xm radio antenna location..?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriswessner @ Jan 18 2007, 10:17 PM) [snapback]377562[/snapback]</div>

I let mine magnetically attach to the center speaker housing. Seems to work well except when going on a steep downhill facing north such as in a mountainous area. XM works great in the Prius.

 

Mine is under a shark fin antenna on the roof in front of the rear wiper squirter. Reception is OK but I do get some interruption going under things. When I am on the freeways no problem at all.

 

I installed an integrated XM unit a few weeks ago. I figured I'd try the antenna on the dash next to the windshield, for two reasons: 1) to save me the trouble of routing the wire through the car, and 2) so as not to worry about the long term effect on the paint on the roof. So far, so good with reception. Once in a great while the signal drops out under bridges or adjacent to tall structures, but that's infrequent enough not to be bothersome. I'll probably leave it on the dash.

 

I recently had my local dealer install the optional XM radio in my 2007 Prius. The antenna sits on the passenger side dash, just under the windshield. So far, the reception has been great. It occasionally drops out -- in the garage, in between tall buildings, etc. Otherwise, I'm an XM radio fan and I know I'll enjoy having it in the car.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriswessner @ Jan 18 2007, 08:17 PM) [snapback]377562[/snapback]</div>

 

I installed a small sat antenna internally right UNDERNEATH the dash board near the driver side corner closest to the windshield glass. The reception is excellent without any signal dropout.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Yellowstone Prius @ Feb 20 2007, 10:57 PM) [snapback]393647[/snapback]</div>

 

Since there's a new update in this thread, I figured I'd update it too with a picture I took this past weekend:

 

http://priuschat.com/Fix-for-Sirius-Static-t20654.html


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriswessner @ Jan 20 2007, 06:21 PM) [snapback]378368[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriswessner @ Jan 18 2007, 11:17 PM) [snapback]377562[/snapback]</div>

Sirius most definately should be available in the Prius. The 2007 Prius advertising brochure available at any Toyota dealer lists both XM and Sirius as being available. I would point this out to the dealer OR just try another one. Drive long distance if you have to. Complain to Toyota directly at their US corporate office. They should not be advertising Sirius in their brochure if it can't be hooked up.

Sometime later this year I'm going to get Sirius installed in my '07. I asked my dealer and they said yes it can be installed, but went on to say most people get XM. I remember when I visited another dealer south of town, when I was still shopping around, I asked them and they said only XM was available. Funny how I got difference answers..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(local_host @ Mar 30 2007, 12:40 AM) [snapback]414726[/snapback]</div>

XM actually has high-wattage terrestrial repeaters in most urban areas, around 1000 of them. Here in Albuquerque, I actually started with my XM antenna in the center console! It worked ok depending on if my body was between the repeater and the antenna. So, up it went on the roof behind the stinger. For locations, see http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=616

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abq sfr @ Mar 30 2007, 11:55 AM) [snapback]414862[/snapback]</div>

Oh, no ... another forum to fritter away my time on!

I hadn't heard of this site before, so thanks for the link.

 

I had a 2007 XM Toyota dealer installed antenna located on the dash of the passenger's side. My reception was marginal at best (dropped signals at almost all overpasses.) I had other vehicles with XM and knew that the reception could have been much better. We discussed this with the service department at Toyota and were told this was the best that could be done.

We "rediscussed" this with the Toyota dealer general manager and he had it moved it to a roof mounted position just behind the whip antenna. The reception is now great.

My point is that contrary to some other posts, it can be moved by the dealership. It works great for us in this new location. Since the receiver- antenna connection is located next to the back passenger seat, it is actually easier for them to put it on the back part of the roof.

I had looked at replacing the antenna myself but the Pioneer labeled Toyota XM receiver box has some crazy connector plug that I could not use with my other XM antennas.

Hope this helps others deal with correctable poor XM reception issues.

bdh

 

Put it on the roof. Had mine installed by the dealer on my 08 back in March. First they put it up on the dash as per the Toyota instructions.. After trying it and having the signal cut out numerous times, I had them put it on the roof. Since then, it has worked very well.. Good Luck

 

Good for you for standing your ground. I think "can't" often is code for "we don't want to futz with it." It's more work to put it on the roof.

Which is why mine is still on the dash. After having it there for over a year, I know now when to expect reception problems. In my area, they are few and far between, and too infrequent to justify taking the time to reroute the cable through the car and to the roof.