opinions on xm radio install

[RyanL]

I have a 99 gt and i really want to get some xm radio. so my system is stock exept i changed the speakers, so im just wondering should i spend the extra money and buy a new deck thats compatible with satelite radio cuz i also find those xm pod things r kinda ugly. My main concern is where do they usually install the antenna cuz i dont want it to look ugly cuz this might change my mind about the whole xm thing.

so does anyone have any pics they could post to give me an idea?

 

[TheOtherNick]

That is how I did my antenna.

 

[eddie97gt]

yes that way is the preferred method , clear line of sight from the highest point on the car . soft top jeeps , different story , but the one thing you need to keep in mind is usually most sat. radio recievers that are propritary to the head unit manufactuers are about 100-150 bucks , the stand alone ones alot less expensive and can still be tied in to aftermarket head units very easily without fm modulation . guess who has been selling and installing sat radio since they were launched about 8 years ago . hope i was helpful

 

[03GTPLE]

question for you eddie97gt:

my escalade comes with the GPS antenna for the NAV under the dash from the factory. I spoke with a few installers and they said they can tuck the XM antenna under the dash as well (before I found out what GM did). Yes, I do realize the XM antenna is on the roof.

Any reason we can't put the XM antenna under the dash in our cars to keep them off the room and trunk?

..only asking because you have 8 years of experience. But I would like to know what you think/have seen.

Thanks!

 

[eddie97gt]

i would say that if a overhang at a gas station , or heavy tree coverage can block signal under a dash definately would , i have put them in on top of a dash when i did one in a viper with nav and of couse a magnetic antenna wont stick to fiberglass it worked great for the most part . But when i got trained by pioneer years ago they always said the highest point works best , and dont paint the antenna

 

[RyanL]

yes that way is the preferred method , clear line of sight from the highest point on the car . soft top jeeps , different story , but the one thing you need to keep in mind is usually most sat. radio recievers that are propritary to the head unit manufactuers are about 100-150 bucks , the stand alone ones alot less expensive and can still be tied in to aftermarket head units very easily without fm modulation . guess who has been selling and installing sat radio since they were launched about 8 years ago . hope i was helpful

so if the stock head unit is in the car it has to be done though an fm transmitter?

 

[eddie97gt]

yes unless you have a aux in on your factory head unit , and that far back you dont

 

[RyanL]

damn so in your opinion is it better to get an aftermarket head unit compatible with xm in that case? cuz i dont want to do the fm transmiter thing ive used ipods with them and they dont always work too well.