Antenna's for Sirius radio's-JUNK

[Rocky in KC]

Is it just me, I don't think so but it appears that the cheap antenna's that come with the Sirius Sportster are junk---I have had to fail recently. One was in the truck, and the other in the car.

Have you heard anything good about the (after-market) Sirius Monster antenna?? or the Sirius Trec?? units---love my Sirius, just out (2) antenna's!!

thanks, Rocky

 

[AKaiser]

Define fail. Mine has been 20,000 miles across the US and back, across mountains, desert, in rain and snow, and still works.

 

[LesStallings]

Mine works fine.

 

[Rocky in KC]

I had (2) fail, any one else!

Mine works fine.

I have a new (sirius monster antenna) on order, I will report back! The one on the car failed-yr. old??--so I took the one out of truck--worked great for 1 hr. then it failed. I have been looking on some other type forum boards, and it appears that others have had problems with the (cheap) ones that come in the kits?? I have the Sportster, with 2 docking stations??

 

[amsoilman]

I've had mine on my 03' now since new, and it works perfectly!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Matt400]

Hrmm, I have the Sportster also and am having reception troubles that just started the other day.

Drop outs are either severe or I just get the "acquiring signal" message.

I have mine wired in with a hardwire FM modulator which I don't care for much but looks like the only thing I can do with a RBQ.



I have a spare antenna so will see if the one that came in the kit is junk.

 

[Rocky in KC]

I tried 2nd antenna-and it failed!!??

Hrmm, I have the Sportster also and am having reception troubles that just started the other day.

Drop outs are either severe or I just get the "acquiring signal" message.

I have mine wired in with a hardwire FM modulator which I don't care for much but looks like the only thing I can do with a RBQ.



I have a spare antenna so will see if the one that came in the kit is junk.

I two had extra antenna-thought I will try it--before buying a new one! Put it on--worked GREAT for about a hr. (said yea, saved me some dough!)--then same problem said darn-now have 47. 00 monster sirius ant. on order-I could have bought the cheap one for 16. 00-but did not want any more junk!!--they say the monster ant. work good--I will report back!

Let me know if your other ant. fixes your problem! thanks, R

 

[BPINE]

I am not sure if I have an antenna problem or not but some days my reception is great and driving on the same road to work the next my reception is horrible. Do any of you have this trouble?



Blair

 

[scootergmc]

The Microdot antennas have been notorious for failure. I have a Sportster 4 Replay and it worked about a month. The home antenna still worked fine. I got online and did a little investigation and found all sorts of people with micro-dot antenna issues. Sirius just replaced mine under warranty. It works great now, but I'm worried it's just a matter of time before it also fails. Also, from everything I've read, the aftermarket units are far better than the crappy microdots.



*There may be some confusion as to the stock Dodge factory unit and the those of us who have added Satellite Radio to our trucks. I have not read about any issues with the stock Dodge antennas.

 

[AKaiser]

I have all kinds of problems in Indy, but seldom any issues outside of town. I think it's interference, not the antenna. I noticed the trend in several major cities this winter: Dallas, Houston, SA, Phoenix, SD, LA, SF, LV.

 

[Rocky in KC]

New Antenna fixed it!! Cheap micro dot

The Microdot antennas have been notorious for failure. I have a Sportster 4 Replay and it worked about a month. The home antenna still worked fine. I got online and did a little investigation and found all sorts of people with micro-dot antenna issues. Sirius just replaced mine under warranty. It works great now, but I'm worried it's just a matter of time before it also fails. Also, from everything I've read, the aftermarket units are far better than the crappy microdots.



*There may be some confusion as to the stock Dodge factory unit and the those of us who have added Satellite Radio to our trucks. I have not read about any issues with the stock Dodge antennas.

