XM Tuner/Antenna Woes

[DARK SDE '02]

"XM Ready Alpine Stereo Head-unit"...NOT!

I've had a lot of issues with the whole satellite radio rip-off but now I'm stuck with all this junk and might as well make it work. First off I do have an XM ready head unit, have the tuner and that other little box thing and an antenna. It was all working but my signal sucked with the cheap antenna that came with the tuner stuck just above my rear view mirror on the inside of the windshield. So the install "genius" at Best Buy recommended to put it between the vents on the top of the dash. It worked better but still got static much more often than my other cars with factory XM.

I researched and found a the Terk glass mount antenna, seemed perfect since 90% of my car is not metal and therefore the regular antennas wouldn't work as intended. I got it off ebay for around $30, what a steal!... possibly. It seems the old style XM receivers/tuners had dual inputs for the regular satellite signal and what they call "ground repeaters" well the antenna is setup this way but my new tuner is a single input.

So my problem is I want my glass mount antenna to work, but I can't find a dual input to single input converter or a dual input tuner ANYWHERE. I've found ones that convert just the opposite, but they won't work backwards for mine.

Anybody have any ideas? I just want my Boneyard to come in clear so I can hear my white trash 80s hair ballads!! :(

[StrtRacer98]

Ok first off.. the tiny antenna that it comes with must be mounted outside of the vehicle.
Like on the hatch or on the roof for signal.

The antenna wire also can not be knotted, crimped or twisted in any way, must be straight and if you have an " xm ready " headunit, it only means that you can control it through the unit itself. If you have the adapter, and the xm box and the antenna thats all you really need.

I worked for best buy and i have no idea why they would ever recommend install inside of the car.. or on the windshield.

[Javelin3o4]

when i worked for the install bay at bby it was against SOP to install an ant on the inside.

[StrtRacer98]

Yup.. i always installed them on the trunk lid or the roof

[Sean76]

I used some Silicone adhesive that my work used to use. I put a small dime sized spot right in the middle of the T-Tops, and mounted it there. Its not coming off, even with a tornado! I had my Sirrus antenna there, and let me tell you... I used enought to coat the bottom of that one... What a PITA to get it off! Goto a local hardware store, a tube should be like 3 bucks at most.

[J. Henley 17]

I got a Terk kit... I just ran the wire up the rear side of the door weather stripping and across the open area for the t-tops... it sits on the painted part... I guess you could call it the b-pillar, but it's the top. No problems at all...

[J. Henley 17]

Actually, my antenna is laying on the floor in my back seat (I was about to completely take it out), and I'm still getting good reception.

[DARK SDE '02]

Turns out, after putting the antenna all over the car i.e Dash, rear quarter panels (inside AND out) etc. The very best place to put the antenna is on the roof, the highest point of the vehicle. The magnetism theory is totally bogus, it didn't help reception AT ALL to have it on the metal quarter panel. Works great between the t-top strips with some double sided tape!