Satellite Ant Location

[li_runner]

So I was installing a AVN6620 and found a great place to put the nav ant, but foremost the XM ant.

Taken from a good idea to put the antennae on top of the spoiler I thought why does the ant need to be up there, it really just needs to not have any metal between it and the sky. Why not put it IN the spoiler.

That's what I did, taking the spoiler off, which is 2 bolts and a push, unscrew the led 3rd tail light, double side tape the ant's & pull the wires through the rubber grommet leading to the interior, and there you are. No need to snake wires along any door jam gaskets & no drilling anthing. The hardest part (which was not easy) was to get the ant wires through the rubber hose.

I figured I would pass this along, I think's its the best place other than drilling for them.

 

[Mike07SE]

Dude that's a great tip! I always knew the fact that the Sat antennas didn't necessarily need to be on top of the car (could be inside), and never really thought about the inside of the spoiler idea. That will be great to know when it comes to installing and locating my navi and sat radio ant when that day ever comes.

 

[RTCarlin]

I've had mine at the foremost part of the dash where it meets the windshield. no reception problems at all... plus it saves on all the wiring....

Just another idea....

 

[ProMed]

I've had mine at the foremost part of the dash where it meets the windshield. no reception problems at all... plus it saves on all the wiring....

Just another idea....

This is what I did. It's in the very far corner of the dash on the passenger side. No reception issues.

 

[li_runner]

I will aggree with you for a sat nav antennae but not for satelite radio. The signal needs to be more consistant for it. I tried all around the dash and could not get a good signal.

I will say the the for the typical sat radio ant putting it on metal (roof, hood, trunk) is the best option but I couldn't find an acceptable solution for it. The little buggers always scratch up the clearcoat when they slide around. This was the 2nd best place imo.

 

[ProMed]

I will aggree with you for a sat nav antennae but not for satelite radio. The signal needs to be more consistant for it. I tried all around the dash and could not get a good signal.

I will say the the for the typical sat radio ant putting it on metal (roof, hood, trunk) is the best option but I couldn't find an acceptable solution for it. The little buggers always scratch up the clearcoat when they slide around. This was the 2nd best place imo.

That is odd or maybe a weaker signal in your area? I had the sat radio ant on the roof of my tundra for 3 years and have been running the sat radio ant inside on the corner of the dash for a little over a year. My experience has been zero difference in signal quality.

I cover 150-200+ miles per business day all across the Western half of North Carolina listening to XM the entire time.

 

[SP Jon M3]

Why not put it IN the spoiler.

:worthless

You didn't by chance take any pictures of the install?

 

[li_runner]

No, but I will when I modify it. I did not ground the antenna properly, if you do you will get a better reception since it is a magentic one.

I will take some pictures when I do that this weekend.

 

[rrp0968]

How bout those pics and results of the antenna grounding.

 

[ptcarter]

I know this is an old thread. I first read this and thought it was a great idea. I just mounted my xm antenna inside the spoiler. Had to do a couple of things to keep it firmly in place. First, the opening that the brake light cable goes through needed to be opened up some more. Material was hard to cut, and eventually found the best solution for that was to use a dremmel tool. Next, I took some JB weld (epoxy that glues anything, metal, plastic fiberglass etc) and found a a flat place inside the spoile and glued two big flat (20 cents apiece) washers touching each other. Now my mag mount antenna sticks firmly to them. I won't repeat what the orignal poster said about running the wire.. it gets inside pretty easily through the brake light tube. Works great.

 

[jdkilroy]

Mounted my satellite antenna and XM antenna under the L and R roof rack forward end caps respectively. Cut a piece of sheet metal to mount them on (magnetic). Wires run down window edges and into engine bay and then into cabin behind dash through existing holes in firewall to the head unit. Great, unobstructed and interference-free reception for both.

Someone else did this on this forum and posted install; that's where I got idea.

Jon