Hey, been debating XM install and wondering where people are putting the antenna. I live in Seattle so I don't believe installing the antenna inside the car is an option (we have a lot of hills and mountains).

I'm looking for anyone who has installed the antenna outside the car

 

I installed an XM system with external antenna recently. installed an antenna specialists "constellation" antenna. wide base but very low profile. installed it on top of the roof just forward of the hatch on a silverstone model. Just make sure that if you install it there, that you don't pinch the coax cables in the hinge of the hatch or with the hatch seals. It didn't look too bad, but i'm not so sure that's where i would have put mine. I'm thinking of installing a sony antenna in the front nose of the car. Hopefully it will work ok.

 

Have you seen this thread?

Looks like Dr Bonz setup is about as good as external. That's what I'd do.

 

Thanks for the plug MB!

3rd Power, I really wouldn't worry about reception with the antenna on the strut bar inside the car. There are a lot of hills here in PA too but they don't effect the signal at all. It just looks so much better inside the car. I'd hate to break up the lines of the car by putting it on the outside if I could help it. You could have the installer put it on the strut temporarily and drive it around town to test it. If you had any problems they could always put it outside since you haven't burned any bridges.

Good luck with whatever you go with. If you do put it outside, post some pics. I don't think anyone else has.

 

I have a Sirius system with the antenna on the rear strut bar. Live in Los Angeles, and have no reception problems when driving in hill areas.

 

I'm sure to get Dr Bonz's reception quality, you should Zaino the antenna once a week

 

True, but you have to be careful though. If the radio waves hit the Zaino-ed antenna at the wrong angle, they just slip right off and reflect into oblivion!