XM at home - reception trouble

[JCBR1150R]

I recently bought an XM receiver and will be setting it up on the bike soon. Meanwhile I use it in the car and at home.

At home, I have the antenna in a window facing South/Southeast and the reception was perfect for weeks, so I ran the wires down into the basement and up into my stereo cabinet. It's a nice, clean installation.

However, two days ago the reception started getting dicey and it is terrible now. It will be a bit of a PITA to reroute the wires so I wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience. Is this just a part of XM? Do I need to expect to move the antenna periodically?

TIA

I have the Sirius Sportster R and eventually got the home kit. I have aimed the antenna and like you the reception is dodgey and eventually stops all together. You need to keep in mind that this signal does come from a satellite in the atmosphere that may or may not maintain it's speed in orbit around earth and the azmuth could change as well. Due to these variables, the signal comes in and goes out of range.

The home kit antenna, like the car antenna, is supposed to be weather proof, so I will mount the joker on the roof and see if that makes a difference.

 

[rocketman]

You might try to ensure that the tubes in the 8 track warm up sufficiently before switching to AM...

Also a big TV rabit ear type antenna might work

Cheers

Denis 1200Gs

since cjack claims that the Sirus sats do a figure 8 over north america ( still trying to figure out how a Sat. can do a figure 8 in the sky
but we'll let that go for the moment!) then your 8 track tape player should be able to pick up the signal from them. Pretty cool to be able to merge those two technologies, all you have to do now is figure out how to hook up the antenna to play the sat. radio thru your 8 track player!

Ain't technology wonderful?

RM
"always helpful, rarely right!"

 

[LORAZEPAM]

I have the Sirius Sportster R and eventually got the home kit. I have aimed the antenna and like you the reception is dodgey and eventually stops all together. You need to keep in mind that this signal does come from a satellite in the atmosphere that may or may not maintain it's speed in orbit around earth and the azmuth could change as well. Due to these variables, the signal comes in and goes out of range.

The home kit antenna, like the car antenna, is supposed to be weather proof, so I will mount the joker on the roof and see if that makes a difference.

I solved the reception problem I had with my Sirius Stream Jockey by putting the antenna on my roof. just eased the cable under a shingle and pointed the antenna west and no more problems.

 

[cjack]

since cjack claims that the Sirus sats do a figure 8 over north america ( still trying to figure out how a Sat. can do a figure 8 in the sky
but we'll let that go for the moment!) then your 8 track tape player should be able to pick up the signal from them. Pretty cool to be able to merge those two technologies, all you have to do now is figure out how to hook up the antenna to play the sat. radio thru your 8 track player!

Ain't technology wonderful?

RM
"always helpful, rarely right!"

That is interesting, not about the 8 track, but about the figure 8. I read that somewhere on a site about these services. I didn't think it out, but I guessed that the sat was in some orbit that tracked somewhat north and south as it was in sync orbit over North America. I can't visualize it. Seems like it would require going faster than the Earth"s rotation and then slower.
Any astro guys/gals out there?

 

[rocketman]

I've heard that the antenna has to be on a base that can be magnetic ie. like a metal car roof or the metal shelf sold as a antenna mount for motorcycles. If you take the antenna and simply place it on top of a cloth tank bag or a wood window sill, supposedly it won't work.

Coiling wire in a loop creates a magnetic field which maybe defeating the magnetic surface used for the antenna itself. Try putting the antenna on a metal base that isn't Aluminum and see if it improves.

Thats true for the car antenna, not for the home kit one. But nice try, I'll give ya 2 points for effort

(just kiddin!)
On a more serious, scientific note:

Actually the problem is that coil of wire, it forms a magnetic vortex, and as such it becomes like a mini black hole that sucks in everything around it, electromagnetic waves included.

!!WARNING: EXTREME CARE MUST BE TAKEN WHEN APPROCHING IT OR YOU TOO WILL GET SUCKED IN!!!

Take it from someone who passed thru many a "balck hole" in his youth, a very unusual feeling!

RM
"Rocket Scientist"

 

[rocketman]

That is interesting, not about the 8 track, but about the figure 8. I read that somewhere on a site about these services. I didn't think it out, but I guessed that the sat was in some orbit that tracked somewhat north and south as it was in sync orbit over North America. I can't visualize it. Seems like it would require going faster than the Earth"s rotation and then slower.
Any astro guys/gals out there?

Whatta mean the 8 track reception idea is not interesting???


