sirius satellite install... with a couple pics

[Po' Riggity]

This isn't your typical sirius install... I bought the unit that can be plugged into a boombox, specifically for work. Being a fed ex driver, and not having a radio in my truck, means Im allowed to bring a boom box to work, so I have some tunes to listen to while driving my route. That being said, here are a couple pics of my install... First, the car docking kit and reciever mounting spot. This was the flattest spot on the dash, and although its far from my reach, its the most visual appealing spot on the dash that I could find... and Ive got a remote, so it wasn't really a concern. I should also mention that there are plans to re-route the power cord so that it doesn't look so sloppy. . but its got to plug into the cigarette lighter, so thats the way its gonna be for now, till I figure something else out. I bought the audiovox unit, and the car dock has the built in FM modulator. All that was required for install was the power cord, and running the antenna wire from the roof, through the third brake light, under the headliner, through the door seals, and down to the dash. . then I plugged it in to the back of the docking kit... I then snapped the actual reciever into the dock, and wala. . it worked. . I can get more pics if necessary. . total install took about 45 minutes, and we were going slow, took the dash apart, thinking we'd need to get to the back of my stock stereo, when in fact we didn't. I know, without a doubt, that we could do the same install in 20 minutes now... and we're planning to, in my brothers scion Xb when his stuff gets here...

On to the pics:

reciever setup

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Antenna on the roof:

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One wierd thing. . I installed it, fully expecting it not to work yet, because I hadn't paid for the service, but we turned it on, and it worked. . and its still working. . and Im getting all the stations. . Im not sure what to do about that... .



Scott

 

[HBarlow]

After you use it awhile will you post your impressions of performance factors like sound and reception quality? Posts written by others have indicated that performance of the plug in systems was not considered as good as hard-wired or factory installed units.



If performance of the unit you bought is acceptable it would seem to be an inexpensive and easy way to install satellite radio in an older truck like mine.



Harvey

 

[VStahl]

I installed a similar type of unit, except it is an xm. It has the same plug in type of concept as your sirius Po' Riggity. I did the routing of the antenna the same as you but then I mounted the unit in a different spot. I popped the cigarette lighter out of the dash, and remounted it in an existing hole underneath or behind the dash (directly behind the lighter hole was another hole that the lighter fit well into, so now my lighter is still in stock shape just not in stock location) I then ran the powercord for the unit throught he hole were the lighter was originally and plugged it straight into the lighter that is now hiding behind the dash. I then mounted my unit over that location. It is close and convenient, though I too have a remote. There is plenty of room, I have a standard transmission and the throw of the shifter is no were near hitting the unit, I do not know if this mounting location would work for an automatic and if you are a smoker hiding your lighter as I did may not be an option. But I thought I would shoot you the idea.

 

[klenger]

I have that same unit installed in my camper and also use it at home. Both are direct connect. Works good and displays all music info on the screen. I have the Dodge OEM Sirius in my truck.

 

[Matt400]

With that unit a good match would be this mount:

http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/Adobe/DG-70-02.pdf



It has the same pattern on the back as your unit.

 

[EarlKann]

After you use it awhile will you post your impressions of performance factors like sound and reception quality? Posts written by others have indicated that performance of the plug in systems was not considered as good as hard-wired or factory installed units.



If performance of the unit you bought is acceptable it would seem to be an inexpensive and easy way to install satellite radio in an older truck like mine.



Harvey

Scott,



I'm interested in your thoughs on its performance as well. I'm just down the ridge from you in Running Springs. Been thinking of getting Sirius unit like yours for the truck/house, but I've heard the reception is line of sight and may be interrupted by the trees. Let us know what you think.

 

[Po' Riggity]

Earl, We'll have to meet up for the meeting of the CTD's up there on the hill. . as far as reception of this unit. . it works fairly decent in the mountains, with the exception of heavily wooded streets. It doesn't like the blockage of the trees, but I am fairly impressed with its abilities up here in the Mtn's.

Scott

 

[Matt400]

I've heard the reception is line of sight and may be interrupted by the trees.

Thats true so in the trees you will find its best to have the antenna on the roof.

What is the elevation at Running Springs? I don't know where that is. I use my Sirius between Murphys and Arnold.



Arnold is 4000 feet and is close to Big Tree's State Park so some drop outs are noticed but is still far better than the commercials and static of FM.

 

[klenger]

My OEM Sirius works in my gargage, so trees should not be too much of a problem.

 

[Matt400]

Tucson is a pretty big place, bound to be some Terrestrial signal in that area helping out.

