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satellite radio antenna adapter?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by g34rh34d, Oct 26, 2011.

  1. Oct 26, 2011 at 4:17 AM
    #1
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Does any of you stereo gurus know if there is an antenna adapter available for the factory 2011 + Tacoma JBL / Satellite Radio with 6 Disk changer to go to the standard sirius/XM/Terk style antenna?

    I have one of these stereo units in my 08 and I found out the satellite tuner is built into the head unit, but I don't have, or know of a way to connect it to an aftermarket antenna. My Google attempts, have netted me zero so far.

    Or, if I was to purchase the factory harness, I wonder if it can connect to an aftermarket antenna? My 08 doesn't have the factory antenna, and I really don't want to cut holes in the roof if at all possible to add the factory antenna. (plus I can get an aftermarket antenna for 20-50 bucks.)

    Thanks
    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    UPDATE: I am getting real close to a solution. I found that the connector on the back of thr 2009 and newer Sat ready radios likely use the same connector as the 2007 and later Lexus. There is an adapter cable that goes from the factory "shark fin" Antenna to an aftermarket stereo for the lexus, Here:

    http://www.myradiostore.com/sirius/sirius-antennas/sirius-antennas-extensions/sfa12m.html

    But the issue is that this cable has the same type of connector (SMB) that is on an aftermarket Sirius/XM antennas. So I have been researching if there is a SMB to SMB "plug" barrel connector to connect the two - no luck yet. I am half tempted to buy this cable and buy the proper connector and just build it myself, but 60 bux is a bit of a lot to pay if it doesn't work.

    I thought about just modifying the stereo to add a "Jam Nut" SMB plug on the radio itself, but that won't do anyone any good. My ambition is to try and get the proper parts and part #s so this can be plug and play.

    I called TSS to see if they had the proper combination of cable adapters, but they didn't. I suggested that they consider having this combination made for future, gave them all the info, and they said they would look into it. In any case, they carry the same cable as well here:

    http://www.tss-radio.com/products/lexus-gs-shark-fin-antenna-adapter

    Does anyone know the name or part # of the Lexus / Toyota proprietary square connector? Knowing the part # may help in future searches.

    _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Update: another similar response I made to another thread, which is prtinent to this thread:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/131836-sat-ready-xm-oem-radio.html#post4020005

    I am still looking into other possible options... I just wish I could get the Mfr and PN of the Toyota connector!! that would make things SOOO much easier..

    (I wonder if I could cannibalize the square connector off a used Toyota Junkyard cable. hmm.)
     
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  2. Nov 12, 2011 at 10:13 AM
    #2
    othater

    othater Well-Known Member

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    I also had a problem locating the official connector so here is what I did.

    I used a DC charger connector the diameter as close to the square connector on the radio to make contact to the edges, I added a litle piece of copper wire in the center hole of the connector to make contact in the center because it was larger that the pin on the radio and then spliced that to a after market sat antenna and ran it behind the glove box up the side of the door jam to the dash board and it sits center along the glass.
    Its working for me.
     
  3. Nov 13, 2011 at 2:21 PM
    #3
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think I will try your method... And to REALLY make it stealth, When I had the stereo out the last time, I realized there was a nice space above the stereo to the underside of the dash.. so I am thinking of either magnetically mounting the ant to the top of the stereo, or Velcro it directly to the underside of the dash...

    If you had good luck with the dc power connector, I will give it a try.. which antenna did you get? the square style or the round sirius style ant?

    Thanks for the ideas!
     
  4. Nov 19, 2011 at 9:06 AM
    #4
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, after fiddling around with the DC connector idea, I decided to just bite the bullet and purchase the adapter cable and SMB connector. Here is my re-post from the other thread for parts references:
    "So I finally pulled the trigger, and decided I would purchase the SFA12M Cable from eBay:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/150697241159...witem=&vxp=mtr

    if that link doesn't work, then here is another list of sources:
    https://www.google.com/search?q=sfa1...w=1366&bih=646

    I then Purchased an SMB Jack Connector from here:
    http://www.surplussales.com/Connectors/SMB.html

    Once the parts get in, I plan to cut the SFA12M cable down to ~1 foot, and attach the SMB jack connector to the cable so I have a plug and play solution.

    This is to adapt a factory 2011 Toyota Tacoma JBL 6 disk changer with internal satellite tuner to an aftermarket Sirius/XM antenna.

