XM Radio
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City LA
Fanman2...
Do yoiu have to reall crank up the volume to hear the XM. When i listen the radio/cd player i barely have the volume up to 1/4, to hear the XM at the same volume level it is up around half. I have the XM radio head set at 8.
Do yoiu have to reall crank up the volume to hear the XM. When i listen the radio/cd player i barely have the volume up to 1/4, to hear the XM at the same volume level it is up around half. I have the XM radio head set at 8.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers
check out my pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/khitch710
I have the Delphi Unit with the Pro-fit mount...also antenna is on dash next to light sensor
I have the Delphi Unit with the Pro-fit mount...also antenna is on dash next to light sensor
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
LSUFX4.....
When I listen to the FM radio and CD's....I usually have my volume set at 3 to 4 vertical bars.....which in most cases is plenty loud.
When I listen to the XM radio.....some channels are OK at the 3 to 4 vertical bar volume setting.....but sometimes, and this depends on which channel I am listening to, I will turn the volume up to 5 or 6 vertical bars.....which is not even half volume, as the volume control will allow you to go up to 17 vertical bars!
And remember, I have the audio level output on the XM radio set at 8.
Fred
When I listen to the FM radio and CD's....I usually have my volume set at 3 to 4 vertical bars.....which in most cases is plenty loud.
When I listen to the XM radio.....some channels are OK at the 3 to 4 vertical bar volume setting.....but sometimes, and this depends on which channel I am listening to, I will turn the volume up to 5 or 6 vertical bars.....which is not even half volume, as the volume control will allow you to go up to 17 vertical bars!
And remember, I have the audio level output on the XM radio set at 8.
Fred
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Question for khitch
khitch710,
do you have any reception problems with your antenna mounted on the dash? also, how is it set on the dash (adhesive, velcro, etc). I'm trying to find an alternate to mounting the antenna on the roof.
thanks for any info
do you have any reception problems with your antenna mounted on the dash? also, how is it set on the dash (adhesive, velcro, etc). I'm trying to find an alternate to mounting the antenna on the roof.
thanks for any info
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
vtn98.....
I STRONGLY suggest that you do NOT mount your satellite radio antenna ANYWHERE INSIDE your truck.
The main reason for mounting it OUTSIDE on a HORIZONTAL, METAL surface is because the horizontal metal surface under the satellite radio antenna acts like a parabolic reflector for the antenna, much like that on a satellite "dish" TV antenna.....guaranteeing that you will always get the strongest, clearest signal possible.
And remember, DIGITAL signals are VERY DIFFERENT than ANALOG signals. A digital signal is very narrow and very precise, and is either there or not there.....PERIOD! Whereas, an analog signal is "tunable" and has a broader signal width, with more tolerance for inaccurate tuning.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Fred
I STRONGLY suggest that you do NOT mount your satellite radio antenna ANYWHERE INSIDE your truck.
The main reason for mounting it OUTSIDE on a HORIZONTAL, METAL surface is because the horizontal metal surface under the satellite radio antenna acts like a parabolic reflector for the antenna, much like that on a satellite "dish" TV antenna.....guaranteeing that you will always get the strongest, clearest signal possible.
And remember, DIGITAL signals are VERY DIFFERENT than ANALOG signals. A digital signal is very narrow and very precise, and is either there or not there.....PERIOD! Whereas, an analog signal is "tunable" and has a broader signal width, with more tolerance for inaccurate tuning.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Fred
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
fanman.
thanks, it makes more sense now. i knew there were line of sight issues already and wasn't sure if the truck body would block the signal.
guess i'll mount on the roof. any issues with painting the antenna? where would i get the paint to do it and match my truck (aspen green)? from the dealer (touch up paint)?
thanks, it makes more sense now. i knew there were line of sight issues already and wasn't sure if the truck body would block the signal.
guess i'll mount on the roof. any issues with painting the antenna? where would i get the paint to do it and match my truck (aspen green)? from the dealer (touch up paint)?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Ft Myers
Re: Question for khitch
Originally posted by vtn98
khitch710,
do you have any reception problems with your antenna mounted on the dash? also, how is it set on the dash (adhesive, velcro, etc). I'm trying to find an alternate to mounting the antenna on the roof.
thanks for any info
khitch710,
do you have any reception problems with your antenna mounted on the dash? also, how is it set on the dash (adhesive, velcro, etc). I'm trying to find an alternate to mounting the antenna on the roof.
thanks for any info
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
vtn98....
