SHOOTOUT: Arizona Desert Repeaters

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Red gets an extra 1.5dB of gain, Orange is where the 9dB gain is at.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Orange still clashes with the bike

[@digitalshooter2905]

@@temporarilyoffline It's not the antennas fault you bought the wrong color bike 🤣

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@digitalshooter2905 hey now!

[@KD5DXN]

That's a really neat bike. I thought there for a minute the wind was going to blow it over with the long antenna 😮 Thanks for sharing your adventures 👍

[@temporarilyoffline]

You and me both! Thanks!

[@BigShip98]

That's a cool setup you have there. Greetings from Thatcher, AZ, home to the Heliograph Peak EAARS repeater and mighty Mt Graham.

[@thomashardy9994]

Well. That was fun. I need to get an RV and buzz around the desert playing radio as soon as I retire. Counting the months.

[@RookieLock]

Very cool setup Steve !

[@jerryKB2GCG]

so glad to see you having fun!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Me too!

[@WECB640]

That ultra short concentric transmission line will provide absolute minimal loss and outstanding results. Well done sir! PS. I very much enjoyed the riding the trail part. Brought back many memories of the ape hangers (sorry Mr. Primate) and highway pegs. "Knees in the breeze." 73 OM.

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's a lot of fun for sure! I figure less transmission line is less to carry!

[@ExtremeSquared]

I've done a fair bit of bike touring in that area. Overnight rides in the Santa Ritas to the south. Beautiful area. Only time I've seen a mountain lion in the wild.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've been meaning to get down there and ride some trails, maybe we'll cross paths.

[@dartor646]

hero of the story in that little bike :)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Barely 8HP, but it gets the job done. Can't wait to get it setup for POTA.

[@curtgrecco4375]

Hey there you can get your antenna powered coated in any color you choose. Thanks for all your videos they’re very informative…

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet, good info to know!

[@victorcharlie7491]

Nice bike 🚲, that was a great looking day, awesome video tnx Man!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks! You can't beat a good day in the desert.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

You look warm Steve, have fun in Az

[@temporarilyoffline]

It was very warm on the day I filmed this... today... not so much.

[@escheytt9326]

Very informative video; great to see someone having fun in the desert and playing radio. Please advise what app you are using to identify repeaters? Thanks Ed KK7UNA

[@BikesBobbers]

Repeaterbook! It's free too, which is nice.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Repeater book app on android

[@sxswutah-ww6dr]

Great idea. I don't have the CT125 yet. I am still waiting for a Orange version to match some of my OG CT90s.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I didn't want "yellow", but the used bikes cost more than the new ones...so yellow it is!

[@comndo95231]

I have a green and a yellow. I want to set them up for different types of exploring .

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@comndo95231 let me know, old like to see that

[@comndo95231]

@@temporarilyofflinewhere is the best place to email you?

[@temporarilyoffline]

@comndo95231 [e-mail]

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

Now you know the HAM Police are coming after you for "Kerchunking" those repeaters...lol Good job keeping the shiny side up on the bike. Great video, 73

[@cornbread-KO5RN]

THIS IS MY BIKE CLIDE 😂👋🏍

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey Corn!

[@Littrell1966]

I wonder if a tiger tail would help with that setup like it does with a HT?

[@temporarilyoffline]

In theory, the bike is the tiger tail through coupling just like an HT couples with your body... I'm sure it would help out, but in the case of this adventure, you can see most of my problem comes from low elevation in the value and terrain. It was a fun day playing radio in the desert for sure!

[@KS0JD]

Maybe a Jeeem tiger tail would help. Nice video. The one looks like it might be a mesh unit. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks, it was a fun day out!

[@youtubeaccount931]

Good experiment!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Glad you liked it, it was a fun one!

[@vlfreak]

Thanks for the video series TO and this video today. Loved the setup on the bike and some interesting notes with the antenna comparisons The Honda Cub looks familiar to us aussies as its an modernised and updated version of the aussie postal delivery bike CT110 weve had since the 80s or so (maybe even longer!). Theyre a super popular auction pickup here for slow rides, exploring and charity rides. AusPost have now changed to a different model called the NBC, still honda just with fuel injection and some other improvments. The rabbit hole goes deep with this one here, due to the popularity of them! Cheers from downunder, de vk2moe

[@temporarilyoffline]

Cool to hear that they are postal mules! We have a no such beast here, but we have had the Trail 90 and my bike actually has a cub-style paw print on the sides hidden in the logo decals.

