The antenna in the HD XM kit I bought had been giving me fits. It was losing connection when I was in wide open spaces.
No, it wasn't mounted inside the fairing. It was on the right side of the vent like most here do.

A lot of times when the display would read there was no antenna connection, I could shut down the bike and upon firing it back up - I'd have connection again. Not really sure if I had an older antenna or HD's newer model, I opted to get something completely different.

I read good things about the Sirius Dot Micro Antenna and along with a SMB to FAKRA Connector adapter - all is right in the XM world again. After taking a 350 mile ride with the new antenna, I'd say I retained reception the majority of the places the other antenna would have dropped out.

Well worth my 40 bucks...

 

My SiriusXM antenna has been working fine and I have it mounted outside the fairing next to the vent. Nice to know there are options just in case...and $40, a bargain! Thanks for sharing...

 

Yep, same with mine.

I don't know if I have the new antenna or old one either (kit purchased in Feb 2016).
But I read a few threads about reception and was a little worried.

But after the install (mounting the antenna outside next to vent), I have never had any reception issues.
It will lose reception in certain conditions (like all satellite radios).
My truck and car also lose reception in those areas.

But I am glad to hear of another antenna option that will work.

 

New XM antenna was released in June of this year. Doubt you have the new antenna. It's easily identifiable when compared side by side. The new antenna has an antenna base at least twice the size of the old version. On the original install, I moved the antenna outside the fairing on the right side of the vent, since the recommended location had awful reception. With the new antenna, I installed it in the position it calls for in the instructions. This is under the fairing on the supplied bracket behind the fuel gauge. Reception is even better than with the old antenna on the outside of fairing.

 

I bought my XM kit early this year - but well before June. It came with this antenna. Model NGVA1 with 1534 in the bottom right corner.
Measures 1 9/16" wide by 1 13/16" deep. My new Dot Micro antenna is 2 1/4" in diameter.

 

I have the old antenna and I mounted it on top of the left speaker inside the fairing and I get good reception.

 

Mounted the old antenna on the handlebars.
Works fine.


Tried mounting the house antenna (2 3/4 X 2) that came with my XM kit and didn't see any difference.
Had to place it in the TP as it isn't magnetic.
Guess location is the most important.

 

Does the XM kit with the new antenna have the same part number?

 

From the HD website, yes - the kit is the same part number.
The updated antenna added an A to the end. So, 76000221A
For 69 bucks for the updated antenna, I was willing to try something else.
http://www.boardtrackerharleyonline....ge_612407714=1

The first few months I had my XM activated, I also thought the reception was pretty decent. Then the antenna wouldn't read at all and it went from full signal - to "No Antenna" - back to full signal. It wasn't until I swapped to the Micro Dot antenna that I realized how much better this antenna is compared to the 'old' antenna.

 

I mounted mine inside the fairing and have very few issues.