Next time your in the garage switch over to the signal display and see how much is SAT and how much is TERR

 

[klenger]

No terrrestrial signal around here that I have been able to detect. In any case, it works well and I am glad to have it.

 

[Po' Riggity]

Matt,

Running springs, is about a 56-5700 foot elevation in most places. . The air's thin up here

Scott

 

[EarlKann]

Earl, We'll have to meet up for the meeting of the CTD's up there on the hill. . as far as reception of this unit. . it works fairly decent in the mountains, with the exception of heavily wooded streets. It doesn't like the blockage of the trees, but I am fairly impressed with its abilities up here in the Mtn's.

Scott

Sounds good to me. I still haven't done the work on my CTD conversion (83 Crew) but it should get going in the next few weeks.



I'm going to go ahead and get the Sirius as soon as $$$ allow. I'll just have to find a place to put it at home where it gets reception. I'm mostly interested in the NFL and don't want to have to sit in my truck to listen to the games.



Matt, Running Springs is at 6,000ft in the San Bernardino mtns.

Guess I'll give the pic thing a try, if it works you can see the trees around/over my house.

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[JeepinDoug]

Nice write-up Scott, are you still gettin free service?



I added the factory Sirius. There are two downsides, first and foremost the bass quality is just not there as compared to FM radio.

The second downfall, Sirius wants another $7 a month if I want another receiver for portable listening. I would have been bettter off to install the plugnplay from the start.

 

[DocDetonancour]

My son got us the Sirius Sportster SP-TK1 for x-mas. The box says "wireless connectivity"? Is this a good unit and what is it going to take to put it in the CTD? Thanks, Doc

 

[IC Smoke]

I just bought and installed the Sirius XACT lastnigt (late) and today while heading to work i noticed static but if im to put my hand ontop of the reciever it clears up, any ideas??? ive changed the channel and messed with some settings and still the same





Ian

 

[Matt400]

The box says "wireless connectivity"?

That means you will select a channel on your OE deck that has no signal ( station playing), then program your Sporster to transmit to that channel. When your radio is on that channel your Sporster will work. The Sporster is a real nice unit with 35 selectable channels to find one that is free on your radio.

what is it going to take to put it in the CTD?

Well Doc since you asked...



Here is how I would do the Sportster install:



The Sporster car docking cradle has the industry wide AMPS mounting pattern which is the same for cell phone mounts. This means you can purchase the DG-70-02 mount from Pro-Fit. To view the pdf file click here



Install the mount, bolt the car cradle to it, run your antenna wire, power feed and your done!



I have an older PnP- the Streamer which is larger and in that location looks like this:





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The antenna I placed on the roof and ran the wire through the 3rd brake lamp and it looks like this:

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A keyed power source is best so the unit comes on and off with the ignition key same as your radio. You will find that the volume control on your factory radio is the only knob you will use on it anymore.



A neat way to do the power and ground would be to get an aux power socket from an auto parts store and mount it either under or behind the radio panel that you pull off for the Pro-Fit bracket. Power it up by splicing into the power and ground wires from your cig lighter. If you do it this way you can just plug in the Sporsters plug "retaining the internal fuse it has" for protection and the wires will tuck out of sight.



I ran my antenna cable down the right side of the truck on the bottom.

Have fun…your gonna be hooked on Satellite.

 

[Matt400]

Matt, Running Springs is at 6,000ft in the San Bernardino mtns.

Guess I'll give the pic thing a try

Great pic, looks kinda like our area. Here is a pic at 3800 feet heading into an area that I get drop outs:



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If the Satellite is not directly above, the trees will shield reception but its not too bad. Up the road at 4000 feet where I work I have a home doc that is connected to a cheap boom box so I have the antenna pointed right at a spot where I never get a drop.

 

[Matt400]

while heading to work i noticed static but if im to put my hand ontop of the reciever it clears up, any ideas???Ian

Hey Ian,

My wifes JVC was doing the same thing, I fixed it by doing a direct wire connection but your XACT doesn't support that so the best you can do is to hunt down a better station on your radio to program the XACT to.



The good news is that your unit has 100 different channels to choose from so you can find a good clear one on your factory radio to use and then set the XACT to it.

 

[IC Smoke]

Thanks Matt! I dont know if youre familiar with the mounting of the XACT but Ive got a 01 and the "cubby hole" (i dont know what else you would call it) is where i mounted mine, (by taking a piece of aluminum attaching it to the bottom of the cubby hole and having the base stick out) well Its like a bobble head it shakes so much! and its kinda hard to read when your driving down the road! any ideas???



Thanks