[@FirstUnitedTactical]

Hey Steve, I love the test man! One question through: doesn't the radio push too much power for the "fake nagoya"? What kind of issues would that cause the internals, if any?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Probably does... and I didn't even check. The Nagoya is rated at 10w and I was pushing 18-20 with the radio. I can't imagine in the short testing I was doing there would be a problem... but it could be an issue with long rag chews and melting/damaging the antenna. If you didn't notice and you TX'd into an "open" or "short", it could cause some problems with the radio too.

[@FirstUnitedTactical]

@temporarilyoffline It's a question I've had since the CB days and never asked. I would think the antenna would fail before internals on the radio, unless it was a really low end unit. Ya know, I thought the db25 pushed roughly 25 watts, on VHF.... But still, I didn't think 18-20w into a 10-15w antenna would be a significant issue. I love the Honda!!!!!!!

[@P.SeanCoady]

Aren't we having fun. Your conterpoise is likely the power cord . Going to want to show off the grounding strap to the frame of the bike bypassing the steering once you tidy it up a bit. Keep having fun. 😊

[@Siskiyous6]

Even on my completely bonded jeep, adding a flat aluminum plate of the size theoretically correct for 2m dramatically helped my 2m and 70 cm tx.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Will do!

[@corybecker9432]

@@temporarilyoffline The lack of a ground plane is the reason for poor performance. SWR has to be 5:1 or higher.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@corybecker9432 You don't think the huge mountain in the way was blocking the signal? 🤣🤣

[@corybecker9432]

@@temporarilyoffline Sure, it's a factor, but I have attached an antenna to an SWR meter to show somebody this would not work. The SWR was infinite, on a 25W radio, he was getting less than a 1W forward.

[@Hamdalorian]

I’m still impressed that 125cc actually climbed the hill

[@temporarilyoffline]

8 whole horsepower brother!

[@dougdaniels]

It would have been interesting to put up a j-pole in one of those tall trees for comparison 🤣🤣

[@temporarilyoffline]

All my j-poles are up in the highest trees we have! AKA Rolled up in a box!

[@Dazdigo]

Now mount an NMO mount to that bike and use those mobile base station antennas on it. Might be fun to try to mount that radio to an ebike as well.

[@temporarilyoffline]

There is always something to do in this hobby for sure!

[@Dram_bam]

Good times!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Definitely!

[@haxwithaxe]

You bought a motorcycle and it isn't red?!?! No wonder you had trouble hitting repeaters.

[@temporarilyoffline]

The red ones are 3 years older and cost more... usually I don't buy new, but why pay more for an older model with higher mileage and no warranty DBYellow isn't my first choice ;-)

[@haxwithaxe]

I wonder if a circular polarized antenna would work better. You seemed to have the antenna off vertical by a lot a lot of the time.

[@temporarilyoffline]

It might. I think the terrain had the most influence... a few degrees of shouldn't hurt that much - like no more than 15deg I'd assume and no problems... I was pretty impressed, thought they all did great given the conditions.

[@timel64]

For even better performance try a metal plate on the rear package tray if you have one. Then mount a good mobile antenna with NMO.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yep, always more fun to be had in this hobby!

[@Siskiyous6]

I use the aubree on my pack frame, I prefer that frame for radio because it stands on its own more easily than any other pack. The aubree is set up with an sma pigtail coax, and looks as geeky as it sounds, but it folds nicely when put into the truck, and most importantly it gets out.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I like the abbree, works great. I thought it was ridiculous, but I'm on my second!

[@h2osmokey]

EXCELLENT. i will share it with the GV and Oro Valley clubs. Link to the m/c ?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks! Sure would be nice to get a commission on the Honda!! powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/minimoto/trail125

[@thuff3207]

I wonder if you mounted a good mobile antenna on bike.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Could be.

[@terrelbrady8035]

i tried using my signal stick on my mobile radio in a similar way. the radio really didn't like it. maybe being on the motorcycle is different enough setup to provide a ground plane but the SWR and power draw was very high on my setup and i didn't get out at all.

[@temporarilyoffline]

The signalstick is really made for HTs... but I needed an "excuse" to go riding.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

great scooter

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks, she's a blast! Waiting for the warmth to come back now!

[@KL5TY-Bill-Alaska]

You must really like the desert to live out there and full timing it.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Full timing means I get to leave when it gets hot! I'll be out of here in another month or so.

