CB Radio

[b8210t]

Help again. First thanks to all who tried helping with previous NO REVERSE problem on my '03 GL1800. Bike performed flawlessly on Blue Ridge Parkway and the Dragon. Reverse and starting happened every time needed. Now the problem. CB radio worked fine until the Dragon, then would only receive but not transmit. Stopped at Honda dealer and they suggested new lower cord for J&M headset. Worked fine at shop and the first few miles out onto the Parkway, then again no transmit, but could receive. Get home after 10 days on the road. Tried alternate headset I have, and something really weird happened, bike is parked in garage and when pushing talk switch, the Ground Fault interrrupter circuit breaker in garage clicked and shut off power in garage, tried this several times and set off breaker. then went to friends house and alternate headset worked as it should. When I was in garage and set off breaker, no head set was connected. I am STUMPED.

[MikeB]

I can only assume the reason that the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) tripped was from the RF signal being generated by the CB radio. The induced current (EMF) in your garage power lines was enough to trip the GFCI. I can't unequivocally say that is the reason for the "trip" but I am willing to bet that is what did it.

Now, when you say "no transmit" are you saying that you were not generating any RF power output or that there was no modulation on your transmitted signal? There is a difference. No RF power means that the radio is not transmitting and it would not be caused by the headset. That malfunction could be caused by a dirty transmit switch on your handlebar or a bad radio or wires to the radio.

If you had RF power output and no modulation (audio to the received station) when you keyed the radio and talked into the microphone, then it could be the headset, headset cord, or any wires between your headset and the MIC input to the CB radio. Remember, hearing audio in your headset when you talk on the radio does not mean you have CB radio signal output. What you hear in the headset is only the intercom audio if the intercom is on.

[WingAdmin]

I can only assume the reason that the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) tripped was from the RF signal being generated by the CB radio. The induced current (EMF) in your garage power lines was enough to trip the GFCI. I can't unequivocally say that is the reason for the "trip" but I am willing to bet that is what did it.

Pretty much guaranteed this is what is causing this. I have a paper shredder in my office that starts up anytime there is a nearby transmitter in operation, for the same reason. This is good news - it tells us that the transmitter in the CB is OK, and that the problem is most likely an audio cable.

Now, when you say "no transmit" are you saying that you were not generating any RF power output or that there was no modulation on your transmitted signal? There is a difference. No RF power means that the radio is not transmitting and it would not be caused by the headset. That malfunction could be caused by a dirty transmit switch on your handlebar or a bad radio or wires to the radio.

If you had RF power output and no modulation (audio to the received station) when you keyed the radio and talked into the microphone, then it could be the headset, headset cord, or any wires between your headset and the MIC input to the CB radio. Remember, hearing audio in your headset when you talk on the radio does not mean you have CB radio signal output. What you hear in the headset is only the intercom audio if the intercom is on.

I am pretty sure he has RF output, with a dead carrier. The best way to diagnose this is to have another CB unit nearby that you can listen to. Key the transmit on your bike, and while transmitting, move the various cables around until you find what is causing your transmission problems.

[b8210t]

Hi again. Thanks to all who replied. Ended up sending non-sending headset to J&M for repairs and just received and e mail notifying me that they are sending it back, repaired. So, the offending headset was the problem. Again, thanks to all who sent suggestions, like with the no reverse, no start problem which seems to have been fixed as well. Hope all problems are as easily fixed as mine.