Where are all of you mounting your satellite antennae? I read that someone on this sight mounted it on the rear strut bar. Can I do this even though I have 20% tint back there. I would hate to put anything on the beautiful curves of my Z's roof.

Thanks,

Sarg

 

the tint is no factor at all, its the actual placement of the antenna and having body panels surrounding it (except for one direction, up)

to get the best signal possible the antenna would have to be mounted outside of the car so that it has a clear signal 180 degrees

mounting it in the hatch would give it like 20 degrees of possible signal (probably a bit more because some signal can be caught through a car body panel)

it's just not a viable solution IMHO

my 07 touring came with XM (and im gona convert it to sirius) but when i do im going to use the stock mounting location for the xm antenna, which is this little painted fin on top the roof of the car

if you could get one of those at the nissan dealership and use it, that would be the best placement for it and it would look really clean

 

This has been brought up numerous times. And there are so many variables. Where you live may play a factor to your reception but I have no trouble with my XM Roady 2 with the antenna under the strut cover right in the center under the "Z". I also like the factory location in the dash that they use for the nav system. If I would have know about that when I installed mine I would have tried both places. There is no way I would put my antenna on the outside of the car. You have nothing to loose trying it inside just make sure it is attached to metal. Don't just throw it ON the dash or ON the strut cover and expect it to work. At the worst you will have to find a neat way to mount it outside. Good luck! You can't sit here and let us argue it for you - try it yourself. Many of us have good luck with inside and you might too.

 

Do you know 'where' in the dash? I don't have the Nav system. Is this location visible when taking off the center console?
Thanks

 

I mounted mine a week or two ago right underneath the plastic, in the rear strut brace.. and to the right.. I actually just plopped it right on top of the "dynamatted" area (since i previously dynamatted that whole brace), and on top of whatever magnet they provide with the antenna... again, all under the plastic. Reception is great here in nj.

 

Wow, that' be cool, out of site and under plastic even. I'm going to try it up front under the dash first since i have to take it apart for the new stereo install anyway. will report, stay tuned...

 

speaking of strut bars, how about the sheena easton song? how great of a song is that?

 

can't find the old post but if memory serves me correctly, it would be just above the 3 gauge cluster under the plastic dash piece. You "should" be able to get there easy when putting in a heaad unit I assume. Maybe someone else has a pic from the service manual - I am stuck in a hotel room on the road right now Can't remember if after taking off the center console if it opens up enough at the top to reach in there and put an antenna in the proper place.

 

But do you have a tinted rear window?

 

I have mine mounted on the center of the dash between the defroster vents.

 

I put my first one between the defogging vents at the base of the windshield, there's a small space there and a little velcro and badabing you're done.

My second (and current) one is under the right side plastic trim piece covering the rear strut bar. My Nav attena is under the left side. BOTH work fine.

 

No. No tint.

But since mine is not really "directly" connected to the metal brace, but is on top of the dynamat which is on top of the brace, maybe if you connect the receiver "directly" to the metal and w/tint, the signal might be even stronger and/or equal? My signal is right on, and I have'nt had any issues with location being off. I also spot-check it every once in a while and readout is always accurate, even relative to the direction the car is pointing!

btw, where is ur avatar from? it is such a weird, but funny-looking picture, haha..

 

I downloaded the video of the starburst commercial and grabbed some screen captures trimmed one with photoshop and viola, instant annoying avatar.

 

Tint makes absolutely no difference unless it is that kind that has metal flakes in it. Don't know what that is really but I've heard of it being used by members here. If you take a good walk around your car our back window is so flat and the strut bar is right in the middle of it so there is a decent view towards the sky for the antenna.
Attaching it to metal per the installation directions should make things much better. People not doing this and having the radio still work must live in areas with heavy satellite repeater coverage! In my area it will not work unless attached to metal.
SargentZ - have you had a chance to try it out yet??

 

Mine is mounted right where the front dash meets the windshield. It's directly in the center of the dash between the defroster vents, behind the cluster guages. Out of sight, out of mind, and the reception is awesome. My radio never cuts out on me.

 

+1. I only lose reception when I'm parked under an overpass.

 

+1, same here.