Sirius Reception Sux - Suggestions?
05-20-2007, 02:44 PM
#1
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Sirius Reception Sux - Suggestions?
The reception on my sirius unit is just absolutely horrible. I am using a SIRIUS Starmate Replay Satellite Radio Receiver (ST2) and the antenna is located just inside the windshield on the passenger side (dash). The picture below explains it clearly:
I am running an eclipse avn5435 HU just as added info. Any suggestions/recommendations on how to improve reception? It sometimes goes out for so long that it scares the daylights out of me when it comes back on after being off for 3 years. lol.
Thanks in advance.
I am running an eclipse avn5435 HU just as added info. Any suggestions/recommendations on how to improve reception? It sometimes goes out for so long that it scares the daylights out of me when it comes back on after being off for 3 years. lol.
Thanks in advance.
05-20-2007, 03:06 PM
#2
...move the antenna? Just like GPS, it wants a clear southern view. Whole bunch of car getting in the way when mounted there. That's why the factory XM antenna is ever so unprettily stuck by the regular antenna on the rear fender.
05-20-2007, 04:21 PM
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Our completely glass roof complicates things, as a roof mount is the best possible option. The optimal location would be on the roof just before the hatch glass (like where the stubby fin antenna is on a BMW). Maybe 3M tape?
05-20-2007, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Tifchik12
i have the windshield mount, freeway over-passes and large trees are not my friends.
05-20-2007, 07:09 PM
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^^^ its probably true, but i'm sure there is still an improvement when the antenna is outside. Its just so frustrating. I am thinking about getting rid of it b/c the reception is so bad. Hopefully it will get better like cell phone reception did. Maybe if they merge with XM....
05-21-2007, 08:26 PM
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I bet your reception issue is because you didnt buy and install the FM modulator..FCC clamped down on Sirius and XM because of channel bleadover on FM stations..The modulator cost is around $25 from circuit city or best buy,Im suprised you were not informed of this and told to buy one,odd..Anyway its a night and day differance..Its like CD vs AM lol ..
05-21-2007, 08:38 PM
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Good info. What exactly IS an FM modulator? I'm not listening to the receiver through the fm transmitter if it has something to do with that. I am running an aux wire to my headunit. It's not that it's poor quality, it's that my receiver reads "Acquiring Signal" more than anything else
05-21-2007, 08:58 PM
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I have seen an antenna that mounts behind the rear view mirror, also i have thought of mounting mine in the back moon roof since i hardly ever open the shade in the back. Only trouble is trying to figure out a secure way to mount it. Just throwing out my idea.
05-22-2007, 01:03 AM
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Heh, there ya go! I was out driving today and normally there are between 1-3 bars of reception. most of my drive, I saw a nice big X for reception. Wonderful. I'm going to call sirius to see if they can do anything. If not, I might just get rid of it since there doesn't seem to be a solution. Oh well
05-23-2007, 12:30 AM
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I just tried it in that spot and it hasn't gotten any better for me.
Is there any way to put it outside of the car? I wouldn't even know where to consider. On the trunk is horrible looking IMO. I figure the reception would be superior if the car weren't blocking the satellite signal.
Is there any way to put it outside of the car? I wouldn't even know where to consider. On the trunk is horrible looking IMO. I figure the reception would be superior if the car weren't blocking the satellite signal.
05-23-2007, 01:20 AM
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Here's where I have my antenna mounted. No problems with reception other than the normal bridges, tunnels, and wooded areas.
I used 3M tape to stick it to the glass and routed the wire down the C-pillar, tucked behind the panels and routed under the door sill around to the radio. I didn't like the look of putting it near the FM antenna in the back and figured this would be the best spot that doesn't attract a lot of attention to it.
I used 3M tape to stick it to the glass and routed the wire down the C-pillar, tucked behind the panels and routed under the door sill around to the radio. I didn't like the look of putting it near the FM antenna in the back and figured this would be the best spot that doesn't attract a lot of attention to it.
05-23-2007, 01:59 AM
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05-24-2007, 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Spect2K3
Heh, there ya go! I was out driving today and normally there are between 1-3 bars of reception. most of my drive, I saw a nice big X for reception. Wonderful. I'm going to call sirius to see if they can do anything. If not, I might just get rid of it since there doesn't seem to be a solution. Oh well
05-24-2007, 08:50 PM
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lol, so even with the antenna on the back of the car (i'm asssuming), you can't get any better reception. it seems like there is no way to make it better. And I am in the NY city area. Tifchik12 is in the Socal area, I mean common.
Why do we pay $13ish a month for satellite radio? It's only a bit better quality than FM, yet we can never use it. FM is free but i'd rather sacrifice quality for reception!
Why do we pay $13ish a month for satellite radio? It's only a bit better quality than FM, yet we can never use it. FM is free but i'd rather sacrifice quality for reception!