My XM works great except when I drive EAST in my truck. I have it mounted on the roof, front passenger side. It was the easiest place to put it, but it looks like I'll have to move it somewhere else to get better reception. Any ideas why this is happening? You can see the antenna fine from any side of the truck.

George

What kind of truck. Try moving the antenna as you said.

2006 Toyota Tacoma. I know they recommend putting it through the third brake light, but that's a pain in the butt. Just wondering if this is a common symptom for misplacement. Thanks.

Don't drive East

Yes it is common. Hey sportsfan he could drive east, just have to do it in reverse.

Yes it is common. Hey sportsfan he could drive east, just have to do it in reverse.

Good thinking.

OP-

Once again we good people here at AVIC411 have solved all your problems

Guess I'll just take it off-road and head NE instead of East.

Try centering your antenna on the roof. If you have it on the passenger side, the antenna is on the south side of your roof when you are going east (unless you are driving an english car, then forget about the rest of this post ). I believe that the antennas can use the roof to reflect some of the signals and thereby creating a larger antenna (sort of like a dish). Since most of your roof is "after" then antenna, it cannot reflect anything giving you a weaker signal.

Just my .02

Its not really using it like a dish, its using it as a ground plane, but you make a valid point, the center would be the best place for it...just looks a bit odd with the wire running out to it..

Yeah, you're right. But I figured that by using the word "dish", it would give most people a clearer picture. Hope it works.

Well i tried it everywhere on my roof and got the same result. Crutchfield says the antenna could be bad so they are going to send me a whole new unit to try out. I'll let you know what happens.

for free? Sounds like you hit the jackpot

That's why Crutchfield kicks ass. Of course I have to send one of them back, hopefully it's just the antenna.