[@briantheminer]

Well, 2 things we can’t get here in the U.K., and I’m interested in both, the Signalstick, and the Honda CT125 🤣 Those front forks clunk well on the dips Nice video, thanks That transmission station up on the mound wouldn’t last 5 days here with bare wires etc unfortunately, vandalised or bits stolen

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

I can't believe you did that! You can't use a red Signal Stick on a YELLOW bike! I'm shocked you mismatched them! 😁

[@temporarilyoffline]

I know... It's on the list to get!

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

@@temporarilyoffline Painting the bike red? LOL

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@ronwolenski-n8wcr Yeah, that seems a lot easier than getting a yellow signalstick!🤣🤣

[@robertmeyer4744]

Nice repeater testing. I have most of them antenna's . I carry a few with me. That motor bike like a ATV with that auto clutch . Makes it easier to ride off road. I have road with both kind of off road bikes and prefer the auto clutch myself. I even rode a totally automatic dirt bike. It was ok but it had no real power. Did not make some hills . Surprising my 50 CC scooter goes off road pretty good and climes ok. just nothing big. Now you can go riding with Chuck ! I just use a HT on backpack for motorbike . The tiger tail does help. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's amazing what some of these little scooters can do!

[@CraigW5CBW]

I really thought the signal stick would have worked better.

[@forgetyourlife]

Great company but their antennas are way over hyped.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Distance and terrain will get you every time!

[@Siskiyous6]

My old friend Butch Miller has a backhoe business there in Benson, tell him Rick says hey.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Will do!

[@christophersmith1155]

I would like to see how to wire to the Honda. Isn't the Honda 6 volt battery ?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I need to dig into it some more. I don't think it puts out more than 8amps... (why would it), so that limits some of my options/changes things. More to come.

[@JT-py9lv]

TO Have you tried the EAARS system ? Great linked network. I'm not going to make it to Quartzfest. Kind of ironinc as Im going to be in Benson.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I think the N6RDS repeater participates in it?

[@JT-py9lv]

@@temporarilyoffline not sure. google EAARS Eastern Arizona Amateur Radio Society - their site has a map with locations and freqs

[@TWX1138]

By automatic transmission, do you mean simply no clutch, or do you mean auto-shifting? I had a Honda Fourtrax 200 quad from the eighties that had a centrifugal clutch. Just put it into gear and when the RPM out of the engine exceeds a minimum threshold the clutch contacts a drum or the like to engage drive. It would not be a surprise if your little bike has a similar setup.

[@temporarilyoffline]

No clutch - maybe you can fake it with the heel-toe lever.... but your left hand has NOTHING to do. Not even a lever there. I haven't taken it apart, but the bike will sit still in any gear until you blip the throttle... probably fluid pressure of some kind. So many ways to skin the cat and they are all pretty fun.

[@TWX1138]

@@temporarilyoffline My old ATV would not only idle in any gear, but could take off in any gear too, albeit with worse performance the higher the gear one tried. It had a brake lever instead of a clutch on that side.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@TWX1138 I thought it might be nice to have another brake lever over there. Especially on the gravelly hill descents here!

[@Rusted_Link]

Counterpoise... It works on my ATV's. I have TYT 6800's on my ATV's. Break squelch at 8 miles with the SSSS, talk with the Abbree 42 BNC. The Abbree isn't made for an HT. It needs some real tart juice squeezed into it! No more than 20 watts though or it'll catch on fire like Ricky. Anyway, have fun in the land of the sand. ATV radios, check out my QRZ - KO4TNL Higher wheelies equal further QSO's.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Moar Wheelies = Moar Betterer. Once I cleared the terrain the antennas could get out. I was impressed with the RO771 vs Signal Stick how they kept fighting for first place.

[@Rusted_Link]

@temporarilyoffline and when you folded both in half... ?

[@kelley64]

Keep an eye out for coyotes.

[@temporarilyoffline]

And tarantulas!

[@KD2GIY]

Take the keychain off the motorcycle key.. you will scratch the yellow paint even with a soft lanyard.. don't ask me how I know....73

[@temporarilyoffline]

You know what? Good advice! I'll take it!

[@nerdlywehunt]

What a terrible way to ruin a great motorcycle ride!

[@kennethsmith9995]

Highly informative video as usual... Thank you! I, too, live in Benson...about choked on my drink when I realized where you were filming! :) Would you be willing to share some advice and tips with a struggling newbe? I've been trying to get started with just KZbin. Thank you for considering! :) Ken...KF7NFT

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'd be happy to help. Going to quartzfest next week. Drop me a line.