how does the XM antenna work?

**BigWaylon** · 04-02-2005, 06:47 AM

I'm not getting the service out of XM I expected...

but, I "might" know why...does anybody know if the antenna uses the metal it attaches to as a ground plane (or something)?

reason I ask, is mine is stuck on my sound bar...but not under the fabric...it was strong enough to hold in place, so I didn't worrry about it (I had my hard top on when I installed it, and couldn't get the zipper undone to slide it inside the padding)...

would I gain by actually having it flush on the metal?

Greg

99TJSport · 04-04-2005, 08:56 AM

I will work better attached directly to the metal. The metal underneath when stuck to it helps create a ground plane and attracts thesignal better. I got this info from the forums @ www.xm411.com as those guys know their stuff. I have mine under the roll bar padding, stuck to the roll bar itself and I get great reception. What I did was take the roll bar pad and cut out a small square in the foam for the antenna to sit in. That way it cleared my hardtop better and I didn't get as big a bulge in the cover as before. HTH

NativeTexan · 04-05-2005, 04:40 PM

I did the same thing with my SIRIUS setup. It does ground on the metal. If you decide to dump XM for SIRIUS let me know....I work for SIRIUS.

JeepCrazyKid · 04-05-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NativeTexan

I did the same thing with my SIRIUS setup. It does ground on the metal. If you decide to dump XM for SIRIUS let me know....I work for SIRIUS.

No one is dumping XM until 2007 when Nascar goes to Sirius (if they're still in business by then). Sorry.

**BigWaylon** · 04-05-2005, 07:34 PM

as an FYI...I also posted the question on the forums at Blitzsafe (the company that actually makes a lot of the adapters, the Universal Tuners, and other items)...

here was their answer:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlitzSafe

The antenna that comes with the XM Direct tuner does in fact need a ground plane to optomize reception. The antenna we offer does not need a ground plane. I have my antenna on my dash and I get great reception. I do not have stock on the antenna that we sell right now.

I'm gonna move it in the next week or so...and will be back in the woods in a couple weeks to see if the reception changes...

Greg