Radio Replacement ideas

[Chronos70]

Hi all, I'd like to get some ideas from everyone who rides a Gold Wing:

If you could design a new radio for the GL1500 and older, what features would you incorporate?

5" LCD screen where the radio controls are to display GPS maps, compass, dual rider/passenger HD radio? weather monitoring? heads up display? no idea is too out there...

Yes there is a reason I'm asking...I'm thinking about making a replacement radio system with the Raspberry Pi 2 micro computer and as many as needed Arduino microcontrollers. I know that the radio and the dash LCD are at the heart of the intercom, the CB and several other systems, so I will incorporate those as well.

Every idea will be considered no mater how far fetched

TIA everyone.
Chronos

[Bigbiker0]

I would like Bluetooth for sure!

[RBGERSON]

Extra plugs for MP3 , smart phone, etc, etc, gear shift indicator, volume control for passenger and CB access for passenger too.,

[redial]

Sorry I am a bit late in this discussion.

What about a USB connection so that those thumb drives operate. And for the North Americans, what about an XM satellite radio combined with the AM and FM. (We do not get satellite radio here, so in the more remote places I rely on AM.)

HTH

[rzaugg]

I don't look for anything too much, I would just like to have phone sounds (driving directions on maps and/or playlist) to come over the speakers. I usually just listen to the radio and am fine with it.

[Chronos70]

Sorry I am a bit late in this discussion.

What about a USB connection so that those thumb drives operate. And for the North Americans, what about an XM satellite radio combined with the AM and FM. (We do not get satellite radio here, so in the more remote places I rely on AM.)

HTH

The only issue with the satellite radio is the subscription thing. I have thought about that, but I'm not sure how I'd integrate that into the rest on the system... USB thumb drive connection, I had thought about and it is on the list.

[Chronos70]

So far on the list of features:

Separate HD FM / AM tuner radios for driver and passenger with tuner controls for both, and the ability to listen via speakers or helmet headset independently. If driver wants to listen to NPR(me) and passenger wants to listen to Taylor Swift, we can...
Satellite radio (?)
MP3 music playback via USB storage.
MP3 music playback via bluetooth.
Depending on weather proofing/storage issues, a charging/storage spot for phone.
Intercom.
On-board CB radio integration.
GPS directions displayed on a (a size to be determined later) touchscreen and audio direction playback via speakers or driver helmet headset.
Time and temp display

This next feature I'm not quite sure how to get it to work, or not sure how useful it'd be; BUT I'd like to display real time rain chances on the display via a barometer, humidity, and temperature sensors. Because living here in FL rain chances in the summer change almost hourly.

I was thinking about designing it so there is only the touch screen visible, but if you had to look down to adjust things like radio volume, or intercom mute that'd be pretty dangerous, so I'm going to keep the volume knobs.

I'd like to design it so you can keep the plastic radio cover, but if I weather proof the touchscreen the plastic cover won't be needed.

[WingAdmin]

While thinking about features:

- VOICE ACTIVATED intercom
- Option of wired or wireless (A2DP) headsets
- Integration of Sirius/XM data, to allow downloading of realtime weather radar maps (my car does this)
- Extremely sensitive receiver with multipath-fighting diversity antennae to allow reception of distant stations when on the road

[Chronos70]

While thinking about features:

- VOICE ACTIVATED intercom
- Option of wired or wireless (A2DP) headsets
- Integration of Sirius/XM data, to allow downloading of real time weather radar maps (my car does this)
- Extremely sensitive receiver with multipath-fighting diversity antennae to allow reception of distant stations when on the road

-Yes the two intercom ideas are good.
-The real time weather radar map download, I'll have to research to see how to implement that.
-distant radio reception I'll have to research that as well.

My initial idea was to design an enclosure that can be a drop in replacement, with additional upgrade options.

[virgilmobile]

How bout dropping in a android tablet.It has Apps,Bluetooth,GPS,maps,etc.
I've seen apps for HUD speed and direction,PTT intercom.Even a Bluetooth interface for other data,eg.engine conditions.Rpm,temp,etc.
Plays music too,some even can connect a thumb drive external with a dongle adaptor.

