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Sirius sat radio problems

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The other day I hopped in my truck and fired it up. My sirius showed that it was updating the channels. It ran till it got a 100% updated and then flashed a message on the screen to call Sirius to subscribe (which it shows regardless of the station number). All my presets are erased, I get no audio out of it, can't change stations and basically it doesnt work. It still gets power and display works etc. Have had this radio for about 2. 5 years and it is a Starmate model.



Checked my account status on-line and confirmed with cust service that I am good until 2/2010 for my subscription.



Tech support has re-sent the activation signal repeatedly with no success. They ran me through some test procedures (unplug this plug in that, power off, power on, yadda yadda) that supposedly my radio passed. After about a total of 2 hours yesterday on the phone the tech guy decided that it was likely an antenna problem (even though signal strength is great) and is sending me a new one free.



I switched antenna out with a spare that I have for my wifes car and same result. Sat radio is hard wired to my head unit so no FM freq problems.



I'm guessing the radio is FUBAR, but thought that I would check here and see if anyone has had this happen out of the blue or if anyone has any idea's? I'd love to save a few bucks and get this one running if possible.



Also anyone have the Sportster 5 sirius radio? If so what do u think? I'm thinking thats what I'll get next if I cant get this one to work. I'm having Sirius withdrawls!!!!!:{:{:{:{ LMAO



Thanks in advance,

J-
 
It seems as though the tech support at Sirius has done all they can. I would suggest tracing the power source wires and look for any issues. If you can get the Sirius activation channel with sound then the antenna works properly.
I have had Sirius for ~3. 5 years and I would go through W/D as well.
Good luck with the problem and let us know.
 
My Sporster acted up the other day, on power up it just always went to the SID# screen and all presets were gone. I think it happened when yours went down during the update.

I was able to manually change channels and redo the presets so its ok again.



Maybe yours was corrupted during the update. Some related info might be here:

Starmate R stuck on updating channels - SIRIUS Backstage Forum



Mine did that exactly 1 week prior. Then was fine for a week and then acted up 2 days ago and I think is down for the count.



I have no power issues but will make sure there is no problem with the power leads.



J-
 
Well did a bunch of research last night and found that this has been happening over the last 3 weeks to hundreds of people. Appearantly Sirius sent out an undate to the radios that has to do with the Sirius/XM merger and there was a problem with the update that was sent out and the glitch renders the radio useless!



Several people stated on other sites that if you get ahold of Sirius Executive Service and tell them what is going on, what you have tried to do to get it fixed and they are not happy with it they will send you out a new radio for free, even if you are out of warranty etc.



I'll report back with what happens with mine.



It looked like most of the trouble was with the Starmate replay's (which I have) and other reported getting either a comparable radio or an upgraded radio for free.



J-
 
My wife has been encouraging me to sign on — but when her original unit inexplicably went south several years ago any we got the runaround before replacement (and this was even before the merger)—no tanks, I'll wait. howard or no, NASCAR or no, my take is that sirius/xm will have to morph into something better fast or given the present recession/depression they WILL be gone in 5 years max.
 
It is an Updating Issue. Had the same problem, several times, over several days. Repeatedly called support. Went up the Food Chain of Sirius Call Support team eventually after many, many attempts to update and authorize my radio the problem finally went away and has stayed away, so far. It does seem strange however that an update can or would cause a legitimate subscriber any reception issue(s).
 
have any of you gotten the e-mail from them stating the the radio puts out too much fm transmitter power?



They want me to quit using mine that way, and are willing to pay to have it direct wired.



Here it is:



Your SIRIUS radio contains an FM transmitter that allows it to operate wirelessly through your car FM radio. We have determined that the output of this transmitter exceeds the limits established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As a result, the unit may interfere with the performance of radios operating in areas adjacent to your radio. There are no health or safety concerns associated with this issue.



If you listen to your SIRIUS radio wirelessly through your vehicle's FM radio, then please review the solutions listed below and select the one that works best for you. SIRIUS will provide you the best solution at no cost.

If you use your SIRIUS radio only when docked in a boombox, or directly connected to your car radio or home stereo using audio cables or a cassette tape adapter, then no interference can occur and no further action is required, provided you have turned off your FM transmitter. To turn off the FM transmitter, first press the MENU button. Use the channel up/down buttons to highlight “FM Transmitter” and push the SELECT button. Use the channel up/down buttons to highlight the "FM On/Off" menu item and then press the SELECT button. Use the up/down buttons to highlight "FM Off" and press the SELECT button. To exit the "FM On/Off" menu, press the MENU button. Use the same procedure to turn off the FM transmitter if you use Solution 1 or Solution 2 below. .

