Just to let everyone know, I have found out a thing or 2 about the XM antennas through my various projects and thought I'd save someone some trouble...
1. If you have an XM system that came stock in your GM vehicle, and you decide to switch to an XM-ready aftermarket head unit, you MUST buy a new XM receiver and antenna. The stock stuff will NOT fit the inputs on aftermarket stuff. There is no adaptor at this time to compensate for this. I know that it sucks, and is probably a ploy to grab more of our hard-earned money, but I searched far and wide and that's how it is.
2. It does NOT seem to matter where you mount the new antenna. Don't let the installer or anyone else on here tell you differently. My new antenna I just had installed is mounted on my rear deck tucked into the far back of the rear windshield. I have tinted glass and drive south on my way to work and it all works great. Do NOT let them stick this thing on your trunk lid, etc. I tested this theory before I had them do the install by driving the car around the neighborhood with a towel and a metal flower pot covering the old antenna and it still played just fine. Apparently either the signal or the antenna (or both) are pretty strong and the metal in your tint or direction, etc are not a factor.
3. If you have time to do it, take the old hardware (radio, XM receiver and XM antenna) out of your car and sell it to someone. No need to waste a whole working system!
I'm shaving my old roof antenna as soon as I can afford to.
Hope this info proves helpful to anyone else who wants to replace their stock system.
Please add any other info you may have (proven facts, no theories) that may help others.
Enjoy!
Steve
I work for XM Listener care, and you live somewhere in Northern VA right? VA has a lot of XM Repeaters. What kind of XM radio do you have? If it's a Delphi unit, turn the radio OFF. Press the numbers 2-0-7 then the XM Key (If it's a sky fi), OR press in the tuning wheel (If it's a roady/roady2/MyFi/Tao/Airware). The unit should turn on by itself. Press display a couple times until you get to the first screen that says Sat 1 Sat 2 and Ter. It'll be about the 3rd or 4th on the Roady/Roady2. On the section that says BER%, tell me what BER's you get on Sat1, Sat2, and TERR. If you're getting 100% in sat 1 and sat 2, and 0%-6% in TERR, you're not getting Satellite signal and you're getting it off of a XM Repeater.
Repeaters penetrate objects better then the Satellites, I can put my hand over my antenna and I'll get no signal, or pop my trunk so my little spoiler will be blocking the antenna.
Tint is indeed a factor, my antenna will not work on my rear deck. Which City do you live in and I can check to see if there are any repeaters?
I had my antenna installed inside of my rear spoiler (non metalic paint) and it worked just fine.
My new "hip" ride.
<img src="http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/americonium/personal_pic.jpg">
I'm near Manassas, VA. Yes, please let everyone know if my information is wrong because I don't want to give bad advice to people in other parts of the country. I had no idea VA was so "XM friendly"!
There's some places where you can have the XM antenna in your shoe and get great reception
I looked at Mapquest, I wouldn't be suprised if you get the repeaters from DC. Try that 2-0-7 trick I mentioned, I'm curious now
I'll check to see if Manassas has a repeater tomorrow
Corsica Dude wrote:I work for XM Listener care, and you live somewhere in Northern VA right? VA has a lot of XM Repeaters. What kind of XM radio do you have? If it's a Delphi unit, turn the radio OFF. Press the numbers 2-0-7 then the XM Key (If it's a sky fi), OR press in the tuning wheel (If it's a roady/roady2/MyFi/Tao/Airware). The unit should turn on by itself. Press display a couple times until you get to the first screen that says Sat 1 Sat 2 and Ter. It'll be about the 3rd or 4th on the Roady/Roady2. On the section that says BER%, tell me what BER's you get on Sat1, Sat2, and TERR. If you're getting 100% in sat 1 and sat 2, and 0%-6% in TERR, you're not getting Satellite signal and you're getting it off of a XM Repeater.
Repeaters penetrate objects better then the Satellites, I can put my hand over my antenna and I'll get no signal, or pop my trunk so my little spoiler will be blocking the antenna.
Tint is indeed a factor, my antenna will not work on my rear deck. Which City do you live in and I can check to see if there are any repeaters?
WOW.......... you lost me there...........
wait for it... wait for it... NOW GO!! ---> '02 LS Sport <---
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