I was able to get a used (square/Sirius antenna)--that was the problem!!! Then when I moved the 2nd micro-dot that I had in my truck--it went out also--within a hour!! For the car run, I may put the (head/antenna) in rear window--don't know about the truck yet? I hate the way it tries to rust under the mag. --any ideas for the truck placment??

 

[AKaiser]

I'm thinking about a Terk SIR4 truck mounted antenna. They can be had for under $60

 

[Rocky in KC]

had to change FM freq.

I have all kinds of problems in Indy, but seldom any issues outside of town. I think it's interference, not the antenna. I noticed the trend in several major cities this winter: Dallas, Houston, SA, Phoenix, SD, LA, SF, LV.

I to, have that problem when I go to KC--we live in the country, but when I get to the big city I had to find another FM setting to moniter!

 

[AKaiser]

I to, have that problem when I go to KC--we live in the country, but when I get to the big city I had to find another FM setting to moniter!

I'm not talking about FM signal interference, though it might be that. I'm talking about signal interference to the Satellite signal.

 

[scootergmc]

I was able to get a used (square/Sirius antenna)--that was the problem!!! Then when I moved the 2nd micro-dot that I had in my truck--it went out also--within a hour!! For the car run, I may put the (head/antenna) in rear window--don't know about the truck yet? I hate the way it tries to rust under the mag. --any ideas for the truck placment??

Here's how I run my antenna... From the unit to under the dash, from the dash out through the driver's side panel on the dash (see pic) up to the front of the door seal (see duct tape pic... no, I just have blue duct tape, I didn't get it to match), all the way up the seal and to the antenna- mounted just above the driver's side rear door. The reason I mounted it this way was in case I have any more issues with the antenna, it's extremely easy to remove, there are no hard kinks in the antenna line, I don't risk anything leaking, requires no permanent modification, and I can lift it off when I wash the truck and dry underneath. If you're really worried about rust, get a thin piece of 3M tape and cut to fit where the antenna attaches. It'll still hold fine.

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As for reception issues (when the antenna was working), I have never had a problem with interference, unless surrounded by large (read: tall buildings, tunnels, or long undercrossings) obstructions. Also, keep in mind I have an aftermarket deck and the satellite head unit is plumbed directly into the auxillary input RCA jacks. The FM transmitters are just weak. If you're that serious about your radio, it won't hurt to get an aftermarket deck. They're easy to install and nowadays $100-$150 will get you a very decent unit with an auxillary input. Shoot, you'll probably get better basic FM reception and sound output will also improve. Hope it helps.



FWIW: I haven't read anything bad about the TERK SIR4's (other than the cost).

 

[Matt400]

Let me know if your other ant. fixes your problem! thanks, R

Over the last couple days I confirmed the antenna was bad.

I only had a spare home antenna so tossed that up on the dash and its all good now.

 

[WestTN]

AKaiser, get the FMDirect module. It will eliminate the FM interference.

 

[Rocky in KC]

what is FMDirct?

AKaiser, get the FMDirect module. It will eliminate the FM interference.

what is FMDirct module-will that work with my Sportser, aftermarket, and were would I get it?? BestBuy??--about how much??

 

[Matt400]

what is FMDirct module-will that work with my Sportser, aftermarket, and were would I get it?? BestBuy??--about how much??

He is probably talking about one of these but I see you have the RBQ 6-disc unit. Thats the only unit this devise won't work on. I had this adapter in my 03 single disc and it worked great.



You use the "mode' button to toggle over to Sat.



There is another adapter that splits your vehicle antenna so the Sat signal can be fed direct into the antenna cable vs trying to receive it through the aerial, thats what I use with my 6-disc and it works well.

I will try and dig up what it is and edit this post.



edit ahh, here it is its the next best thing to the first link I posted and as far as I know the best way to do an "add on" Sat radio with the 6-disc.

 

[GOlsen]

I'm thinking about a Terk SIR4 truck mounted antenna. They can be had for under $60

I've been looking to go this route also. Does anyone have a picture of one of these installed on their rigs?