Dennis C

Mine is a 2002. I have no MOST ring like the 2003+ cars.

03996

I went down to the place today and they did say I have the fiber optic "stuff."

They're advising me to have one of those small XM units fitted and integrating it's FM output hardwired into the existing antenna cable. That way no local and strong FM stn will override the XM signal.

I kinda like the idea simply because it means I have a tidy install and I can still use the stock setup if I choose.

Anyone go hat way? If so, how's it working for you?

For anyone who now has XM, where is the XM antenna located and does it look decent?

Dennis C

That's what I originally had in my car hooked up to my stock stereo. In that case, the XM antenna was installed on my dash, up close to the windshield near the indicator light for the alarm system.

For my current system, the XM/Sirius antenna is installed on my front bumper underneath the bumper cover, compeltely concealed.

03996

Dennis, any reception problems with the antenna hidden by the bumper? On my MazdaSpeed3, I had a roof mounted antenna and even that had problems when going under any kind of decent tree covering!

Dennis C

Zero reception problems. It works very well.

03996

Sorry to be a pain Dennis but is your current antenna the same as the version you had on your dashtop or is it some kind of high-gain thing?

Dennis C

I wish I knew the answer. The antenna currently on my bumper is a Kenwood antenna that came with my new double-DIN system. I'm not sure how it compares to the one I had before.

I know some people hide them underneath the black plastic cover below the windshield with success too.