Follow up to my posts of Feb 27-28. Finally the part arrived at SC part no.1622932-00-B. Was a bit unhappy with a 6/22 manufacture date but it was new, not a scratch anywhere.
The NGV3 antenna on order for 10 days is lost somewhere by USPS. I scoured my electronics stash and found a new in package, mobile antenna for XM (before SXM merger) from 2005. I think its pre-NGVA1, no part number on it anywhere. But so small it fits anywhere. It shipped with Roady radios at the time.
Install was so quick, thanks to the videos on removing the upper and lower covers. And T8 advice.
-Upon power up, I double wheeled reset, the FM radio came back to life, no SXM.
-Reinstalled software from service mode. No SXM, panic starts setting in.
-Did one more 2 wheel reset and voila, SXM populates, and preview channel loud and clear.
Went online, signed up for 3 months free trial and within 2 minutes it was activated.
The smaller antenna works pretty well. Had 2 minor dropouts with quick recovery under trees after 2 days. Is it the antenna or perhaps the ceramic film on the rear window with 91% UV blocking, degrading signal? Don't know
Other car, the MX with SXM built in, has occasional drop outs too but did not do side by side in same location.
May try the NGVA3 if it ever shows up.
Alternatively I see a FORD NGVA3 out there, 4' cable vs 23' cable. That may pick up a few db due to the loss at 2.3Ghz, saving 19 feet of cable. But specs on these cables are hard to find. I am an electronics guy so probably will try these at some point.