Hijacking The Xm Radio Antenna
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 12-05-2005
Posts: 157
From: Nashville
I split the antenna to keep the XM intact. When I sell the car all I have to do is remove my Starmate and the XM preview still works. I won't have to be pulling wires out and tearing out the back panel again to hook the XM back up. It's already done.
You are correct on the crimping tool. I used a generic from Home Depot. (But then again, I'm not selling this product, I believe that's your job....)
jerij
You are correct on the crimping tool. I used a generic from Home Depot. (But then again, I'm not selling this product, I believe that's your job....)
jerij
New Member
Joined: 11-26-2006
Posts: 10
From: Warren, MI
Nice job!
That's some tricky work there, but there's one problem:
The XM antenna is designed to reject Sirius signals. See, the XM and Sirius bands are right next to each other, so there is some heavy filtering going on at the antenna's end to clear out competing signals. In satellite-only areas, this isn't a problem, however, when you get near a repeater (of which XM owns a TON) it's going to crush the Sirius signal.
You might notice some cutouts going under tunnels or through downtown areas, this isn't a loss of reception but the XM repeater signal nuking the filtered Sirius signal. To double check, throw a Sirius antenna on the roof, well away from the XM antenna so it won't shadow it, and drive the same stretch during the same time of day.
It works the other way around, Sirius antennas generally make lousy XM antennas. They probably work fine in the middle of nowhere, but once you hit an urban area with repeaters, it will start to go bonkers.
Just, you know, FYI :)
The XM antenna is designed to reject Sirius signals. See, the XM and Sirius bands are right next to each other, so there is some heavy filtering going on at the antenna's end to clear out competing signals. In satellite-only areas, this isn't a problem, however, when you get near a repeater (of which XM owns a TON) it's going to crush the Sirius signal.
You might notice some cutouts going under tunnels or through downtown areas, this isn't a loss of reception but the XM repeater signal nuking the filtered Sirius signal. To double check, throw a Sirius antenna on the roof, well away from the XM antenna so it won't shadow it, and drive the same stretch during the same time of day.
It works the other way around, Sirius antennas generally make lousy XM antennas. They probably work fine in the middle of nowhere, but once you hit an urban area with repeaters, it will start to go bonkers.
Just, you know, FYI :)
Senior Member
Joined: 09-12-2005
Posts: 317
From: Parkland (Tacoma), WA
Originally Posted by jbmcb
That's some tricky work there, but there's one problem:
The XM antenna is designed to reject Sirius signals. See, the XM and Sirius bands are right next to each other, so there is some heavy filtering going on at the antenna's end to clear out competing signals. In satellite-only areas, this isn't a problem, however, when you get near a repeater (of which XM owns a TON) it's going to crush the Sirius signal.
You might notice some cutouts going under tunnels or through downtown areas, this isn't a loss of reception but the XM repeater signal nuking the filtered Sirius signal. To double check, throw a Sirius antenna on the roof, well away from the XM antenna so it won't shadow it, and drive the same stretch during the same time of day.
It works the other way around, Sirius antennas generally make lousy XM antennas. They probably work fine in the middle of nowhere, but once you hit an urban area with repeaters, it will start to go bonkers.
Just, you know, FYI :)
The XM antenna is designed to reject Sirius signals. See, the XM and Sirius bands are right next to each other, so there is some heavy filtering going on at the antenna's end to clear out competing signals. In satellite-only areas, this isn't a problem, however, when you get near a repeater (of which XM owns a TON) it's going to crush the Sirius signal.
You might notice some cutouts going under tunnels or through downtown areas, this isn't a loss of reception but the XM repeater signal nuking the filtered Sirius signal. To double check, throw a Sirius antenna on the roof, well away from the XM antenna so it won't shadow it, and drive the same stretch during the same time of day.
It works the other way around, Sirius antennas generally make lousy XM antennas. They probably work fine in the middle of nowhere, but once you hit an urban area with repeaters, it will start to go bonkers.
Just, you know, FYI :)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 12-05-2005
Posts: 157
From: Nashville
jbmcb,
I live in Nashville and have both repeaters almost everywhere. I've had no problem with this setup for THIS car. It may occur however, with the Pontiac I'm about to do it to, though.
jerij
I live in Nashville and have both repeaters almost everywhere. I've had no problem with this setup for THIS car. It may occur however, with the Pontiac I'm about to do it to, though.
jerij
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-2006
Posts: 266
From: kankakee, IL
I believe there is a Sirius brainbox to replace the xm unit. I`ve heard of people replacing it and still using the factory head unit. try www.sirius.com or http://www.sirius.com/servlet/Conten...=1152812370950
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
If you were joking....you're closer to the truth than you realize.
According to the analysts, the 2 providers use different technologies and are not compatible. So the service itself probably would not become the same or one would not be eliminated. The thought regarding this (merging has been a rumor for a long time...both companies are losing "gobs" of money) is that one will buy the other and keep the separate services (anyone see a monopoly here) and maybe separate identities or optional levels...XM1 or XM2 (Sirrius), for example. And then diversify the programming so there is little duplication and each would have its own identity.
According to the analysts, the 2 providers use different technologies and are not compatible. So the service itself probably would not become the same or one would not be eliminated. The thought regarding this (merging has been a rumor for a long time...both companies are losing "gobs" of money) is that one will buy the other and keep the separate services (anyone see a monopoly here) and maybe separate identities or optional levels...XM1 or XM2 (Sirrius), for example. And then diversify the programming so there is little duplication and each would have its own identity.