J&M CB

[CruisingDog]

Does anyone here have the J&M handlebar mounted CB ? I'm thinking of getting this as my next Farkle and would like some opinions, good or bad.

Also I'd like to know what helmet microphone/speaker combo you got and how effective it is. I'm after a full face setup.

Antenna ? What should I get ? What is the best way to mount it ?

The reason I really want something like this is for HWY info and the weather band. Also another easy way to amplify my music!

And finally, what did this co$t you ??


TIA.

[dannyk]

I don't have that set up, looked into it but I already had the headset from Hondaline and from what I read you must use J&M headsets with their radio. I liked the ability to add sound or radar into it but the price I felt for me was way out of line. I went with another setup for my self. If I needed everything I probably would have gone the J&M route for the add ons and ease of installation. I made my own mount for the antenna, the license plate bracket I got with mine wouldn't work on the STanyway.

[duSTy]

I have it on two different bikes and like them alot. They say you need their headsets to make them work, but I found out in another thread on another forum (I think, there are so many I get them mixed up), that EdSets has an adapter that will make it work on regular 5 pin headsets.

There is plenty of info on this system out there. I found some of the best prices at Sierra Electronics http://www.sierra-mc.com.

Tom

[tinfish81]

CRZNDOG,

I have this J&M set-up and it seems to work well ...haven’t had a chance to really put it through it’s paces yet, as it was already installed on the used ’04 I purchased last month, (if you can call an ’04 with 2000 mi on the odo “used,” but that’s another story). I’m in the process of transferring radar and music etc from my previous ride, (used Autocom before), so haven’t got a whole lot of experience with J&M yet.

I needed a new helmet anyway so I got a Nolan from J&M with the headset installed...even though it’s been less than a month, I am very pleased.

The antenna is J&M too...model LPCBA-300...mounted nicely under the grab rail beneath the grab rail center cover. I’ll try to post a couple of pics...new to this board so not sure of procedure...

The whole system is pretty slick and well integrated into the ST1300. J&M stuff is very high quality, and very pricy too. ...don’t know what kind of deals are out there as this was already on the bike.

By the way, it looks like we’re neighbors...if you’re interested let me know, I’d be happy to let you check out my set-up. ...would love to get together with other Bay Area STeed riders and compare farkles, notes, etc...been a Beemer rider for many years...only recently converted to Honda! :D

[STPilot]

Yo, CD
I just bought the J&M this weekend. I was able to take home all the parts, except the actual radio. I wanted the "dual" version that has the intercom and the dealer was out of stock.(of course) I should have it buy thurs/friday. I'll post how the install goes and inital rides. Your right this unit is pricey!! By the time you add up all the gadgets, we're takin about the better part off $700 bux have departed your wallet. As far as the antenna, 2 suggestions: 1, don't buy the antenna kit from J&M. They want $86 for it and it mounts to the (plastic) license plate holder, and if you mount a top box(or have one) it won't work. The are several different versions of a home made(but very custon looking) bracket, that many folks here are using. (insert pix here, when I get mine on the bike) It mounts from the luggage rack, neat and clean and can be extended for top box applications. 2, you can buy a generic CB antenna for $20-30 bux at Radio shack or Fry's. :)

Check out www.wingworx.com (http://www.wingworx.com) This is were I got mine, they had about the lowest price I could find on the internet.

Check back on this thread next weekend, when I get all the parts, I'll start taking (posting)pix as the install progresses.

[Fireball18]

We've had the J&M CB units for over a year, now, and we're well pleased with them. The only shortcoming on mine is that I need to tune the antenna, as I seem to have very limited range. We use the antennas that came with the kit. I'd recommend going to a large truck stop or CB shop and getting an antenna with a variable tuning feature in the end. I can't recall the name of the antenna--Ugly Stick or something like that. It has a brass screw with a lock nut in top of the antenna. You can hook up to an SWR meter and adjust the screw in or out until you get the best SWR. With the antenna that comes with the unit, you have to remove a vinyl tip cover and start clipping off the wire. That's great until you inadvertently cut off too much, then you're SOL.

You have to use J&M's new 6-pin headset and cords with this radio. That's because the preamplify the microphone. Works well, though, and folks tell us that they are clearest sounding CB's out there. Mine wasn't until I found a defective lower cord, which was replaced.

The aux. audio section works wonderfully. It has its own volume control, too, and the sound is very clear. The down side is that the music comes across a bit "tinny" sounding unless you wear earplugs, in which case the sound is great, and there's plenty of volume at even the highest speeds. One thing to consider is that if you plan on using the dual setup that includes rider to passenger intercom, the passenger's audio will be cut out when you transmit on the CB, so she can't hear what you say.

All in all, we have been well pleased with the radios. They were spendy, but worth the money. The cheapest (or rather, less expensive) place to get the radio setup is Sierra Electronics. You should be able to get the headset with helmet cords for $199.00.

