Well my first mod was debaging and a good search will show you how to do that. But on the same day I debaged, I also installed my S50. Here is how I installed it.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR008.jpg
This was the easiest place to install my antenna. I routed the wire inside the rear hatch molding.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR009.jpg
Once I reached the side, I routed the wire inside the plastic cover on the passengers side. I kept shoving the wire underneath the passengers side plastic until I reached the back of the center console.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR010.jpg
For power I installed the supplied DC plug into the rear receptacle. Then I hid the wire underneath the console until I reached the shifter area. Later on I will be hiding this contraption inside the center console. But for now it stays.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR013.jpg
All the wires were placed inside a loom and brought up to the receiver. I modified the bracket that came with the S50 and trimmed the rubber adhesive portion until if fit like I wanted too.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR015.jpg
The aux line is temporary until I install my aftermarket radio. But otherwise it was clean install in a small amount of time.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR019.jpg
My first install write up by the way.

Ng

Some notes on the S50:

* it's a different animal than other satellite receivers. I'm still trying to figure it out.

* It has to be turned off prior to starting your engine. If not, it will show a no antenna signal and will not connect.

* The aux line on the stock HHR works good but when you turn off the unit, you can hear some alternator whine.

* If your planning on buying the S50, wait a couple of months. There are some bugs with the system that need to be cleaned up. If you can deal with the little things, then buy it. I've been waiting for a contraption like this from Sirius for about a year now.

Later
Ng

Is the mount 3M or did you have to drill it in?

It's 3M and came with the kit. I didn't want to drill any holes so I'm glad it came with the mount that already had the adhesive.

Ng

There's always velcro

There's always velcro

That was what I was first going to use until I realized I could use the mount included in the S50.

Ng

Why did you use the rear cig light instead of the front?

To hide the wire better. :thumb:

Why did you use the rear cig light instead of the front?

To hide the wire better. :thumb:

Exactly. This will change later. I plan on splicing into the rear cig liter and putting the wire inside the center console. There's plenty of space in there. The problem is the S50 adapter reduces the volts from 12 to 5. So you just can't cut the wires and splice into 12 volts. The adapter has to stay intact. When I do it look for another install thread.

Ng

Have fun pulling apart that S50 cig adapter...they don't come apart easy ;)

I've done a few power hardwires with those...they are a pain in the ass to get open.

P.S.- that S50 mount sticks much better then velcro if it's applied properly

Well my first mod was debaging and a good search will show you how to do that. But on the same day I debaged, I also installed my S50. Here is how I installed it.

This was the easiest place to install my antenna. I routed the wire inside the rear hatch molding.


I can't believe you put your antenna on the roof. Ouch! It will scratch the paint. I feel like it is my fault for not giving you better info, sorry.

I dug around and found these two pics that show how to pull the IPC out.

http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/IPC_Trim.gif
http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/IPC_Remove.gif

Your ride looks good, the HHR really looks good in black. :bow:

Here is a general question, why do folks like to de-badge? :confused:

Here is a general question, why do folks like to de-badge? :confused:

Because it mystifies the HHR. :eek:

I can't believe you put your antenna on the roof. Ouch! It will scratch the paint. I feel like it is my fault for not giving you better info, sorry.

I dug around and found these two pics that show how to pull the IPC out.

http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/IPC_Trim.gif
http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/IPC_Remove.gif

Your ride looks good, the HHR really looks good in black. :bow:

Here is a general question, why do folks like to de-badge? :confused:

No harm, no foul. Actually I considered the behind the cluster idea, but decided with the roof. On my last vehicle I first installed the antenna on the dash. The reception was horrible in my area. It had a low signal and would cut off. I moved it from the dash to the roof and the signal was always full-strength.

I'm not really worried about scratches from the antenna because the antenna is not going to be moved. And I really didn't notice any on my previous vehicles. One thing I do is, when I wash, I lift the antenna up (it's magnetic) and make sure I get the dirt from underneath the antenna.

Ng

Just finished phase II of my Sirius S-50 install. I got rid of the power adapter hooked up to the rear cig lighter. And now my S-50 turns on and off with the ignition and I have a bypass switch that will leave it on for scheduled recordings. Here's how I did it:

1. I placed the S-50 power cord inside the center console using a spare cig lighter adapter that I had in the garage. I got power by splicing into the rear cig positive wire.

2. Using a Bosch type relay I spliced into the brown ignition wire for remote power. The relay is now grounding the S-50 whenever the ignition is on. The relay is also placed inside the center console (plenty of room).

3. I installed a 12V bypass switch that grounds the circuit whenever the switch is on. This allows me to leave the S-50 on whenever I want to keep recording. I drilled a hole on the center console, in front of the rear cup holder, and placed the switch there.

I'm really happy with the setup now. No more having to manually power it off and I have the option of leaving it on!

Ng

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/ng8650/HHR003.jpg
Tapped rear power outlet for 12+

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/ng8650/HHR004.jpg
Didn't want to tear up the stock S-50 power socket so I abused a cheap splitter that I bought at Wal-Mart...

I also changed my ignition source. Disconnected it from the brown ignition wire because it shut the unit off as soon as the key is in the off position. Added a add-a-fuse to #21 in the fuse box and now the S-50 shuts off when the key is out and the drivers door is open. Just like the stock stereo does.

