Chuck

I've been thinking about getting satellite
radio ... but I don't like the look of
the antenna. Any ideas?
Chuck

TomP

I'm with ya, Chuck, I hate the damn thing. Plus it's like a flashing advertisement to thieves! I'd bet most people with XM in a sporty car also have an amp and subs and etc...

I've got one idea that I still need to try. I'll be doing lots of cutting and welding soon ... I want to sink the XM antenna into the center of my roof. I'll remove the headliner, and cut a square out of the center of the roof slightly larger than the antenna. Then I'll slightly sink that same square about an inch below the roof's crown, and weld up every seam. Then I'll paint it all so it won't rust, and punch a hole thru for a grommet and the wires. Finally I'll drop the antenna in, and seal up the sides with a big 'ol tube of black RTV.

But I'll do a test first... probably a test bend with a sheet of aluminum. I know the antennas use the roof/decklid as a ground plane... I just wonder if they'd work well (or at all) with the roof even with the top.

I've got a few friends that just put the antenna on their dashboard; they said it works well, but occasionally cuts out. If my test doesn't work out, I'll just be throwin' it on the dash.

Chuck

Hi Tom,
Good idea!
Seems it will work, but a question of
how large your "sunken area" needs to be.
You and I and your buddies with the
units on the dash can't be the only ones
who don't like it.
I have a friend with a new Pick-up ...
he doesn't like it either!
I'm sure the satelite guys are trying to
get'em smaller (and they are smaller than
originally).
Maybe some inventor (like you!) can
figure out an answer.
Thanks for your thoughts.
*** bless ya,
Chuck

SLOWFIVEOH

iTrader: (2)

My friend with his 4th gen mounted it between the spoiler and the hatch but still let one end stick out so it gets a signal...Gets perfect signal and is very hard to see unless your looking for it...But I know not everyone on here has a spoiler they can do what with!