Sirrius radio

[wmh9680]

Hi, we have a 2014 RT Limited and the Sirrius radio goes on and off. I've never had a Serrius radio before. Any tips what it might be?

Thanks, Mike

 

[cuznjohn]

if you are traveling on roads where there are a lot of trees, you can lose the signal because the trees block the signal from the antenna

 

[PaladinLV]

Add rain/thunder clouds or other adverse weather conditions, and direction you are traveling in relation of antenna to the sat. to the list

BTW - that hockey puck antenna is a piece of S----! For best results you need a true omni with a bit of gain.

Similar to this

AJ

If you are out in the open with no nearby obstructions , tree's, buildings, hills, mountains etc. then something is wrong.......check connections ......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Satellite radios always seem to need an unobstructed line of sight, to the satellites that transmit to them... :banghead:
since the antenna sits in the general region of the top trunk; even having a passenger onboard, can affect reception.
I believe that the satellites are in the Southern Sky. Do you notice more "loss of signal" episodes, when riding South, or when there are natural terrain obstacles to your South?

If you do: then it's just the nature of the game... :shocked:

 

[Highwayman2013]

The antenna needs to be at the highest point for least obstruction and it is a line of sight thing. I've never had storms bother my reception, but trees, mountains, overpasses did. Some of the better radios have 30 second or so delays which help with the dropouts. Used XM radio for many years in a commercial vehicle and the puck style antenna always worked and held up the best.

 

[spyderCodes]

I don't believe going to any kind of exotic antenna is warranted, IMHO
I do know that placement of the puck is key.
Just for giggles I placed the antenna underneath the windshield on my RT.
Big Mistake, the electrical noise from the engine and display really killed reception.

On the F3 the antenna is now back on the rear shelf.
It does occasionally drop out but not that much.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Sirius Antenna

I wasn't too sure where to place the antenna or the unit itself, so i put the unit into the trunk as the power supply is right there as well as the dongle for plugging in the sound so it will play through the speakers. I then put the antenna onto the very top of the rear seat and fastened it in place using some Velcro. It seems to work very well in this position so far, but if anyone has a better suggestion I'm all ears. :clap:

 

[PaladinLV]

With 50 years as a HAM and over 40 years in communication, radar, and other EM endeavors, I can say that a good antenna makes all the difference.
What each individual believes or does not believe is their option as is what they spend.
For me to reduce drop outs by 50% on my XM Radio and increase signal strength was important, to other it may not be.
Whatever floats your boat.
And as stated by an other - with a passenger, all bets are off. When the wife is on board I use an iPod

AJ

I don't believe going to any kind of exotic antenna is warranted, IMHO
I do know that placement of the puck is key.
Just for giggles I placed the antenna underneath the windshield on my RT.
Big Mistake, the electrical noise from the engine and display really killed reception.

On the F3 the antenna is now back on the rear shelf.
It does occasionally drop out but not that much.

 

[PaladinLV]

You picked suitable location or at least as best as you can do with the hockey puck.

AJ

I wasn't too sure where to place the antenna or the unit itself, so i put the unit into the trunk as the power supply is right there as well as the dongle for plugging in the sound so it will play through the speakers. I then put the antenna onto the very top of the rear seat and fastened it in place using some Velcro. It seems to work very well in this position so far, but if anyone has a better suggestion I'm all ears. :clap:

 

[spyderCodes]

With 50 years as a HAM and over 40 years in communication, radar, and other EM endeavors, I can say that a good antenna makes all the difference.
What each individual believes or does not believe is their option as is what they spend.
For me to reduce drop outs by 50% on my XM Radio and increase signal strength was important, to other it may not be.
Whatever floats your boat.
And as stated by an other - with a passenger, all bets are off. When the wife is on board I use an iPod

AJ

As a young, know it all engineer I was working on a gizmo that used the Doppler effect to determine the rate of flow in a pipe.
The circuitry was basically an AM radio tuned to a crystal that mounted on a pipe.
The signal was so far down in muck making it unusable when a pump was running..
Prototype after Prototype was built.
Chester, a HAM, did his job by building my latest idea of the Latest and Greatest.

I walked back to his bench and he had built two protos.
One had a piece of paper with a partial schematic scribbled on it.
"I am tired of building these things", he said.
Continuing as he pointed to one of the protos "That one has an AGC that will lift the signal"
Then he pointed to the other "That one is another piece of sh*t that won't work"
He was right and You are right.
Agree with you 100%

 

[Fi&Me]

Where to Buy?

Add rain/thunder clouds or other adverse weather conditions, and direction you are traveling in relation of antenna to the sat. to the list

BTW - that hockey puck antenna is a piece of S----! For best results you need a true omni with a bit of gain.

Similar to this

AJ

Where do you suggest to purchase such an antenna? A link to a site would be great. Thanks!