CB radio to be where I can access it easily so handle bars.

 

[finless]

I got all my gear needed for the project late last week. I will be working on this over the next week or two.

Bob

 

[Flamewinger]

I have the Corbin Smuggler trunk and have the Midland CB in it along with SR10. I have a short antenna cable and an external antenna in trunk lid. I ran the cables PTT button with extension to the handlebar. Paired to Uclear headset and it all works fine. The only problem is remembering how to turn it and the SR10 on because I don't use it a lot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[finless]

I have the Corbin Smuggler trunk and have the Midland CB in it along with SM10. I have a short antenna cable and an external antenna in trunk lid. I ran the cables PTT button with extension to the handlebar. Paired to Uclear headset and it all works fine. The only problem is remembering how to turn it and the SM10 on because I do t use it a lot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You mean the SR10. SM10 is a music streaming device. SR10 is a 2 way device.

Bob

 

[Browny]

SR-10

Got my SR-10 and hooked it up to my 75-822 Midland CB. Worked great! Just waiting to see if a cable will be made for the PTT button on the bike. Good luck guys, I know ya'll can do it!!!

 

[Flamewinger]

Yes I just fixed the SM10 to SR10.

Plus some of us just got a Motorola MU354r FRS radio that has Bluetooth. Pair it to headset, figure out how to access the PTT button or buy Motorola 1693 Bluetooth PTT button.

I'm trying to mount it to the handlebar so I can punch the button with left thumb. I'll find out next weekend how it works.


Susie
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