Satellite Radio Antenna Installation

[Roy W.]

I am in the process of installing a Delphi Roady 2 satellite radio in my travel trailer. Like most RV's mine has a rubber roof, making the attachment of the magnetic antenna impossible. To make matters worse, my FM radio is installed in the slideout, which prohibits me from putting anything on the slideout roof. In trying out the radio initially, I just set the antenna up on the rubber roof and I got a signal and the preview station came in fine. I am thinking of just making an angle bracket and attaching it to the end of my slide out cover roller and attaching the antenna to it. I guess my real question is: How critical is it to have the antenna mounted on a large metal surface and what effect will it have on reception if it is not?

[Roy W.]

I am in the process of installing a Delphi Roady 2 satellite radio in my travel trailer. Like most RV's mine has a rubber roof, making the attachment of the magnetic antenna impossible. To make matters worse, my FM radio is installed in the slideout, which prohibits me from putting anything on the slideout roof. In trying out the radio initially, I just set the antenna up on the rubber roof and I got a signal and the preview station came in fine. I am thinking of just making an angle bracket and attaching it to the end of my slide out cover roller and attaching the antenna to it. I guess my real question is: How critical is it to have the antenna mounted on a large metal surface and what effect will it have on reception if it is not?

[Frankie]

I set my sirius antenna on the valance of the slideout inside and still get signal,It will travel through cieling most of the time

[Big Bear]

I have been using the Roady for just over a year. In the motorhome I just sit it on the dash against the windshield. In the TOAD, the magnet holds it to a small 1" x 2" plate cliped into the top center vent by the windshield. At home it sits on a wood windowsill. All locations work well but in the motorhome depending on the direction I travel I sometimes lose signal so I toss it to the other corner of windshield. There is also some interaction betwine my GARMIN 2610 GPS & the XM Roady. AT night (only) depending on how the cable to Roady is routed, it will 1 by 1 knock off the satelites from the GPS. The XM unit is mounted this way as I use it in 3 locations & did not want to source more antennas. To me antenna mount/location is non-issue.
Vern in Duvall, Wa..

2004 Vectra 40 AD Cummins 350 W/Banks power package
2004 PT Cruiser, GT, Turbo, w/5 speed
Blue Ox Avanta 3 & Blue Ox tow plate W/Brake Buddy
Good Sam, long time Thousand Trails, & considering FMCA

[2001 Gas Dutch Star]

Have been using XM for about 1.5 years on my Dutch Star.I just run the wire out my door and put it in the mount of my air horns.My Class A has a drivers door making it easier, Always have an excellent signal and works great.Never leave home without it.Also put it in my toad just velcro the roady in place depending on which vehicle I am in.

[Moby Bill]

I had a piece of galvanized metal cut to the size and shape of the refridgerator vent cover. Had holes drilled to match those of the cover. HVAC duct shop did it for a small fee. I then ran the coax down the vent and into an adjoining cabinet. Thence to the stereo where I mounted the delphi car kit mount. Works great. We just move the receiver back and forth from tow to fiver.