Satellite Radio Antenna Location

M

MOOSE

Member
Having gotten tired of the tangle of wires, we are upgrading to a satellite-ready radio on the MOOSE. My question is, does the antenna need to be mounted outside of the cabin or, given that the cabin is fiberglass, can it be mounted inside in the overhead shelf?
Al
 
The antenna has to be mounted outside. I purchased a marine. satellite antenna. It is available at west marine. It hooks up to any satellite radio. I am in the process of deciding where to mount it.

ryder
 
I'd be willing to be that it will work fine through the fiberglass (just like a GPS antenna). Hook it up temporarily and give it a try.
 
I have one gps antenna outside on a mast and one inside the boat looking
through the fiberglass. Each picks up signal in a close time frame.
Inside antenna is away from as much metal as it can be and works fine.
Its used with my ham radio aprs. Make it easy you can always change it
later.
Bob Heselberg Eatonville Wa
 
Car Toys installed our XM radio last June before our trip to Alaska last summer. It worked as well as the factory XM unit in our tow vehicle at that lattitude. Car Toys installed ours in the v-berth. I'll try to get a photo posted sometime today.

Don
 
My sirrius didn't work very well sitting on the dash so I ran it up to the forward hatch and just let it sit outside of the hatch. Works great, and doesn't seem to leak. I can then just open the hatch and pull it if I want to take the receiver out.
 
I have two satellite radio (Sirius) antennas on the shelfs on the C Dory and Tom Cat--they work fine inside, as long as no significant metal above them. They are mag mount car antennas. One sits on top of my ham radio tuner (I don't use the sirius when transmitting) and the other is velcroed in place on the shelf. I also have one inside of the fiberglass roof of my Road Trek van. I have used an external antenna in another boat, but find that the car antennas work just as well. Consider that I spend most of my time in the South--and it the signal is marginal as you go further North, it might be necessary to put the antenna outside.
 
The more I listen to you guys and think about it, I might be better off with an externally mounted boat antenna. Since I do have radar mounted on a Power Tower just above the shelf, it's possible I could get some shielding. Thanks for the advice.
Al
 
I have my radars mounted just aft of the shelf, and it has not been a problem. Try the antenna in side first, and if it does not work there, then put it outside. The external "marine" antennas are considerably more expensive.
 
Here's an external marine satellite radio antenna I found for a modest price. It's a Shakespeare Style SM-31.
sm-31.jpg

At only $21.95, and given what a pain it is to drop the electronics shelf, I might be tempted to opt for something I know will work right from the git-go.
Al
 
Upon further investigation, I now realize that I'm a total idiot and that the picture posted above is only the mounting base. The external marine antennas do indeed seem to be priced in the $60-$80 range.
Al
 
Yep, that is the base I used for the antenna I used externally.

I just contact cement velcro to the bottom of the mag mount antenna and to the shelf, and no need to drop the shelf. (we also have put on several wire ties to hold cables, a terminal block and radio/tuner mounts on the shelf without dropping it--just use a very short screwdriver or right angle screwdriver. We use a right angle drill, with a very short bit for starting the hole for a screw on the shelf.

Either way--the satellite radio is a real winner!
 
I should've mentioned that I have a face-plate on the electronics shelf to cover up all the clutter, so the only access is by dropping the shelf. And since I'm installing this new radio, as well as a new VHF, I've made a new face-plate out of 1/2" teak instead of Starboard.

Our extremely knowledgeable local antenna designer recommended I go with an external unit, so I am now looking at the Shakespeare SRA-40 which is just a little 3.5" diameter pod. The next question is can I cut about 22' off the 25' cable that comes with it? It seems to be verboten.
Al
 
Don't fool with the antenna--the mini connectors are very difficult to put on, even for a skilled person. Splicing is just as difficult. The standard connector is rated for only 500 or so cycles. I have two recievers--one in my personal SUV, the other I take from the home to boats to RV's etc. Each of the boat/RV/trucks, have a docking station, so I do not have to unplug the antenna each time.

.
 
Yeah, this is why I have a face plate on the electronics shelf, to hide 25' of satellite radio cable, 25' of GPS cable, 25' of radar cable, and 25' of VHF cable! LOL
Al
 
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