Where to mount XM antenna?

[waylap]

I've had my Sirius radio antenna mounted on the top of the "gas tank" a few inches in front of the gas cap. Now I'll finally be adding a Big Mak tank bag and it suddenly occurred to me that I'll have to move the antenna!

Where's a good place to get good reception without too much modification or drilling?

[Heck]

up in front on ridge behind windshield.....You might have problems with Sirius..I ended up getting the home kit and using the folding antenna from it. A little larger, but almost no Loss of Signal.

[OoPEZoO]

I have mine velcroed to the top of the left side mirror. I don't have any reception problems.

[awagnon]

Where's a good place to get good reception without too much modification or drilling?

 

I mounted mine under the black fairing located under the windshield. You have to remove the windshield and a few screws, but now it's completely out of sight and works just fine. You'll have to use double sticky tape or velcro to attach it because there isn't any metal under there.

[tallman]

In the Big Mak.

You did get the clear map window, right?

Mine works fine there, and it still works with the rain cover on.

I have my Autocom, cables external GPS antenna, XM puck, cell phone, garage door opener, all in the window/bag.

Easy to remove from bike or lock in saddle/topcase.

No problems w/reception.

[Semper_Fi]

Where's a good place to get good reception without too much modification or drilling?

 

I mounted mine under the black fairing located under the windshield. You have to remove the windshield and a few screws, but now it's completely out of sight and works just fine. You'll have to use double sticky tape or velcro to attach it because there isn't any metal under there.

 

Mounted in same place - here's a couple of pictures

 

 

[Mike05]

 

I mounted mine exactly where Semper_Fi did; was thrilled to get it out of sight & not have to disconnect from behind the Zumo GPS every time I gassed up!!

 

Unfortunately, unlike what others have experienced, my signal was noticeably weaker; signal faded in & out. Guess it depends on where you live.

 

Back to square one.

[Semper_Fi]

No signal issues at this time....

[Nice n Easy Rider]

Mini Hijack//

 

Can someone tell me the difference between this

 

and this

 

other than price? I assume the latter is much more efficient but I got the former as part of the Zumo package that came with my R1200RT.

 

According to the Garmin site it is worth $150 so it would be nice to be able to use it rather than spend another $250 on the latter antenna.

 

End mini-hijack//

[bakerzdosen]

The GXM-30 will allow you to receive XM radio.

 

Anything else won't (including whatever is in the top photo.)

 

If you're balking at spending MSRP on the GXM-30, try ebay buy it now with the 25%-30% cash back from live.com (see here). I got my refurbished 2730 which included a GXM-30 for around $140. The antenna alone seem to go for around $110. However, apparently it's tougher to register an XM antenna if it's been registered before. I don't have any experience with that though...

[Boffin]

The top unit looks just like my traffic information reciever - listed here at around £140, I got mine for £40 as an offer with my Zumo 550.

 

No XM in the UK.

 

Andy

[ully211]

I have mine mounted on top of the right brake resevoir.

[Semper_Fi]

Mini Hijack//

 

Can someone tell me the difference between this

 

This is the Garmin Traffic antenna

 

 

and this

 

and this is the XM Antenna that will get XM and XM Traffic

 

other than price? I assume the latter is much more efficient but I got the former as part of the Zumo package that came with my R1200RT.

 

According to the Garmin site it is worth $150 so it would be nice to be able to use it rather than spend another $250 on the latter antenna.

 

End mini-hijack//

 

See highlighted in red - two different animals

 

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

I have mine mounted on the brake reservoir too. I never have a problem with the signal and I can easily transfer it to the other bike.

 

+2, or car

[sundaeman]

Top one gets FM sub carrier traffic vs. satellite and XM radio on the GXM30.

[waylap]

I think what confuses everyone is that the way I understand it, the "puck" isn't only the antenna, it's the radio too. The Zumo is just the interface. That's why it costs so much.

 

I have mine mounted on the brake reservoir too. I never have a problem with the signal and I can easily transfer it to the other bike.

 

I think I like this idea. It seems the easiest to move from where I have it now and it's just the right size. It isn't a big puck but more like a silver dollar size and seems to be very finicky about having clear sky above it.

[awagnon]

If you're talking about the smaller Sirius antenna, you can mount it most anywhere. On my previous post, I mentioned it was mounted under the dash fairing. Mine is actually quite a bit higher than the pictures from the other post. It's just under the black plastic dash cover stuck on top of the actual dash moulding, but below the upper plastic (inside). Great reception. I bought a second one on ebay for about $20 to use in the truck, so I don't have to move it.

[waylap]

Can you post a picture?

[Mike05]

I think what confuses everyone is that the way I understand it, the "puck" isn't only the antenna, it's the radio too. The Zumo is just the interface. That's why it costs so much.

 

I have mine mounted on the brake reservoir too. I never have a problem with the signal and I can easily transfer it to the other bike.

 

I think I like this idea. It seems the easiest to move from where I have it now and it's just the right size. It isn't a big puck but more like a silver dollar size and seems to be very finicky about having clear sky above it.

`

 

Had mine mounted on top of the (left) brake reservoir & it worked great there. Challenge was if I wanted to take it off for any reason (Bike out of sight during lunch, overnight in a hotel parking lot...etc.) I had to first take off the Zumo to get to the XM wire behind it.

 

Semper_FI had a good idea about mounting under the rear luggage rack. Plan to try it this weekend.

[Semper_Fi]

I think what confuses everyone is that the way I understand it, the "puck" isn't only the antenna, it's the radio too. The Zumo is just the interface. That's why it costs so much.

 

Did not know that about the GXM30 - thanks for the clarification

 

[CT_Rider]

Mounting your GXM30 depends on where you live. Most guys up here in the Northeast agree that the unit must be exposed to open sky.

 

I joked to the XM people that I had dropouts when a bird flew over. It's not that bad but I've had dropouts on the open highway under clear blue sky with my back to the West.

 

My unit is mounted level under the windscreen. It used to be mounted on the resevoir.