Forum Discussion

JC435's avatar
JC435
Explorer
Jan 16, 2014

XM Radio Antenna Placement

Just purchased a portable XM radio for my Class C. For those who have one, where have you placed the small magnetic antenna? Does anyone have theirs on the dash, and if so, does it work well there? Thanks.

14 Replies

  • We have a Sirius "receiver" in our toad that can be moved from mount to mount. When we got the B+ Trail-lite in 2012 I bought a mount for it on Amazon that I installed. Since the B+ had a fiberglass dome on over the cab there wasn't a place to readily put a magnetic antenna, so I bought a indoor outdoor antenna that matched our receiver. I just place it on the dash and it works well. Last summer on our Alaska trip it worked as far as Whitehorse YT if I remember correctly.
  • External XM Antenna

    I know you will be concerned about drilling a hole through the roof, I was. Remove the privacy curtain holder in the overhead bunk. A long 1/4 drill bit, drill a hole from the inside through the roof. I centered it. The antenna wire runs down through the hole is under the privacy curtain holder down the side of the bunk over the passenger door and into the dash. The antenna has 3 screws to hold it to the roof and then Dicor lap sealant the heck out of it. Viola! Took me about 45 minutes. I get full bars XM reception everywhere. Been from NH to the Keys. If you're worried about doing it yourself have a dealer/pro do it. It's well worth it. You'll be extremely disappointed if you try to use the stupid magnet antenna. I sure was.
    Good luck.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I had one on the dash in my F150 truck for ahile and did good except when I had to use the wiper blades. That would take out the signals if they were weak to start with.

    Roy Keb
  • Ours worked good on the dash on our migration route south bound BUT I have my doubts about north bound at end of March.

    Currently parked in Laughlin NV facing north and have the antenna on the east facing window, works good but we are stationary. Will be trying that location on first attempt facing north on the the north bound trek.