Low Cost Way to Mount Sat Radio

Post by **Valueman** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:44 am

For long trips I love having satellite radio on my motorcycles. However, it is not something I use with everyday riding. When I searched the web for mounts I could use on a motorcycle I found several that looked great. But it just struck me that for no more than I use it, I could probably come up with something on my own that would work.

So, I went to Home Depot and started looking around. I came home with two metal brackets (part A23Z, sku 44315 75330) used to join wood for decks. They were $0.87 each.

I oriented them as shown, and then drilled holes to match the mounting plate that came with the radio.

I drilled two more holes to accommodate a standard RAM ball, attached the radio mounting plate to the brackets, and snapped the radio into place. The antenna rests on top with the antenna wire secured within the Ã¢â‚¬Å“UÃ¢â‚¬Â of the bracket using cable ties.

A little paint and I was done. I was after function rather than form, so I did not spend a lot of time making it look pretty, but that could be easily done if one were inclined. It works, and last weekend at Deals Gap several people asked me about where I got it. It is with their prodding that I am posting this.

The photos are with my Starmate mounted. I used the same bracket to hold the Roady2 that I used to have. Maybe this $3 solution will work for you.

VM

Post by **DSKYZD** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:41 pm

Excellent job!!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:22 pm

That is outstanding -- very creative!

I use one of those Hoon Hardware brackets, but yours is much, much cheaper.

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:34 pm

Very nice, well done!

dhfriday · Post by **dhfriday** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:12 pm

My bike came with and XM satellite reciever installed (I haven't signed up yet), but I hear XM may be defunct soon. Has anyone else heard such nasty rumors?

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:29 pm

Loooks good - great thinking. Does the radio have any problems with the antenna being so close to the unit? I heard that may be an issue.

Post by **baltm604** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:21 am

According to Bear Stearns, XM is far from dead....

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/S ... iteid=mktw

Post by **rdsmith3** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 4:20 am

dhfriday wrote:My bike came with and XM satellite reciever installed (I haven't signed up yet), but I hear XM may be defunct soon. Has anyone else heard such nasty rumors?

No, there is no truth to that rumor.

Post by **sjbmw** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:24 am

dhfriday wrote:My bike came with and XM satellite reciever installed (I haven't signed up yet), but I hear XM may be defunct soon. Has anyone else heard such nasty rumors?

What kind of bike?
It was a factory install?

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:25 am

dhfriday wrote:...but I hear XM may be defunct soon. Has anyone else heard such nasty rumors?

I'll bet Sirius may have started that one.

I know the satellite radio guys are struggling to make a good profit but I don't think either will fold up anytime soon.

Post by **Valueman** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:45 am

R4R&R wrote:Loooks good - great thinking. Does the radio have any problems with the antenna being so close to the unit? I heard that may be an issue.

Two weeks ago I used this mount witha Roady2 on a trip from Nashville up to Chicago and back. Last weekend I used it with a Sirius Starmate on a 750 mile trek through the mountains of East Tennessee. I had no problems. There are many mounts available commercially that place the antenna in a similar position.

VM

dhfriday · Post by **dhfriday** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:57 am

It's not a factory install... or at least I don't think it was (didn't know you could get a BMW XM Satellite Factory install). I have a Rockster, and the previous owner installed an intercom unit that the Satellite recieiver runs thru. I don't have a headset for it yet, so once I sign up for service, I'll plug sterio headphones directly into the unit until I purchase one (any suggestions on headsets???). SOME day I'll actualy get some pics of the bike and post them online. I also have a Garmin GPS unit mounted as well. Good to know I was misinformed and that XM isn't on outs. I wish I could remember where I heard that.

Post by **sjbmw** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:10 pm

dhfriday wrote:It's not a factory install... or at least I don't think it was (didn't know you could get a BMW XM Satellite Factory install). I have a Rockster, and the previous owner installed an intercom unit that the Satellite recieiver runs thru. I don't have a headset for it yet, so once I sign up for service, I'll plug sterio headphones directly into the unit until I purchase one (any suggestions on headsets???). SOME day I'll actualy get some pics of the bike and post them online. I also have a Garmin GPS unit mounted as well. Good to know I was misinformed and that XM isn't on outs. I wish I could remember where I heard that.

What kind of radio is it?
The Roady2 does not have volume control, just a Audio Level out.
I use a Koss inline volume control, into a Autocom.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:11 pm

any suggestions on headsets???

I like the Etymotic er6i earphones. They fit easily inside a helmet, and the triple flange ear plugs isolate out other noises.