Got XM in, not as clear as a CD, normal?
#21
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Originally Posted by badhoopty
heres a pic with the hood closed, (its a ws6) you can see that it really isnt obstructed at all by the hood.
if i would get better reception by re-locating it inside the rear spoiler i might consider it although it would be a pretty big pain in the ***.
if i would get better reception by re-locating it inside the rear spoiler i might consider it although it would be a pretty big pain in the ***.
![Winky](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_wink.gif)
That wire mesh is blocking some signal.
Someone on here noted an improvement in signal by moving the antenna to a different spot. The best hidden spot I have found is in the spoiler (since its all plastic, if there is any metal in there, let me know). Its not a pain in the ***. Its quite easy actually. Check out my post above.
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I'm curious how the inside the spoiler is that great. My XM radio on my truck states that the antenna should be mounted on metal at least 2' x 2' square area for best reception. Are the Sirius antennas not magnetic mount? I want to put XM in the Camaro in the spring and am wondering where to mount the antenna. Does anyone make a through-glass antenna? I thought I read about one somewhere but haven't seen it again but I haven't searched that hard either.
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the only metal left on our cars are the rear quarter panels, and the stock Z28/V6 hood.
no one really wants it on the hood, and the quarter panels are two low/off angle. so your limited to place it on fiberglass, at that point look at where you can hide it.
no one really wants it on the hood, and the quarter panels are two low/off angle. so your limited to place it on fiberglass, at that point look at where you can hide it.
#24
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Originally Posted by GETGONE
I'm curious how the inside the spoiler is that great. My XM radio on my truck states that the antenna should be mounted on metal at least 2' x 2' square area for best reception. Are the Sirius antennas not magnetic mount? I want to put XM in the Camaro in the spring and am wondering where to mount the antenna. Does anyone make a through-glass antenna? I thought I read about one somewhere but haven't seen it again but I haven't searched that hard either.
Terk used to make a through-glass antenna.
I dont know if they still do or if anyone sells it.
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my sirius antenna is magnetic, but thats nothing a little velcro can't fix. through glass would be nice, but i ain't spending any more money on the damn stereo, all this extra weight needs more power now
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The only reason satellite radio antennas need a metal surface is for the magnetic mount to stick - it has nothing to do with reception. Since they are only receiving antennas they don't need a metal ground plane like a transmitting antenna does (CB, short wave, etc.). There's no reason you can't use velcro or two-sided tape to mount the antenna someplace where there is no metal. I have mine mounted with two-sided tape on the trim bar between the t-tops and it works well.
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
The only reason satellite radio antennas need a metal surface is for the magnetic mount to stick - it has nothing to do with reception. Since they are only receiving antennas they don't need a metal ground plane like a transmitting antenna does (CB, short wave, etc.). There's no reason you can't use velcro or two-sided tape to mount the antenna someplace where there is no metal. I have mine mounted with two-sided tape on the trim bar between the t-tops and it works well.
Um, that's not entirely true. Mounting the antenna to a metal surface, gives it a ground plane which helps reflect more of the microwave signal back toward the antenna. While this affect is small, it could help in areas where the received signal is marginal at best.
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Originally Posted by HiTechGent
Um, that's not entirely true. Mounting the antenna to a metal surface, gives it a ground plane which helps reflect more of the microwave signal back toward the antenna. While this affect is small, it could help in areas where the received signal is marginal at best.
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
Sorry, no. Ground planes are essentially meaningless for passive (receiving) antennas. They are only important for active (transmitting) attennas such as HAM or CB. A ground plane reflects radiated power not received signals.
#31
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Originally Posted by adillhoff
Back to what matters. Anyone have any problems with putting it under the spoiler?
https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachmen...chmentid=13633
(Reception there is better than it was when the antenna was attached to the child-seat anchor point.)
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Originally Posted by Martingale
Hi all. I just got XM in my car. It's nice but it's not as clean and clear as a CD. I know it's a satellite and all but I thought it was digital quality which I thought would have been really close to a CD. I can tell a clear difference in sound quality? Is this the case with XM? TIA
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Originally Posted by HiTechGent
There is no difference between transmitted or recieved signals except for the power level. RF is RF. While a ground plane is essential for an effective transmitter, it can help on the receiver end also. Like I said the effect is minimal, but there none the less.
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Originally Posted by badhoopty
i was kinda dissapointed when i first heard sirius in my car in regards to sound quality. i think some of it depends on the way that maybe certain songs are encoded? as sometimes i find the quality pretty good and other times it sounds like poopoo.
i mounted my antenna under the plastic windshield cowl. werks pretty good (but then again i'm in downtown chicago) and its mucho stealthy.
![](http://pics.montypics.com/badhoopty/2005-01-24/1106621790_p1080097.jpg)
i mounted my antenna under the plastic windshield cowl. werks pretty good (but then again i'm in downtown chicago) and its mucho stealthy.
![](http://pics.montypics.com/badhoopty/2005-01-24/1106621790_p1080097.jpg)
![](http://www.myonlineimages.com/Members/snootch/images/xm%20antenna1.jpg)
I thought the metal mesh inside the slots might be causing a "Faraday Cage" effect to the signal, so I moved the antenna as far as I could to the outside of the car, under the black plastic cowl. The signal quality is SO much better now. I saw this thread, and figured i'd throw my 2 cents in for anyone else reading this and contemplating a location for their antenna.
#36
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THANKS SNOOTCH!!
you saying you kept it in the same area (the cowl) but moved it up and out of the way of the mesh section? its been awhile since i had the cowl off, but i seem to recall in some spots it went quite a ways up the glass.
i really have nothing to compare my reception to, in the city dropouts are non-existent, but on cross country drives there are times where it will drop, come back, drop, etc or just flat out dissapear for a few minutes.
you saying you kept it in the same area (the cowl) but moved it up and out of the way of the mesh section? its been awhile since i had the cowl off, but i seem to recall in some spots it went quite a ways up the glass.
i really have nothing to compare my reception to, in the city dropouts are non-existent, but on cross country drives there are times where it will drop, come back, drop, etc or just flat out dissapear for a few minutes.
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Originally Posted by badhoopty
THANKS SNOOTCH!!
you saying you kept it in the same area (the cowl) but moved it up and out of the way of the mesh section? its been awhile since i had the cowl off, but i seem to recall in some spots it went quite a ways up the glass.
i really have nothing to compare my reception to, in the city dropouts are non-existent, but on cross country drives there are times where it will drop, come back, drop, etc or just flat out dissapear for a few minutes.
you saying you kept it in the same area (the cowl) but moved it up and out of the way of the mesh section? its been awhile since i had the cowl off, but i seem to recall in some spots it went quite a ways up the glass.
i really have nothing to compare my reception to, in the city dropouts are non-existent, but on cross country drives there are times where it will drop, come back, drop, etc or just flat out dissapear for a few minutes.
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