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Sirius radio - Anyone have a permanent install?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011.

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  1. Nov 6, 2011 #1
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    [​IMG]

    Looking for someone that has a permanent install of Sirius in their rig.
    Ideally a built-in dash unit or something like above...

    I have a Delphi Sirius head-unit (AM/FM/CD/SAT/etc) and an external mirror mount antenna.
    This is my 1st fall with the unit installed and yesterday I started experiencing audio drops for 1-2 seconds randomly, every so many minutes.
    It was on all of the channels.

    During this time, the radio never showed "ANTENNA" or any issue nor did it power down or something stupid.
    The audio returns but these drops are annoying.

    I would expect this going under a bridge or something, but we were in the wide open freeway...nothing over us at all.
    ..I'm looking for troubleshooting tips, or if something like this typically happens during the year
    at certain times (atmosphere or something for example).

    :biggrin_25512:
     
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    #1
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  3. Nov 6, 2011 #2
    Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Had that same radio when I worked for transam. Normally it would work great, cept in the NE. Wonder if they have crappy satellites there? Anyhoo, had that problem a couple of times and do believe its the ant. Eventually, you'll get an ant fault.
     
    Panhandle flash, Nov 6, 2011
    Panhandle flash, Nov 6, 2011
    #2
    Hanadarko Thanks this.
  4. Nov 6, 2011 #3
    marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    Mine is a permanent install on my alpine and there are places I go that I will drop signal every time .
    I think it has more to do with the antenna placement than anything else .
    I have my antenna on the passenger side mirror mounted by my two meter antenna .
     
    marmonman, Nov 6, 2011
    marmonman, Nov 6, 2011
    #3
  5. Nov 6, 2011 #4
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    Yea, my antenna is mounted on my pass mirror too. Its a simple black square that mounts around the mirror mast.

    I am looking at replacing it with that ugly 6" tall phallic looking device.
    Just not sure it's worth the $50 nor if thats the problem.

    I loose service intermittently and only for 1-2 seconds at a time. More of a drop out.
     
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    #4
  7. Nov 6, 2011 #5
    Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

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    Had the same problem. Then I moved the antenna to the back top of the cab on our Condo. Help dramatically but still loose signal under fuel islands and such.
     
    Flightline, Nov 6, 2011
    Flightline, Nov 6, 2011
    #5
    Hanadarko Thanks this.
  8. Nov 6, 2011 #6
    bubba mark

    bubba mark Medium Load Member

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    I've had that problem a few times with mine. I will be driving a certain direction usually east and be out in the open and the radio just cuts out. It been happening for several years. I had a radio tech tell me once it had something to do with sun spots. I don't know if that is true or not though.
     
    bubba mark, Nov 6, 2011
    bubba mark, Nov 6, 2011
    #6
  9. Nov 6, 2011 #7
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    See, that's what I am wondering.
    And, I can't get a straight answer.

    Could it be sun spots? Could it be the antenna...? :biggrin_25521:
    However, there is a repeater here in WI that is not far away.....
     
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    Hanadarko, Nov 6, 2011
    #7
  10. Nov 6, 2011 #8
    bubba mark

    bubba mark Medium Load Member

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    I don't know. I had one of those bigger antennas for a while and it really didn't make much of a difference. I would still have it but broke after an unfortunate encounter with a very large tree branch.
     
    bubba mark, Nov 6, 2011
    bubba mark, Nov 6, 2011
    #8
  11. Nov 6, 2011 #9
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    You will lose or weaken the signal depending on how far North you are, and even more on either coast.

    The satellites xm/Sirius uses stay about mid point of the continent...it is due to the curvature of the earth and in the west especially, the mountains can distort signal. Also, if you are close to iron deposits...they can effect the signal strength. I-5 is terrible even going from Sac up to Redding...then up through Shasta really pathetic!

    I had the outside antenna...no better than now with my little disc antenna on the dash inside!
     
    otherhalftw, Nov 6, 2011
    otherhalftw, Nov 6, 2011
    #9
  12. Nov 6, 2011 #10
    Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    Just south of the north 40
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    I used the antenna that was in the package when I purchased my tuner. A little disk like thing with sticky tape on the back. Then I purchased one of the "trucker" antennas. Died in less than a year. So when that one died I purchased one of these

    http://www.google.com/products/cata...ei=XUa3TvXnA6ffiALNjdlF&sqi=2&ved=0CG4Q8wIwAQ

    Been working fine for like 4 years. Have it mounted to the right side mirror.

    Has good signal, it will on rare occasions drop off for a second, mostly under bridges or inside buildings.
     
    Espressolane, Nov 6, 2011
    Espressolane, Nov 6, 2011
    #10
    Hanadarko Thanks this.
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