According to the Honda XM installation instructions, you need to drill a couple holes in the trunk lid to mount the antenna...that is a bit drastic isn't it?

I know there are alternate ways, but most of this mean you have to show the wire leading to the antenna...too bad you can't use magnets or something less permanent...what happens when you get sick of XM? But I guess that is the main idea, it acts as a possible roadblock to considering another carrier.

 

Well, some people have actually installed the antanea in the hidden center consule storage box. They said it works great too. I have also heard of using a strong magnet and mounting it on the underside of the trunk.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

But installing inside the car would seem problematic. I have Sirius on another vehicle and trees block the signal...I can only imagine keeping it in the car. I did try to search for any threads discussing it..but can't do a search on items with less than 3 letters like 'XM'.

Yeah if I am going to do it on the S, and I really want to, I would prefer to find a far less conspicuous place to fasten it, yet still have it work as intended.

 

try searching for XM radio or XM Antannea

 

It will find antenna and radio..but not XM...that's okay, I just need to do some thorough looking. I really want to find a solution for this...thanks again.

 

I recently installed XM in my MY01 S. I mounted the antenna in the passenger-side rollhoop with 3M double sided adhesive. It works great and the color blends in well with the interior. I will take some pictures this weekend.

 

The newer XM antenna from Terk does have a magnetic base. Stuck mine on the narrow metal piece between the top and the back edge of the trunk lid. The wire runs right into the trunk, no problem. I did cut a slit in the rubber seal on the inside of the trunk lip to route the wire through.

 

My Sirius works good w/ the antenna in the secret compartment. I only have issues when I got into parking structures.

 

Just another reason NOT to go with the Honda XM parts (this and high $$$$). I installed a Terk Commander ($135 on ebay) a few weeks back. Works great. I still have not quite figured out a permanent place for the controller. I have just enough of the cable to place the unit on the center console by the drop down door with a small piece of velcro or can place it in the small net on the passenger side. You get plenty of cable, so much that you could place the controller in the cup holder, or the glove box as well.

I tried placing the antenna (which is very tiny and has a good magnet on the bottom) in the secret compartment and even in the space behind the seat on metal. Both worked pretty good but I got dropouts every now and then when I turned one way or another and it was anoying I ended up just placing it on the trunk or actually just in front of the trunk. It looks great, and I never have a signal dropout. If I ever go to a parking garage or mall and don't want to advertise I have something to steal, I can pop it off an place it in the trunk in about 5 seconds.

 

IMO I thinks it's kind of ugly mounting the antenna on the center of the trunk. Placing it in the secret compatment is a better alternative.