How to installing FM transceiver

[peterjaw]

Hi guys,
While waiting for my new E70, I would like to ask if any one of you ever
installed a FM transceiver on either E53 or E70? I mean the two-way
communication radio.

I had one on my current NISSAN SUV but have no idea how to move my
ICOM ic-2720H to the arriving E70.

I know that BMW is a complex system and I don't want to void the
guarantee.

Can anyone provide your valuable suggestion and/or installation pictures
?

[rufusdedog]

I work ham radio myself. There's a sticker on the inside windshield (which I've removed) that says something about using a transceiver in the vehicle could interfere with vehicle electronics and void the warranty.

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by rufusdedog

I work ham radio myself. There's a sticker on the inside windshield (which I've removed) that says something about using a transceiver in the vehicle could interfere with vehicle electronics and void the warranty.

For avoiding this trouble, I plan to use another battery as power source which is completely independent from vehicle's circuit. I will charge the
battery at home. The battery will be just laid on the floor in the cargo
area.

How do you think of my idea?

My real problem is how to install the antenna and how to lead the signal
cord into the cabin without any scratch on my car.

[rufusdedog]

Originally Posted by peterjaw

For avoiding this trouble, I plan to use another battery as power source which is completely independent from vehicle's circuit. I will charge the
battery at home. The battery will be just laid on the floor in the cargo
area.

How do you think of my idea?

My real problem is how to install the antenna and how to lead the signal
cord into the cabin without any scratch on my car.

Well...I would use a gel battery not acid to avoid the chance of spills. There are also nice hatch mounted antenna (Maldol makes one) that won't scratch.

MALDOL CP-5NMO Universal adjustable lip mount, 16’ 6” deluxe cable assembly with NMO/PL-259 connectors. Quality appearance and low loss coax cable assembly. Installs easily in only minutes to virtually any lip on a vehicle: Trunk lids, truck rear doors, SUV and van rear doors, hood lip, etc… Does not damage expensive and/or leased vehicles.

Mount adjusts in 4 planes. The first 18 inches of coax is mini RG-188A/U type allowing easy entry through the weather seal into the vehicle without causing wind noise, water leaks or coax damage. The coax balance is low loss with NMO & PL-259 connectors. The PL-259 connector disassembles for easier routing or to shorten the coax length. Soft rubber pad protects the vehicle paint, 4 large set screws hold the mount firmly in place.

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by rufusdedog

Well...I would use a gel battery not acid to avoid the chance of spills. There are also nice hatch mounted antenna (Maldol makes one) that won't scratch.

MALDOL CP-5NMO Universal adjustable lip mount, 16’ 6” deluxe cable assembly with NMO/PL-259 connectors. Quality appearance and low loss coax cable assembly. Installs easily in only minutes to virtually any lip on a vehicle: Trunk lids, truck rear doors, SUV and van rear doors, hood lip, etc… Does not damage expensive and/or leased vehicles.

Mount adjusts in 4 planes. The first 18 inches of coax is mini RG-188A/U type allowing easy entry through the weather seal into the vehicle without causing wind noise, water leaks or coax damage. The coax balance is low loss with NMO & PL-259 connectors. The PL-259 connector disassembles for easier routing or to shorten the coax length. Soft rubber pad protects the vehicle paint, 4 large set screws hold the mount firmly in place.

Thank you very much, rufusdedog.

If possible, would you please show me some pictures where the coax cable goes inside? Do you hide the cable under the weather seal?

[Quicksilver]

How about a hand held.

[rufusdedog]

Originally Posted by peterjaw

Thank you very much, rufusdedog.

If possible, would you please show me some pictures where the coax cable goes inside? Do you hide the cable under the weather seal?

Here's the link with pictures and a description of how the cable enters through the hatch:

http://www.cometantenna.com/products...D=9&childID=14

Regarding the hand held, I wouldn't use a hand held with attached antenna in the vehicle. Too much rf bouncing around. Best to use with an external antenna.

Personally, I don't know why BMW has an issue with this. If you use your phone in the vehicle, well, it's a transceiver. Might be a power issue, cell is only milliwatts.

Best of luck!

[richone52]

I actually put a 2meter / 70cm transciever in my new x5 without issues. the unit puts out 25 watts in 440 and 100 watts in 2m. I mounted it in the back under the cargo area in the compartment next to the tire. I then routed a thru glass antenna to the side window. I mounted the head unit in the center console. This has been working with out issues and the dealer even saw my install and was impressed. I hooked the power for the transciever directly to the battery because of it's prox to the terminals.

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by richone52

I actually put a 2meter / 70cm transciever in my new x5 without issues. the unit puts out 25 watts in 440 and 100 watts in 2m. I mounted it in the back under the cargo area in the compartment next to the tire. I then routed a thru glass antenna to the side window. I mounted the head unit in the center console. This has been working with out issues and the dealer even saw my install and was impressed. I hooked the power for the transciever directly to the battery because of it's prox to the terminals.

Thank you very much for advices, guys.


I don't quite understand what is "thru glass antenna"? May be just a nominal question.

The picture shows the antenna mount I have. It is for installing on the
hatch door. In this case, I don't know how to route the cox inside to avoid water or dust leakage.

[dk3hv]

hello all,
am am Hanno,DK3HV in Munich Germany. Also have a X5 / E70 since a couple of weeks and did not solve the antenna installation. I got a written confirmation from the factory about the installation of a ham radio trx. So the maximum power is 20 Watts. I had a 5series 530D before and had the same confirmation for 100W@HF, 50W@2m and 30W@UHF.
So the X5 is downrated very much.
But that is not the biggest issue... I saw the artikel about the clamp above... how to install: my rear side is glass... can not screw the antenna on glass???
I tried the on-glass glue antenna on the left window, no function becaus ethe glass is "prepared" with some metallic color for sun protection or so. The SWR is 1:1 at around 700 MHZ, no chance.
The 5series had a Comet clamp on the roof and I used a dualband mobil or the YAESU ATAS120 without any problems all the time. Pictures are on my web page www.dk3hv.com
So... how to solve the antenna installation for X5????

Greetings from Munich

vy 73