Move XM ANTENNA

[kad's_Glad]

Moving the existing pod to over the visor sounds like a good option in your situation. That Maximus bracket looks well made. Or, there’s moving the existing antenna to the wiper cowl like this person did: https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/satellite-antenna-problem-solved.1884969/
But you’d have to be okay with the look.

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[Gladiator Overland]

Moving the existing pod to over the visor sounds like a good option in your situation. That Maximus bracket looks well made. Or, there’s moving the existing antenna to the wiper cowl like this person did: https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/satellite-antenna-problem-solved.1884969/
But you’d have to be okay with the look.

Im not 100% sure what I would like to do. That said I may talk with a fabricator to design a mount for the top of the Alucab Camper. This way no matter if I add a roof rack, lights, etc. I shouldnt have interference with either my Satellite Radio, nor GPS.

 

[kad's_Glad]

My issue is that I have a Camper right over the Middle Sports Bar. So receptions is terrible now. Given that from all available things I have seen put the stock antenna location about the middle rollbar, usually not an issue except when you have a roof rack or camper there. So two options for reception would be moving toward the front of the vehicle or relocating on top of the Camper top with my Cell phone booster antenna.

Does your cell phone booster work pretty well? If so, which one do you have?

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I was today years old when I learned people still use over the air radio.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Does your cell phone booster work pretty well? If so, which one do you have?

I’ll have to get back to you. Have yet to install it. I’ll post up a video. Although we ended up with the Wilson Booster it was our second choice. We went with the truck/RV version. I do hope to have electrical finished in the next month on the camper and this includes things like the booster. Still waiting for certain things like solar panels and cabinets to come in as well as bed rug so I can complete these installs.

 

[kad's_Glad]

I’ll have to get back to you. Have yet to install it. I’ll post up a video. Although we ended up with the Wilson Booster it was our second choice. We went with the truck/RV version. I do hope to have electrical finished in the next month on the camper and this includes things like the booster. Still waiting for certain things like solar panels and cabinets to come in as well as bed rug so I can complete these installs.

You have quite a project going there. I’m awaiting the arrival of a used Digital PowerMax DA4000MR (marine version) to try out. I haven’t met anyone with 1st hand experience which is why I asked. Opinions on the internet are all over the place for boosters. Best of luck.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

You have quite a project going there. I’m awaiting the arrival of a used Digital PowerMax DA4000MR (marine version) to try out. I haven’t met anyone with 1st hand experience which is why I asked. Opinions on the internet are all over the place for boosters. Best of luck.

Wanted to go with the CeFi / Nextivity Go G32 booster and RFI Technologies CDQ7195 antenna. Probably the route I would have eventually gone to. Had put it on the back burner as there are things that have to be done in budget. Yet, somehow when a sponsor comes through and helps fill the void. I’m willing to give it a try. There are a few others with similar setups running the Wilson truck booster with good results. As always it only boosts an available signal and if one isn’t there it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean you’d always normally be able to see the signal. Ideally 0-1bar should go to ful if you can grab a signal. I’ll mount the antenna on top of the alucab canopy camper which will also give height when stationary. I’ve heard that while moving it isn’t as impressive in how well it can boost a signal. As long as I am aware of these shortcomings I can fill in these gaps as needed. We even are forgoing my Yaesu ftm400 right now for simplicity of users and licensing centralization to keep all users legal and under my GMRS family license. More than what most would need for handheld and vehicle to vehicle comms. Side note will be vehicle emergency connect if needed but not relied upon. We will have cell phones , and garmin inreach mini for emergencies where we can’t get signal. If we do more overseas travels I’ll add a day phone and iridium sun for basic emergency calls.

