Re: XM Antenna install
 

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 20:43:28 -0500, "DougW"
<post.replies@invalid.address> wrote:

>Eric did pass the time by typing:
>> Thanks for all the feedback... I like the idea of the antenna under the
>> rollbar padding. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the Roady2
>> unit (display unit). I need to find a better way to power it -- I use the
>> cigarette lighter for my cell phone charger AND my CB... already have a
>> 2-way adapter. A 3-way would be too big.
>
>If you have space use one of these.
><http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=270-1556>
>
>PepBoys, Autozone, Canadian Tire, etc also carry ciggy lighters/12v outlets.
>Or you could build one that uses a 12v plug like I did.
>http://members.cox.net/wilsond/rearpower.html

another possibility is one of these
http://www.all-cordless.com/so15peamp12v.html
Used mine to power my CB radio and call for aid one time after my
electrical system crapped out (previous vehicle). Have also used it
to recharge digital camera batteries (with a power inverter attached)
and other things. In fact the only thing I have never used it for so
far is to jump start a vehicle. Several times I've considered just
taking the jumper cables off and calling it a battery pack <grin>.


Drifter
"I've been here, I've been there..."

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> Jeff, I'd think that position would cause lots of signal drop-outs due
> to the rollbars or windshield frame getting in the way once in a while
> as he drives around. Afterall, that satellite signal is strictly
> line-of-sight as you are well aware. :)

There's more than one satellite, and in some cases, terrestrial repeaters.

I've used XM with the antenna mounted to the dash of steel roofed cars
with excellent results. A roll bar isn't going to be a problem.

Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> Jeff, I'd think that position would cause lots of signal drop-outs due
> to the rollbars or windshield frame getting in the way once in a while
> as he drives around. Afterall, that satellite signal is strictly
> line-of-sight as you are well aware. :)

There's more than one satellite, and in some cases, terrestrial repeaters.

I've used XM with the antenna mounted to the dash of steel roofed cars
with excellent results. A roll bar isn't going to be a problem.

Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> Jeff, I'd think that position would cause lots of signal drop-outs due
> to the rollbars or windshield frame getting in the way once in a while
> as he drives around. Afterall, that satellite signal is strictly
> line-of-sight as you are well aware. :)

There's more than one satellite, and in some cases, terrestrial repeaters.

I've used XM with the antenna mounted to the dash of steel roofed cars
with excellent results. A roll bar isn't going to be a problem.

Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> Jeff, I'd think that position would cause lots of signal drop-outs due
> to the rollbars or windshield frame getting in the way once in a while
> as he drives around. Afterall, that satellite signal is strictly
> line-of-sight as you are well aware. :)

There's more than one satellite, and in some cases, terrestrial repeaters.

I've used XM with the antenna mounted to the dash of steel roofed cars
with excellent results. A roll bar isn't going to be a problem.

Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Eric wrote:
> Thanks for all the feedback... I like the idea of the antenna under the
> rollbar padding. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the Roady2
> unit (display unit). I need to find a better way to power it -- I use the
> cigarette lighter for my cell phone charger AND my CB... already have a
> 2-way adapter. A 3-way would be too big.

If you direct wire it, just remember that the Roady and Roady 2 are _6_
volt units. There's a converter in the ciggy plug cable.

For my company vehicle, I found a three-way that uses a 6 foot cable at
Radio Shack. This moves the outlets where you want them, and unclutters
the lighter area.

Have fun,
Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Eric wrote:
> Thanks for all the feedback... I like the idea of the antenna under the
> rollbar padding. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the Roady2
> unit (display unit). I need to find a better way to power it -- I use the
> cigarette lighter for my cell phone charger AND my CB... already have a
> 2-way adapter. A 3-way would be too big.

If you direct wire it, just remember that the Roady and Roady 2 are _6_
volt units. There's a converter in the ciggy plug cable.

For my company vehicle, I found a three-way that uses a 6 foot cable at
Radio Shack. This moves the outlets where you want them, and unclutters
the lighter area.

Have fun,
Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Eric wrote:
> Thanks for all the feedback... I like the idea of the antenna under the
> rollbar padding. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the Roady2
> unit (display unit). I need to find a better way to power it -- I use the
> cigarette lighter for my cell phone charger AND my CB... already have a
> 2-way adapter. A 3-way would be too big.

If you direct wire it, just remember that the Roady and Roady 2 are _6_
volt units. There's a converter in the ciggy plug cable.

For my company vehicle, I found a three-way that uses a 6 foot cable at
Radio Shack. This moves the outlets where you want them, and unclutters
the lighter area.

Have fun,
Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

Eric wrote:
> Thanks for all the feedback... I like the idea of the antenna under the
> rollbar padding. Still don't know what I'm going to do about the Roady2
> unit (display unit). I need to find a better way to power it -- I use the
> cigarette lighter for my cell phone charger AND my CB... already have a
> 2-way adapter. A 3-way would be too big.

If you direct wire it, just remember that the Roady and Roady 2 are _6_
volt units. There's a converter in the ciggy plug cable.

For my company vehicle, I found a three-way that uses a 6 foot cable at
Radio Shack. This moves the outlets where you want them, and unclutters
the lighter area.

Have fun,
Barry

Re: XM Antenna install
 

I did mount it under my roll bar (top and center) and am getting HORRIBLE
reception. I can't figure it out -- my wife got decent reception in her XJ
(with it mounted on the roof, of course). That reception was nothing
compared to what she's getting with the factory installed unit in the
Equinox (I'd swear it's just as good as CD). I'm going to have to pull all
the wires out and see if I can stick it somewhere else to get better
reception. I've rotated through a number of frequencies and just can't get
better reception.

By the way, I do have a soft top.

Eric
99 TJ SE
"B a r r y" <keep_it_in_the_newsgroup_please@thankyou.com> wrote in message
news:5gM9e.1130$fw2.691@newssvr33.news.prodigy.com ...
> Jerry Bransford wrote:
>> Jeff, I'd think that position would cause lots of signal drop-outs due to
>> the rollbars or windshield frame getting in the way once in a while as he
>> drives around. Afterall, that satellite signal is strictly line-of-sight
>> as you are well aware. :)
>
> There's more than one satellite, and in some cases, terrestrial repeaters.
>
> I've used XM with the antenna mounted to the dash of steel roofed cars
> with excellent results. A roll bar isn't going to be a problem.
>
> Barry