Sirius radio antenna relocation

[Whiplash2130]

I have a 2017 F450 with a 2001 Fleetwood Elkhorn slide-in installed. I'm sure you guys have had the problem of blocking the Sirius antenna. I relocated to a new antenna mounted on the front grill and the top is about level with the hood. Antenna worked well until I was about 1/2 mile away, then it lost the signal. What am I doing wrong?

[F350_RR]

Beau Bo wrote:
I routed the antenna wire on the underside of my hood under the insulation to the top center of the hood at the front. I then installed a air/bug deflector across the hood front which hides the xm antenna puck but still allows the signal through. Works pretty good.

I think I will try that on my F350. At the moment the antenna is sitting on the plastic tray at the bottom of the windshield.
On the Jeep I glued it to the fiberglass roof and ran the lead thru the firewall and it works fine.

[Beau_Bo]

I routed the antenna wire on the underside of my hood under the insulation to the top center of the hood at the front. I then installed a air/bug deflector across the hood front which hides the xm antenna puck but still allows the signal through. Works pretty good.

[Whiplash2130]

JimK-NY wrote:
Mine is on the hood of the truck barely in front of the windshield. I almost always have reception.

Thanks

[JimK-NY]

Mine is on the hood of the truck barely in front of the windshield. I almost always have reception.

[Whiplash2130]

Freep wrote:
I relocated ours to the hood of the truck. It looks like a hood ornament.

It rarely loses signal in this location.

I also installed a second XM radio in the camper itself and mounted the antenna on the backside of the satellite dish.

Thanks I will try on the hood.

[Freep]

I relocated ours to the hood of the truck. It looks like a hood ornament.

It rarely loses signal in this location.

I also installed a second XM radio in the camper itself and mounted the antenna on the backside of the satellite dish.

[ndrorder]

Others have mentioned the need for a magnetic ground plane so the antenna would have to be mounted to something flat, horizontal and magnetic. I've used a blank switch junction box cover with success on an all plastic motorcycle. They've since started making antennas for motorcycles which don't need the ground plan and can be install a number of ways.

One example: https://www.amazon.com/Sirius-Satellite-Radio-Motorcycle-Antenna/dp/B002HTRELU

[Whiplash2130]

Can anyone post pictures of mounting atop a camper? Also routing inside the truck?

[Whiplash2130]

fpoole wrote:
I have it on the standard truck rooftop, it will cut out if driving North and NorthWest off and on, mostly off.

I have the magnet exterior antenna, just haven't mounted yet.
I plan on putting on the front of the hood, wired going under the hood, just haven't got the courage to rip out the glove box where it "Supposedly" is hiding, something about a special connection for the antenna too which I think I have, just haven't ripped it open yet..

But it will cut out when it breaks line of site with the satellite..

and yes, if you don't renew or sign up after the trial period, it's cut.
I didn't know that on my first truck, cut after a year, couldn't figure out what happened..

Hope that helps...



ps. would be nice if the campers had an option for a plug in antenna on the roof of camper pre wired through or along with the camper's umbilical cord..

Thanks - I plan on testing my front grill location about 6" higher

[HMS_Beagle]

I have that problem as well, though it is intermittent (with a fiberglass Bigfoot). You can cure it by driving only south. If driving north, turn around and use reverse.

As others have said the signal is line of sight from the satellite in equatorial synchronous orbit. The further north you go the more problems you will have.

[fpoole]

I have it on the standard truck rooftop, it will cut out if driving North and NorthWest off and on, mostly off.

I have the magnet exterior antenna, just haven't mounted yet.
I plan on putting on the front of the hood, wired going under the hood, just haven't got the courage to rip out the glove box where it "Supposedly" is hiding, something about a special connection for the antenna too which I think I have, just haven't ripped it open yet..

But it will cut out when it breaks line of site with the satellite..

and yes, if you don't renew or sign up after the trial period, it's cut.
I didn't know that on my first truck, cut after a year, couldn't figure out what happened..

Hope that helps...

ps. would be nice if the campers had an option for a plug in antenna on the roof of camper pre wired through or along with the camper's umbilical cord..

[Whiplash2130]

nickdarr wrote:
Sirius works off of a satellite. So, if the antenna view of the sky is blocked by anything, it cuts signal. Drive under a fuel island to test this. If your slide in blocks the antenna at the right angle, signal is gone. We put ours on the highest point on the truck. It can be put on anything and does not need to be grounded to work. I put a temporary bracket on top of our ladder and used the super double sided bonding tape to hold it place.

Good information, Thanks

[Whiplash2130]

nickdarr wrote:
Sirius works off of a satellite. So, if the antenna view of the sky is blocked by anything, it cuts signal. Drive under a fuel island to test this. If your slide in blocks the antenna at the right angle, signal is gone. We put ours on the highest point on the truck. It can be put on anything and does not need to be grounded to work. I put a temporary bracket on top of our ladder and used the super double sided bonding tape to hold it place.

No, subscription isn't the issue, the radio does work at times and is paid up for 18 months. Thanks

[Kayteg1]

If you did not pay for the service, the trial period on Sirus on new car last only 6 months.
I am not sure if actuall Roadside assistance guy will help you with Sirus, but since the truck talks to my phone, I can start it from 1/4 of mile, a simple phone call to service center should take shorter than starting forum topic?