Install Your Satellite Radio Antenna

The fastest growing form of new entertainment media in the U.S. is satellite radio. This pay subscription service is predicted an increased and steady growth especially now that the merger between the two major satellite radio companies, Sirius and XM, has been approved in the longest merger approval process in history. The new company, simply titled Sirius XM, promises better service, bigger selection and choice, and soon open source technology that will allow any electronics company to manufacture receivers that will be compatible with satellite radio.

Perhaps you know someone or many people who listen regularly to satellite radio. Sirius and XM have come pre-installed in several makes of new vehicles for the past several years. It can also be heard in offices and businesses throughout the country. I was introduced to Sirius on a business trip where my rental car had it installed. Two weeks later I bought my own car receiver and have not been able to live without it since. For $13.99 per month, you will receive over 100 commercial-free music channels and exclusive talk channels with very limited commercial sets.

The biggest problem faced with the new satellite user, whether it be a home or car system, is installation and placement of the antenna. A special antenna is needed in all units to connect to the satellite broadcast signal. Although Sirius and XM claim that the ground repeaters in most major cities will allow reception for indoor placed antennas, I have never seen it work 100% in any of the cities I have lived or visited on the list. Some car receiver owners claim they receive the signal without any problems by placing the antenna in the rear window, but again, I have never had success with anything but outdoor placement.

For a car unit, the antenna should be outside. Using Sirius.com, and the Sirius user manual as a guide, it is recommended the antenna be placed on the highest point of the vehicle, near the rear. On a hatchback, this would be centered directly above the hatch about three inches toward the front of the vehicle. On a sedan or any vehicle with a trunk, I have seen top mounts, but the best looking and easiest placement is centered on the trunk at the hinge end near the rear window about three inches out toward the rear of the vehicle.

Once the magnetic antenna is placed, it should be fixed in position with the self-sticking plastic protection arm that fits over the piece of the antenna that the line runs in and over two inches of the line itself.

Next the wire should either be run into the car directly through the rear trunk hinge or the top of the hatch. It is recommended that if the antenna is placed on the top of the vehicle, the line should be run under the plastic molding along the edge of the window and then into the interior.

Once inside, the line should be run either under the passenger seats to the front of the vehicle, or more appropriately, tucked into the plastic molding along the floor of the passenger side and up to the front firewall, and to the receiver unit. Then, it is a small task to coil the remaining line and tuck into the dash and connect the end to the receiver.

For home units, again it is said that indoor placement is a viable option, but I have never seen it work to my satisfaction. I would only use an outdoor placement. Depending on where you live in the country and if you are using XM or Sirius (they are still broadcast from their own respective satellites for now) you will have to face the antenna in a specific direction. Follow the chart for Sirius on antenna placement that can be found at: sirius.com.

Once you have the correct directional placement, find a window that will give an unobstructed view of the sky in that direction and mount the antenna either on the roof of the building or the side of the wall. Make sure that no overhang blocks the antenna from the sky. The clamshell base of the antenna includes mounting brackets where the unit can be screwed securely in place. Then simply run the line through the window and to the receiver.

These tips will give you optimal reception for your listening pleasure and allow to join the ranks of millions already enjoying satellite radio. If you have any problems with installation or are not mechanically inclined, you can always pay a professional to install the antenna for you.