Perhaps what they mean is that with 2 sats always visible, their paths cross over each other at some point mid way across the states, one with slight north to south tilt, the other with a slight south to north tilt as it crosses the continent. Obviously the route has to be continuously tracing a straight "line" (as viewed from above the earth), any adjustments in course would require some sort of propulsion system which would run out of fuel all too soon. They might have some means of course correction via small jets but they would have to use them sparingly. for the most part com sats once placed in orbit remain in the same orbit, going in one direction at a given altitute and a given pitch the earth equator. At least that is my understanding of the machincs of it all, tho its been a few years since I studied it.

RM

 

[hlothery]

My sirius antenna is mounted on my dash on a velcro pad and is doing fine, this is a non-magnetic surface. In addition, the instructions that come with a sirius antenna extension for the home unit(which is also VERY expensive) say to coil any excess cable. There is a booster built into the antenna extension for the sirius radio home unit. I have experienced similar problems with the home unit, especially the boombox, which I move around. Sometimes, moving the antenna one foot makes all the difference. I have had no problems at all with the car unit and the antenna mounted on the dash of my Mini. My wife has XM in her Acura, factory installed, and has had no significant problems with it. We each experience dropouts in garages, under overpasses, and occasionally in canyons or heavily wooded areas. Can see no significant difference in the reception one system to the other. Like the country channels on XM better. The 60's channel on sirius is light years better than on XM. One thing is for sure, could never go back to broadcast radio. Just my .02

 

[rocketman]

One more tid bit on Sat Radio, Direct TV now has XM so I got it wired into my amp and my Daughter told me she gets Sirius with her Sat TV system thru Dish Network, so if you have either of those just hook it into your home amp and forget about the home kit for either XM or Sirius.

RM

 

[hlothery]

Each system (XM and sirius) also have direct access on their web sites for subscribers. At work, on a trip in a hotel, at a friends, or at home, you can log in and stream continuous music via the web.

 

[cjack]

Whatta mean the 8 track reception idea is not interesting???


Perhaps what they mean is that with 2 sats always visible, their paths cross over each other at some point mid way across the states, one with slight north to south tilt, the other with a slight south to north tilt as it crosses the continent. Obviously the route has to be continuously tracing a straight "line" (as viewed from above the earth), any adjustments in course would require some sort of propulsion system which would run out of fuel all too soon. They might have some means of course correction via small jets but they would have to use them sparingly. for the most part com sats once placed in orbit remain in the same orbit, going in one direction at a given altitute and a given pitch the earth equator. At least that is my understanding of the machincs of it all, tho its been a few years since I studied it.

RM

Here is the blurb I read. Doesn't help me visual too much...interesting about the urban ground repeaters.

How Satellite Radio Works


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Satellite radio made it's American debut in 2001. Sirius has three satellites that travel in unique orbits similar to a figure-8 pattern, specially chosen to ensure full radio coverage. The Sirius system is similar to that of XM, except that XM uses 2 satellites travelling in a geostationary orbit. Programs are beamed to satellites, which then transmits the signal to the ground, where your radio receiver picks up one of the channels within the signal. Signals are also be beamed to ground repeaters for listeners in urban areas where the satellite signal can be interrupted.

Ten solar panels power each spacecraft, and each one must continually orient itself and its solar arrays to keep the panels pointed at the sun. At the same time, the vehicle must point the spacecraft antennas at the earth to keep the music, sports and entertainment going.

SIRIUS uses two ground station facilities to maintain constant contact with their spacecraft. SIRIUS personnel operate these sites remotely from New York. XM has a system that utilizes a network of repeaters. This is accomplished by a series of antennas placed on buildings and other sites that receive satellite signals from an optimally placed antenna and retransmit them. Because loss of satellite signals are more likely to happen in urban areas, this is where repeaters are typically located.

 

[hlothery]

Most major cities have terrestrial repeaters. With sirius you can check and see which signal you are receiving. I get the sattellite in my car and home unit, but the terrestrial is what I receive at work. Main thing is....satellite radio is, IMHO, simply awesome.

 

[wuli959]

Here are the antenna adjustment directions for a delphi

Advanced display menu on the Delphi XM receivers.

This menu shows a more exact signal quality indicator. This menu shows the signals being received from the 2 satellites and any terrestrial repeaters in your area. This menu allows you to only look at things. You cannot change any settings in this menu so you cannot accidently change something that would mess up your receiver. Look and have fun.

