Sirius Satellite Radio Hookup
10-06-2004, 03:31 PM
#2
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 230
You need to get the receiver (try Grubbs Performance it's about $275), then you'll need a Sirius antenna (try e-bay for about $30-40), then you'll need an antenna splitter (and they can be difficult to find, again try e-bay about $30).
Instructions for installation are on the Grubbs site...click under the Maxima link.
Instructions for installation are on the Grubbs site...click under the Maxima link.
10-08-2004, 04:12 PM
#8
Originally Posted by DougJones
Bryan,
These guys are talking about the OEM sat box made by Clarion. It's pretty much a plug-and-play deal and you have full control via the headunit.
These guys are talking about the OEM sat box made by Clarion. It's pretty much a plug-and-play deal and you have full control via the headunit.
10-08-2004, 07:01 PM
#9
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 230
Strange, the instructions I have are for a Maxima, and it requires a splitter. The pictures are even of a Maxima. The Nissan dealer says you need a splitter.
I guess you must know more than Nissan's instructions and the Nissan dealer. How did you do that????
I guess you must know more than Nissan's instructions and the Nissan dealer. How did you do that????
10-08-2004, 08:25 PM
#10
Originally Posted by us024077
Strange, the instructions I have are for a Maxima, and it requires a splitter. The pictures are even of a Maxima. The Nissan dealer says you need a splitter.
I guess you must know more than Nissan's instructions and the Nissan dealer. How did you do that????
I guess you must know more than Nissan's instructions and the Nissan dealer. How did you do that????
Oops! Thought they were talking about aftermarket SAT
10-09-2004, 02:07 PM
#11
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 230
Yes I installed mine today, and YES YOU DO NEED A SPLITTER. The radio will NOT work if you plug the antenna directly into the receiver. So...don't know what Grubbs might have told Davesipaq, but they were wrong.
Just goes to show....always follow the directions...
Just goes to show....always follow the directions...
10-11-2004, 04:00 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 30
LOL you guys crack me up. Why would you need a splitter if your car is prewired? Lets look at this. If you get the antenna from Grubbs it has ONE connection on the back of the Clarion unit THATS IT! Mine works like a charm ? Why would you need an ANTENNA splitter anyway? Your not using the MAXIMA antenna...
10-11-2004, 07:18 PM
#14
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 230
It's a satellite antenna splitter, NOT a splitter for the regular radio. The Sirius receiver has 2 (read that as TWO) antenna inputs, one for SAT and one for TER). The antenna has 1 (read that as ONE) plug. Last I knew, you can't fir ONE plug into TWO receptacles at the same time.
FYI...there are 2 types of most satellite systems signals, the satellite signal from outer space, and a terrestrial signal from repeater towers in large cities to combat the satellite shadow, expecially for Sirius because their satellites are in a lower orbit than XM.
You might try to understand what you're atlking about next time.
FYI...there are 2 types of most satellite systems signals, the satellite signal from outer space, and a terrestrial signal from repeater towers in large cities to combat the satellite shadow, expecially for Sirius because their satellites are in a lower orbit than XM.
You might try to understand what you're atlking about next time.
10-12-2004, 07:44 AM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 38
I had the unit and antenna installed by my dealer over the weekend. I love having Sirius in my car! It displays the artist and title on the screen (if you hit the tuner ****) and the sound is much better than using one of those portable units that runs through the radio.
10-12-2004, 07:54 AM
#17
Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 61
Originally Posted by cameek
if the max is prewired for satellite, all you need is just the tuner and antenna and you just need to install those to items (no running wires to the head unit, etc.)?
Has anyone done this and was it fairly easy?
thanks
Has anyone done this and was it fairly easy?
thanks
Took me about a hour and half to install hardest part is working in the trunk.
10-13-2004, 01:49 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 88
I had the unit and antenna installed by my dealer over the weekend. I love having Sirius in my car! It displays the artist and title on the screen (if you hit the tuner ****) and the sound is much better than using one of those portable units that runs through the radio.
surly, how much did the dealership charge you,.,. im just tryin to get a feel for prices. I want a factory sat not an aftermarket one so id prob better off going to the dealership, right???
surly, how much did the dealership charge you,.,. im just tryin to get a feel for prices. I want a factory sat not an aftermarket one so id prob better off going to the dealership, right???
10-14-2004, 04:49 AM
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by marmadogg
How do I know if my Max is 'pre-wired'?
I picked it up the first week of June in 2003.
I picked it up the first week of June in 2003.
