Thinking about getting XM or Sirius for my Jeep, but it's a soft top. For those who have already done this, where did you mount the antenna and how's it working for you?

Thanks,
Mark

Squid, I've got XM in my Western Star and think it's the best thing since sliced bread. I believe they have antenna's about the size of a .50 piece. You should be able to either mount it on the top center of the windshield. Some other places top of the spare tire carrier. top of cowl in front of the air intake.

I've had XM for a year, love it and haven't had a problem. I have my antenna mounted inside on the passenger side dash. I got free installation when I bought mine at BestBuy.

I was just looking at a Sirius setup at Radio Shack the other day. The antenna was about half the size of my mouse, and I liked the idea of being able to quickly and easily remove the unit for security, or move it into the house. I still wonder about mounting the antenna on a topless Jeep. Do they have to be mounted flat, or do they work just as well on a horizontal surface?

just get an XM Roady2. The antenna is the size of 5 quarters stacked on top of each other (sorry for the strange size comparison ).
And you can move it from one vehicle to another (or stuff it into a lockable storage when running the softtop or no top).
I just place the antenna in front of the windshield and on longer trips and more populated areas (read: tall buildings) I'll lay it on the hood or cowl area (it's magnetic).
Works great

I have Sirius and its the best thing out there. Ive had it for about 3 years now and would never get rid of it. I have the original antenna still(the old big one) and its permanently mounted on my hood between the windshield lay downs.

Im a Car Stereo Installer and heres the real deal:

The more unobstructed the view of the sky is, the better it will work. Also, mounting them on metal will make them work better than if on plastic. Thats why all the new ones are magnetic and dont use 3M tape anymore.

Thanks for all the info, I think I'm gonna go for it. Clemson, will it work on a vertical surface like the top of the windshield? Seems like as it's the highest point on the Jeep it'd be the best, but it would be sideways and the signal might be blocked by the rest of the Jeep if going the right direction? Just curious.

Thanks again,
Mark

Height doesnt matter, flat and unobstructed is better. Its coming from a satallite, 2ft isnt going to matter. Plus it will be more difficult to hide wires that way. To mount on the hood, use an existing hole in the firewall, or drill a new one, run the antenna through it and up between the hoon and cowl. Then just stick it right to the back edge of the hood.

Just be sure to DONT PINCH THE WIRE ON ANYTHING. A crimp in the wire will ruin the antenna.

A friend of mine mounted his xm on the cowl, never had any reception problems.