After lots of reading of thread on various forums decided to add the external aerials and modify my existing Kenwood 3301 radios. Got the aerial kits from Troggy on the bikers oracle forum and radio sockets from Ebay. Lots of info about modifying the radios but downloaded the service manual for Kenwood 3202, basically the same, some useful info on about removing and fitting the circuit board. Need to be careful using the soldering iron and found a solder remover/sucker very useful. Simple job just need to be slow and steady, more pictures/advice in this thread.
http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/370523-Remote-aerial-for-Kenwood-TK-3310 Screws that hold the new SMA aerial socket in place are 2.5 x 4mm got 10 2.5 x 5 for £1.25 on good old EBay. Have marked the solder joint needed to be unsoldered on the picture.
Not been able to get a new orange seal for aerial hole but a cut down grommet will do for now, radios in the top box anyway. If you fit under your seat maybe take care and put the radio in a plastic bag or something.
After much deliberation decided on the mounting position. Not too far out to get caught or close to hinder pillion and as high as poss. Made some brackets from aluminium flat bar, will replace with better stainless ones at some point. Used an existing top box mounting plate bolt just 10mm longer bolt. Easy to route cable through an existing grommet I had in the top box for the radio and power socket. Heavy duty Velcro secured radio in position. Picture of radio in its original position in top box was not too bad.
Just found a couple of plastic screw mounts that work great as holders for the aerial cover all done.
Did a test before/ after with radios as they were and with new aerials. Not scientific buy any stretch of the imagination but best I can offer. I live in the country so not much buildings but undulating so dips and hollows and lots of cows
One bike stayed at home and I rode off till radio started to loose clarity/breaking up. Use GPS to get straight lines when home. Original setup started to drop off at about 2 miles* new aerials fitted gave about another three quarters of a mile. Not bad but when I looked at the points on Garmin maps in a straight line the first point was only approximately 0.6/0.7mile and with new aerials went up to 0.9 mile. So maybe not massive but an improvement non the less and on long stretches of M/way with clear air may work out more. Hope to get out for a better road test later with city and hills. Will let you know. Lots of information on this mod on this and other forums and thanks to everyone I've pmed, emailed and borrowed your ideas many thanks.
Have lots more pictures and any one wants any more info just let me know.
