Getting Satellite Radio Reception with a Camper installed

[kmacafee]

Since I installed a FWC Eagle on my Tacoma, the one big frustration has been the loss of a consistent satellite radio signal. Toyota chose to place the shark fin antenna on the rear of the cab which is completely covered by the camper overhang. The other frustration is that Toyota chose to use a proprietary cable plug for their factory installed radios and antennas which makes it difficult to find a cheaper solution than replacing the entire radio. After a fair amount of research, I came up with a solution that some might still consider expensive, but is far cheaper than buying a decent new radio.

The first challenge was finding a cable. After searching thru various sites, I found a patch cable is being made and sold here:

http://www.tss-radio.com/vais-technologies-toyota-radio-satellite-antenna-adapter-cable-fra3m.html



In addition, you will need another antenna that can be mounted anywhere that is not being blocked by the camper. Here is one example but they can be bought at Best Buy, Target, etc.

http://www.tss-radio.com/sirius-dot-micro-car-antenna.html

My initial research revealed that the Tacoma factory antenna plugs into another cable that is behind the panel to the left of the emergency brake. Once I found the location, I assumed it would be simply "plug and play" but that didn't work. After trying a second cable with no luck, my only other option was to plug the new cable directly into the radio itself -- success. Now, that does involve removing the factory installed radio but that turned out to be extremely easy to do. In fact, here is a step by step tutorial on radio replacement (just skip the new radio install):

http://tacotunes.com/car-audio-video/toyota-tacoma-double-access-cab-xrunner/how-to-remove-stock-stereo-and-install-new-aftermarket-head-unit/

Once you unplug the factory antenna wire, there is one more modification to the new cable that has to be done before the cable will plug into the radio.



Here is what I ended up with:



The antenna is placed on the small flat spot in front of the windshield. Magnet holds it securely.



There is a small gap between the windshield pillar and the quarter panel that the antenna wire slips through and is protected. I then ran the cable down behind the rubber door gasket, under the plastic panel behind the emergency brake and made the connection to the patch cable. Blue tape is temporary until I make sure the location is just right. ;-)

Radio reception is great in all directions and my wife no longer has to listen to me sing the one or two songs I can remember.

Any questions just send them on.

Cheers

 

[brianjwilson]

Thanks for posting this. I exchanged emails with the same company about adapters about a few weeks ago, but I forgot to look in my truck see which end I needed when I was home. I planned to plug it in behind the kick panel as well.

 

[kmacafee]

Brian

You'll have to plug directly into the radio. Not sure why and the techies couldn't explain it either.

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[kmacafee]

UPDATE on the road in certain directions, the reception would still be spotty. I simply moved the antenna down the hood a bit so it sits towards the front. It has a much clearer view of the sky and reception is very consistent.

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[Stalking Light]

That's basically what I did, moved both xm and gps to hood. There's a Lexus adapter for the gps.

 

[Beach]

I have an after market sat radio with a similar antenna. I moved my antenna to the corner of the dash inside the truck to protect from the elements and vandals, works well on my 1st gen Tundra.

 

[UtahTaco2016]

I bought the patch cable and the micro antenna as recommended. However, I am a bit lost and wonder if you can give some help before I pull the radio in my 2016 Tacoma out.

Here's my question: there seems to be no connection to be made between the patch cable and the antenna. In other words, both have what appears to be two small male connectors. I must be missing something-- how do you make the connection between the patch cable and the micro antenna?

Thanks!

 

[Stalking Light]

I had mine done at an audio shop; they used a Kenwood Garmin GPS antenna and for the XM they used a Metra euro car to male Motorola and MetraLexus radio antenna adapter. Mine was the Entune radio with GPS and XM.

 

[kmacafee]

The patch cable should have the grey square end that plugs directly into the radio and a female end that the small antenna cable plugs into. At least that is what I had. That patch cable -- at a quick glance, it looks like the one end is male but on mine, it has a hole that plugs into the male end of the antenna cable.

I bought the patch cable and the micro antenna as recommended. However, I am a bit lost and wonder if you can give some help before I pull the radio in my 2016 Tacoma out.

