GXM 30 Antenna, where to install??

[ehaughn]

I have purchased the Garmin 2820 and have the GXM 30 antenna puck.

I am thinking about installing the puck below the windshield, inside the nose fairing.

Any issues with doing this?? The puck has a magnet in the bottom, not sure if this will cause any interference.

[DaveDragon]

Tried it there with my 376C and it dropped out all the time.

Ended up mounting it on the BMR Co-pilot shelf next to the GPS.

[jackd]

I have purchased the Garmin 2820 and have the GXM 30 antenna puck.

I am thinking about installing the puck below the windshield, inside the nose fairing.

Any issues with doing this?? The puck has a magnet in the bottom, not sure if this will cause any interference.

I suggest that you put it in the open.

I have mine on a CoPilot shelf off to the right of my GPS. The Sirius receiver is on the left side of the CoPilot shelf. At first I tried it under the nose and there was a noticeable drop in the signal meter. I live in the Northeast and ride in dense tree lined roads. The signal can cut out even on a clear day but put a combo of rain, wet leaves and heavy cloud cover and your signal is reduced naturally. Hiding it deeper in the tupperware wont help. Actually the antenna is looking for a metal to attach to. It is supposedly designed to us that metal to improve signal quality.

[ehaughn]

I decided to mount the GXM 30 antenna in the nose.

Will take it for a ride tomorrow and see what happens.

FYI. I spoke to an RF engineer at work, XM antenna use both satellite and RF. This is why XM will work in parking garages, in-building etc.

Any thoughts on this??

[Rocket_Cowboy]

FYI. I spoke to an RF engineer at work, XM antenna use both satellite and RF. This is why XM will work in parking garages, in-building etc.

Any thoughts on this??

XM does use both satellite and ground based RF, but the RF signal is only used in major metro areas. Get out away from town, you're not not likely to pick up that RF signal anymore.

I've seen the puck mounted under the nose on other bikes, and it can work ok ... depending on where you live. The further north you live, the less likely it seems to work because of the angle down to the satellite.

Another option would be to use a USB extension cord and mount the puck back on the topbox ... assuming you don't normally pack gear on top of the box. I've seen at least one other guy build a small shelf in the top box for holding the XM antenna, Star-Traxx unit, and a remove GPS antenna ... all inside the top box, but attached to the lid.

[ehaughn]

GXM antenna worked great during the test ride. I took it 25 north of atlanta and it was very clear. Need to take a trip to CCR and thru the mountains to see how well it really works.

[grifscoots]

I tried it under the nose, even mounted it on a purdy good size sheet of metal to help improve the signal. It works much, much better in the open. You'll be moving it soon.

[ehaughn]

Took a weekend trip, Atlanta to Indianapolis, XM all the way. Only one issue with coverage. I only had a 30 second loss of signal in the mountains.

Antenna mounted into the nose of bike.

[dmatson]

Just made a little bracket and installed the antenna for my 2730. Works great and I can take it off with the GPS in seconds.
http://www.dmat.smugmug.com/photos/138522065-L.jpg