When installing, just be careful to avoid running any of the wires close to the ignition coils or you'll pick up a lot of ignition noise. Also, follow the instructions and make your ground connection to the frame, not the battery, and hook up the hot lead to a switched source, not the battery.

[STPilot]

Good review Fireball, I can't wait to get mine hooked up!!!!:D

[STPilot]

Been using the J&M for a little over a month, and 3000 miles. I'm really happy with it. The install was fairly simple and straight forward. I'm using a custom bracket for the antenna that mounts to the luggage rack.

Function: Once I got the the antenna set up, the CB works great. I've only range checked about 4 miles with excellent results. The audio clarity is great. I've no trouble at all talking to other bikes while doing 80 mph. Some of the best features of the radio are, the audio integration, intercom and weather channels. I have an MP3 and an am/fm set up in my tank bag, the J&M has a seperate volume control for the aux input and, like the radio the audio is superb. I like switching to the weather channels to get updated temps and stuff. Last, the intercom set-up. Just this week I finally installed a headset in swambo's Sy-max. The intercom is cool, audio is clear and there is an independent volume control. It's neat being able to talk to your passenger.
Anyway, I give the J&M 2003 CB a thumbs up for anyone interested in a CB.

[Fireball18]

STPilot--Glad to hear the CB is working well for you. The only issue I had with mine was limited range. I suspect the antenna was not tuned properly to the radio, and I never did get it tuned. Since I now have a Gold Wing with a CB, it's not an issue, but my riding buddy has an SWR meter that I was going to use to tune the rig.

I also found out that you can go to most any of the large national chain truck stops along most interstates and pick up a neat CB antenna called the Firestick. It has a neat set up for tuning the antenna to the radio. Instead of pulling out and cutting of pieces of wire until it's about right, it has a brass thumb screw with a lock nut, that you can screw in or out until the meter peaks, then tighten the lock nut. With the J&M antenna, if you happen to cut off too much of the wire at the top, you're screwed! I believe than Firestick antenna is about $30.00.

The J&M setup is pretty spendy, but IMO, it's worth it for the performance and features.

[John-DownUnder]

I have my J&M unit hooked into my Honda radio speakers as well as an additional auxiliar input lead for MP3 connection. I am very pleased with the whole lot.

For a review or two, see these links:
http://groups.msn.com/ST1300US/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=15802&LastModified=4675445230876736090

http://groups.msn.com/st1300us/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=18119&LastModified=4675452850552834257

I set up my own AM/FM radio antenna and CB antenna on a custom bracket under the topbox (see elsewhere on this Forum for plans & pics). The whole lot has been operational for 18 months and 20,000 miles. The speakers and mike are very good. Get it!

[Bikerjoe]

Completed installation of my J&M CB yesterday on my 05 ST1300A, and today took it out for a test with a motorcycle friend with a CB. The only problem I had was that when I was approximately 1/2 mile away, I was getting weak reception although my buddy said he could hear me fine. Farther out I was not receiving him at all. I have to do an SWR on the antenna and may have to get one of those trucker antennas as has been mentioned in previous posts. Was running an MP3 player through the auxillary jack and that performed beautifully. Will be getting a mount shortly for my XM satellite radio and that will be the next install.
Overall, I am very impressed with the quality of the unit and would recommend it to anyone. Previous to the ST1300 I hade an 03 Honda Goldwing that I never got the CB for as I thought the price was wat too high.
Thanks....Bikerjoe

[STPilot]

Completed installation of my J&M CB yesterday on my 05 ST1300A, and today took it out for a test with a motorcycle friend with a CB. The only problem I had was that when I was approximately 1/2 mile away, I was getting weak reception although my buddy said he could hear me fine. Farther out I was not receiving him at all. I have to do an SWR on the antenna and may have to get one of those trucker antennas as has been mentioned in previous posts. Was running an MP3 player through the auxillary jack and that performed beautifully. Will be getting a mount shortly for my XM satellite radio and that will be the next install.
Overall, I am very impressed with the quality of the unit and would recommend it to anyone. Previous to the ST1300 I hade an 03 Honda Goldwing that I never got the CB for as I thought the price was wat too high.
Thanks....Bikerjoe

Which antenna are you using and did you ground it?

[Bikerjoe]

Used the one that J&M has which was designed to mount on the license plate, but I modified it to come out from under the top box mounting plate. And yes, it is grounded to the frame.
Bikerjoe

[STPilot]

Used the one that J&M has which was designed to mount on the license plate, but I modified it to come out from under the top box mounting plate. And yes, it is grounded to the frame.
Bikerjoe
Did you use the short ground wire that came with the antenna?
Reason I ask is, I tried that also and the range was terrible. Thru some advice from NM6R ( ham radio guy) He suggested I use a much longer ground wire and attach it up near the gas tank to get a better ground. After doing that, my range and quality were MUCH better. Also, on the J&M antenna where the ground attaches to the the antenna, if you take it apart you have to make very sure you put all the pieces back in the right order, or you will "ground out" the antenna resulting in poor range again. Hope this helps..:D