2 different ways:
1st on the driver side door jamb (near the bottom of the seat) there is a sticker that says it is prewired
2nd you can call the dealer and give them your vin #, and they can tell you also
10-14-2004, 04:51 AM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 20
Satellite antenna
Has anyone hooked up a satellite radio antenna inside the car on the rear deck? I have read on some other forums that you can, although it is recommended that you insert a metal plate of some sort underneath it to help increase the reception.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
10-14-2004, 08:46 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 61
Originally Posted by cameek
Has anyone hooked up a satellite radio antenna inside the car on the rear deck? I have read on some other forums that you can, although it is recommended that you insert a metal plate of some sort underneath it to help increase the reception.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
10-14-2004, 09:09 AM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by BLKMAX X2
I tired the back shelf and it didn't work very well with reception clouds, building, trees just about anything would interrupt the signal so I put it on the top and 99.9% better. Some have it on the back panel with great reception maybe depends on where you live I'm in NW Arkansas. Actually puting it on top was a lot easier than I thought just didn't like the idea of a antenna on the back of the car. Try it and see.
what size antenna did you get, and how does it look?
10-14-2004, 09:31 AM
#25
Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 61
I have the Terk Sirius Micro Satellite Antenna
http://www.grubbsperformance.com/Mer...ius_micro2.jpg
I dont have a current picture with the antenna on.
http://www.grubbsperformance.com/Mer...ius_micro2.jpg
I dont have a current picture with the antenna on.
10-14-2004, 04:10 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 951
This site is great for anyone looking to hook up SAT...either with or without prewired for SAT radio. Bookmark it, as it shows you EVERYTHING....pics and all.
Moderators....if you can, please make this a sticky added to the MOD posts. Wish I knew who to give credit to for this nice writeup. Real good stuff, even though it is a G, still, same should apply. 1st step, check your door jam to see if yours is PREWIRED, will say it right on there as mine does. If that is the case, easy job. There are many types of antennas, some require a splitter, some do not. Depends on the antenna you want. Right now, I just have XM radio with a XM Roady, antenna sitting in the back tray near the speakers, micro antenna, reception is fine. When I get some money and time, will be getting the Grubbs XM tuner and will just plug and play after using an old 2 lead XM antenna and the Grubbs tuner. Hope this helps.
http://g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=19
Moderators....if you can, please make this a sticky added to the MOD posts. Wish I knew who to give credit to for this nice writeup. Real good stuff, even though it is a G, still, same should apply. 1st step, check your door jam to see if yours is PREWIRED, will say it right on there as mine does. If that is the case, easy job. There are many types of antennas, some require a splitter, some do not. Depends on the antenna you want. Right now, I just have XM radio with a XM Roady, antenna sitting in the back tray near the speakers, micro antenna, reception is fine. When I get some money and time, will be getting the Grubbs XM tuner and will just plug and play after using an old 2 lead XM antenna and the Grubbs tuner. Hope this helps.
http://g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=19
10-15-2004, 09:34 PM
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by SilverSL
surly, how much did the dealership charge you,.,. im just tryin to get a feel for prices. I want a factory sat not an aftermarket one so id prob better off going to the dealership, right???
I'm very happy with the install...the antenna is sleek and doesn't look out of place at all. By using the factory unit, you get a true digital signal, and if you tap the tuner button, it will display artist and song titles on the screen. The portable units sold at Best Buy, etc. send a signal through your radio, so you get a compressed sound and not a true stereo mix (at least that's what my stereo expert buddies tell me!) I rented a car over the summer with one of those units and the sound quality was definitely weak in comparison to what I have now in my Max.
In addition to the New Wave channel, I'm now hooked on their Garage Rock channel as well...they are playing all kinds of cool stuff I have not heard before.
10-17-2004, 04:37 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 951
Moderators, can we get this added to the mods for SAT hookup...will help out others asking the same question.
Originally Posted by carcus
This site is great for anyone looking to hook up SAT...either with or without prewired for SAT radio. Bookmark it, as it shows you EVERYTHING....pics and all.
Moderators....if you can, please make this a sticky added to the MOD posts. Wish I knew who to give credit to for this nice writeup. Real good stuff, even though it is a G, still, same should apply. 1st step, check your door jam to see if yours is PREWIRED, will say it right on there as mine does. If that is the case, easy job. There are many types of antennas, some require a splitter, some do not. Depends on the antenna you want. Right now, I just have XM radio with a XM Roady, antenna sitting in the back tray near the speakers, micro antenna, reception is fine. When I get some money and time, will be getting the Grubbs XM tuner and will just plug and play after using an old 2 lead XM antenna and the Grubbs tuner. Hope this helps.
http://g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=19
Moderators....if you can, please make this a sticky added to the MOD posts. Wish I knew who to give credit to for this nice writeup. Real good stuff, even though it is a G, still, same should apply. 1st step, check your door jam to see if yours is PREWIRED, will say it right on there as mine does. If that is the case, easy job. There are many types of antennas, some require a splitter, some do not. Depends on the antenna you want. Right now, I just have XM radio with a XM Roady, antenna sitting in the back tray near the speakers, micro antenna, reception is fine. When I get some money and time, will be getting the Grubbs XM tuner and will just plug and play after using an old 2 lead XM antenna and the Grubbs tuner. Hope this helps.
http://g-owners.com/article_read.asp?id=19
10-18-2004, 02:54 PM
#32
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 95
Malnevik, you got a hot thread started here!
