Installing Sirius Radio In Mazda 3 Hatchback

[thedoctorsdead]

Gonna get the sirius radio hooked up to head unit. Some guys recommend installing the hardware in the glovebox and putting the antenna on the dash. Any thoughts on this and or advice on what's the best install method? -L

[icspots]

Gonna get the sirius radio hooked up to head unit. Some guys recommend installing the hardware in the glovebox and putting the antenna on the dash. Any thoughts on this and or advice on what's the best install method? -L
[/b]

Yes, that will work. Couple of points though. Some people have complained that the sirius tuner got hot in the glove compartment, so just fyi. Second, you can put antenna on the dash, but even with the slant of the windshield you won't get as good reception as you would if you the antenna on the outside of the car as the roof will still occasionally get in the way of the satellite.

My suggestion is get a functional sharkfin from www.sharkfinantenna.com, install the sirius antenna right behind the stock antenna, and replace the whip on the stocker with the sharkfin. End result, good sirius reception with no visible additional antenna.

Incidentally the mazda recommended sirius install has the sirius box in the back of the car (between the paneling and the skin of the car) with the antenna on the front left of the trunk. I can find the install guide for the OEM method, as well as some other ones if you need it.

[HondaH8er]

Incidentally the mazda recommended sirius install has the sirius box in the back of the car (between the paneling and the skin of the car) with the antenna on the front left of the trunk.
[/b]

I went with this option and it works great. I have no problems with reception.

[thedoctorsdead]

Great solution! This shark fin idea is genious because originally I wanted to put the antenna on the roof but I didn't want to clutter it up with 2 antennas. Shark fin looks way better than that lame whip hanging off the back. Thanks for once again coming through with some great advice. My only complaint with the car now is that the seats are a little hard. -L

[thedoctorsdead]

I went with this option and it works great. I have no problems with reception.
[/b]

So did you put the Sirius antenna right behind the mazda antenna? -L

[thedoctorsdead]

Yes, that will work. Couple of points though. Some people have complained that the sirius tuner got hot in the glove compartment, so just fyi. Second, you can put antenna on the dash, but even with the slant of the windshield you won't get as good reception as you would if you the antenna on the outside of the car as the roof will still occasionally get in the way of the satellite.

My suggestion is get a functional sharkfin from www.sharkfinantenna.com, install the sirius antenna right behind the stock antenna, and replace the whip on the stocker with the sharkfin. End result, good sirius reception with no visible additional antenna.

Incidentally the mazda recommended sirius install has the sirius box in the back of the car (between the paneling and the skin of the car) with the antenna on the front left of the trunk. I can find the install guide for the OEM method, as well as some other ones if you need it.
[/b]

I think I'm gonna go with one of these shark fins but my one concern is that if I cover the Sirius antenna with a shark fin won't that affect the reception of the Sirius radio? -L

[icspots]

I think I'm gonna go with one of these shark fins but my one concern is that if I cover the Sirius antenna with a shark fin won't that affect the reception of the Sirius radio? -L
[/b]

The sharkfin is just plastic (or fiberglass, or something), and it will not interfere with the sirius signal at all. The sharkfin has a built in antenna that attaches to the OEM mount. You'll get slightly worse reception for the FM/AM system, but still better than what you'd get with a stubby antenna.

So did you put the Sirius antenna right behind the mazda antenna? -L[/b]

He mounted it like Mazda said, with the antenna on the left side of the trunk lid.

]Great solution! This shark fin idea is genious because originally I wanted to put the antenna on the roof but I didn't want to clutter it up with 2 antennas. Shark fin looks way better than that lame whip hanging off the back. Thanks for once again coming through with some great advice. My only complaint with the car now is that the seats are a little hard. -L [/b]

Not a problem. I didn't actually come up with the idea, I just knew where the people who did were. :P I agree that the seats are a little hard, and can be uncomfortable over long rides. After sitting in the chair/bed at my dentist's office which have tempurpedic cushioning I started thinking if it would be possible to cut out the foam right under the "seat" in the bottom cushion, and the lower portion of the back cushion and put in some memory foam panels. Maybe if I find some cheap Mz3 seats out of a wrecked one I'll do something like that. I could be fun.

[powel2600@aol.com]

Yes, that will work. Couple of points though. Some people have complained that the sirius tuner got hot in the glove compartment, so just fyi. Second, you can put antenna on the dash, but even with the slant of the windshield you won't get as good reception as you would if you the antenna on the outside of the car as the roof will still occasionally get in the way of the satellite.

Incidentally the mazda recommended sirius install has the sirius box in the back of the car (between the paneling and the skin of the car) with the antenna on the front left of the trunk. I can find the install guide for the OEM method, as well as some other ones if you need it.[/b]

I would like to take a look a the OEM method if you could provide that for me.

Thanks.

[icspots]

I would like to take a look a the OEM method if you could provide that for me.

Thanks.[/b]

I should hopefully have them later today. PM me with your e-mail and I'll send them to you.

[fretman@rogers.com]

I went with this option and it works great. I have no problems with reception.[/b]

Would you be able to provide a picture of the antenna and where Mazda mounted it. I'm getting the car soon with the dealer installed Sirius and I just want to make sure that the antennna is not an eye sore. Thanks.