    The sad part is the doggone adapter cable and SMB connector combo cost 3 times what the antenna cost!! But once completed, I will be able to use any aftermarket antenna with the factory stereo.

    Ill let ya know how it works out once I get the parts and cable made!"
    We'll see how it goes.
     
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    #4
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  5. Nov 26, 2011 at 8:31 AM
    #5
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok I received the parts this week. Attached are pictures with descriptions.

    My initial thought/plan for testing is by using the SMB Jack Feedthrough, you just plug the SFA12M and Aftermarket antenna together and you could be done. Honestly I may just get lazy and leave it this way. (Not likely though..)

    The concern I have by doing this, is that you will have ~30 feet of cable in the system which may impact antenna reception performance.

    So for now, I plan to plug it all together and see if I get a signal. I will try it with just the two cables plugged together using all the cable, and run it that way for a while. (a day or two) to see how reception is.

    Also since I don't like drilling holes in the roof or running cables through seals, I am gonna try a couple options.


    1. Attaching the antenna via the magnet to the top of the stereo, and stuffing the whole assy back into the hole beneath the plastic dash. If this works, I may just leave it that way.
    2. If the reception is bad, I will move the antenna around to see if the reception improves.
    3. If reception doesn't improve, I will shorten the SFA12M cable to ~12" and install the SMB Cable Jack connector and re-try the "stuck to the stereo via magnet" location.
    The advantage of just mounting everything under the dash is it saves from inducing leaks, or corrosion by drilling holes, routing cables through seals, etc. Also it is a nice stealth thing from the perspective of theft.

    Sat Ant Adapt 1.jpg
    Sat Ant Adapt 2.jpg
     
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  6. Nov 26, 2011 at 1:53 PM
    #6
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Installed...

    Results: Success!! :D

    As I indicated above, I took the "lazy" way out and just used the SMB feedthrough and plugged both cables together. Then I used a couple self adhesive zip tie pads, that you can pick up in most hardware stores and zip tied all the excess cable to the underside of the stereo. I ran the antenna to the top of the stereo and magnetically stuck it to the top of the stereo and installed the whole setup back into the dash. With a little "massaging and adjusting" of the cabling you can get the whole setup to fit.

    I turned the stereo on, switched it to Satellite, and It recognized the antenna, and went into "Loading" mode. It flashed Loading for like 15 mins, but I decided to switch stations, and WALA! I had radio reception! I don't get reception in the garage, but when I was in the driveway it worked great! drove around the block and all was well!

    We'll see how it does.

    If any one has any questions on the steps, PM me and Ill help ya out.

    Request: Moderators, possibly make this a sticky for future reference.

    Thanks

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Update:

    After driving around a bit more yesterday, it looks like I may need to put the antenna in a more visible location. Seems the setup with the ant. attached to the top of the stereo works great in all directions except for when I travel North.. (LOL) Looks like the roof blocks the signal while traveling North, but works fine in all other directions. I need to see if there is another spot on the truck that would work best. I may need to resort to sticking it to the roof somewhere after all.

    Sat Ant Adapt 3.jpg
    Sat Ant Adapt 4.jpg
     
  7. Nov 26, 2011 at 7:31 PM
    #7
    othater

    othater Well-Known Member

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    Nice job FH,
    Glad it all worked out for you.
    Were the connectors just crimped on?
    Those are wires are so small of a gauge.
     
  8. Nov 27, 2011 at 7:00 AM
    #8
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The wire for the aftermarket antenna was real tiny (~the size of 16AWG wire.) The cable for the SFA12M was the std RG-316 50 ohm cable that I suspected it should be; which is exactly what the SMB connectors (If I chose to shorten and rebuild the cable) require.

    I'm Glad its up and running!
     
  9. Dec 4, 2011 at 11:51 PM
    #9
    billyjoe

    billyjoe Taco Fever - I've got it bad!

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    g34rh34d,

    Been pursuing the same original issue for a few days now:
    The elusive Female->Male "square" connector cable.

    The OEM XM antenna has a Male square connector and my 2011 OEM JBL Radio w/Built-In XM Tuner has a Female square connector on the back.

    After a bit of research, I found that there are actually two antenna cables used in the Tacoma - the 1st one connects to the antenna and runs to the left kick panel. The 2nd runs from the left kick panel to the radio/tuner. The first one is a Female->Female and the 2nd Male->Male.

