whats up guys, i just got a new sirius starmate 5. getting ready to install it.(03 f250 ext. cab). i was wondering where the best place is to mount the FM antenna extender.

 

The FM Extender is a part that comes with the new radios to help improve the wireless FM Transmission. But they really are worthless in terms of what they do. But if you are going to try it out put it on the window closest to the FM Antenna. I'm guessing that would be the Right hand side of the windshield.

 

i highly recommend investing in the direct hook up as to avoid having to install it later because you will want to down the road...trust me.

 

x2 with the direct hook up through antenna. This solved my reception problems. FYI this unit works fine with fm extender in my Honda and wifes Bmw X5 just not in My f150

 

thanks for all the information guys. iam new to the world of sirius so bare with me haha. does the direct hookup mean plugging into the back of my deck? and do i have to buy the direct connect seperate? i got the sirius and vehicle hookup package. if this is a dumb question im sry haha.

 

There is something called the FM Direct Adapter and it will sound good when installed. But not quite as an Aux In connection like with the use of an Aux Input Adapter or in newer cars the Aux Cable.

We have a refurbished FM Direct Adapter for about $8. And in your 2003 F150 it's all you need because some vehicles need additional adapters but not your model. Here is the refurbished FM Direct Adapter. http://www.tss-radio.com/refurbished...ay-p-6440.html

You will connect this piece where you FM Antenna plugs into behind your radio and then that FM Antenna will plug into the FM Direct Adapter. It creates a circuit where it will wire the SIRIUS into a specific FM Station and won't allow interference.

Otherwise the Best solution which you would connect behind your radio that provides the best sound quality and will hardwire the power to the Sirius Unit would be this device. Just make sure you have a CD Changer port on your radio and that you aren't using it. This will plug into that harness.
http://www.tss-radio.com/ford-xm5frdn-p-3757.html

 

thanks for explaining that for me, it makes sense and it def sounds like something i wanna hookup. i had no clue you could do that.

 

forgot to mention. i have a 03 f250 with factory deck. will it work with that?

 

I have had my XM in 3 different vehicles. Haven't had an issue in any of them as long as i use the direct connect!! CD Quality from coast to coast! No issues of station bleed over! However, i just installed mine over the weekend in my F150. It's a 2005. I connected it to several fuses in the fuse box trying to find one that turned on and off with the radio. I am not having any luck. It does one of two things:

1. Stays on all the time - I can accept this and set the 3 hour sleep timer on my XM just in case i forget to turn it off...
2. It turns on when the key is in the start position, not in the first click when the battery turns on, and it turns off on the first click not the second.. Make any sense? So on both sides you get the annoying static sound from the radio when the XM turns off.

Does anyone know which fuse to use on the 05 F150 to avoid this issue? Other than this the install was a piece of cake!

 

Yes it will. I was using that as the vehicle of reference. Also a Vehicle Specific Mount for 2003 F150 will make your install look a lot cleaner. And probably want to get a Swivel with that.

 

awesome. thanks agaain. ill let you know how it goes this weekend.