Please help with Satellite Antenna in a convertible.

[steveomatic]

Hi,I am new to the Beetle Forum and I look forward to being a contributor. I do need some help.

I am installing a Sirius Mobile Unit and I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get the Antenna from the outside of the car to the inside to plug into the unit.

I have a 2006 Convertible.

I saw that someone said they went through the dash and mounted it on the dash inside the car. I prefer to mount the antenna outside the car.

Can this be done? Is there a way to go through the firewall with some secret access?

If I have to mount it inside how do I take the top dash off?

Please help.
Thanks,
Steve

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by steveomatic

Hi,I am new to the Beetle Forum and I look forward to being a contributor. I do need some help.

I am installing a Sirius Mobile Unit and I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get the Antenna from the outside of the car to the inside to plug into the unit.

I have a 2006 Convertible.

I saw that someone said they went through the dash and mounted it on the dash inside the car. I prefer to mount the antenna outside the car.

Can this be done? Is there a way to go through the firewall with some secret access?

If I have to mount it inside how do I take the top dash off?

Please help.
Thanks,
Steve

The Sirius instructions for convertibles have the antenna wire going to the back of the car, with the antenna attached to the trunk lid...

However, I just ran the wire, totally hidden, up the side of the dash, and placed the antenna on the left side of the dash. About 3 inches of wire shows at the antenna end. The reception is oustanding, and the antenna isn't at the mercy of the elements, other than the sun.

This took me about 3 minutes.

[steveomatic]

Thanks for the tip? Is there anyway you can take a picture of your setup and post it? Where do you have your Satellite receiver located?

Thanks,
Steve

[miffmole]

This picture was just shot in the dark, but you can get the idea...

[steveomatic]

You have no idea how much you helped me! I have been going crazy trying to figure out what to do. By the time you took you picture I figured it out and completed the job.

I did not do exactly what you did. I went straight down the middle where the middle dash is. The head of the antenna sits perfect. There is even a little notch in the front of the dash it hide the larger part of the wire going into the antenna head.

I then tucked it into the middle dash all the way down under the crappy Flower Vase and straight into my mobile unit. Not one bit of the wire is exposed. I will take a picture in the morning and post it.

Thanks again for the help.
Steve

[buckbeetle]

In the convertible it is better to run the Sirius antenna to the front of the car, or on the dash. Because of the rollover safety system in the back of the vert, there is another firewall type wall that makes it hard to run wiring to the back.

Additionally you can replace the center dash piece with the one that has the little bubble for the antenna.

[salsa-man]

just fyi the factory satellite antenna is in the middle of the dash near the windshield.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by steveomatic

You have no idea how much you helped me! I have been going crazy trying to figure out what to do. By the time you took you picture I figured it out and completed the job.

I did not do exactly what you did. I went straight down the middle where the middle dash is. The head of the antenna sits perfect. There is even a little notch in the front of the dash it hide the larger part of the wire going into the antenna head.

I then tucked it into the middle dash all the way down under the crappy Flower Vase and straight into my mobile unit. Not one bit of the wire is exposed. I will take a picture in the morning and post it.

Thanks again for the help.
Steve

That's great! I'd be curious to see your setup when you take your photo.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by buckbeetle

Additionally you can replace the center dash piece with the one that has the little bubble for the antenna.

That's an idea...wonder how much that piece would be? Part number?

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by buckbeetle

In the convertible it is better to run the Sirius antenna to the front of the car, or on the dash. Because of the rollover safety system in the back of the vert, there is another firewall type wall that makes it hard to run wiring to the back.

Additionally you can replace the center dash piece with the one that has the little bubble for the antenna.

We must have posted at the same time. I didn't see yours. But thats what I was talking about.

You can see some other pics of the antenna in a cabin filter how-to I posted here -> How To - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

The factory XM antenna uses the old style antenna with two connections and uses the square type connectors. Don't know if there is a different antenna for Sirius.

[macdave]

I put my gps antenna under the center dash panel. It works great there and is invisible.

[steveomatic]

I just had a thought. Can a Sirius satellite adapter for an after market radio fit under the front dash?

[steveomatic]

What is the cabin filter used for? I had no idea it existed.

[steveomatic]

Here is how I set up my Satellite radio. The only wires that are showing are the ones going into the mobile unit. I could hide those better. I will this weekend.

[miffmole]

Where's your antenna wire hidden?

[PeachyPeach]

Originally Posted by steveomatic

What is the cabin filter used for? I had no idea it existed.

They're also known as pollen filters. The air that comes out your vents goes through it first.

[thebigtexan]

I recently purchased an '06 Convertible which has the factory XM. I also have the XM Skydock that I use with my iphone. Is it possible to use the original factory Sat antenna and connect to the skydock? I really like the skydock and have no need for 2 subscriptions.