I would NOT paint the antenna. It is VERY small, and is a satin black color. If you mount it at the rear center of the roof, just in front of the high mount center brake light.....you will NOT be able to see it.....that is, UNLESS you are 6'5" tall like me....and I can just "barely" see it.....looking straight at the front of the truck.
Check out the pictures of my TERK "Commander" XM Satellite Radio installation in my gallery.
Hope this helps you out.
Fred
I would NOT paint the antenna. It is VERY small, and is a satin black color. If you mount it at the rear center of the roof, just in front of the high mount center brake light.....you will NOT be able to see it.....that is, UNLESS you are 6'5" tall like me....and I can just "barely" see it.....looking straight at the front of the truck.
Check out the pictures of my TERK "Commander" XM Satellite Radio installation in my gallery.
Hope this helps you out.
Fred
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
My XM
I haven't seen anyone else mention this, but I installed an Audiovox SRXM-001 in my 2004 Lariat. The very small unit is attached to the headliner just behind the map lights and before the moonroof. The antenna was routed along the rear window and exits at the cab light. The tuner is mounted behind the glove box.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Fl
I have just completed a trip just north of Pittsburg with no problems with my XM radio. My antena is mounted on the roof. The only place I had trouble is in WV when close to a mountain side. My wifes antenna is mounted inside the car on the rear shelf under the back window. Her's cuts out now and then in places where mine does not. XM recomends that you do not put the antena inside the car.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
fanman2,
Each time I see a commander Trek mounted in the ashtray I wanna run and get one RIGHT NOW! That's the coolest looking mount I've ever saw. I've tossed this idea of Xm around for a few weeks now and I'm leaning more and more towards getting it instead of adding the daystar and larger tires. Could you enlighten me on the hook-up part? I assume you have the "brain" box located in the center console area but didn't you have to hook into a "power" wire or something so the Xm unit would function like a factory feature and come on upon turning the ignition? I read your post about hooking up the antenna and how to route the wire for it, but didn't see anything about a power source.
Thanks
Each time I see a commander Trek mounted in the ashtray I wanna run and get one RIGHT NOW! That's the coolest looking mount I've ever saw. I've tossed this idea of Xm around for a few weeks now and I'm leaning more and more towards getting it instead of adding the daystar and larger tires. Could you enlighten me on the hook-up part? I assume you have the "brain" box located in the center console area but didn't you have to hook into a "power" wire or something so the Xm unit would function like a factory feature and come on upon turning the ignition? I read your post about hooking up the antenna and how to route the wire for it, but didn't see anything about a power source.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Ultramax21.....
Yes.....I mounted the "brain box"/power supply inside the very front center of the dash, just above the transmission hump, using some nylon wire ties wrapped around some existing cable bunches. It is rather small and light, so just about "anything you attach it to will be fine!
Tonight.....I will check the power wiring hookup notes I made when I installed my TERK "Commander" XM Satellite radio.....and will have an answer for you tomorrow morning.
Fred
Yes.....I mounted the "brain box"/power supply inside the very front center of the dash, just above the transmission hump, using some nylon wire ties wrapped around some existing cable bunches. It is rather small and light, so just about "anything you attach it to will be fine!
Tonight.....I will check the power wiring hookup notes I made when I installed my TERK "Commander" XM Satellite radio.....and will have an answer for you tomorrow morning.
Fred
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Spearchucker,
NO.....I didn't do anything "special" to maintain a watertight seal between the brake light lens and the roof.
There is a foam rubber compression weather seal between the lens and the roof. When you remove the lens, the seal will stay in the roof opening. Simply route the VERY tiny antenna wire across the front center of the lens seal, and remount the lens....tightening it securely.
I use a pressure washer to wash my truck.....and it has rained VERY HARD many times since I installed the XM radio.....and so far, I ahve NOT had ANY leaks of ANY kind.
Good luck with your install. And please don't hesitate to ask any other questions you might have regarding my XM installation.
Fred
NO.....I didn't do anything "special" to maintain a watertight seal between the brake light lens and the roof.
There is a foam rubber compression weather seal between the lens and the roof. When you remove the lens, the seal will stay in the roof opening. Simply route the VERY tiny antenna wire across the front center of the lens seal, and remount the lens....tightening it securely.
I use a pressure washer to wash my truck.....and it has rained VERY HARD many times since I installed the XM radio.....and so far, I ahve NOT had ANY leaks of ANY kind.
Good luck with your install. And please don't hesitate to ask any other questions you might have regarding my XM installation.
Fred