Solution 1 - Direct Wired Audio Connection: If your vehicle radio has a “LINE IN” or “AUX IN” jack, you can use a stereo cable to connect directly to your SIRIUS radio. This solution is the easiest to install and provides the best audio performance. Many newer vehicles provide the required audio input jack. It will normally be found on or near the front faceplate of your vehicle’s radio.

















Solution 2 - Cassette Tape Adapter: If your vehicle has a cassette tape player, you can use a cassette adapter that allows you to play your SIRIUS radio through the cassette portion of your vehicle radio. The adapter slips into your vehicle radio as easily as a cassette tape and provides better performance than a wireless connection.











Solution 3 - FM Extender Cable Kit: An FM extender cable will provide a special transmitter antenna that allows you to obtain the best audio performance through your vehicle’s FM radio. This solution is easy to self-install, but does require that an easy-to-hide wire be run in your vehicle so the transmitter antenna can be placed in close proximity to your vehicle’s radio antenna. Using this FM Extender Cable Kit, you will continue to use your SIRIUS radio exactly the same way as you do currently.













Solution 4 - FM Direct Adapter with Professional Installation: An FM Direct Adapter provides a wired connection between your SIRIUS radio and your vehicle’s radio. You will continue to listen to your SIRIUS radio through the FM tuner of your car radio, but the FM Direct Adapter eliminates the outside static and interference you sometimes experience when using a wireless FM connection. This solution usually requires professional installation. We will provide a certificate redeemable for installation at an installation center in your area.







Please go to SIRIUS Satellite Radio - Sirius Radio Activation, Activate Sirius Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio Activation and select the solution that works best for you. If you have any questions, please call 1-(877) 635-5130. Detailed instructions will be included with your solution.



You will improve the performance of your SIRIUS radio and reduce the potential for interfering with adjacent radios if you properly tune your FM transmitter. Please see the FM Transmitter Set-Up Tips below for more information.



We are sorry for this inconvenience. We are confident these solutions will allow you to continue to enjoy the great music, news, sports and entertainment that only SIRIUS Satellite Radio can offer with no impact on your radio’s performance.



Sincerely,







SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO









FM Transmitter Set-Up Tips



To tune your FM transmitter turn off your SIRIUS radio and tune through the FM channels on your vehicle’s radio to locate an FM channel (except 87. 7/87. 9) that is not broadcasting in your area. If you use an FM channel that is being used by a local broadcaster, it will interfere with the performance of your SIRIUS radio. Once you have located an FM channel that is not being used for broadcasting in your area, save it as a preset on your vehicle radio. This will become your SIRIUS preset. If you’re not sure which FM channels are not being used in your home or travel cities, you can go to SIRIUS Satellite Radio - My SIRIUS Frequency Finder and search for an FM channel based on zip code.



Turn on your SIRIUS radio. In the SETTINGS or MENU on your SIRIUS radio, locate the “FM Frequency” adjustments. Set the channel number on your SIRIUS radio to match the SIRIUS preset on your vehicle radio. Refer to your user guide for detailed instructions on how to do this. The FM transmitter in your SIRIUS radio is automatically set to FM channel 88. 1. This may not be the best channel in your area.











If you regularly travel between cities with different active FM channels, you may need to find channels that are not broadcasting in each city. Several SIRIUS radio models can store multiple FM transmitter channels, so you can easily switch to the best FM channel for each city. Refer to the user guide for your SIRIUS radio for details on this feature. You will also want to set the FM channels that are not broadcasting in each city as presets on your vehicle radio.







Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As a SIRIUS subscriber, you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will facilitate and enhance your SIRIUS listening experience
 
Nope didnt get that e-mail. Mine is direct wired anyways.



I was able to get ahold of Executive customer service yesterday. They still denied that there was a problem. After explaining to the lady everything that was going on and the research I had dont, the best I could get out of them was a New Sportster 5 for 1/2 price, which I guess is better than full price, LOL



J-
 
have any of you gotten the e-mail from them stating the the radio puts out too much fm transmitter power?
I have not and probably wont because I have newer radios. Back in 03 I had a Brix Streamer but had it hard wired for sound quality. I know that radio's FM transmitter was strong enough that other people could tune in to me if traveling close enough so thats probably what the notice is about.
 
Just lets me know that when using the sportmate in the house I need a good monopole antenna and the whole house will have satellite! Their concern is exactly that: the ERP (effective radiated power) may swamp other receivers and they're concerned about FCC repercussions. OH, there still IS an FCC?? I thought the Communications Act of 1924 was in the Smithsonian!!:-laf
 
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