I have a Sirius Starmate Replay unit, that came with a low-profile magnetic-mount antenna. I discovered that it is small enough to attach to the rear spoiler, instead of having to mount it onto the vehicle roof.


When opening the hatch, it tucks itself between the body and the hatch door:


My question has to do with routing the cable into the interior. What I have done so far, is have it follow the wiring through the third brake light entrance point:


I guess my question is, what can I do better, to make sure I don't get water leaking around the seal, where the antenna lead enters the hatch?

(and before anyone says anything, I do plan to "neaten up" the cable route... I just don't want to make anything too permanent, until I have things where they will be staying)

Thanks ahead of time, for any suggestions y'all may have.

 

Make it permanent and seal it with a sealant. Like a caulk of some sort.
Or try and make a hole in the rubber gromit that fits the wire very snug.

 

Since the plug on the other end of the lead would require a much bigger hole, I would love to be able to cut the antenna wire, then push it through a pinhole in the rubber grommet. Can I cut/splice an antenna lead, without losing any of the effectiveness of the antenna?

 

can you take off the "big" part of that third brake light gommeet and route it from the top down to the bottom?

since water won't travel up, make a U turn and down inside.. so that should be better

-joe

 

Unless I can splice the antenna wire, there's no way I could route it through the rubber casing, from the top of the 3rd brake light wiring rubber tube, as the plug end of the antenna won't fit.

If I can cut/route/splice the antenna feed wire, without losing signal quality, then there are tons of options I know I can handle.

 

good lord...you do know that they sell an interior XM/Sirius radio antenna right?

 

Yes, but with metallic window tint, it affects reception... so I have to go with an outdoor antenna.

 

I don't recommend trying to make a "permanent" mount. I've had 3 sirius antennas go bad in 2 years. I finally bought a Monster...has a lifetime guarantee.

My point is...if I had permanently mounted any of them, it would've sucked trying to replace. Something to consider.