SiriusXm radio and antennae...............

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by mickeyrat, Apr 3, 2013.

  1. mickeyrat

    mickeyrat Road Train Member

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    on my 30 min break
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    Limited info on this topic specific to this forum.

    Was hoping you would share your experience with setup, antennae placement, Antennae type.
    Any reception issues. What you tried, to solve them etc......





    Thanks.
     
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  3. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    When I bought my first Sirius radio, it came with 2 antennae. One was magnetic for top of a car and the other was sort of a home based kind, it is swivel with a base such that you can swivel it up and have access to the base and nail or screw it on top of a fence post or something.

    Anyway, had to buy another radio when the original one started crapping out. Can't remember if the new one came with antennae or not, but I am using the old swivel antenna inside the truck like I used on the old radio.

    In the Volvo, I zip tied the antennae to the top bunk mesh thing and it could 'see' through the ceiling no problems.
    In my T660 I put the antennae in the driver's side cubby hole above the windshield. I tried it in other places but reception has always been spotty. Most recently like a couple of days ago, I came up with the bright idea to tuck in between the little curtain and the front sleeper window and have had crystal clear reception since. I can't believe I never thought of it before.
     
  4. dschmidt201

    dschmidt201 Light Load Member

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    Bought the radio put it through the door and hung it to the mirror since it was magnetic works good unless you go through a tunnel
     
    Side Box Thanks this.
  5. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I understand that you're better off getting a Sirius radio because the Sirius satellites are better situated for optimal coverage across the US. XM on the other hand you will see weak signals the further east and north you go across the CONUS due to satellite location.
     
  6. D389

    D389 Light Load Member

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    I used the magnetic antenna and placed it on the visor. In the past Ive had problems with the antenna wire breaking inside the insulation when running it through the door or vent window.
     
    Side Box Thanks this.
  7. Projektf350

    Projektf350 Medium Load Member

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    If im not mistaken Sirius still owns XM and uses the same satellites now. I have "XM" in my Hummer and after the merger I get half the old XM channels and half new Sirius ones. Became a waste of money since I hardly ever drive the Hummer so canceled my subscription.. May have changed over the last few months.
     
  8. Colorato

    Colorato Road Train Member

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    Wilson XM5000 mounted on a perch on drivers side door. Never drops below 2 bars.
     
  9. Side Box

    Side Box Light Load Member

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    i use the magnet one in T660, put it on outside visor on pas side, works great, also have the aftermarket big ugly one but no where to mount it on mirrors on this truck
     
  10. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    Not quite true. The XM sats are above the equator; one due south of Cincinatti, and the other due south of Las Vegas. For most of the US, the elevation is greater than 30° above the horizon; getting lower as you go north.

    The Sirius sats run as a group of 3; one is "parked" above Manitoba at all times. It should give better coverage to the north.

    Which is "better"? Audio and programming differences aside, each has its advantages. The two XM sats sit lower on the horizon, which is more likely to be blocked if you are running through a valley. However, they are in very different directions, so it's quite possible for one sat to be blocked, and you can still see the other.

    Sirius acts like a single satellite. It's higher, but if you are parked on the wrong side of the building, you have no signal.

    Both have excellent coverage across most of the US. The real decision comes down to sound quality (some say there is a difference), and programming (content).
     
  11. mopar1972

    mopar1972 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2012
    Monroe Mi
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    I run a 660 a few years back and mounted the aftermarket one on the visor bolts, over right door, take one of the bolts out and mount it there, worked great
     
    scottied67 Thanks this.
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