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caburke2 · 02-03-2013, 09:42 AM

Just got a 2013 Itasca Sunstar 30T. Trying to figure out if there is a way for me to hookup my XM Satellite Radio to the Jensen that is in there. Can I plug the XM into the Aux/AV outlet and just run the antenna up on the dash? Thanks for any help!

mikebreeze · 02-03-2013, 09:55 AM

Is this a separate XM tuner that is designed to work through a car/rv radio? I had an XM receiver and ran it through the aux input of my GM car stereo in my Saturn Vue. So you could probably do that successfully. Now, as for the antenna, I assume that it is magnetic and has about 25 feet of wire with it. I would try slinging it around the dash. If that doesn't work properly, try running it outside and attaching it to something medal. You could try attaching it to the non metal outside of your RV with double sided foam tape. I did that with an external temperature sensor and it worked fine. I liked XM but got rid of it when they merged with Serius and the price went up.

Muddypaws · 02-03-2013, 10:11 AM

My coach had a Serius enabled radio in it but I replaced that with a JVC because it was more important to me to have a iPod, Bluetooth, and USB connection. The JVC has a digital input for satellite radio but I wanted to use my existing XM receiver. XM will not let you mix XM receivers with Serius on one account and I wasn't about to set up a second account for one radio that hardly ever gets used.

I took the Serius antenna connection and put it on the docking connector for my XM2Go receiver and then used a mini-to-mini connector to go into the aux in of the radio. Works fine.

There is no difference between XM and Serius antennas, either will work and they are cheap on eBay.

norwestie · 02-03-2013, 06:17 PM

The magnetic antenna needs a ground plane to work properly. Meaning that it must be attached to a ferrous metal surface roughly 4" square, at a minimum. Look on eBay for home satellite antennas as they do not require the ground plane or stick it to a small piece of painted sheet metal.

RetiredBob · 02-03-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norwestie

The magnetic antenna needs a ground plane to work properly. Meaning that it must be attached to a ferrous metal surface roughly 4" square, at a minimum. Look on eBay for home satellite antennas as they do not require the ground plane or stick it to a small piece of painted sheet metal.

The magnetic antenna for my Sirius radio just lies on the dash--works fine.

djbmsu · 02-03-2013, 07:29 PM

See if there is a 10 yr old that lives in the neighborhood, ask them. I had one set up my BluRay for me

caburke2 · 02-04-2013, 08:30 AM

Thanks all! For all the great ideas. I am sure something will work for me.

BillJinOR · 02-04-2013, 09:04 AM

If the front is fiberglass cap you can do as you want . I suggest you put the antenna ( puck) in the overhead cabinet. Years ago I taped mine to the ceiling inside the cabinet, worked great through the fiberglass ! These antennas don't "need" a ground plane .. They don't transmit ...they might receive a little better but I've never had a problem. They are normally magnetic so they can stck to the hood or trunk of a car

jimbooth25 · 02-04-2013, 09:06 AM

i have the same radio in my new coach and i have the portable radio that i use in the house/ car and rv i hooked it into the aux. port of the front of the radio and then ran the antenna up to the top the dash and have it there with velcro , just cut a pice and stuck it to the dash and to bottom of the antenna just in case once we are stoped i need to move it, it all works fine for me no issues.

lenkerb · 02-04-2013, 09:39 AM

we had our portable XM radio professionally installed at Best Buy....but they glued the magnetic antennae to the dash on the driver's side...going north we did not get any signal due to the window frame!! Purchase another antennae and just slide it along the dash...works fine!

Muddypaws · 02-04-2013, 09:47 AM

The 'home' antenna has to be aimed to work at all, and even then it's prone to fading. The magnetic 'puck' antenna is the best of all the satellite antennas and doesn't seem to care a whole lot where you put it, within reason.

Ground plane? Mine is epoxied to the exterior roof and the wire is fed down the A frame to the radio. Works as well as the factory antennas in my cars.