K1200LT and JandM CB

[tfparker3rd]

I have a 2008 K1200LT and recently purchased the BMW marketed J and M CB radio. It has never worked. There is loud interference, rpm dependent, during push-to-talk. It is a loud squealing sound, that increases with rpms. Both Santa Fe and Ft. Worth BMW have attempted to resolve the problem. Though there are several solutions offered on the this and other internet sites, neither BMW nor JandM are able to offer a solution, actually blaming one another for the problem. I've just returned the CB and have purchased, against my better judgement, the Midland handheld CB marketed by JandM. It will be a severe compromise in range and utility. Any sound advice? I would really like to get the original one working. Or is there another option out there for the K12LT?

[mwnahas]

If it is communications you're after consider FRS/GMRS. Not a lot of happy CB success stories for the LT.

[cuffer101]

I have an 05 and i put a J&M system on my bike. It works great, no buzzing or any sounds that dont belong. Dealer wanted to put a BMW badged J&M system on the bike. I said no, glad i did. Chuck

[Free2bu]

Chuck:

You J&M branded CB, is it the solo version or the one with the built in intercom?

I have an 05 as well and want to go the CB route but hesitate due to the success rate.

Larry

[tfparker3rd]

It's the solo, though it interfaces with the Voice II.

[rcockrum]

I have an '05 LT on which I installed the generic J&M CB/Intercom. I used the BMW LT antenna. I had to buy a Radio Shack CB antenna extension to make the reach. By hooking into the rear speakers I even have access to the radio/CD player and separate XM radio which transmits through the radio. I wired everything through a Centech fuse panel except the CB ground, which goes to a ground on the frame. I had to experiment with the ground spot. Seems all the noise results from a bad ground. Everything works fine with the J&M headsets. When I use sound reducing ear buds I get a little bit of noise, but not enough to not use them.

Now, here's the interesting part. When I asked J&M about their CB, they told me it would not work on a BMW and that I would have to purchase the BMW specific J&M CB from an authorized BMW dealer. I think there must be some sort of legal patent stuff going on between J&M and BMW.

I also installed the generic single J&M CB on my wife's FJR 1300 where it also works just fine.

My unit will only reach a couple of miles, but I haven't tried to tune the antenna yet.

Don't expect any help from J&M. They told me that if I did put their product on the LT it would void their warranty. Talked to two other LT owners who tried the same set up and both work fine.

Did all the work myself, and I'm no electronics whiz.

[garry_kramer]

I have an 05 and i put a J&M system on my bike. It works great, no buzzing or any sounds that dont belong. Dealer wanted to put a BMW badged J&M system on the bike. I said no, glad i did. Chuck

I've had one installed on mine for 2 years now, not a problem

I wired it like the attached drawing I made.

Garry

[tfparker3rd]

Garry:

Thanks so much.

The thread running through this and other observations is that: 1. BMW and JandM do not seem to care for one another. 2. The JandM made for BMW has enormous problems. 3. The stand alone JandM might work, but may need some tweaking.

I will take your diagram to the Santa Fe BMW folks and see what they say.

Really appreciate it.

Tom

[doclew2002]

I just installed my 2nd BMW CB in my '05, this is called the "improved version". The first never worked, tremendous static, engine related. I used the antenna that BMW makes for this antenna. It looks like the first edition, anyway checked the SWR meter today and Channel 1 and 40 resulted in a reading around 2.0 on the meter. This CB actually works. One point, make sure the wire which is supposed to be grounded to the intercom/radio chassis(the metal housing that surrounds the radio) is exactly that, grounded to the metal radio chassis. I think some of our problems regarding interference may just be that. You have to remove the stingray and flip it upside down, remove the plastic housing bolts then you will find the radio chassis. If you then look at the metal radio chassis there are no bolts/screws to remove to attach the ground. I attached the ground with a small metal screw through one of the existing metal chassis vent holes making sure I didn't contact any radio internal components. I drilled a small hole through the plastic housing where the other wires exit the radio for the ground wire to enter.There is no other way to do it. I used a small grommet with some silicone sealant to assure moisture could not enter the radio. Anyway this is my story regarding my 2nd BMW CB radio install, again this one works. Lewis

[rspyder]

The Generic J&M CB2003 has worked just fine on my 2001 LT since I installed it in 2004. There is no noise issue. My SWR is 1.4 (using the BMW CB antenna) and the range is fine. The intercom works fine and I have tied in my sound system and listen to all tunes over the headset.

I have no knowledge about the BMW J&M CB and how it differs from the Generic unit. I would not install the BMW system becasue of the inflated price and the requirement of the BMW com system.

[doclew2002]

Yes, I am running my BMW CB through VoiceII. I rechecked the SWR on the radio last evening and with adjusting the length of the antenna was able to improve my SWR to around 1.4 myself. I am running a Garmin 2820 via its line out port (3.5mm) + Valentine One detector through a passive mixer in the oddments box to aux in on the VoiceII. I'm able to hear the V1 without muting my XM music from the Garmin which I like. I also have third and fourth ports on my passive mixer to add an iPod etc. I had to run the two lines: Garmin Line Out and V1 audio out into the oddments box which I did when I installed the CB. This system works for me. Lewis

[Free2bu]

Anyone using a J & M branded unit with a Baehr intercom??