XM Radio Antenna

[pavehawkfe]

Before I go and screw something up, has anyone shortened the wire for the XM antenna? Is it as simple as just cutting it and splicing it together or are the wires so small it is impossible?

Thanks

Gene

[docwagner]

Thought about do it, but those be some small wires. I just coiled it up, zip tied it an tucked them under the mount.

[pavehawkfe]

Yep, that's what I'm afraid of. If I screw it up the antenna is almost 30 bucks to replace.

[Hal9000]

Don't do it. That is a coaxial cable and it cannot be spliced or cut. Best to coil up excess and stow away.

[motorman587]

I was told you can not do it.

[dwsdad]

Before I go and screw something up, has anyone shortened the wire for the XM antenna? Is it as simple as just cutting it and splicing it together or are the wires so small it is impossible?

Thanks

Gene
How about a 4 footer? http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/for-roady/4-foot-roady-antenna.html

[Dick]

Gene - there is a 4' antenna lead available for the XM Roady 2. I just got one in the mail a week or two ago. It has the same 'mini-mouse' head as the one that came with your Roady. Gimme a few minutes and I'll post the supplier.

HTH

Found it - www.MyRadioStore.com.

They also have the 12v to 6v power adaptor.

[Dick]

Hey, thanks Doug. My info file wuz under scrutiny by the CFO and I wuzn't about to risk cookin' the books!!!!

Cya tamale.

[hschisler]

Apologies in advance if this is a "semi-hijack" of this thread, but it brings up a related question. I know little about the XM products out there. My son has 1 in his Civic, and I see them all the time on bike pix on this site (including a couple of outrageous farkle-icious pix just posted today).

Is the XM radio weatherproof? (or is there a weatherproof version?)
If not, do you have to remove it from the bike every time you finish a ride?

[Dick]

Howard, I'll let the folks who have it installed and are using it, answer your question. Butt, it's not a waterproof unit, butt there is a water-resistant cover that can be purchased. I'm slowly getting to the point of installing my unit and will be looking to see if I can make a functional, waterproof enclosure. If successful, I'll post somethang.

[pavehawkfe]

Thanks. I placed my order through MyRadioStore. It sure is amazing how a 1 foot cable costs more than a 4 foot cable. Oh, well.

Gene

[jpalamaro]

I would advise NOT to do it. The XM antenna is the 'transponder' with your XM radio code; not the receiver. I am presuming there is some electronics/chip/whatever in the antenna and it's not just some simple 2-wire system that can just be spliced. Just a guess.

[RideIt]

I found out the hard way, DO NOT CUT THE ANTENNA WIRE. You will have to buy a new antenna. Talking about waterproof, can't the new Roady unit fit in the radio box.
Leon

[docwagner]

The Roady 2 is not waterproof. Hoon makes a nice mount to go on the clutch or brake master cylinder and they also sell a plastic cover that fits over the radio, antenna and mount. The cover is OK, simple and functional. If you use the clip on mount the radio can be removed and stowed for wet conditions, but that is a PIA. For some of the other units there are other plastic box type covers. Ram Mounts make a waterproof box with a soft clear plastic cover so you can press buttons that would easily fit an xm radio. It will also fit a large IPOD, which is why I got it.

[xrmattaz]

I did the "cut and splice" bit, and it didn't work.

What DOES indeed work would be tucking all that wiring under the handlebar cover! Fits really nice under there.....cheaper than buying the four foot antennae wire and tucking it under there anyway!

Works good.

[Gino]

I would advise NOT to do it. The XM antenna is the 'transponder' with your XM radio code; not the receiver. I am presuming there is some electronics/chip/whatever in the antenna and it's not just some simple 2-wire system that can just be spliced. Just a guess.

John - I don't think the radio code is in the antenna at all - this info is stored in the radio itself, which is why you can move it around from car-to-car-to-house with no ill effects (and why the radio displays the code, even with the antenna disconnected).

As far as splicing the cable - yes it can be done and unfortunately, has bee done on my install :). The BMW service tech didn't want to "un-route" the cable out of the stingray (my Roady is in the oddments compartment), so he cut it! Yikes! He spliced the cable upon reinstall of the 'ray and informed me of this (after the fact). One year later (I swear I was going to replace it!) and all is well with no effects on reception.

The splice in my case may have caused some reflections or reception problems in some instances, but I can't tell - it acts the same as the day I installed it! (YMMV)

[dwsdad]

The Roady 2 is not waterproof. Hoon makes a nice mount to go on the clutch or brake master cylinder and they also sell a plastic cover that fits over the radio, antenna and mount. The cover is OK, simple and functional. If you use the clip on mount the radio can be removed and stowed for wet conditions, but that is a PIA. For some of the other units there are other plastic box type covers. Ram Mounts make a waterproof box with a soft clear plastic cover so you can press buttons that would easily fit an xm radio. It will also fit a large IPOD, which is why I got it.

Saran (the makers of Saran Wrap that sticks to itself and nothing else) makes what they call Quick Covers. I stole a small one outta the pantry. It fits perfectly over the Roady. Can't atest to how it does whilst motoring, but it'll keep the Roady dry while it's parked. Kind of like a cheap XM condom, eh?

[docwagner]

Here you go guys.
http://www.hoonhardware.com/RoadyHolder/roadyholder.htm
Check this out.

[bruce2000ltc]

Before I go and screw something up, has anyone shortened the wire for the XM antenna? Is it as simple as just cutting it and splicing it together or are the wires so small it is impossible?

Thanks

Gene
The antenna wire for satellite radio is coax cable, albeit very small coax. I cut the antenna wire, removed what I didn't need and spliced it back together. The radio works fine. I recommend you solder the connections. The center conductor wire is very stiff and is difficult to twist together.

Bruce Hodges

[meese]

The elastic-edged bowl covers also work on radar detectors. I found a pack of assorted sizes in the grocery store and keep a few of the smaller ones on the bike where I can get to them easily.

[mikerd400]

Myradiostore.com has rain covers for the roady2. They are vinyl and come with a clear platic window. It is about $20 with shipping. I found a marine unit cover, but it was $$$$$$.

The covers are listed under accessories, and it is listed as a motorcycle cover.

[TomMoss]

I rolled it up nice and neat and put it under the handlebar cover. Only left enough out to reach the XM radio.

[BushWacker]

Has anyone seen an antenna with a short cable for Sirius?

[S2DOG]

You can buy a short wire antenna from XM retailers on line...

[BushWacker]

But I was asking about Sirius and not XM.

[Big_E]

http://www.dallasmotorcycles.com/XM_Radio/antennamod.htm

[BushWacker]

Placed my order today, thank you very much.

Happy New Year!

[bmwmick]

Before I go and screw something up, has anyone shortened the wire for the XM antenna? Is it as simple as just cutting it and splicing it together or are the wires so small it is impossible?

Thanks

Gene


Gene,
I've shortened 4 XM Roady antennas for friends. 6" seems to work perfect with the Hoon mounts. It's very fine coax and all you need are some soldering skills and some small shrink tubing. All the antennas I've shortened provid the same 3 bars of signal strength that the full length cables provide.

[doctorbeemer]

I shortened mine to less than 6 inches long. Works excellent. :bmw:

[Vagabond]

I bought the myfi and I am trying to figure out the easiest way to mount the darn thing. I have a GPS on one of the handlelbars mounted on a ball on the clutch reserve tank . I guess what I am wondering about is has anyone bought one of the 12 volt converters? and have you found a quck mount for the MI FI.
Vagabond