Sirius Cutting Out Frequently?

[phatcat]

My 06 M35 originally came with XM. It worked great for the few weeks I had complimentary service, however once it expired I swapped the tuner for Sirius (I have a lifetime Sirius subscription).

When I drive under overpasses or small bridges it almost always cuts out about 4 seconds later. The XM didn't do this. I read that Sirius broadcasts using 2 satellites with the 2nd satellite broadcasting about 4 seconds after the first to buffer missed reception. They way I read it that if you lose your signal for up to 4 seconds, you shouldn't miss a beat.

It appears perhaps I'm only connecting to 1 satellite?

I was wondering if anyone else had this problem? I'm not sure if it's the tuner, or perhaps because I'm using the factory XM sharkfin antenna?

thx.

[ken in az]

My 06 M35 originally came with XM. It worked great for the few weeks I had complimentary service, however once it expired I swapped the tuner for Sirius (I have a lifetime Sirius subscription).

When I drive under overpasses or small bridges it almost always cuts out about 4 seconds later. The XM didn't do this. I read that Sirius broadcasts using 2 satellites with the 2nd satellite broadcasting about 4 seconds after the first to buffer missed reception. They way I read it that if you lose your signal for up to 4 seconds, you shouldn't miss a beat.

It appears perhaps I'm only connecting to 1 satellite?

I was wondering if anyone else had this problem? I'm not sure if it's the tuner, or perhaps because I'm using the factory XM sharkfin antenna?

thx.

My Sirius does the same the same thing you are describing - I figured it was normal but now I'm questioning it too.

[2007 M45 Sportster]

I thought is was my car, but I guess not. There are a few specific dead spots which I drive through regularly where I know I can count on the thing to cut out. Then I find it cuts out in random places as well. Driving under a bridge, or in a tunnel will usually kill things too.

I suspect Sirus/XM is having some capacity or network issues. Mabye they can't pay the bill for satalite time. (Paying Howard Stern & Imus too much $$$)

[phatcat]

Prior to the M, I was driving a Honda with a Pioneer aftermarket Sirius tuner. On the same driving route it would rarely lose signal. XM on the same route in my M would also rarely lose signal. But now with the Sirius tuner in the M, it's somewhat annoying, especially since I'm comparing it to a near flawless experience. With others sharing the same experience, I suspect the painted over sharkfin antenna may be the culprit. I'm not sure if there are property differences between xm & sirius antennas. Perhaps some are tuned for 1 network over the other?

[WaynesNside]

When we had our Sirius plug and play kit in our car it would cut out anytime you go under structures. I just thought that was normal.

[tkeskic]

You need to check if (both) the city you are in has a terrestrial repeater installed, and that you have that antenna installed in your car. The kit comes with a Satellite antenna that is visible on the outside of the car, and the other antenna is a piece of wire like a local FM/AM one that also needs to be plugged in. Some installers and do-it-your-self guys fail to install this second one.

This one allows you to pickup the signal from the ground repeaters that are present in most major centers, to avoid dropping the signal under bridges, tuners and between buildings.

There is no such thing as a capacity issue with using the XM or Sirius; This is just like using AM/FM radio.

tk

[member001]

I have a factory installed AM/FM CD Sirius Radio in my 2004 PT Cruiser. A year or so after our free trial ran out, my wife gave me a Lifetime subscription for Christmas in 2006. Recently on a trip in to Michigan I noticed my signal was dropping out a few seconds after I went under an overpass at highway speeds, is it possible my buffer has failed after years of buffering it's little heart out?
Modified by member001 at 1:47 PM 4/4/2010