XM stock/custom hybrid :)

1700 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by zoltiz, Sep 25, 2004

zoltiz

Discussion Starter · Sep 12, 2004

I had this xB XM kit that I got used off eBay. The antenna was huge and was honestly ruining the car lines. So today I finally got to replacing it - had to buy a 2-1 adaptor (2-wire to single wire adaptor for XM antennas $30) and a Terk XMICRO antenna -$30 (the size of the stack of 4 quarters). Played with its placement - tried putting it under the sunroof wind deflector - looked awesome (could not see it at all), but reception was questionable. So I ended up putting the antenna in the corner of the windshield.

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zoltiz

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 12, 2004

Pics as promised:

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J&J FlintC

· #3 · Sep 12, 2004

I have never used XM, is it really worth it?? sounds like a nice idea, but $10 per month????

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ufgatorfan

· #4 · Sep 12, 2004

Rockin location. I refuse to get XM because of that damn black box that has to sit on your car.

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zoltiz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 13, 2004

Originally posted by ufgatorfan@Sep 12 2004, 03:50 PM
Rockin location. I refuse to get XM because of that damn black box that has to sit on your car.

Well, as you see you don't have to have a huge black box in the back with stock Scion XM...

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SilverX

· #6 · Sep 13, 2004

?? Scion XM has a little black box too...

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GA tC

· #7 · Sep 13, 2004

I tried an old trick I learned on the BMW Z3 board. Lay the antenna on the fiberboard security cover in the back pointing up through the glass. Run the wire forward. I get pretty good reception with it so far, and if I want to put it in another car, I yank it out and install it elsewhere in less than two minutes.

Cheers!

Dan

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zoltiz

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 13, 2004

Originally posted by GA tC@Sep 12 2004, 09:35 PM
..if I want to put it in another car, I yank it out and install it elsewhere in less than two minutes.

Kinda tough with the Scion/Pioneer XM receiver - I bolted it down to the floor myself

Btw, if anyone has any other ideas as to where to mount the antenna - I'm all ears. I like my current location, but if it can be mounted somewhere even stealthier it would be great.

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J&J FlintC

· #9 · Sep 13, 2004

I am not sure what it takes for the antanna to work, but I was thinking maybe a little spot down on the cowl out of the way of the wipers but possibly even more stealthy, although your current location look nice!

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basilisk4

· #10 · Sep 13, 2004

Front right-hand corner of the dashboard inside the car has been working fine for me...there are a couple of specific places where I always get static, but overall it works great and static-free...

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zoltiz

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 13, 2004

Originally posted by J&J flinTc@Sep 13 2004, 10:29 AM
I am not sure what it takes for the antanna to work, but I was thinking maybe a little spot down on the cowl out of the way of the wipers but possibly even more stealthy, although your current location look nice!

I thought about that when I tried to hide the HUGE stock antenna, but for some reason forgot about the idea this weekend... Might do it tonight.

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onefunkyfreshdj

· #12 · Sep 25, 2004

How did you get it through the glass like that or is it an illusion?

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zoltiz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 25, 2004

Originally posted by onefunkyfreshdj@Sep 25 2004, 01:48 PM
How did you get it through the glass like that or is it an illusion?

you can see that the wire is going under the rubber, then it's routed under the rubber on the side of the windshield, then between the fender and door, and finally into the grommet that has all the door wiring in it.

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