I have wired my XM unit to the smb connection that is under the seat and have had this done for almost two months now. Previously, I was using the magnetic mount antenna until I was able to get the correct cables.

Has anybody noticed that the stock satellite antenna drops out more often than one that comes with an aftermarket unti like the mag mount. I lose signal a lot more often with it setup like this.

Possible issue with my install, but not sure how much of a difference it would make. I only purchased one of the cables, and it did not reach. I spliced the cable with the one from the antenna that came with the XM unit (yes, I did a nice solder job on it, not just taping them together) and insulated the connections. Do you think this might be causing the drop outs. I just want to hear other peoples experiences before I go and spend more money on a couple more cables just to have it perform exactly the same.

 

I used the after market magnetic mount. It sits right behind the factory antenna and the wire is completely hidden until it comes out at the cubby area. No drop outs whatsoever. It even plays in my garage. When I started hearing that you could tap into the mini connector I thought I might do that, but changed my mind when a couple of posters noted drop out. I'll just leave the after market antenna.

 

I back into my garage, I do loose signal. Other then that. I'm at 3 bars virtually all the time. Splicing cables can be tricky. Some cables are not meant to be soldered. Would you solder your cable wire in your home? This is virtually the same cable.

 

Generally I would not solder a tv cable, but that is mostly because I have so much of it and barrel plugs if I need to extend them. I have soldered tv cable before and it worked fine, but this is a much smaller version of that type of cable.

 

I have had a very similar experience. We first used our RoadyXT XM receiver with the magnetic mount & had much better signal strength & less dropped signals than when we had it professionally hard wired into the car using the rooftop antenna connection under the seat. We get very sporadic reception even since we brought the car from the pacific northwest down to the CA desert - I thought the lower latitude might improve the reception but it hasn't so far.

I'm trying to get my receiver checked out to make certain it is not the problem but I really think it is an antenna issue. Please post anything that you are able to find out or do to improve your situation and I will do the same.

 

I finally got all of my rattles fixed in my car and decided to move on to see if I could figure out why the reception using the satellite radio plug under the passenger seat was so bad.

I pulled everything apart including the antenna itself to see if there might be some kind of cover over the satelite receiver that might be impeding the signal and that mini would remove for the mini-Sirius system, but to no avail. Since I had the antenna taken apart anyway, I re-ran the antenna wire for the aftermarket antenna underneath the stock antenna and it makes for a very nice install. The increase in signal strength and decrease in drop outs has been very significant, and unless somebody finds a way to get better signal using the stock antenna, I will continue with it as is.

So, to all of thinking about using the stock antenna for XM (I cannot speak for Sirius) I would highly recommend against it.

 

I have had pretty good luck with mine. Only once have I had a drop out. Double canopy overhead in the Big Thicket area of Southeast Texas. As soon as I hit a gap in the trees it was fine.
I use a XM Sportscaster unit and I had a heck of a time getting the SMB cables to lock together. I would put them together, think they were locked, only to have them flop apart at the least little tug.

 

I've actually had better reception using the built-in antenna. My magnetic antenna would drop signal when passing under bridges and as soon as I pulled into my garage. The MINI antenna hasn't dropped signal, and it works in my garage. Maybe I just had a crappy magnetic antenna.

 

I'm using the OEM antenna for my Sposter 5. 3 bars virtually all the time, if I get around alot of trees maybe 2 or 1 bars. But dont loose reception. underpasses I have not lost reception either. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

My reception so far is tons better with the mag mount antenna. I may try again witht he connection under the seat with a better SMB cable to see if that works since I had to splice and solder mine, but that will have to wait until I have the time, money, and patience to do it.

With the mag mount, I only lose signal under overpasses if they are either very wide, or if I have to stop directly under them. I sometimes lose signal in really heavy trees or driving along the side of a cliff. With the one under the seat, I would lose signal under very slight tree cover.

 

I have had no problems whatsoever with the under seat connection. I did buy the 28" SMB antenna cable mentioned in another post, however.

 

I actually stuck the little antenna on the left side of my dash, and it works well. Where is everyone keeping their XM radio mount?

 

Mine is on the right side. I just got my right angle smb connector so I can attach the cable extension and plug into the factory antenna today. I will let you know if I notice any change in reception. For the last month using the magnetic/stick on antenna, reception has been fine (XM with Sportscaster)