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XM Satellite Antenna - Inside or Outside

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Marvinh, Jul 8, 2010.

  1. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

    Joined:
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    Location:
    NY - Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I just had XM Satellite radio installed. The Toyota instructions tell the tech to place the satellite antenna on the dashboard! I'm here to tell you that is wrong! I was getting lots of signal 'drop outs' (in the New York suburbs).

    I had to go back and have the antenna placed outside the car (pasted to the roof) with the wire leading in and now the reception is fine! No more drop outs. And I checked with XM. The antenna is weatherproof, and should be outside with a clear line of site to the sky.

    So this FYI that if you have XM satellite radio installed, be sure to request the antenna be placed on the outside of the vehicle.

    Marvinh
     
    #1 Marvinh, Jul 8, 2010
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
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    Other Hybrid
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    N/A
    Mine is inside, and I have NO dropouts, Of course I am located much further south than you are, and closer to the satellite orbit!
     
    #2 KK6PD, Jul 8, 2010
  3. Marvinh

    Marvinh Marvin

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2007
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    Location:
    NY - Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Yes. I did hear if you live further south, the inside antenna is less of a problem. Interesting!

    Marvinh
     
    #3 Marvinh, Jul 8, 2010
  4. pviebey

    pviebey New Member

    Joined:
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    If you have metallic tint, it'll block the signal. Found that out when I had a GPS installed in previous car, and got no satellites because of an inside antenna. Didn't even occur to the idiots who installed it (I figured it out and fixed it).
     
    #4 pviebey, Jul 8, 2010
  5. Joekc

    Joekc Member

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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I installed mine myself, hid all the wires, and installed it on the back of the roof. No dropouts. It was fine for the two years it was there, surviving all weathers. It was one of those very small antennas, hardly noticeable at all. I was thinking of hiding it under a shark fin, but I decided it was too much trouble.
     
    #5 Joekc, Jul 8, 2010
  6. epete

    epete Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2010
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    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I purchased the 2010 Prius II today. I asked the sales guy if there was already a Satellite Antenna installed. He said yes. Not sure if he was right or wrong. I suspect there is no satellite antenna installed and if it were is is built into the base of teh FM antenna because that is the only Antenna I see.

    It is true that teh Sattelite Antenna is designed to be installed outside on the roof and should be several inches away from the windo. It provides a reflective plane for the Satellite signal and the antenna was designed with that in mind. Dash mounting is not correct.
     
    #6 epete, Jul 31, 2010
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