Installation Manual

September 9, 2003 6881096C72-B
4-2 Motorcycle Radio Installation: Installation Overview
4.1.6 Headset Capability
The motorcycle radio is compatible with headset accessories that would provide hands-free
operation of the radio. Motorola does not manufacture headset equipment, but provides the
interconnection for headset equipment with the motorcycle radio. Aftermarket headset equipment is
available through Motorola (see Appendix A: Replacement Parts Ordering).
4.1.7 Antenna
The antenna is mounted on top of the transceiver’s weather-resistant enclosure. The enclosure’s
metal lining acts as the antenna’s ground plane.
4.1.8 Ignition Wire
The ignition wire connects to the motorcycle’s fuse box and is routed along the motorcycle frame to
the transceiver’s rear accessory connector.
The radio is wired so that transmission is inhibited if the motorcycle’s ignition switch is off. If the PTT
switch is pressed with the ignition off, a low-frequency tone sounds. The receiver is controlled by the
control head on/off switch.
4.2 Installation Overview
4.2.1 General
All XTL 5000 radios are tested and inspected before shipment. It is, however, suggested that the
transmitter frequency, deviation, and power output be checked at the time of installation. It is the
license holder’s responsibility to ensure that the operating parameters of his station comply with
applicable laws governing radio communications equipment. For tests and alignment procedures,
refer to the appropriate service manual (refer to
“Related Publications” on page v).
Generally, the installation of the motorcycle radio takes place in the following parts:
• Mounting the universal mounting plate and related hardware at the rear of the motorcycle;
• Mounting the control head, speaker, microphone, and related hardware forward on the
motorcycle;
• Routing the power cable, control-head cable, speaker cable, and ignition cable to the weather-
resistant enclosure;
• Mounting the weather-resistant enclosure and radio chassis, and connecting the cables;
• Mounting the antenna to the weather-resistant enclosure.
A universal mounting plate, supplied by Motorola, is first mounted to either a motorcycle carrier at the
rear of the motorcycle or to the rear frame of the motorcycle itself. The mounting procedures for the
universal mounting plate vary from motorcycle to motorcycle. Therefore, the procedures given in this
manual for installing the mounting plate may not specifically apply, but are provided for guidance.
The control head, speaker, and microphone are mounted forward on the motorcycle, on or near the
steering column. There are several possible mounting configurations which use a combination of
Motorola and customer-built brackets. These configurations are outlined in this manual. Because of
the large number of motorcycle makes and models in existence, the customer-built brackets are
necessary to tailor the mounting of the Motorola equipment to the particular motorcycle being used.
Suggestions for customer-built brackets are given in this manual.
The power cable, control-head cable, speaker cable, and ignition cable are routed to the weather-
resistant enclosure position. The enclosure and the radio chassis are then mounted. Special care is
required when connecting cables to the radio equipment within the enclosure.