XM activation on an 07 RTS

We purchased an 07 RTS a week ago. Absolutely love it! But having been spoiled with XM in past vehicles, I haven't received a straight answer on what needs to be done to activate the XM stereo on this model? The owners manual shows that the RTL models just take the simple phone call to activate, but no mention of what is necessary in the RTS. Even the dealer I purchased it from was uncertain as to what it takes, as he isn't an XM fan.

We'd really appreciate the knowledge of experienced Ridgeline owners to help get this activated.

Dark cherry pearl RTS cruising north Iowa!

Thanks again,

northiowaridgeowner!

We purchased an 07 RTS a week ago. Absolutely love it! But having been spoiled with XM in past vehicles, I haven't received a straight answer on what needs to be done to activate the XM stereo on this model? The owners manual shows that the RTL models just take the simple phone call to activate, but no mention of what is necessary in the RTS. Even the dealer I purchased it from was uncertain as to what it takes, as he isn't an XM fan.

We'd really appreciate the knowledge of experienced Ridgeline owners to help get this activated.

Dark cherry pearl RTS cruising north Iowa!

Thanks again,

northiowaridgeowner!


The RTL is the only Ridgeline that comes with XM. Your RTS is XM ready. To get XM you will need the tuner and antenna. You can get the add on XM from Honda, or the other aftermarket tuners.

HandA is a sponsor of the forum, and they have installation instructions on their site for accessories.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline/07xm.pdf

http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline.html

We purchased an 07 RTS a week ago. Absolutely love it! But having been spoiled with XM in past vehicles, I haven't received a straight answer on what needs to be done to activate the XM stereo on this model? The owners manual shows that the RTL models just take the simple phone call to activate, but no mention of what is necessary in the RTS. Even the dealer I purchased it from was uncertain as to what it takes, as he isn't an XM fan.

We'd really appreciate the knowledge of experienced Ridgeline owners to help get this activated.

Dark cherry pearl RTS cruising north Iowa!

Thanks again,

northiowaridgeowner!

You will need the Tuner and the Antenna, the install takes a couple hours but nothing difficult. Contact your local honda dealer - parts department and tell them what you need. If you ask they will print out the install instructions otherwise you can find them on the internet. I payed around 160 for all the parts but I got a good deal. Expect more like $250.00.

The install consist of installing the tuner under the drivers seat then running a relay cable to the head deck and also running the antenna over to the passenager side and mounting it to the windshield.

You way want to read the posts on the windshield mounted antenna.. I also have an RTS with the XM Ready radio and have researched this thoroughly... If you buy the Honda OEM kit from H&A, a dealer, or through College Hills Honda, etc you will get a windshield mount antenna that mounts INSIDE the cabin, passenger side. If you know anything about XM you know that the satellites are in the southwest sky.. So if you're driving NORTH or around tall buildings (city) or trees your signal will fade in and out. If you don't believe me, try temporarily placing the XM antenna on the dash or front left hood for a few days.. You'll start losing signal driving North or out in the sticks, or even while driving under an overpass on the express way !

I own 4 XM radios and have been using XM for years so I know what I'm talking about.. The best location is roof mounted !

Like many users on here, I wanted the clean OEM experience ... So another user on here suggested the kit from Integration Solutions (see link):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-2008-HONDA-RIDGELINE-DIRECT-XM-RADIO-CTRL-TEXT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116 QQitemZ150241704396


and I had Columbus Car Audio and Accessories install it for $100. The kit is just like the one you'll buy from a dealer but a lot cheaper. The only complaint I have is that you can only use your volume control on the steering wheel and you have to manually press the DISP/MODE button on the radio to toggle between Artist/Song Title/Channel/etc etc

But overall sound quality is FLAWLESS. It even works in my garage... No rattles, etc either from having a car audio shop install the unit..

Your other options are the after market XM radio kits (i.e. SkyFi, Roady, etc) that won't sound as great as running through the head unit (especially if you are FM modulating the signal)....

I called College Hills Honda about somehow MOVING the windshield mount antenna to the outside of the vehicle, but they said that the antenna is not magnetic (it only comes with an adhesive backing to stick to the glass) .

You way want to read the posts on the windshield mounted antenna.. I also have an RTS with the XM Ready radio and have researched this thoroughly... If you buy the Honda OEM kit from H&A, a dealer, or through College Hills Honda, etc you will get a windshield mount antenna that mounts INSIDE the cabin, passenger side. If you know anything about XM you know that the satellites are in the southwest sky.. So if you're driving NORTH or around tall buildings (city) or trees your signal will fade in and out. If you don't believe me, try temporarily placing the XM antenna on the dash or front left hood for a few days.. You'll start losing signal driving North or out in the sticks, or even while driving under an overpass on the express way !

I own 4 XM radios and have been using XM for years so I know what I'm talking about.. The best location is roof mounted !

Like many users on here, I wanted the clean OEM experience ... So another user on here suggested the kit from Integration Solutions (see link):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-2008-HONDA-RIDGELINE-DIRECT-XM-RADIO-CTRL-TEXT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116 QQitemZ150241704396


and I had Columbus Car Audio and Accessories install it for $100. The kit is just like the one you'll buy from a dealer but a lot cheaper. The only complaint I have is that you can only use your volume control on the steering wheel and you have to manually press the DISP/MODE button on the radio to toggle between Artist/Song Title/Channel/etc etc

But overall sound quality is FLAWLESS. It even works in my garage... No rattles, etc either from having a car audio shop install the unit..

Your other options are the after market XM radio kits (i.e. SkyFi, Roady, etc) that won't sound as great as running through the head unit (especially if you are FM modulating the signal)....

I called College Hills Honda about somehow MOVING the windshield mount antenna to the outside of the vehicle, but they said that the antenna is not magnetic (it only comes with an adhesive backing to stick to the glass) .

I travel alot and haven't had a problem yet with the factory antenna I've installed. Heading North, South, East, West, in the middle of no where, or in the middle of NYC. Of course in NYC they have repeaters so lol yeah.


Edit: I have a buddy that had one of those portable units that have the magnetic antenna's and some little punk got a hold of it and yanked and pulled and did a number to his car :( . Just a word of caution.

When you say "Factory" antenna do you mean the one that mounts to the windshield or the body painted antenna?

And yes repeaters will definitely help..

When you say "Factory" antenna do you mean the one that mounts to the windshield or the body painted antenna?

And yes repeaters will definitely help..


Well, I guess you can call it the oem antenna, it's the one that sticks to the windshield. I was skeptical at first but after using it for a while I was impressed.