Hidden GPS and Satellite antennae for Passion?

[dbarrans]

Has anyone tried putting GPS and/or satellite radio antennas on the underside of the roof just aft of the sunshade? Seems like there's enough room there, and they'd be invisible from outside. A couple audio installers told me they need to be outside, but I don't see how the roof would interfere unless the opaque part somehow shields the signal.

- dan

[MP3SMART]

Mine are in the inside of the car on the dash. One on the right, one on the left. Not having any reception problems. Proves that they don't have to be outside. Not sure about the underside of the roof though.

[Flashman]

The GPS antenna works fantastic where MP3SMART shows it, that is how I have it. However, I found my Sirius antenna not to receive so well inside the window (where MP3SMART has his), so after a day I moved it to the rear back of the roof. It was really easy as the cable has a natural feed on the OUTSIDE right from the passenger door, up the pillar, following the rain gutter, back towards the hatch.

[SunDiego]

My sirius antenna in in the little "niche" below/inside the hood where the left windwiper is if that makes sense. And my GPS antenna in located behind my AVIC D3 under the main radio cover, near where the Tach would mount.

[tigerwong58]

I placed mine between the 2 dash gauges, double stuck taped to the dash, reception is perfect.

[jwight]

XM antenna under the service flap - very easy to do, works great.

[Flashman]

Originally Posted by SunDiego

My sirius antenna in in the little "niche" below/inside the hood where the left windwiper is if that makes sense. And my GPS antenna in located behind my AVIC D3 under the main radio cover, near where the Tach would mount.

I thought about that, but Sirius has terrible coverage in Florida (smallest tree can sometimes affect it), so I put it on roof instead for maximum exposure. XM has much better pickup (plus local Orlando transmitters), but I prefer Sirius' channel selection and the fact that Sirius has a $495 lifetime membership (have that on all three cars).

[tigerwong58]

I put a picture of the antenna position in my gallery for you

[smartgpspro]

The GPS antennas can be placed under the radio mount bezel hidden and velcro mounted in place say on the air vent, then snap the bezel back in and its out of sight and works great with just about all current gps/nav systems.

The XM antenna. I had first placed it on the other vent under the bezel but found choppy reception going north. I'm in Miami Florida. Not acceptable, but impressed that it received reception without interruption traveling in other directions. Thought about moving it above the visors, but just under the roof so it only needs to see throught the plastic roof. However, there is not enough space to get the antenna between the metal safety frame and the roof. So I pulled off the rear wing/third brake light panel and ran the antenna inside that housing and it works 100%. So its hidden and only needs to see through the light plastic panel above it. Check evilutions site for instructions to remove that back panel and just fish the wire through the factory grommet used to run the wiper and brake light wires. Also used velcro to mount. If the antenna is Sirius, it may work in the same location, but havent had any customers to try with.

Sorry, but I didnt take any pics of that install.

Jeff
Total Auto Protection

[buellwinkle]

Originally Posted by jwight

XM antenna under the service flap - very easy to do, works great.

Great idea and the plastic panel won't affect it. In my MB I put it between the instrument cluster and dash pad and it worked find there, should even work better where you put it. Now I have to figure out where to my my Roady XT so it looks nice and professional, any ideas?