I just recently purchased one of those plug-n-play type of gizmo's. I already have a factory built in radio that came with my Suburban and we love. A while back you guys helped me install an entertainment center in one of the small storage compartment which included a sony cd player with aux. (2) 6x9 pioneer speaker and 12v. cig lighter just incase i ever needed it. Got everything working and sounds great (thanks to this forum), but i never installed an antenna, because i normally use my ipod for all my music. the kit came with xm antenna (magnetic) cig lighter adapter and a sure connect wire assembly. Not a whole lot of instructions are included. My installation is rather unique. I was reading that I can use the Aux connection to xm player, but not sure if I still need to install a regular antenna to the radio. I don't have a problem installing the xm antenna on the roof of my MH, only thing I have no metal to hook on to. I would appreciate any ideas, thoughts or experience with my installation. thanks

Due to FCC regs the newer Satellite radios are low power ans sometimes will not broadcast to your factory radio. If that is the case you need an adapter to hook into your suburban radio unless it has some type of input jack. BUT: Unless your sub is very old it should have XM built in. You could just activate that radio. Others may be able to help you with getting that signal to the outside entertainment system.

Moisheh

You do need the antenna for the XM radio to work. Antenna needs a clear view of the sky, too On my Freightliner, I had it mounted on one of the rear view mirrors upper arms using a tye-wrap. On my Tracker, it is magnetic and mounted on the front fender near the drivers door opening. My wife's car has the antenna mounted the same as the Tracker; mag mount. You could use some double sided tape if you do not have metal to mount the antenna to. Also, depending on the vehile, it MIGHT work just tossed on the dash and near the windshield.

If your radio has an Aux function, you are in luck. This is by far the best way to install one of these radios (vs. RF transmission from XM rec to FM rec... like my Tracker has). You need a 1/8" stereo cable (male on both ends)to connect from XM rec to radio... set the radio to "AUX" and you are good to go.

Hope this helps.

We've had XM for a number of years -- sure do enjoy it..

don

Thanks guys, Question for Don, You say the AUX jack in the faceplate of the stereo is the best way? I plan on installing the xm (magnetic)antenna on the roof of my RV which connects to the dock plate of the xm component, and you say that I should connect the AUX jack on the component to the jack on the faceplate, and thats all i need? It's a little confusing because i watched an installation video and it showed that I need the magnetic antenna and another (sure connect) cable that attaches to the radio antenna also. By using the Aux should eliminate the hook up to the radio antenna right ? So I don't need a FM Station afterall? I hope I'm not confusing anyone. I'm gonna give it a shot tommorow, thanks for the quick response.

You don't need a regular radio antenna to recieve XM - you DO need to mount the little button antenna that came with it.

It needs to see the southern sky. Some people just put them on the dashboard and it works OK unless you're going north (window not pointing at the southern sky) or there's obstructions from trees, etc.

Mine's in my motorhome and I put the antenna inside the lid of a plastic roof vent. Just glued the top of the antenna to the inside of the lid. Then routed the antenna line to the XM receiver. It doesn't interfere with opening or closing the vent.

The Aux In connector will give you the best audio quality. The Sure Connect is for radios without the Aux In jack.

Just what i needed to know, thanks Lou and everyone else who replied. At least now i feel more sure about what i need to do. Great forum. thanks again.

Hey Lou,
I just thought about where you installed your antenna. Are you talking about those Max Air type of roof vent covers? If so, you said that you installed it underneath? and was wondering if you still got a good signal. just curious, cause that sound like a pretty good spot tucked away.

Dave,

Plastic will not effect the signal to any extent. So you can mount it under plastic just fine....as long as there is no metal in the way.

I wonder if XM is the same as Sirius. I set up a home Sirius kit and pointed the antenna South. Could not get a signal. So I read the instructions. Has to be aimed North.

Moisheh

Hi Dave -

No, I have one of the regular plastic lid crank-up vents. The shape of the top of the XM antenna closely matched the shape of the plastic cover, and I left enough slack antenna lead to let the dome open and close without putting strain on it.

The vent cover projects slightly above the roof line, just enough to give the antenna an unobstructed look at the sky.

Moishe - XM uses a pair of satellites in geosyncronous orbit over the equator - just like the Dish and DirecTv satellites. So their antennas have to see the southern sky.

Sirius uses a pair of satellites in an elliptical non-syncronous orbit. The satellites don't hover in one spot, but go from horizon to horizon, spending as much time as possible directly over the US, then quickly whipping around the far side of the earth. The antenna doesn't have to see the southern sky, but has to see as much of the sky directly overhead as possible. If you're in a fixed location and can only see part of the overhead sky, the signal may come and go depending on where the satellites are at any given moment.

Well I ended up running the antenna from the top of the vent directly above the refrigerator down to my box. I glued the head of antenna on top of the vent cover and everything worked out fine. I'm glad I bought the stereo with the Aux jack on the faceplate, made it easy. Luckily I added the cigarette jack on my box. the only thing I was wondering if the cigarette adapter humming was normal. I kind of get a little feedback through the speakers. I plugged it in to the inside plug on the dash and still got the same humming noise. Much appreciated for all the responses.