XM antenna placement

I have purchased a XM satellite radio system to go along with my new nav unit. My question: does the XM antenna absolutely need to go on the roof of the truck, or can you get good reception if the antenna is kept on the dash? And, if the antenna can be kept on the dash, how far apart should it be spaced from the navigation system antenna?

Finally, I've read where some people have put the satellite radio antenna UNDER the dash and it still gets good reception, as supposedly, the satellite signal can be received adequately through plastic (i.e., the dash) but not through metal. Any truth to this, because the more stuff that can be kept "out of sight" is better.

Lou

 

I put my antenna in the corner of my dash on passenger side next to pillar. No problems. just run the wire under your glove box.

 

Thanks, Jigzor! Do I need to take off the "A" pillar to run the wire under the glove box, or can the glove box be accessed through the dash itself?

 

I put my first Sirius antenna on the roof, and it crapped out a few weeks ago. Since installing the antenna, I also put on a camper shell, so getting the old antenna out was not an easy thing to do since I ran the wire out of the third tail light.

I put the new antenna right up on my dash in the center. It gets a good signal and hasn't been a problem. I pushed the wire (gently) between the windshield and the dash. There's a piece of foam in there that will hold the wire very nicely. When I got to the passenger side of the dash, I tucked the wire between the A pillar and the dash, and worked my way down to get under the dash. I held the actual antenna in place with a little piece of self stick velcro.

 

Mine's out on the fender just in front of the windshield. Kinda out of the way and still get good reception.

 

I placed the little XM antenna in the middle of the dash and secured it with a small strip of double sided tape. It works great.

 

Put mine next to the am/fm antenna. The reception is great, looks clean, less wire to run and less interior to take apart.

 

ilove tacos,
What was the route you took to place your antenna?
Thanks

 

Sorry I didn't see you replied. No, just squeeze it between the plastic, I used a small flat head to open it up a bit.

 

mine was centered above my windshield. ill post up a pic in a sec

*edit*

 

Ran the wire into the engine bay and along the firewall there is a rubber small plug right behind the interior AC fan...Just push it thru there and into the cab. It's very easy once you take a look at it.

 

I followed everybody's suggestion as well too. Works out much better than going through the third brake light. Here are some pics



Here's the inside placement of the onyX. I ran the wires in between the dashboard and the dash kit behind the car mount. I have the rear camera enabled while driving since I control XM seperately.



Power hook up pic from outside, notice the blue plug in cigarette lighter on the left side. Radar detector in small pocket works great from there.



Little messy, haven't organized wires yet but the blue 4 way cigarette adapter supplies power to my satellite receiver and radar detector

 

Mine is mounted in a similar location, but (on my '02 Tacoma) it's underneath the black plastic shroud below the wipers. The antenna is a total stealth install.

There's a single screw on either side (probably right under where your satellite antenna is). Hit that, lift the plastic, and there's a wire mesh underneath it that the antenna magnet can bond to. And it's a very tight bond, it never moves.

There's no visible sign of my XM antenna, and the only indication that I have something going on is the coupler that has to go on the AM/FM antenna.

I can take a picture of the location if anybody needs it.