Sirius Antenna In Spoiler?

1084 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Kevin6s, Nov 19, 2006

Spaceteach

Discussion Starter · Nov 19, 2006

I have an '06 6i four door with the Mazda rear spoiler and I want to install the factory accessory Sirius radio. I've been trying to come up with an antenna location that doesn't look tacked on, and it looks like one could be installed inside the spoiler. I taped an XM antenna under the spoiler and checked the signal strength and it looked like reception would not be a problem. Have any of you have tried locating the Sirius antenna in the spoiler? If you have, could you answer a couple of questions?

Is the antenna wiring long enough to reach the Sirius module (if the module is installed in the location called out in the installation instructions).

Will the antenna cable fit in the wiring bundle cover that runs from the trunk lid into the left rear quarter panel?

By the way, I know there are other ways to get satellite radio and that I could just install a plug and play receiver, but I want the cleanest and most integrated installation possible. For me, the factory system seems to be the best solution.

Thanks
Bob

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brightwhite

· #2 · Nov 19, 2006

Why not get the VG Sharkfin and hide it under there?

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bfischer

· #3 · Nov 19, 2006

He would not have to drop his headliner is one reason... Another is that with the sharkfin your terrestrial radio signal is reduced. People have checked signal strength through the radio before and after and it is definitely reduced - that is what kept me from switching to sharkfin and the idea of dropping the headliner kept me from considering moving my sat antenna up there.

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Spaceteach

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 19, 2006

Why not get the VG Sharkfin and hide it under there?
[/b]

I don't want to add anything to the outside of the car. I kind of like the factory styling. I know a lot of people like the looks of the Sharkfin, but the fin just looks like something that was stuck on the car to me and I'd rather avoid it. If the spoiler location will work, I won't have to drill any holes, and the spoiler is already installed and it's color matched with factory paint. This isn't a knock on anyone with a Sharkfin, it's just my personal preference.

Thanks for the reply,
Bob

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Kevin6s

· #5 · Nov 19, 2006

I've heard of people doing this with other cars and not having a significant drop in signal quality.

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DennisW

· #6 · Nov 19, 2006

He would not have to drop his headliner is one reason... Another is that with the sharkfin your terrestrial radio signal is reduced. People have checked signal strength through the radio before and after and it is definitely reduced - that is what kept me from switching to sharkfin and the idea of dropping the headliner kept me from considering moving my sat antenna up there. [/b]

the headliner is quite easy to drop in all honesty. and yes, the sharkfin does reduce regular radio reception a bit, but it all depends on where you live as to how much it affects you. if you're close to a large city with several strong stations you'll never notice the difference unless you measure it with a signal strength meter. If you're out in the boonies and far away from most radio transmitters you're going to notice it more.

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Kevin6s

· #7 · Nov 19, 2006

Found it for you: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71195

Search the site, I think others have copied.

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Spaceteach

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 19, 2006

Found it for you: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71195

Search the site, I think others have copied.
[/b]

Kevin6s,

Thanks for the link! Since my spoiler is arched, I'd have to place the antenna inside the spoiler instead of just under it. I should be able to get inside just by removing the brake light fixture. I just need to know if the antenna cable is long enough to route it this way and if the connector on the antenna wire will pass through the existing wiring holes and covers. I'll try your suggestion and try searching the site.

Thanks again,
Bob

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bfischer

· #9 · Nov 19, 2006

the headliner is quite easy to drop in all honesty. and yes, the sharkfin does reduce regular radio reception a bit, but it all depends on where you live as to how much it affects you. if you're close to a large city with several strong stations you'll never notice the difference unless you measure it with a signal strength meter. If you're out in the boonies and far away from most radio transmitters you're going to notice it more.
[/b]

Some people listen to college stations instead of the highpower-transmitter ClearChannel crap. If it works for you, fine, someone asked why not go that way and I offered reasons why I did not.

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Kevin6s

· #10 · Nov 19, 2006

Kevin6s,

Thanks for the link! Since my spoiler is arched, I'd have to place the antenna inside the spoiler instead of just under it. I should be able to get inside just by removing the brake light fixture. I just need to know if the antenna cable is long enough to route it this way and if the connector on the antenna wire will pass through the existing wiring holes and covers. I'll try your suggestion and try searching the site.

Thanks again,
Bob
[/b]

If the length is similar to that of the PNPs then you should have no issues. Mine is on the roof, down the glass, into the trunk, behind the back seat, along the passenger side, under the passenger seat and out near the cup holders and there's maybe 1 foot of slack. It wasn't the most direct route but I feared snaking under the carpet of the drivers seat so I did my best to avoid it. If you were to do a similar route coming from the spoiler, you should have no problem reaching the head unit. You'll probably save 2-3 feet from not having to route it around the glass, and another 2-3 feet for not having to go from the drivers side to the passenger side like I did.

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