Stereo & Electronics - sattelite antenna locations?

my friend got a sirius XM radio for his 98 T/A and decided he'd put the antenna in the middle of his hood. it looks absolutely horrible but he said since it is the biggest metal pannel on the car he gets the best reception there. i told him he should take the factory antenna out and use that hole for the wire and cover it up with the antenna so you can't see any of the wire or the hole(not sure if it will work or not) let me know what you guys did post pics if possible. thanks

I think the best place would be right ontop of the driveres side door close to the windshild on the far left IE the corner it doesn't look TOO bad there :thumb:

fbody doors are fiberglass though so i don't think that the magnet would stick, correct me if i'm wrong

I have mine on the dash works great there.

I have mine right on the top of my rear view mirror. Great reception and you dont even notice its there.

although i haven't gotten everything else installed, i have mine mounted in the hatch. on the plastic panel that goes under the hatch in the back, and have the wire runnin to the top of the hatch and then down the inside panel

Satellite antennas don't require a metal surface for mounting - the magnetic mount is just for convenience. You can use 2-sided tape and mount the antenna anywhere. Several people have mounted theirs inside the rear spoiler for a totally stealth installation. The composite material is transparent to the satellite signal and doesn't interfere with reception. Personally, I mounted mine on the bar between the t-tops so that it would be at the highest point on the car. These days the antennas are so small that you hardly notice it's there.

fbody doors are fiberglass though so i don't think that the magnet would stick, correct me if i'm wrong

I dont mean the doors I mean above your head when your sitting on it kinda hard to explain...
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3135/atenna3iv.jpg

I have mine taped to the back hatch window, no reception problems at all

I hid my antenna in my hatch:
http://www.fadingarrow.com/images/XMAntenna.jpg

Here is more info on my setup:
http://www.fadingarrow.com/XMSatelliteRadio.htm

alright thanks guys, he told me that the antenna is strongest there B/C it makes the hood act as a big antenna(wether this is bs i don't know)

alright thanks guys, he told me that the antenna is strongest there B/C it makes the hood act as a big antenna(wether this is bs i don't know)
Your friend is proof that a small amount of knowledge is a dangerous thing :bang:

What he's refering to is a ground plane - a metal surface to help reflect and amplify radio signals. What he doesn't seem to realize is that a ground plane isn't necessary for satellite radio. For that matter, it isn't necessary for almost any receiving radio. It really makes a difference for transmitting (CB, HAM, etc.) but has almost no effect on reception. The slight difference in reception is measurable but imperceptible for all practical purposes. I sure wouldn't put an antenna on my hood for that reason.

alright thanks guys, he told me that the antenna is strongest there B/C it makes the hood act as a big antenna(wether this is bs i don't know)

In a way your friend is correct. The reason why it might work better there is because the metal hood will act like a ground plane and boost the efficiency (db Gain) of the antennas reception.

Anyone thats knows how RF transmission works, knows about ground planes...

The antenna on my Formula is mounted simular to VIP1's, works great.

Good thread! Ive always wanted this but never wated to stick the ugly antenna on my car.

thanks a lot i'll let him know so he can get it off his hood

my friend got a sirius XM radio

:confused:

Anyway, mine is on the dashboard. Never any reception problems and it doesn't slide around.

Well... I guess mine was easier because I have a T-Top.. I removed the passenger railing and ran the wire up there, then I strategically placed the wire through the inner linings of where the t-top goes, and took out the center of the T bar and ran the wire under there.. Then towards the back it is somewhat metallic, and I put 3m double sided tape and it looks flush and professional. Only when I have the T-Tops off can you see any wire once - so ever, and its not ugly.!>!>

if you open your trunk there are 2 flaps near the top right behind the tail lights, i posted mine there and i have no problems with my reception.

In a way your friend is correct. The reason why it might work better there is because the metal hood will act like a ground plane and boost the efficiency (db Gain) of the antennas reception.

Anyone thats knows how RF transmission works, knows about ground planes...


Actually he is incorrect with respect to how the antenna operates. The Antenna is internally grounded so regardless what it is mounted to its performance will be solely base of location not material it is attached to. The antenna is its own antenna and will not use anything else shy or a repeater as an extension of such base of how it is desinged.
I do agree with you on the grounding plan if such antenna would utilize an external ground.


I have my with double sided 3M tape on the Hatch Glass. Works like a champ.
:devil:

I hid my antenna in my hatch:
http://www.fadingarrow.com/images/XMAntenna.jpg

Here is more info on my setup:
http://www.fadingarrow.com/XMSatelliteRadio.htm


Ive mounted a few there and it works great.
Dont have to worry about advertising either.