    Local dealer said you can't buy 1st cable, only 2nd. Not much help there. :mad: Then I got the bright idea of looking at XM "Fit Kits" for Lexus, Toyota & Scion to see if any of the antenna cables were M-F. No luck there either. :(

    So, other than finding someone who will sell me theirs (parting out), that leaves cutting the SMB ends off SFA12M & SFA12F Shark-Fin Adapter cables & splicing them together - doable but I was hoping to avoid paying $120 ($60/ea) then hacking them to get the job done.

    I did send an eMail to VaisTech.com inquiring about the possiblity of a custom M->F "square" connector cable. We'll see if they even respond...
     
  10. Dec 5, 2011 at 4:09 AM
    #10
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yea, I spoke to them on the phone when I was doing my research, and asked them if they could make the Square connector to SMB Jack cable but their response was less than interested, or "we'll see." Maybe with enough interest, they will come up with something.

    Keep everyone posted on what you find out!

    Thanks
     
  11. Dec 5, 2011 at 6:33 PM
    #11
    billyjoe

    billyjoe Taco Fever - I've got it bad!

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    Good News! Eugene Kaspin of VAIS Technology (vaistech.com) responded to my request for a custom Toyota/Lexus "square" satellite antenna connector cable (Female to Male). He quoted me $80 + 10 shipping with a 2 day turn-around time. Of course, I said LETS DO IT! :D

    So, just wanted to pass this info on for anyone else needing a custom cable solution. Here's his contact info:

    Eugene Kaspin
    VAIS Technology
    720-733-2348
    info@vaistech.com
     
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  12. Dec 6, 2011 at 4:11 AM
    #12
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Great! Sounds like they are starting to see there is an addl customer base out there.. when I contacted them they were less than interested in making a short ~12" Male to SMB Jack Cable for me, so I had to improvise.

    Glad to hear it worked out for you!
     
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  13. Dec 9, 2011 at 10:42 AM
    #13
    Rellik01

    Rellik01 Well-Known Member

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  14. Sep 1, 2013 at 9:10 AM
    #14
    BenMara

    BenMara That Asian RedNeck

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    i Cant seem to find this connection in the left kick panel, anyone have pics of it? im doing opposite, have Factory antenna, but have starmate from previous vehicle
     
  15. Apr 18, 2014 at 10:20 PM
    #15
    DunkinDal

    DunkinDal Active Member

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  16. Apr 20, 2014 at 7:08 PM
    #16
    PicachoKid

    PicachoKid New Member

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    I ordered the SFA12M Shark Fin Antenna Adapter. I then when to Satellite Radio Superstore and ordered two adaptors. The SMB Jack to RG6 Connector (Model number SMBRG) and the SMB Jack to RG6 Male F-Connector (Model number JF6T). I screwed the to connectors together and just plugged the after market XM-Radio antenna (Inside the window mount) to the SFA12M. Works great.
     
  17. Apr 20, 2014 at 9:18 PM
    #17
    g34rh34d

    g34rh34d [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Excellent!

    Thanks for adding the info!
     
  18. Aug 27, 2014 at 3:39 AM
    #18
    wdb

    wdb intolerance intolerant

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    Another dredging up of this thread. Did you buy one, and if so did it work?

    I just purchased a factory radio from a member here, and it has built-in Sirius/XM as well as some other features my cheapo entry level radio does not have. I'm working my way through adapters and whatnot to make as many features work as possible. The satellite antenna is job #1.
     
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  19. Dec 15, 2014 at 10:03 AM
    #19
    OldSkoolArcher

    OldSkoolArcher Well-Known Member

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    I am in the same boat. Any information???
     
  20. Dec 16, 2014 at 1:22 PM
    #20
    DunkinDal

    DunkinDal Active Member

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    I posted this on another thread this what I did


    I could never find that connector but it's a SMB female connection you could use this with the adapter you just got then remove the plastic housing around the other end and it will push onto the radio just need to secure it with tape, glue ETC

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fakra-SMB-B-...item337bdec50a

    If you don't have an antenna yet you could get this and cut off the plastic housing and it will push right on just have to secure it some how I just jammed in some foam around it in the whole then tape it over for good measure and have had no issue now going on 6 months. here's a hint for better reception mount the antenna in the middle of the roof not along the sides or near the windshield http://www.ebay.com/itm/XM-SIRIUS-S...1667?pt=US_Radio_Antennas&hash=item418c2cd163
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2014
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