Wroughtn Harv's Something different......

[LWFrisk]

Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

I got a call from Harvey this morning, "rode with him to the job site", via his cell phone. They have a problem with the Jeep Cargo Carrier that he featured in the 'Something Different' post in the Photo Forum. The Satellite Radio signal is blocked when the aluminum floor and air dam is installed.

Do any of you have a fix for the problem. Is there an external antenna for this application? My Suburban has a small antenna on the top of the dash, is the antenna for the Jeep Unlimited similar? If it is, could he cut a small hole in line with to antenna to allow the signal to pass through? He would appreciate any suggestions to solve the problem.

He will check in this evening to see what you guys have to say.

 

[KAB]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

Most Satellite antennas are located outside of the vehicle (actualluy all I am aware of - Some body color some not). These antennas require a direct view of the satellite hence the reason they don't work indoors, under canopies, areas with heavy tree cover, etc. They also usually have to be about 6" from a window.

For your Suburban, if it is factory installed XM there is an antenna on the right front corner of the roof about 2 1/2" kinda round. (There will be a small round bubble on the dash for tha automatic lamp control). If it was installed aftermarket those antennas are usually about the size of a silver dollar and if it is on the dash you will get better reception by moving it outside of the vehicle.

As for the Jeep I do not know of a solution, but I would check with the dealer to see where that place the antenna on a Soft Top to see if it might be able to be placed in that location instead of the roof.

Don't know if this helps but good lock

Kurt

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

Thanks.

I'll do some checking before we get too excited about the problem.

It just shows to go that you can figure and plan and still occasionally there'll be a snake in the wood pile. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was prouder'n a pup with two tails over that thing. Then she asks me to fix her satelite radio. It didn't receive anymore. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[bgott]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

Mount another antenna in the middle of the hood and paint it body color. Leave the original antenna where it's at so you don't have to worry about sealing the hole. The antenna in the middle of the hood shouldn't be too obtrusive, Jeeps have always had windshield pads or something mounted on the hood.

On edit: I paged back and looked at the picture again. You have a windshield latch bracket on the hood. Being that they will probably never lay the windshield down you can remove the bracket and mount a body colored antenna there.

 

[KAB]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

Be carefull of painting the antenna. If the antenna is not designed to be painted it will hurt reception. To what extent I have no idea. I have heard from very good sources that painting an antenna can kill reception.

Kurt

 

[bgott]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

I did a little research last night and found out that there are small magnetic mounted antennae (? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) available. That would, however, give you an exposed cord that she didn't have before to deal with. How big of a pain would it be to indent a little shelf to hold the antenna into the front of the fairing you added in front of the rack? There are some people on a couple of forums I checked out that just throw the antenna up on the dash and swear that it works fine. You could mount it on the fairing and fashion a plexiglas cover to keep the bugs off of it.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Re: Wroughtn Harv\'s Something different......

She's on her way to an electronics store that specializes in automotive eletronics.

I finally brought her to the house and did an online search. Dealing with Chrysler techs left me with a headache. We just have different perspectives. I come from the unusual or unique and they come from a cookie cutter world.

Since the Wrangler comes with a fiberglas top that's removable the antenna is mounted to the cage. It's the same antenna mounted through the roof. But since the roof is covered with cargo wrack ("w" get it?) that won't work. So when I post this evening I'll try to have pictures of the professional's installation.