Adventures of XM Radio installation

[R&SZinser]

Among all the other to do items needed to bring our trailer out of it's year and a half hibernation, my wife wanted to be able to bring her XM Radio receiver from her car into the trailer on trips.
No problem, a trip to Best Buy to pick up a car install kit, and the base from a home install kit which she doesn't use anymore (thanks to XM Radio Online...) and I'm all set.

I decided to put the kit in the same AV compartment as the current AM/FM/ Cassette player

[R&SZinser]

Next I had to figure how to run the antenna cable from the roof to the compartment.
Since my Fantastic Fan is directly above the 'living room' and I'd taken it apart previously for service, I figured I could fish the antenna down from there.
While up on the roof, I wondered if the XM Radio would receive if placed under the plastic 'bubble' of the vent, a quick test run and the reception is fine, so I mounted the antenna on top of the Fantastic Fan, but protected by the plexiglass!

[R&SZinser]

Now what I thought would be the tricky part, running the plug end of the antenna from the vent to the radio compartment.
I had to remove the control / monitor panel which according to the service manual is supposed to be held on with spring clips - sounds simple...
Except for the creaking and grinding and I was sure any moment I'd end up with the entire front end peice ripped off the wall...
That didn't happen, but it was a bit nerve wracking... -
I used a cable tape to run a piece of small twine foward from the vent location to where the control / monitor panel, then used the twine to pull the antenna plug from the vent to the space behind the panel.

[R&SZinser]

From there it was simple to run the antenna down to the front storage compartments thanks to the existing wiring grommet!
I deciphered the existing wiring for the radio and tied in the 12v leads for power, then had to cut a small hole to fish the power and antenna wires to the small shelf just above the radio.

[R&SZinser]

Now all it took was a bit of foam mounting tape and the cassette adapter to tie in the satellite radio into the existing speakers!
Works great and now the wife is happy and our son can have 24 hour access to his favorite radio station 'XM Kids'. Since he was out playing I tested with some talk radio.

The other 'post hibernation' tasks may end up in other threads if I ever get the furnace working, I finish painting the front receiver, back bumper, repack the bearingings, get new tires mounted, and clean the whole thing! Good thing we are leaving for Florida Tuesday!

[ArtStream]

Nice work!
Safe trip to FL.

Michael

[Chaplain Kent]

Great installation. Have to love that XM radio, I'm listening to mine right now. Channel 33 gospel music.

[Pick]

Great install pictures! Love these kinds of posts. Cassette adapter sounds much better than the FM modulator in my Ford Explorer. Have to use FM mod in my GMC though, unless I purchase the big buck XM adapter interface.

I see newer stereos have some neat features like line inputs for XM, Sirius and MP3 players. Some even have SD card slots and USB ports for MP3 files. Some of these units are less than $100 at Wal-Mart and Pep Boys!

[SafeHarbor]

Excellent thread, and nice job there. I'm listening to XM radio, too, but I have the RoadyXT sitting on the (side) credenza right over the old Motorala "Entertainment Center" and it's broadcasting FM to the built-in radio. Right now it's on channel 7, and I'm listening to music from the 70s on hardware installed in 1979.

Lamar

[ZoominC6]

Thanks for the detailed description and photos. Our rig is in for it's annual inspection and various mods and I wondered where to place the antenna. Great idea. I'll pass it on to the dealer.