Here's my question: there seems to be no connection to be made between the patch cable and the antenna. In other words, both have what appears to be two small male connectors. I must be missing something-- how do you make the connection between the patch cable and the micro antenna?

Thanks!

 

[smlobx]

We recently came back from a week in DV in which we rented a SUV for our overlanding needs. Fortunately it came with a Sirius radio and my wife commented that we should get one for out 2006 F-350 as we are soon to get our Hallmark camper on it.

This has me thinking that this mod might be doable.
Thanks!


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[UtahTaco2016]

The patch cable should have the grey square end that plugs directly into the radio and a female end that the small antenna cable plugs into. At least that is what I had. That patch cable -- at a quick glance, it looks like the one end is male but on mine, it has a hole that plugs into the male end of the antenna cable.

Interesting . . . that same patch cable now has a MALE connection at the end that should connect to the antenna cable. (Also male.)

 

[UtahTaco2016]

OK, solved the problem. There are not two male ends on the connectors- simply a case of being very tiny, hard to see, and bad eyesight. I spoke with the people at TSS and they were excellent to deal with. The problem was a poor fitment between the FRA3M and the Sirius antenna extension. They are sending me new parts that have been tested to connect together, so I hope to be on the way to getting my satellite reception back.

 

[kmacafee]

Glad you were able to solve the problem. I too had to get a second cable from TSS but their customer service is great.

 

[buckland]

I am getting a 2016 Colorado. The antenna is also in the spot on back of roof. I know the antenna arial unscrews (removable). Do you think there is a cable that has a screw in adapter end that one could use making an 'extension cord' ...so that a second antenna mount could then put on the camper front wall?

 

[PaulT]

I am getting a 2016 Colorado. The antenna is also in the spot on back of roof. I know the antenna arial unscrews (removable). Do you think there is a cable that has a screw in adapter end that one could use making an 'extension cord' ...so that a second antenna mount could then put on the camper front wall?

Search for "sirius satellite radio antenna extension cable". Perhaps, one of those matches your connector.

I would look for a cable that will connect into the radio itself and to an antenna that you could mount somewhere convenient. Might be worth going to local vendor that does installations.

Paul

 

[longhorn1]

If all you are looking for is Sirius radio, they have been offering a boom box (8 D batteries or plug in). It comes with a cradle and Sirius tuner, along with an antenna magnet mount which I placed above the front window and cable run under window trim to interior where it is plugged in
I didn't have Sirius in the truck I bought. When we camp the boom box comes out and we have our music.. If you have Sirius it makes sense to be able to install a temporary antenna. I have the best of both worlds with a portable unit. jd

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[smlobx]

If all you are looking for is Sirius radio, they have been offering a boom box (8 D batteries or plug in). It comes with a cradle and Sirius tuner, along with an antenna magnet mount which I placed above the front window and cable run under window trim to interior where it is plugged in
I didn't have Sirius in the truck I bought. When we camp the boom box comes out and we have our music.. If you have Sirius it makes sense to be able to install a temporary antenna. I have the best of both worlds with a portable unit. jd
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Do you happen to have a link? This may work for us....

 

[Dusty Roads]

Be aware that the boom box has its own subscription. I have a 2011 truck with built in sat radio. I pay for this subscription. I also have a boom box and I have to pay a separate subscription for that one. Our current plan is to drop the subscription for the truck, and go with an "old school" mount. I hate the looks of the old school dash mount, but I hate paying for 2 subscriptions even more. When we stop, I will just remove the receiver and put in in the boom box.

 

[longhorn1]

Smlobx, Dusty has a point about the fee, but I didn't have Sirius in my truck and this option was the best for us.

I don't have a link. I'd try www.sirus.com
Jd

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[LAWNMOWERMAN]

I have an XM radio with the car kit. Then I found a boom box on craigslist with a 12volt power adapter and another XM radio with car kit.So now i have the extra radio cradle in my daily driver and switch my original radio between vehicles.
The boom box is used in the camper with the 12volt adapter.Using the 8 D batteries is an expensive option as they don't last very long.When using it outside I use my 12v jump box.
I pay one year at a time and one trick i have learned with XM is that if you threaten to cancel you can get the $108.00 rate instead of the $200+ that they want to charge you.I have done this for 5 years.