Sheesh.got me thinking too but I really don't need another project.

[minimac]

Whatever you do, make it WATERPROOF!

[raven41951]

Go for a test drive in a new Ford, GM, Chrysler vehicle and they will give you an idea. Don't forget Toyota, I have a new Tundra and it will show you what NOT to do.

[Chronos70]

Go for a test drive in a new Ford, GM, Chrysler vehicle and they will give you an idea. Don't forget Toyota, I have a new Tundra and it will show you what NOT to do.

I've driven the 2014 Chevy Cruze and that did give me ideas...

[Chronos70]

Whatever you do, make it WATERPROOF!

Yes! very much so. Though I am concerned about what effects the sun will have on a display that I mount where the radio buttons are currently. If I can find one that can handle that kind of heat everything else will be relatively easy. Relatively speaking...

[Chronos70]

Just an update to let everyone know that I haven't given up on this idea, just life has happened and I don't currently have the time/money to pursue this adventure... I am however posting a photoshopped picture idea of what I'm talking about... once I get a 3D printer I can create a custom case without the cassette door in the way. I have since redesigned the layout (in my head) with the buttons closer to the knobs, and the whole LCD display centered and at an angle to better cope with light reflection. I want some opinions from everyone out there whether I should design it with the ability to work with the plastic radio cover or not?

[NVSB4]

You could start with the radio from an Interstate that doesn't have the cassette and a larger area for the display.
It would also have the Aux input available.

[raven41951]

A LOCKING cover would be a great idea.

[Chronos70]

A LOCKING cover would be a great idea.

Ok I'll keep that feature...

[robb]

I might be off here, but what is different than using my Samsung Galaxy Note with the Jabra Motion earpiece. Got cellular, voice activation, music, Google maps, Internet radio and weather. Mono headpiece allows for hearing everything around me. When 2 up riding we can easily talk and hear. Only need to add bluetooth interphase to hear all through speakers.
Do have full helmets with wired electronics, never used because I prefer half helmet.

[GlimWas]

If iy was me producing such a radio, i would certainly not be putting the screen at that place. I would pick a spot in front of me, as high as possible. That way i wouldn't have to look down every time and take my eyes off the road in front of me.

[Chronos70]

If iy was me producing such a radio, i would certainly not be putting the screen at that place. I would pick a spot in front of me, as high as possible. That way i wouldn't have to look down every time and take my eyes off the road in front of me.

Good point. The reason for the display on the radio is to be a plug and play drop in replacement of the factory radio, but as of late I've been toying with the idea of making the dash a LCD screen. That would solve the problem of sun glare, and also not having the display suffer from the heat of the sun. I would have to have some sort of directonal control buttons for navigating the the screen as it wouldn't be practical to be a touch screen.

[wingdings]

try this - if you can get some one to make it for you - used to be sold on ebay

[Chronos70]

-UPDATE-

Well it's been two years since I started this post, and nothing more that designing and feature planning has happened. I'm still working on it... albeit very slowly.

As of right now, the design will be a little more than just a drop in replacement for the radio, it's going to involve the dash as well. All digital custom display where you can customize the main screen via a touch screen on the radio area.

Stay tuned:

[Chronos70]

Does anyone out there have access to the full schematics diagram for the radio with tape player, and the integrated intercom? I'm wanting to include certain features and can't find circuits that will work.

TIA

[Chronos70]

I might be off here, but what is different than using my Samsung Galaxy Note with the Jabra Motion earpiece. Got cellular, voice activation, music, Google maps, Internet radio and weather. Mono headpiece allows for hearing everything around me. When 2 up riding we can easily talk and hear. Only need to add bluetooth interphase to hear all through speakers.
Do have full helmets with wired electronics, never used because I prefer half helmet.

The main difference would be; what I'm working on would be all integrated into the bike, and not something that you'd have to worry about removing and keeping track of every time you walk away from the bike. Don't know about you, but I'm lazy(ish) and would after a while forget to remove the Galaxy Note. Plus I want to give the GL1500 a more modern looking dash.