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Author Topic: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...  (Read 12507 times)

Offline Captainenema

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Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« on: October 29, 2013, 0610 UTC »
A friend who lives in a very bicycle friendly city on the West Coast raised the idea of mounting a transmitter in a saddle bag and then go for a nice long bicycle ride.

The question that remains, what sort of antenna would be best? We've bandied around the idea of a 1 watt transmitter as well if that bit of information helps.

Offline Echo_One

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2013, 1011 UTC »
A friend who lives in a very bicycle friendly city on the West Coast raised the idea of mounting a transmitter in a saddle bag and then go for a nice long bicycle ride.

The question that remains, what sort of antenna would be best? We've bandied around the idea of a 1 watt transmitter as well if that bit of information helps.

If you can put a transmitter on a boat, then i dont see too many problems with a bike being used. Try it, CE, and I'll try to hear you
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Offline Captainenema

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2013, 1604 UTC »
It shall be tried, one of these days, just need to figure out what sort of antenna to use.

And build a radio.

and test it.

and sort out the bike.

And record 40 minutes of porn noise to play at full power the next University of Oregon home game is broadcasted. Ok, kidding about that, but serious, U of O ducks are terrible. :(

Offline ff

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2013, 1955 UTC »
The question that remains, what sort of antenna would be best? We've bandied around the idea of a 1 watt transmitter as well if that bit of information helps.

What frequency?  6900 range, or FM b'cast, or other?  It's a great idea CE, but operating frequency will be the primary driver concerning antenna choice.  Please keep us posted on your progress...
Hailing from the upstate boondocks region of the progressive paradise which once was New York State

Offline Andrew Yoder

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2013, 2010 UTC »
Yeah, living near the Appalachian Trail, I've often wondered about the possibility, range, etc. of some through hiker broadcasting with a low-power transmitter in the backpack & a tall whip antenna. If they operated live, it'd make for some interesting broadcasts.
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Offline Pigmeat

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2013, 2307 UTC »
RF in the bike's frame would be the main problem, IMO. The frame will behave like RF ground. Anything on the bike is going to be part of it, including you.

Offline moof

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2013, 2316 UTC »
Jeesh how could you do 40 meters on a bike?  A commercial coil and extree long whip which I may have used is like 9 feet tall on top of the car.  I might have had trouble with overpasses and trees and stuff.  I may have taken things for a drag down the highway a few times and not been heard at all running 10 watts.  I might have given up after halfa dozen times.  CB range/10/11 meters I think would be the only realistic thing without being a freak magnet for the popo.  You will attract enough attention with an antenna of any sort on a bike.  And even if you did have a 10 foot monstrosity coming out of the bike, the ground plane would be nonexistent. You could get at least a few miles I bet but don't know about NVIS regional stuff.  I would bet against getting out regionally like that.
Maybe consider a 10 meter up to 25 watt radio that runs on 12VDC?  Cheap Radio Shack 20 year old ssb radio on the cheap(HTX 10 or 100 is it?), 12 v gel cell, coiled CB antenna cut to resonance?

Offline paranoid dxer

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2013, 0012 UTC »
40 meters on a motorcycle
been there done that ;)
nice rf exposure fix  :o

if you gonna try fm band   try a vertical dipole
« Last Edit: October 30, 2013, 0017 UTC by paranoid dxer »
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Offline Captainenema

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2013, 0039 UTC »
The other option is to get a baby carrier trailer like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Double-Swivel-Red-3in1-Bicycle-Bike-Trailer-Baby-Stroller-Jogger-Carrier-30RB-/231035135912?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35cac467a8

Keep everything buttoned up inside until a suitable vantage point is attained, rig antenna, hit the transmit button, quietly mosey away to a discrete distance and watch. Reverse the process when finished and quietly ride away.

Upside, I hate driving, could use the brat carrier for hauling groceries when not in use for other purposes. Will look up vertical dipole in a bit.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2013, 0041 UTC by Captainenema »

Offline Beerus Maximus

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2013, 1425 UTC »
It's a lot of trouble to go through if you are simply trying to minimize the risk of being caught. A more practical compromise is to pedal off to a park, toss a wire over a tree branch, and enjoy a picnic while your show plays. Then pack it back up and pedal home.
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Offline Sealord

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2013, 1501 UTC »
Also, mountain bikes are also good for getting further out into remote locations.
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Offline Captainenema

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2013, 0348 UTC »
It's a lot of trouble to go through if you are simply trying to minimize the risk of being caught. A more practical compromise is to pedal off to a park, toss a wire over a tree branch, and enjoy a picnic while your show plays. Then pack it back up and pedal home.

Any suggestions for a transmitter?

Offline ff

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2013, 1639 UTC »
Any suggestions for a transmitter?

Again, Cap'n - what band(s) are you interested in operating on?
Hailing from the upstate boondocks region of the progressive paradise which once was New York State

Offline Captainenema

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2013, 2150 UTC »
fm

Offline ff

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Re: Bicycle Mounted Piracy...
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2013, 1450 UTC »
fm
OK.  That narrows things down.  I agree with Beerus, the best way is to operate from a fixed location.  Even on FM, where you could easily rig up a bicycle antenna, your signal will be constantly "picket fencing" and any listeners will probably tire of that quickly.  You could easily rig up a quarter wave antenna from an SO-239 connector with a length of stiff wire like #12 solid (234/freq in MHz gives you length in feet) soldered to the center contact.  Then take four hunks of the same wire about 18 inches long and attach to each of four corner holes on the SO 239 and bend down to a 45 degree angle.  These are easy and work pretty well.  If you are a bit more ambitious you could build a J-Pole.
For FM transmitters, I'm sure you'll get many different opinions on the HFU.  My only advice is to buy and build a kit.  You will NOT save money by trying to roll your own VHF device.  That's a recipe for disaster - unless you are an RF engineer... or a masochist ;)  Have fun.
Hailing from the upstate boondocks region of the progressive paradise which once was New York State