Anybody got radio on the bike? DAB?

[Dreamer]

I've got a Starcom1 fitted and I can plug in my Ipod when I can be bothered, but I was thinking it would be nice to have a radio permanantly fitted, so that I can just plug in when commuting to get the news etc..

Anybody tried such a set-up?
FM or DAB?
Waterproof?
Permanantly fitted?
Cheap?

Any tips for bodging?

Thanks...

 

[Dreamer]

Anybody??

 

[Deleted account W]

I'm sure a chap called Wapping did and posted some info on it. Have you used the search function?

 

[Dreamer]

I'm sure a chap called Wapping did and posted some info on it. Have you used the search function?

I did try searching before asking... but didn't find anything, either here or on web. (apart from lots of stuff about bike-to bike comms )

 

[steveuk]

i tried it about 6 months ago - but the digital coverage was not wide spread enough to make it work - - the reception would rop in and out terribly - i couldn't find one that i could bike power either and the one i have (which is a roberts RD-14) gets through batteries super quick.

coverage may be better now, i might give it a go again.......but generally i use my iphone or ipod (via autocom) for music.

 

[Thunder]

I have a small portable Dab/Fm radio and Mp3 player made by Genus which I used to use on the bike, just kept it in my pocket.

Dab reception was very intermittent on the move but the Fm was fine. Downside was the inbuilt battery was limited and you only got a couple of hours use before it needed re-charged.

The latest generation of the Zumo has the option of a built in FM radio if your considering a GPS as well.

 

[Deleted account W]

The latest generation of the Zumo has the option of a built in FM radio if your considering a GPS as well.

Are you sure, it has the option of attaching an FM receiver for traffic data info, but no audio. It also has the option of attaching an XM antenna to receive satellite radio in the USA.

Not heard about FM radio though?

 

[iletts]

I've got a sony walkman (£13 off ebay) that is fixed to the handlebar crossmember with a bracket I made at work. Waterproofed with a poly bag tie wrapped on. It works great (FM), and it has big pre set buttons so it's easy to change channels on the move, plays through my autocom.

 

[Thunder]

Are you sure, it has the option of attaching an FM receiver for traffic data info, but no audio. It also has the option of attaching an XM antenna to receive satellite radio in the USA.

Not heard about FM radio though?

Saw it here Kev while browsing.

It's designated the 550 T FM

 

[Deleted account W]

Saw it here Kev while browsing.

It's designated the 550 T FM

Thats just a bundle of the Zumo 550 and the FM traffic receiver, with old mapping as well

 

[pedro]

try your phone

if you have a radio function for your phone, try connecting it to a hands free kit for the phone, then plug your starcom lead into that.

 

[andyclift]

I use a small DAB/FM radio I got from Argos. In good reception areas the DAB is great but I normally finish up moving to FM.

One problem is that most of these radios use the earpiece lead as the antenna. No problem when the radio is in your pocket and you are using an earphone as you have a nice straight vertical antenna but when you plug it into your comms the lead is not in an ideal position for good reception.

The other problem is with DAB, it's either perfect or nothing so when you are in variable reception areas it keeps cutting in and out. FM may vary in quality but a bit of interference sometimes is much better than nothing at all.

 

[Robbie]

I have fitted one of these

REVO DAB

using a ground loop filter from Maplins

arial stuck to screen

it has no volume control so a Ipod remote volume was spliced into the output

it works very well when you have coverage but is bad when dab coverage is not so good, not waterproof but has lasted 2 years so far with only a little misting of the unit in the mornings

Sorry for the Tiger content

R

 

[Dreamer]

Thanks Robbie, that's exactly the sort of thing I had im mind

I particularly like the aerial

Still searching for a weatherproof solution... I'll let you know if I find something suitable