7
Installing a Satellite Radio Antenna
The antenna is a vital element of your satellite radio setup; without it, you can’t
receive the signal. The best place to mount the antenna is on the roof of your
vehicle, as far from obstructions (such as roof racks) as possible. This will ensure
the best possible signal reception and reduce instances of signal dropout.
Most new satellite radio antennas feature magnetic bases which secure tightly to
your vehicle’s roof. Some also incorporate self-adhesive pads, but these are not as
easy to remove and are generally not used unless the installation is, without a doubt,
permanent.
The biggest challenge is running the antenna cable into the vehicle, and strategies
for doing so vary depending on the type of vehicle in which you’re installing the
system.
Passenger cars
The most common strategy is to mount the
antenna on the roof, then run the cable under the
weather-stripping around the back window. This
often allows you to run the cable into the trunk
without exposing it. From there, you can run the
cable along with the existing wires into the cab of
the vehicle, all the way to the tuner box. You might
have to remove some trim paneling and pull up
some of your vehicle’s carpet in order to run the
cable unseen to the tuner box.
Pickup trucks
The most popular option is to mount the antenna on
the roof, remove the third brake light (or bed light),
route the antenna cable into the vehicle through this
opening, then replace the light. In a few cases, this
might require extensive panel removal in the truck
in order to get the cable to the tuner box, but it
provides an excellent, water-tight option.
SUVs
SUVs offer perhaps the easiest antenna solution.
With the tailgate open, the cable can be run
underneath the weather stripping, then under the
carpet all the way to the tuner box.
For a visual overview of these processes, be sure
to check out CrutchfieldAdvisor.com’s satellite radio
installation video. It’ll give you a good idea of the
work that goes into installing an antenna in various
types of vehicles.
Installing A Satellite Radio Antenna
000SRADIG
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Copyright 2005 Crutchfield Corporation
