XM Satellite Radio

[nova87]

:help:

My wife purchased the Roady for me for Christmas and I would like to install by myself. I am looking for any suggestions on mounting the antenna and running the wire. The antenna itself is very small (about 2 inches square) and is generally mounted (via magnet) towards the rear of the roof. My question is how should I run the wire to get it inside the vehicle. Most websites I have seen say that you can press the wire under the weatherstripping but are silent as to how to then get it into the car itself. My thought is to get it into the engine compartment and then find some wire channel to run it to the front of the vehicle.

The next question is how to get the receiver hooked up to the radio. I have a Becker CDR-220 in my 02 Carrera. If I opt for a direct connect to the radio I have to use the AUX jacks which are currently being used by the CD changer. At first glance it appears that I can enjoy one or the other but not both. I could use an FM modulator as an alternative although the sound quality won't be as good. Additionally I'd like to hardwire the Roady rather than use the lighter. As a side note I need to hardwire my 8500 as well. A quick question about that - is it necessary to remove the A pillar to hide the wire and how can I get the wire "through" the dash?

As you can guess I'm pretty new to all this but I'm pretty handy and this really doesn't appear to be that difficult.

Thanks,

JD

[msindi]

I am interested in this thread too as I would like to hardwire my Ipod in my 03TT...I have PCM II (MOST) and factory CD changer....I know there is no other AUX input but there has to be a way...The FM modulator quality SUX (pardon my French)

[nova87]

Just as a follow up.....I called Becker the other day and the service person there did some quick thinking while we were on the phone and said there MIGHT be a way to do this although he had never tried this method. I thought I understood him but now I realize that I didn't.

His thought was that you could purchase two six foot RCA cables - essentially running one from the adapter to the CD changer and one from the adapter to the Roady unit. In order to change between the two you'd have to manually reach under the dash (where the adapter would be) and unplug one and plug the other in. Both would be controlled by the CD controls of the radio. That's the part that I'm unclear about. I assume that the Roady would have to be plugged into the changer somehow.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Also, as to my other questions - does the passenger A pillar have to be removed in order to get a clean install of a radar detector mounted to the right of my mirror? If so is that easily done?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JD

[Poursha]

Also, as to my other questions - does the passenger A pillar have to be removed in order to get a clean install of a radar detector mounted to the right of my mirror?  If so is that easily done?

I had my V1 installed to the right of the rear view mirror, and the installer ran the wire from the fuse panel (where he got power), removed the drivers door weatherstrip and ran the wire up that area to where the A pillar and the headliner support intersect, and fished the wire between the A pillar trim and roof (took a while with stiff wires, etc.) and then between the headliner support and roof, to the right side of the rear view mirror. It wasn't easy to fish the wire between the A pillar trim and the roof, but I wanted to avoid taking the A pillar trim off (his first suggestion) because I didn't want to risk introducing any squeaks.

[Tool Pants]

For the antenna the Boxster/996 owners mount it next to the pollen filter which is next to the battery. Then you can run the wire behind the battery to the radio through the rubber plug that is behind one end of the battery. This plug is where we run the cd changer cable from the radio to the trunk. Jeff

[nova87]

For the antenna the Boxster/996 owners mount it next to the pollen filter which is next to the battery.  Then you can run the wire behind the battery to the radio through the rubber plug that is behind one end of the battery.  This plug is where we run the cd changer cable from the radio to the trunk.  Jeff

ToolPants - Thanks for the suggestion. It is clearly the most logical I have heard.

So the antenna sits on the front trunk lid or off to the side?

[Tool Pants]

[nova87]

Thanks again Tool Pants.

I guess I was under the mistaken impression that the antenna had to be mounted on the outside of the car. I have the unit "rigged" in my winter DD - a pathfinder and I have tried the antenna on the dash and on the roof. While on the dash I experience spotty reception. Is that a special antenna or the one that comes with the unit?

You wouldn't happen to know the answer to the other question about direct wiring the unit through the CD player would you? Or have most of the installs you've seen been done with a modulator?

[Tool Pants]

I don't pay much attention. Our local Porsche group works on car together and when I see something non oem I will take a look at it.

Other then the way you suggested I know of no way without a modulator if you have a changer. The socket that the changer cable plugs into on the back of the radio head is the same socket for the aux in. That is why you cannot have both at the same time. One or the other only.

[msindi]

is there a ways to have like a port replicator or y-junction to have 2 inouts into one AUX?? I guess switching inside becomes a problem then...

[Tool Pants]

My knowledge of electrical or stereo stuff is little to none.

About 5 years ago someone claimed they installed an A/B switch on a Boxster. Satelite radio did not exist back then. Back then us Boxster owners only had the 210 radio which did not have an aux in, as the 220 did not start until 1999 when the 996 was first sold in the US. I remember no details or if it is true. Maybe you cut into the the cd changer cable and install the switch.

Try the Becker board but it looks like Horst does not answer questions anymore. The messages I have seen there over the years are just what I have reported.

For what it is worth, PCM2 does not even have an aux in. If you have a changer and want to switch to XM you have to use a modulator. Different system but why you cannot switch from one to the other questions have been going on for years.