Tried Sirius...not impressed...have questions. (long)

[Radshooter]

Hi guys. This is our first experience with satellite radio, so not sure what to expect.
We bought a Sirius Sportster yesterday and hooked it up and activated it in the parking lot there so we could listen to it on the way home. At first, the reception was great. Anywhere we went in town while shopping we had signal. BUT, as soon as we left town it started hunting for a signal. On the 90 minute drive home, we did not have signal at least 30 minutes off and on. We did go through a few deep, narrow road cuts and I can understand loosing the signal there, but the rest of the drive was open sky. We are working in northern Arizona now, and the drive was from Page to Tuba City if anyone knows the area.
The guy that sold it to us said there are 3 satellites orbiting in a figure 8. When one leaves the area, the next one comes on line and we should not be more than 5 seconds without signal. Well, 5 seconds is a far cry from 15 minutes without a signal.
We had the antenna on the dash under the windshield and it had a clear view of the sky. We bought the unit because it is easy to switch from truck to truck, so we do not want to permanently mount the antenna.

My question is: Is this typical or did we get a bad unit? Right now, we are ready to return it and get our money back. Would XM be any different or better?

Thanks for education this satellite newbie.

Steve

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

edit. . i was out of line

 

[Radshooter]

JB... I said I was new at this. We installed per instructions in the manual and what the salesman told us. Please offer constructive criticism, not half @$$ comments.

 

[klenger]

When I installed the Sirius in my wife's Accord, I tried it with the antenna on the dash and we got dropouts pretty regularly. After I moved it to the truck lid, it's worked flawlessly. I suggest properly installing the antenna and I think you will be happy with the service. I occasionally get short dropouts in my truck (Dodge dealer installed Sirius package), but not enough to be concerned about. I've been to Tuba City. and I can see why you would need some better entertainment. Enjoy.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks Klenger. THAT is the kind if info I was looking for. The salesman said just put the antenna on the dash and we would be fine. It has a magnetic puck, so we will try it on the roof next time out. We want to be able to switch it from truck to truck, so don't want to get too involved in routing the antenna cable. Thinking just run it through the door at a gentle angle so not to kink the cable and we may be fine.

Thanks again... ... Steve

PS. Sorry for your trip to Tuba. Was it business or ... ... well, not much pleasure here.

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

Steve. . I apologize. . I have a friend at Best Buys he told me how to install mine. . Did you use the FM antenna wire?

 

[Radshooter]

JB... No offense taken. Just never done this before and looking for ideas.
Yes, we used the FM modulator wire to send the signal to the truck stereo. When we had signal to the antenna, it worked good. The Sirius unit itself kept flashing the message... "Acquiring signal".

This being our first experience, we didn't know if this was usual or normal, or if something was wrong.

Thanks..... Steve

 

[biggieou]

Steve, definately put the antenna on the trunk lid if its a car, or roof if its a truck. I have had my satellite for nearly 7 months now and have experienced ONE drop that required it to search for 3 minutes to pick back up(it was a weird weather day, I think that had something to do with it). My uncle on the other hand has his antenna on the dash and just driving forty minutes to Cleveland his drops all the time. I told him to put it on his trunk lid, but he said he didnt want to go through the hassle. Hopefully this is all it is. I really love my Sirius and dont think I could/nor want to go back to terrestrial radio.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have a Sirius Orbitor. I've had it for a few years now with no problems. A bunch of us at work bought them for the same reason as you. All but one of us put our antennas on the roof. The other guy put his on the dash. He's the only one who has problems "acquiring signal". I've only lost signal for short periods of time thru heavily wooded areas or tunnels.



Steve, Tuba City, I'm sorry. Been there, will NEVER go back. Hope you and the MRS. can find work elsewhere, SOON. Take care, Mike

 

[bgilbert]

That's it, your problem was having the antenna on the dash. I tried this at first, thinking the Volvo tractor I was in didn't have a metal roof. Reception was terrible, in and out, no signal at times etc. Then for the heck of it, I tried putting the magnetic antenna on the roof. Oh yeah, metal roof. No more issues whatsoever.

 

[JApol]

For eazse of onstall run the antenae wire up the passenger a-pillar and route through the weather stripping onto the roof. It should be faily easy to remove. You could also get a second ant. and permently wire both antenae's in and don't have to wory about switching ant anymore risking damaging one.

 

[CumminsAholic]

Depending on how many vehicles you're switching it to and from you could also buy an extra antenna ( I don't think they're that much) and route the cable for it how you want to.

Corey

 

[klenger]

Also, FWIW, you can add additional receivers to your account for $6 / month.

 

[Radshooter]

Great info guys..... Thanks a bunch.

Steve

 

[TORQUE THIS]

For some reason, a marine antenna works better. Dash, seat, floor...

 

[phloop]

I also have the Sportster and when I first got it I had the antenna on the dash also. Got about the same crummy reception you are getting. As soon as I moved the antenna on to the roof the reception picked up greatly. I also move the radio from my personal rig to my work truck and instead of moving the whole set-up, I bought an extra mount so all I do now is grab the radio unit itself. The only time I move the base for the radio is if I need to take it along in a rig the does not have a base. I drove to Phoenix here about a month ago and had no reception problems except for the occasional over pass.