Usually location is only important on airplanes that are using large amounts of current. You wouldn't want a satellite RX next to some wires that are pulling 3 amps or next to an ignition module. For sport airplanes you would not want it near metal control rods or metal rudder cables. I like to keep the antennas horizontal as to expose them to as much signal pattern as possible. The extensions for the satellites are notorious for connector issues. Check the connectors carefully, I would take new ones and add a little Goop around the connector where the wire intersects. if you don't have one already, get a battery checker that will load the battery. Horizon has them pretty cheap and i know mine has saved at least one airplane.