Hi, I have an MCS JCW on order, and just ordered the stock CD head unit as I'm planning to swap it (and speakers) out for some aftermarket stuff. Looking at some dealer websites, I noticed that MINI sells the OEM Sirius antenna and receiver separately (for relatively reasonable prices). I like the idea of using the OEM antenna, as it is integrated into the standard FM antenna base (i.e. replaces it), and wouldn't require a little black box stuck on the roof (like most satellite radio antennas). So, can I just order the OEM antenna (and maybe receiver if necessary), and hook it up to an aftermarket head unit (I'm thinking Alpine right now)?

Some links:
http://www.parts.com/partlocator/ind...tegoryID=75812
http://motoringfile.com/2006/01/31/o...r-install-pdf/

 

I think it will, but even so it has the old two-wire connector instead of the now common single wire, but there make adaptors for that.

 

Blammo,

Just as jwardell suggested, I think the OEM Sirius antenna will work fine (with adapter if necessary)... however I highly doubt the OEM reciever will work with anything but the OEM headunits.

 

Thanks... I was only thinking to get the OEM receiver if necessary. I'll probably try getting the OEM antenna once my MCS comes, then, as it should look nicer than your typical sat radio antenna. Install looks pretty tough, though (have to remove part of the headliner)... Anyone know any good places in LA to have this done (besides the MINI dealer)?

 

Is there anyone that has any more info on using the OE Mini Sirius antenna with the sirius starmate? The main issue as I understand it is that of getting an adaptor that would take the 2-wire leads from the OE antenna and route them to the 1-wire connector on the starmate.

I've looked on the web and found adaptors that will connect a 1-wire antenna to an older 2-wire receiver.

Does anyone know of an adaptor that does the opposite? Is there something that would prohibit it?

TIA

 

You can always just try one of the leads. I believe one goes to the sat antenna and the other to the terrestrial antenna, so it would technically work with one. A decent temporary solution.

 

Thanks for the reply. Sadly, that will not work. Two leads connect to the current antenna and then there are two wires for the Sirius antenna.

I'm currently considering opening up the OE Sirius antenna, yank the old style antenna from its guts, replacing it with the single lead antenna that came with my starmate. Just a thought...

 

Thanks for the reply. Sadly, that will not work. Two leads connect to the current antenna and then there are two wires for the Sirius antenna.

I'm currently considering opening up the OE Sirius antenna, yank the old style antenna from its guts, replacing it with the single lead antenna that came with my starmate. Just a thought...

 

That has been done before, too. Not incredibly easy but certainly possible.

 

I've just discovered something interesting--when I plug the blue lead of the two lead OE Sirius antenna into my starmate it works! The white lead does not. I don't know why the older style antennas had two leads nor why one of them works with the starmate, but I now know that it does.

BTW, I discovered this moments before I was going to try to open up the bulky OE Sirius. I had already removed the T9 torex screws. I was so convinced it wouldn't work that I hadn't tried it yet.

 

Yeah, that's like I said, in the old antennas one lead is for the terrestrial repeater antenna, the other is for the satellite antenna. Depending on where you are, one or both will have signal. You could plug in just the satellite lead, and you just wouldn't have signal where the satellite view is blocked like bridges and city buildings.
The newer antennas combine both signals into their one wire.

 

I also did a search, and can't find a "combiner" or whatever it's called that would combine the 2 antenna leads into one in order to input into the receiver. As the Alpine system I'm considering also has a single antenna input, it sounds like I'm in the same boat... may have to just stick on another Sirius antenna.

chrwilliams, you bought the Sirirus antenna for an 05-06 MINI, right? Just wondering if they updated to a single antenna line for the newer ones...

 

Hi jwardell, do you know where they sell adapters to combine the 2 antenna lines into a single one (for use with a single-input receiver)? I can find the opposite (i.e. splitters that split a single antenna line into two leads), but not the one you mentioned...

Thanks.

 

Hello a newbie here, so bear with me please. I just purchased my 2005 MINI
MCS this past saturday (love it). Ithink this thread will answer my question.
I installed my JVC ks rt-2000 plug n play sirius reciever in my car. installed the seperate antenna. I went to install a wired fm modulator relay, only to find out,the antenna connectionon my radio is differrent. It is actually the same as the one that came on the sirius antenna. so does this mean that my cars antenna is satallite ready. And i'm guessing from the previous threads
that they don't make what i'm looking for yet. Asplitter from the reciever to the radio.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=americonium

You can't use the oem because there is no recombining connector. You can put the aftermarket antenna inside the oem antenna housing.

 

No..and it might not exist. It would require some electronics to combine the signals, not just a wire adapter.

I do know, however, that someone gutted the OEM antenna and put a regular sirius antenna inside.