 

[kad's_Glad]

Wanted to go with the CeFi / Nextivity Go G32 booster and RFI Technologies CDQ7195 antenna. Probably the route I would have eventually gone to. Had put it on the back burner as there are things that have to be done in budget. Yet, somehow when a sponsor comes through and helps fill the void. I’m willing to give it a try. There are a few others with similar setups running the Wilson truck booster with good results. As always it only boosts an available signal and if one isn’t there it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean you’d always normally be able to see the signal. Ideally 0-1bar should go to ful if you can grab a signal. I’ll mount the antenna on top of the alucab canopy camper which will also give height when stationary. I’ve heard that while moving it isn’t as impressive in how well it can boost a signal. As long as I am aware of these shortcomings I can fill in these gaps as needed. We even are forgoing my Yaesu ftm400 right now for simplicity of users and licensing centralization to keep all users legal and under my GMRS family license. More than what most would need for handheld and vehicle to vehicle comms. Side note will be vehicle emergency connect if needed but not relied upon. We will have cell phones , and garmin inreach mini for emergencies where we can’t get signal. If we do more overseas travels I’ll add a day phone and iridium sun for basic emergency calls.

Seems like you have a good plan and backup plans. And having a sponsor on board is a real plus. Should provide you added help & support. Boosters can be a bit finicky from what I hear. Curious how it eventually turns out.

 

[chorky]

Im not 100% sure what I would like to do. That said I may talk with a fabricator to design a mount for the top of the Alucab Camper. This way no matter if I add a roof rack, lights, etc. I shouldnt have interference with either my Satellite Radio, nor GPS.

Did it impact the GPS really bad? Sat radio is meh but that would be a bummer if it made the GPS basically non-functional. Curious to see what you come up with a result as I also am putting in an order for the alt-cab.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Did it impact the GPS really bad? Sat radio is meh but that would be a bummer if it made the GPS basically non-functional. Curious to see what you come up with a result as I also am putting in an order for the alt-cab.

I don’t know honestly as I mainly use a tablet with Gaia or CarPlay Gaia to the radio 8.3”. I can also pull gps from my inreach mini. Haven’t considered an extra external satellite antenna as I haven’t really gotten to test things yet up in mountains or extreme wooded areas. Either the build, weather, medical, waiting on certain back orders to make camper functional (still don’t have power setup. (Waiting on my solar panels, and goose gear stuff to lay out the electronics and batteries.) or personal has gotten in the way of going out and doing it.

 

[JTOverlander21]

I don’t know honestly as I mainly use a tablet with Gaia or CarPlay Gaia to the radio 8.3”. I can also pull gps from my inreach mini. Haven’t considered an extra external satellite antenna as I haven’t really gotten to test things yet up in mountains or extreme wooded areas. Either the build, weather, medical, waiting on certain back orders to make camper functional (still don’t have power setup. (Waiting on my solar panels, and goose gear stuff to lay out the electronics and batteries.) or personal has gotten in the way of going out and doing it.

I just installed the Maximus 3 bracket in mine today, only took it for a 15 minute drive after but the XM reception was significantly better than before. Thought I would have to move my radio pouch but didn't even need to.

 

[chorky]

I just installed the Maximus 3 bracket in mine today, only took it for a 15 minute drive after but the XM reception was significantly better than before. Thought I would have to move my radio pouch but didn't even need to.

Pretty cool!

However, I am curious if anyone knows what sort of impact this may have to the body now that the transmitter is much closer to your head on a constant basis.

Yes - I realize most don't care but after having a brain tumor on the side I used to use my cell phone I am sensitive to that situation.

 

[teamblkdog]

I just installed the Maximus 3 bracket in mine today, only took it for a 15 minute drive after but the XM reception was significantly better than before. Thought I would have to move my radio pouch but didn't even need to.

Were you able to remove the XM antenna without removing the hard top?

 

[JTOverlander21]

Were you able to remove the XM antenna without removing the hard top?

The freedom panels came off, but the rear section remained in place.

 

[vsayler]

I have the alucab canopy camper on my JT. Just had the antenna moved using the Maximus 3 relocation bracket. Works great

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