How to Install Portable Satellite Radio

Satellite radio is becoming a growing choice for many people. Nearly all portable radio receivers come with the equipment to install in your car. Installation is then an easy process toward getting those 200 clear satellite channels in your car.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Basic Installation

1. Mount the radio's cradle in the car. This usually has an adhesive end to place on the dashboard or windshield. Or you may have a mount with tabs to hang off of an air vent for something more temporary.

2. Install the power supply to the radio. This is done through the included wire with the cigarette lighter adapter. Find the port in the radio that matches the connector then plug the other end into the car.

3. Connect the antenna to the tuner. This is also simple because the antenna port will likely be unique from any else.

4. Attach the signal connector. The standard connection is with a cassette player adapter. Or you may need an FM modulator or RCA patch cables that will be explained later.

5. Mount the antenna on the outside of the car. You want somewhere with no obstruction. On the back of the roof usually works best.

6. Run the antenna wire back through the car. Look for a way so the wire will be least obstructive and visible. Running it through the weather stripping on the door may work best.

Installing an FM Modulator

7. Find a place in the car to mount the modulator. Remember that it must connect to your factory radio and the satellite radio tuner.

8. Remove your in-dash radio. You need access to the antenna input and the power and ground wires.

9. Connect the modulator to both the constant power source and the switched on/off source. Look for empty fuse holders at the fuse panel and insert fuse taps. Secure the black ground wire beneath a nearby screw making contact with bare metal on the vehicle's body.

10. Plug the car's antenna into the antenna input on the FM modulator. Connect the modulator output to the radio's antenna input.

11. Connect the satellite tuner to the FM modulator. Find a modulation frequency that matches an unused frequency in the area.

Tips & Warnings

• Your tuner may have a wireless FM Modulator. All you'll need to do is engage the modulator and link it with an unused FM frequency.
• You may need to switch frequencies on an FM modulator once you enter a different area.
• If your in-car radio has an auxiliary audio connector, you can connect it through RCA patch cables. This can be the best option as you'll get the fullest bandwidth response without radio-wave interference.