I have installed a new radio head unit in my 2006 R50, that also has factory navigation. I purchased the navigation interface from newministuff to retain the navigation voice through the new radio head unit. The new head unit also has satellite radio, which works with the antenna that came with it. I would prefer to hook into the factory antenna and keep the installation clean looking.

The factory antenna has three (3) antenna leads, black, blue, and purple. The black and blue are hooked up and run the radio and the navigation. I hooked the satellite antenna to the purple lead, but I cannot get a signal. Note: The purple lead that is under the passenger seat of 2007 -2012 models is what owners plug their satellite radios into.

Does the purple lead on my 2006 R50 support the satellite radio recption?

Do I need to remove the antenna and flip dip switches and/or jumpers to enable satellite radio reception?

Do I need to take it to the dealer to somehow enable satellite radio through programming?

 

Bump.

 

Wondering same thing - in my case recently picked up 2006 S with factory nav and HK.

 

Sorry to threadjack, did the navigation interface from newministuff work?

 

In the R50/R53, satellite radio was never standard like it was in some years of the 2nd gen. If the car didn't have the satellite radio option, it wouldn't have the antenna either. Here are antenna retrofit instructions: http://motoringfile.com/howto/sirius...na_install.pdf

 

Thanks this is extremely helpful. These instructions are for cars without NAV - is there an option for cars with NAV?

 

The Newministuff Navigation Interface works great. I was provided their second generation kit, that was made by an electronics firm in Denmark. This newer kit allows you to select the right, left, or both speakers in the front, as well as volume.

I purchased a SiriusXM V200 Connect Vehicle Tuner, that was compatible with the new radio. The specifications state that this tuner is for "XM Network Only". I had to use the antenna supplied with the kit, in order to get reception.

The 2002 - 2006 Mini's were set up to support Sirius Satellite Radio. Before Sirius and XM merged, their radio frequencies were different and not compatible. This is probably why I could not get the factory installed antenna to work.

 

GPS antennas won't receive SDARS. Just because they are both in space doesn't make them the same frequency. GPS is 1.56GHz and SDARS is 2.3GHz.

 

I'm assuming that you installed an aftermarket headunit and want to connect a satellite antenna to it. Since your car doesn't have the OEM satellite antenna, you have to add one and you may as well get an aftermarket antenna. The manufacturer of your headunit may recommend or offer one.