XM Remote Antenna?

[rrl989]

My XM doesn't work well when I block the antenna with my camper. I see that I can by a remote antenna to relocate.
Is the OEM antenna disconnect point accessible without removing the 8.4 radio, is there a simple disconnect somewhere
under the dash?

 

[gsbrockman]

I've viewed a few threads elsewhere where members have installed the LOCKPICK and the radio removal does not appear to be all that difficult IMO. I'll just about bet the radio will need to be pulled in order to connect a remotely located antenna.

 

[MattandLana]

Hi rr.
Never done it myself, but the attached pdf gives very detailed (and helpful-sounding) guidance on relocating the antenna: http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/docs/cc/dddpsrca.pdf.
Connector locations, tips on cable length and routing, weatherproofing, etc etc.
Post back to tell us how you got on.

 

[gsbrockman]

Excellent link !!!

 

[RikDavis]

Interesting site. PDF would only show blank pages with Firefox for some reason but works perfectly in IE (which I usually don't use)

 

[MJWenrich]

Well dad gum it. Ram is going to force me to go back to school and learn metrics. Guess it's about time since most of the world uses that system. Just one more example that the products we use are not made in the USA. I too plan to put a camper on but after reading this link, unless the radio access is easier than the headliner removal I just did for the cab lights, "silence will be golden".

 

[rrl989]

Hi rr.
Never done it myself, but the attached pdf gives very detailed (and helpful-sounding) guidance on relocating the antenna: http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/docs/cc/dddpsrca.pdf.
Connector locations, tips on cable length and routing, weatherproofing, etc etc.
Post back to tell us how you got on.

Thank you for the PDF, and others that replied as well. Looks like I can get access for a add on antenna at the PS foot well connector..
Maybe I can just connect there and leave the roof fin antenna connected too. Dual antennas? would be nice as I only have a
problem with the roof ant. when the truck camper is loaded.

 

[MattandLana]

Maybe I can just connect there and leave the roof fin antenna connected too.

That would be my thought. Reduces the risk/cost/hassle of having to find a weatherproofing solution for the holes under the OEM one.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Well dad gum it. Ram is going to force me to go back to school and learn metrics. Guess it's about time since most of the world uses that system. Just one more example that the products we use are not made in the USA.

Gradually going to the metric system was originally done by USA manufacturers to make it easier to export their products to the rest of the world. Except for a few holdouts, the world is universally on the metric system. It's tough on old minds to make the change. When working on equipment, I can look at a fastener using the US system and grab the correct size tool, but when they are metric, I just grab a handful of tools and sometimes have to try several to get the correct size.:-laf

Bill

 

[Boomer II]

I just did all of this stuff. You can access the antenna on the passenger side A pillar.
There is enough slack to move the plug down in to the end access panel on the dash where you can switch out between the remote & OEM antenna. I got a magnet and an .040 aluminum plate to mount the remote antenna and ran it under the hood down the door through a grommet into the area at the end of the dash. I believe Andy Redmond will be writing up a how to article before long. #ad

 

[MJWenrich]

Boomer II wrote his reply to the access location of the XM antenna but no mention is made if he gets an error signal when hooked up to a remote antenna. It's possible I suppose that the radio is sensitive to removing the antenna from the radio instead of disconnecting at the A pillar. Sure would like to know what folks have experienced when putting a camper on that blocks the factory antenna. My more recent post did not bring an answer to the error message question.

BTW, pulling the radio required removal of about seven screws (phillips and torx), to remove the center open console. A couple screws are in the cubby hole to the right of the radio and a couple are on top in the tray for sunglasses. Then maybe three in the base of the console. Then prying back the pop in radio/control faceplate. The radio comes with it but you must disconnect your other control wires to get to the back of the radio. So not a big job but the A pillar might be easier.

 

[Boomer II]

Works like a champ, no mention of an error signal because there wasn't one.

 

[MJWenrich]

I am going to try the A pillar hookup but it might also be related to the length of the antenna wire that was installed, thus degrading the signal. FCA recommends no more than 1200mm, whatever that is in feet, for my application. Which antenna did you buy?

 

[gsbrockman]

I am going to try the A pillar hookup but it might also be related to the length of the antenna wire that was installed, thus degrading the signal. FCA recommends no more than 1200mm, whatever that is in feet, for my application. Which antenna did you buy?

1200mm = 47.25"....almost 4 feet.

I guess someone will need to remove the radio again.....if the alternate antenna is directly plugged in to the radio.

 

[Boomer II]

#ad

 

[MJWenrich]

Boomer...is the lower plug the new part? And did you order a RAM part that includes the fin style antenna????

 

[Boomer II]

Yes, a friend of mine put all this together for me. I got a factory antenna & a long cable & fished it down the passenger side fender
in to a hole that leads up to the area at the end of the dash. I made an aluminum plate for the bottom of the antenna & bolted a
magnet with a pvc spacer between the magnet & antenna. If you need a pic of that let me know.
Andy Redmond should have the part numbers if you PM him.

 

[MJWenrich]

I was at a RAM dealer today and checked on the parts listed in the April 2014 FCA document and both the jump wire and shark fin are available, for around $100. Before spending that kind of loot I wanted to be sure that is what you did rather than some other device. So I probably wasted $80 on the antenna I had done last week. That lead is very long. Believe he said 30 feet. Took about 30 minutes this morning on the way to the dealer but the error message came up. Brought a rental truck (again) as the steering gear will be replaced in my truck. May be the root of all my heavy and oversteering problems. And the recall on the track bar is being done. Merely adding a bolt on plate rather than welding anything. Thank you for the info. I will order the fin and wire and then reconnect my factory antenna lead to the radio. Hopefully this solves the error message problem and doesn't confuse the phone or nav since there will be two shark fins in play. Just one for the radio though I suppose.

 

[Boomer II]

They aren't hooked up at the same time, I switch them out when I have the camper on board. I pop off the end panel to the dash & switch them out.

 

[Boomer II]

I found some information on the antenna setup, I can fax it if anyone would like a copy. PM me your fax number & I'll send it your way.