Ng

Thanks Ng, with this threads help, Mr. B installed my Sirius Satellite antenna this evening. Well, so far, just the antena part! But it's a start! The hard wire power will be done later. For now the cig lighter power source works fine.
I did not order the OEM XM as I already have a Sirius system with Lifetime Subscription.

Thanks Ng, with this threads help, Mr. B installed my Sirius Satellite antenna this evening. Well, so far, just the antena part! But it's a start! The hard wire power will be done later. For now the cig lighter power source works fine.
I did not order the OEM XM as I already have a Sirius system with Lifetime Subscription.

Which receiver are you going to install in Casper?

Ng

I have this one: http://www.xactcommunication.com/itempics/12_thumb_larger.jpg

I'm all open for ideas on how and where to mount it. It has to be semi-perminate for the reciever unit as I also use it in my VW Bus.

Remember, I have a manual trans, so, I dont have the same room next to the shifter as you do for a mounting position.
I'm not too crazy about the suction cup to the windshied mounts.

I made a very similar installation using the Sirius Starmate. I don't think I'll ever listen to FM again. :thumb:

The suction cup flat out sux...You got me on this one since I'm not familiar with the manual setup. Someone should be able to come up with something. But yeah, stay away from that whole suction cup crap :thumbsdow

Ng

I made a very similar installation using the Sirius Starmate. I don't think I'll ever listen to FM again. :thumb:

I can't remember the last time I listened to FM in my HHR. I'm even considering shaving the stock antenna and not replacing it since I listen to Sirius 99.9% of the time. The .001% is for my Burnt CDs

Ng

I can't remember the last time I listened to FM in my HHR. I'm even considering shaving the stock antenna and not replacing it since I listen to Sirius 99.9% of the time. The .001% is for my Burnt CDs

Ng


Doesnt make any difference now if you lose a little reception with a stubby antenna. :lol:

thanks for letting me know to NOT use the suction cup ( i was gonna try that next )I came here looking for ideas after I installed my s-50 exactly how I wanted it and I had waited 32 hours for velcro to bond and it still fell off . I'm looking to try something anything else , but at least I wont waste time or money on a suction cup.


boston5602

For those of you who do not want the receiver next to the shifter, may want to try here...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/ng8650/Tokyo.jpg
This is a pic of a Tokyo's S-50 in his HHR. I haven't heard from him lately. The pic is dark, maybe if he reads this he can post one in daylight.

I'm guessing that he used the 3M adhesive pad that came with the unit and placed it along the passenger's side. I've got a co-worker that placed his in the same spot in his Sentra and it works very well.

Ng

http://www.sindydix.com/hhr/whiteanetanna.jpg

Nice! Casper strikes again :D Now the question of the day....Howz the reception? I've heard conflicting theories on painting the antenna. BTW mine is fine since my HHR is black.

Ng

oh no, I hadent thought of that. I guess I'll find out tomorrow! If it's bad, I'll swap it with the one on my VW Bus. I can strip the paint off and if it looks bad, it will be hidden but in the cargo storage on top on the Westy!

Painting the antenna is just fine. Won't affect reception one bit. There was a guy I knew at one time that made a living doing custom painted antennas for XM and Sirius.

And btw, the 3m mount doesn't stay for long. When I had my S50 in my HHR, that's what I used in the same location at Tokyo. It lasted until the first 85+ degree day then fell off. Just get a VSM mount instead and you'll be set. Same location, but a much more reliable mount.

Thanx for the info Joker. For those that don't know, Joker is a Mod at Sirius backstage forums website and knows his stuff when it comes to everything Sirius. Now what is VSM? :confused:

Ng

My painted antennas reception is fine! Wahoooo, MOD sucessful!

My painted antennas reception is fine! Wahoooo, MOD sucessful!

Cool...That proves that myth wrong!

HHR Mythbusters! :lol:

Ng

Now what is VSM? :confused:
Ng

Vehicle Specific Mount. :) Search the board for VSM and (I believe) SIRHHR has found that the Equinox VSM's fit the HHR just fine. I believe he was using his for iPod, but it would work very well for a Sirius PNP as well.

For those of you who do not want the receiver next to the shifter, may want to try here...
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/ng8650/Tokyo.jpg
This is a pic of a Tokyo's S-50 in his HHR. I haven't heard from him lately. The pic is dark, maybe if he reads this he can post one in daylight.

I'm guessing that he used the 3M adhesive pad that came with the unit and placed it along the passenger's side. I've got a co-worker that placed his in the same spot in his Sentra and it works very well.

Ng

on the sidenote...where is tokyo?

on the sidenote...where is tokyo?

Yeah he's almost ready to be put in the MIA thread :lol:

Ng

Vehicle Specific Mount. :) Search the board for VSM and (I believe) SIRHHR has found that the Equinox VSM's fit the HHR just fine. I believe he was using his for iPod, but it would work very well for a Sirius PNP as well.

All these abbreviations make me feel like I'm back in the USMC! :D...SRB, SOP, FMF, UDP...:eek:

Ng

All these abbreviations make me feel like I'm back in the USMC! :D...SRB, SOP, FMF, UDP...:eek:

Ng

Well then Semper Fi. :)