I put my Sirius unit in myself in late June. I thought it was cake and it took maybe an hour start to finish. The biggest time factor is removing the trim pieces to get to the mounting locations. Prior to permanently mounting my antenna, I tested it by laying it in the rear shelf. I'm using the standard size antenna and found that I get excellent reception with it. On the steel panel under the rear shelf, there's a hole in the exact center maybe 6" ahead of the high-mount stop light. All you have to do is punch a little hole through the fuzzy shelf material with something sharp and then run the antenna lead down into the trunk and to the tuner. Removing the adhesive on the back of the antenna and putting something like a big book on it overnight to make it stick has worked fine for me. Reception was great during a trip to the Rockies this summer, even in the mountain canyons. Lost it in the tunnels of course, but I wouldn't have even been getting FM outside the tunnels.
I got my tuner from Grubbs and bought the antenna from Crutchfield as part of a discontinued AudioVox kit for $24. Normally you can pay $50-60 just for the antenna.
I also have found the splitter at CircuitCity for less than $10.
I'm afraid I'm spoiled and have to have Sirius in the car. It's really great on a long trip! Good luck, don't be afraid to install it yourself, Grubbs sends out very good instructions.
I put my Sirius unit in myself in late June. I thought it was cake and it took maybe an hour start to finish. The biggest time factor is removing the trim pieces to get to the mounting locations. Prior to permanently mounting my antenna, I tested it by laying it in the rear shelf. I'm using the standard size antenna and found that I get excellent reception with it. On the steel panel under the rear shelf, there's a hole in the exact center maybe 6" ahead of the high-mount stop light. All you have to do is punch a little hole through the fuzzy shelf material with something sharp and then run the antenna lead down into the trunk and to the tuner. Removing the adhesive on the back of the antenna and putting something like a big book on it overnight to make it stick has worked fine for me. Reception was great during a trip to the Rockies this summer, even in the mountain canyons. Lost it in the tunnels of course, but I wouldn't have even been getting FM outside the tunnels.
I got my tuner from Grubbs and bought the antenna from Crutchfield as part of a discontinued AudioVox kit for $24. Normally you can pay $50-60 just for the antenna.
I also have found the splitter at CircuitCity for less than $10.
I'm afraid I'm spoiled and have to have Sirius in the car. It's really great on a long trip! Good luck, don't be afraid to install it yourself, Grubbs sends out very good instructions.
10-19-2004, 05:18 PM
#37
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Since my car is already wired all I need is the receiver, splitter and antenna.
Then what is the difference between these 2 units? Outside of the obvious cost difference?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-F1fhYK9...50&I=020SIRCL1
http://www.grubbsperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=999U9&Catego ry_Code=Specials
Then what is the difference between these 2 units? Outside of the obvious cost difference?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-F1fhYK9...50&I=020SIRCL1
http://www.grubbsperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=999U9&Catego ry_Code=Specials
10-19-2004, 06:23 PM
#38
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 95
Been there, done that. I bought a Clarion unit on ebay cheap thinking I'd save a bunch of money. They're both Clarion, right? Yes they are, BUT the Nissan unit has a very unique jack where the m-link or whatever they call it connects. This connection appears to be exclusive to Nissan and is the main wiring harness that connects the tuner to the head unit. I've checked lots of places that make adapter harnesses to accomplish this sort of thing, but they all tell me that they have no plans to make such a harness. Most likely not enough demand. So, you're pretty much left with one choice if you want it to work with your Nissan head unit. If you could dig up a schematic and find the pin-outs, you could most likely make a harness yourself. Anyway, that's what I encountered.
10-20-2004, 03:51 AM
#39
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 85
Originally Posted by daltongc
Been there, done that. I bought a Clarion unit on ebay cheap thinking I'd save a bunch of money. They're both Clarion, right? Yes they are, BUT the Nissan unit has a very unique jack where the m-link or whatever they call it connects. This connection appears to be exclusive to Nissan and is the main wiring harness that connects the tuner to the head unit. I've checked lots of places that make adapter harnesses to accomplish this sort of thing, but they all tell me that they have no plans to make such a harness. Most likely not enough demand. So, you're pretty much left with one choice if you want it to work with your Nissan head unit. If you could dig up a schematic and find the pin-outs, you could most likely make a harness yourself. Anyway, that's what I encountered.
10-20-2004, 04:29 PM
#40
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
BUT the Nissan unit has a very unique jack where the m-link or whatever they call it connects. This connection appears to be exclusive to Nissan and is the main wiring harness that connects the tuner to the head unit. I've checked lots of places that make adapter harnesses to accomplish this sort of thing, but they all tell me that they have no plans to make such a harness.