I have a cab over camper on my crew cab F350. When I have it on the truck, I loose XM reception. Is there an extended antenna that you could install to connect to a ford radio?

There are lots of XM antennas available out there. Depends if you can access the back of your radio to plug them in.Start Here......XM Antenna Link

I think the OP just might hold the record for "new" member status. He or she joined 14 years ago.

Can't wait to hear a fairly simple approach that works. The only one that ever sort of worked for me was a magnetic antenna on the hood. That worked prett well unless I was heading North. I've given up and just use iTunes on my phone through the radio now.

Basically the postage stamp sized antenna pods used for XM and GPS need a clear, visual line of sight "view" to the satellites for a connection. The vehicle manufacturers typically hide them under the dash (on top of the metal part of the dash) which gives pretty good reception for satellites in front and directly overhead, but the cab tends to mask the satellites behind you. When you load something like a camper with a front overhang you mask them even more. What's worse for XM is there are fewer satellites to receive from, although GPS has the problem of needing multiple satellites to provide a good fix.The solution, as others have pointed out, is to get another antenna and place it where the masking will be minimal. Unfortunately for the person with a camper that will probably mean putting the antenna on top of the camper. That's a hassle when you remove the camper because it means having to connect/reconnect the antenna to the radio under the dash. I guess you could bring the connection out to a convenient spot under the dash using an extension cable making it simpler to switch between two different antennas - the one on the truck and the one on the camper.My Class B had both XM and GPS antennas under the dash and I would get dropouts depending on where I was, what direction I was traveling and time of day (GPS satellites change position as they orbit). My "solution" was to move them from under the dash and place them on top as close to the front of the vehicle as possible. It's not perfect but it helped a lot. Of course I now have two little postage stamp antennas on top of the dash.Oh, lesson learned on the XM antenna connection. It is an RCA type connection which is a push on connection held in place with friction. Mine jiggled loose on a long trip and I lost all my XM radio. When I found the problem and reconnected it I sealed the connection with electrical rubber glue.

I picked one up at Best Buy. Its a magnetic pod that I secure to the front of the hood when the TC is on. When not in use I attach it under the hood and out of the way. Only use it when the TC is loaded. Otherwise Im back to the factory antenna.

XM Radio | Good Sam Community

ab257
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
When we drive out west from PA I put my magnetic antenna on the driver's side of the hood, when driving back east I move it to the passenger side. Seems to help.
fpoole
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
I'm looking for one too, but not sure where to look for them.

Sirius only has some reconditioned one, probably the best value, but don't want to take the chance and Amazon has several but not sure which ones are the best.

I went to Car Toys to see what they had, just a small 1" square one, didn't look like the other larger pods I've seen, so discounted it. Also, apparently it takes a special "FAKRA Connection"?? but the amazon doesn't have it.

Factory installed radio/siriusXM, got it with the truck new.

Looking at this one:

(Arrrrggghhh... switching to Advance post... PITA)

So names? links?
Would be helpful..

Here's the one I usually see, from Crutchfelds

(Update)
enh???
I just ordered the square one with adapter just in case...
thanks...
flht_db
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015
cubbear wrote:
on my 2015 F350 XM plug down by steering column I bought extra antenna & plugin from ford and mounted in front of windshield on drivers side works great. there is article somewhere that shows exactly what to do

Did this also, permanently moved connection to new antenna on cowl in front of windshield. Works great with camper on or off the truck.

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