My wife decided she wanted satellite radio in her 2007 Honda Odyssey. It's factory radio is "XM ready" so I purchased the Honda dealer installed kit which consist of the xm receiver, harness and antenna. Now I have done many car stereo installs in my lifetime and knew this should not be an issue. I installed the kit as per the instructions and activated the service.
It works fine when line of site to the sky is clear but when there is heavy tree cover, hills, etc... the signal will drop out frequently. I do not have this issue in my Taurus Sho in the same area. It is my understanding that xm uses local repeaters to pick up the signal and failing that it revert to satellite which is a far weaker signal. To me it appears the Honda uses line of site to the satellite only?! The other possibility is since the antenna is mounted inside on the windshield with the dealer installed kit the signal may be much weaker vs a factory installed roof mounted unit??
I have tried the odyssey forums with zero help thus far. I have searched endlessly online as well and found nothing to help. Sirius/XM tech service is worthless as all they can do is read whats written on the computer screen.
I would try and get an external mount antenna if I was certain it would help but hate to waste time and money if it will not. Not sure of the possibilities of it being a faulty receiver with it working in clear skys.
I am hoping someone experienced with XM radio installs has some pointers or tips. At this point I am open to all suggestions / opinions / links etc.... to get this thing working. It's worthless as is on her normal route to work.
It works fine when line of site to the sky is clear but when there is heavy tree cover, hills, etc... the signal will drop out frequently. I do not have this issue in my Taurus Sho in the same area. It is my understanding that xm uses local repeaters to pick up the signal and failing that it revert to satellite which is a far weaker signal. To me it appears the Honda uses line of site to the satellite only?! The other possibility is since the antenna is mounted inside on the windshield with the dealer installed kit the signal may be much weaker vs a factory installed roof mounted unit??
I have tried the odyssey forums with zero help thus far. I have searched endlessly online as well and found nothing to help. Sirius/XM tech service is worthless as all they can do is read whats written on the computer screen.
I would try and get an external mount antenna if I was certain it would help but hate to waste time and money if it will not. Not sure of the possibilities of it being a faulty receiver with it working in clear skys.
I am hoping someone experienced with XM radio installs has some pointers or tips. At this point I am open to all suggestions / opinions / links etc.... to get this thing working. It's worthless as is on her normal route to work.
Last edited:
Think I will try external mounted antenna.