WITH YOUR UNIT OFF:

1. Press 2 - 0 - 7 and then the "XM" button.
2. The unit will power on.
3. Wait about 5 seconds and press the "display" button 3 more times to get into the advanced menu screens.
4. This will bring up a series of advanced menu screens. Pressing the "display" button again will cycle the display through the 5 menu screens.
The number of screens will vary on the SkyFi, Roady, MyFi, and Commander.

1st Screen:

A display showing the signals being received from SAT1 and SAT2 and TERR, the terrestrial ground repeaters. A check mark in the box means you are getting a signal from that source. Only 1 source is needed to make the radio operational.

XM's satellites are affectionately called Rock and Roll. SAT1 is Roll which is in orbit over the east coast. SAT2 is Rock which is in orbit over the west coast. XM has more than 900 terrestrial repeaters. These terrestrial, or ground repeaters, are used to repeat the same signal that the satellites are sending. These repeaters are used in larger cities and make it possible to get a signal between tall buildings and in the lower levels of expressways etc.

BER % is the Bit Error Rate Percentage. This is a VERY GOOD indicator for aiming your home antenna. You want the LOWEST number.
A BER % of 0.0 is a perfect signal. As this number increases there are more errors. A signal of less than 5% is needed for the radio to play. Only 1 signal of the 3 is needed to make the receiver play.

To make antenna aiming adjustments, rotate or tilt the antenna slightly, REMOVE your hand from the antenna, and look at the numbers. It will take a few seconds for the SkyFi to react as the incoming signal is buffered in the radio.

I have found screen 1 with the BER percentages to be EXTREMELY useful in finding the best location and position of my indoor antenna for optimal reception. It sure beats the little three, or four bar display in the regular menu.

You now have a good way to see that your indoor antenna is positioned for the best reception.

It is also fun to look at the advanced menu BER% when you have your radio in the car while driving around. The car antenna is omnidirectional and cannot be aimmed, but it is neat to see what your XM is receiving.

....or...... On a SKYFi (1) -- if you are through viewing the BER% screen -- you can just press the "display" button five more times to get through the diagnostic screens and you will be back at the "regular" (song title/artist) screens... These diagnostic screens will remain active in the display "queue" until the tuner is powered down, then will have to be reactivated on future "power-on's" if desired by using the 2-0-7-XM method again....

 

[cjack]

I recently bought an XM receiver and will be setting it up on the bike soon. Meanwhile I use it in the car and at home.

At home, I have the antenna in a window facing South/Southeast and the reception was perfect for weeks, so I ran the wires down into the basement and up into my stereo cabinet. It's a nice, clean installation.

However, two days ago the reception started getting dicey and it is terrible now. It will be a bit of a PITA to reroute the wires so I wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience. Is this just a part of XM? Do I need to expect to move the antenna periodically?

TIA

So what was the outcome? Is your reception still dicey or did something posted on the site help?
Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[Dogg]

XM at Home

Try using a direct link to the player rather than trying to tune it in. Should improve your sound.

 

[REBECCAV]

So what was the outcome? Is your reception still dicey or did something posted on the site help?
Inquiring minds want to know...

For a while my reception was perfect and now it is non-existant. The unit just says 'LOADING.' It's been this way for about a week and a half. Since starting this thread I haven't moved the antenna or cords.

My next move will be to extend the extension cord to it's full length. Right now it is coiled underneath my stereo cabinet and it was suggested in this thread that it could be causing problems.

Try using a direct link to the player rather than trying to tune it in.

What do you mean 'direct link rather than trying to tune it in??'

 

[cjack]

What do you mean 'direct link rather than trying to tune it in??'

Yes, I was wondering too.

 

[wuli959]

For a while my reception was perfect and now it is non-existant. The unit just says 'LOADING.' It's been this way for about a week and a half. Since starting this thread I haven't moved the antenna or cords.

My next move will be to extend the extension cord to it's full length. Right now it is coiled underneath my stereo cabinet and it was suggested in this thread that it could be causing problems.

Have you tested the radio out of the house since? Does channel 1 work? You may need to have your carrier "reset" your radio (you'll need the radio ID number)

 

[wuli959]

What do you mean 'direct link rather than trying to tune it in??'

signal ported in from your cable or satelite TV hook up. Some providers offer XM or Sirius as part of the package. If so, you can just "direct link" into their signal and forget about the home antenna.