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The Mercedes-Benz SL (R230) Forum
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Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)
Automaker: Mercedes-Benz
Model: SL (R230)
Years: 2001-Current
Topic: Automotive Forums, Mercedes-Benz
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Mod-O-Matic (beta!): Please vote with care. You must be logged in to use Mod-O-Matic Move post to: For Sale | Group Buy | Off Topic | NWS/Adult    Remove due to Spam/Troll | Prohibited       Highlight as: Informative | Success Story
 
Author:  
jim496 on 2004-07-23 at 20:45:36(posted from: Host: dpc6682033081.direcpc.com IP: 66.82.33.81) 
    
Subject:  
Hidden satellite radio antenna installation (11694 views) (20301 thread views) 
Message: The Mercedes-recommended way to install Sirius radio on the SL55 and SL500 is pretty ugly. The antenna goes smack in the middle of the trunk, and it’s about the size and shape of a computer mouse. It’s black, and can’t be painted with metallic paint without interfering with its intended function, and really sticks out on any color SL but a black one. (The BMW 645 has the right idea: use an antenna embedded in the trunk lid; unfortunately, the BMW Sirius radio can’t presently use that antenna, or any other one.)

After some research and experimentation, I’ve managed to do a hidden installation of a Sirius antenna on my SL55. I put it under the little grill on the back edge of the hood where the windshield washer sits. I didn’t use the antenna supplied with the Mercedes kit because the cable was too short to reach. I used a Terk SIR3 antenna, and a Terk SIR-SP splitter to take the single lead from the antenna and split it into the separate terrestrial and satellite leads that the Mercedes Sirius receiver provides. The cable on the SIR3 is plenty long enough to make the run up to the front of the engine compartment.

Originally, I mounted the SIR3 to the black plastic shelf under the grill. Reception was lousy. Then I mounted the antenna to the underside of the grill, and now have reception that is acceptable, but not as good as the factory-installed XM radio in my GMC ¾ ton truck, which has the antenna on the roof.

I don’t think there’s any place you can mount the antenna on the convertible where you’re going to get as good results as a roof-mounted antenna. If you mount it on the trunk, the roof is going to block reception when you’re driving in a southerly direction, especially if you’re going up a hill. Where I’ve mounted the antenna, the roof interferes when you’re driving northwest.

To me, it’s a much better solution than the black mouse on the trunk. I think the ultimate plan would be to use a Mercedes-supplied antenna with a longer cable, probably supplied by Daimler-Chrysler for Sirius installations in another one of its cars. Anyone know of such an antenna/cable?

Jim

 
 

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