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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject: XM Problems |
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New guy here so I'm not sure if this is the place to post this ?
Installed a new Pioneer radio with accompanying XM receiver and antenna. The unit will lose signal in the clear blue sky. It happens primarily in large metro areas, get out of the city and it works great for hours. BestBuy,XM,Pioneer are 0 help, all I get are blank stares and shrugs. A couple of buddies have Kenwood and Alpine systems with no problems. Is the Pioneer just CRAP? |
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obiedon
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 77
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Did you buy a truck antenna for it. If not and you are using the micro antenna that came with it, that is most likely your problem. |
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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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obiedon wrote: Did you buy a truck antenna for it. If not and you are using the micro antenna that came with it, that is most likely your problem.
Yep,got the antenna that looks like a "mushroom on a stalk", XM9000, mounted on the mirror brkt. by itself. Can't help but think it's the XM receiver box that inputs the XM signal to the radio. It plays fine on the AM/FM side with no dropout. |
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TK THE TRUCKER
Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 835
Location: NEAR ROCHESTER, NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Are you talking about losing your satellite signal or are you using you're FM modulator through your stereo and local stations in a city are over powering the FM modulator built in to your satellite receiver ? 8) |
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headborg
Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 1102
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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TK THE TRUCKER wrote: Are you talking about losing your satellite signal or are you using you're FM modulator through your stereo and local stations in a city are over powering the FM modulator built in to your satellite receiver ? 8)
This is an excellent question; I too frequently find FM stations over power the FM modulator----seems on some days--I'm having to switch frequencys as much as channels.<<<<<but if this was his problem--it would be obviously apparent.
There's a feature in the setup menu--where you gauge your sat signal strength & your (earth based) signal---you're suppose to trim your antenna(by aiming it- until both signal strengths match) |
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TK THE TRUCKER
Joined: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 835
Location: NEAR ROCHESTER, NY
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: |
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| I had a Sirius Sportster 3, I believe, and I use the built FM modulator and it worked pretty good. I only had to change the station once in a while. A couple months ago I upgraded to the sportster 4 because you can pause it and it was free with the rebate. Anyways if you use the built in FM modulator there's a antenna wire you have to plug into it and hang it up inside your truck. It totally sucks even with that antenna wire. My radio had trouble picking up the FM signal from the satellite receiver even when I was out in the middle of nowhere. I was finally able to wheel my truck into a Best Buy to get the in line adapter. http://www.amazon.com/Sirius-FMDA25-Wired-Relay-Adapter/dp/B000KGLL84/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198084477&sr=8-1 Now I never have to change my station even when in cities. 8) 8) |
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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: |
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headborg wrote: TK THE TRUCKER wrote: Are you talking about losing your satellite signal or are you using you're FM modulator through your stereo and local stations in a city are over powering the FM modulator built in to your satellite receiver ? 8)
This is an excellent question; I too frequently find FM stations over power the FM modulator----seems on some days--I'm having to switch frequencies as much as channels.<<<<<but if this was his problem--it would be obviously apparent.
There's a feature in the setup menu--where you gauge your sat signal strength & your (earth based) signal---you're suppose to trim your antenna(by aiming it- until both signal strengths match)
This radio is supposed to have the XM side completely separate from the FM side. I don't have to pick an FM freq. for the XM to come through, just switch to "XM tuner" and it comes on.TK, when I lose XM the screen will sometimes say "no signal",but this always in a metro area where one would think the signal would be strong. I 20 thru Dallas is the worst, 38 miles e/w and "no signal".
I'm no electronics expert but here's what I think: The "auto XM" feature is manufactured just a little "off" and the terrestrial stations of metro areas overwhelm this feature and it goes to "no signal". I've tolerated this for over a year and just about given up. My hope was that someone had this same problem and discovered a simple (cheap) solution. A friend had the same radio,problems,areas, went to a Kenwood system,problems solved.
Thanks everyone for your replies. After 1/1/08 I'm replacing the system. Anyone want a crappy Pioneer system???[/i] |
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SteveBooth
Joined: 18 May 2005
Posts: 3501
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| Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:57 pm Post subject: |
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Most FM radios that you buy now have an auxiliary input that has to be menu enabled. You can run a wire from the headset output of your XM radio to the AUX input of your FM stereo and NEVER have to pick an FM station again. The quality is 1,000 times better when you do this.
My guess is that it's not the signal your losing but the FM output from the XM is not strong enough to reach your trucks FM radio antenna. The FCC dropped the output for all newer XM radios from 5 watts to 3 watts so it's hard for the XM to output a strong enough signal to your trucks antenna. |
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dru4562
Joined: 27 Dec 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| Probably u r losing connection at your pioneer xm box. The mushroom antennas end where it plugs into the xm receiver does not fit well in my experience.(does'nt make good contact) I had to go into the receiver and hardwire the antenna to it to get a signal and no problems since. I would play with the plug next time you have trouble to see if this is the problem. |
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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| I'll try it. |
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DanH
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:18 am Post subject: |
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| XM is line of site. It's not like FM which is RF. I have quite a few cutouts in town. Especially larger Metro areas with tall buildings. When it cuts out, look to the southern sky. There most likely will be something in the way. |
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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: XM problems |
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Dan H, in my previous posts I mentioned a friend had the same Pioneer equipment I have with the same identical problems.We both run I20 and had the same dropped signal in the same exact areas. He got sick of it and installed a Kenwood system and now has no dropped signals. anywhere. :D I think the PIONEER equipment I have is JUNK and it will be replaced soon!
A word to everyone: I don't recommend BestBuy for your truck audio stuff, if you have problems you have to make an APPOINTMENT to get it looked at. This is unacceptable. |
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DanH
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Yep, I would replace it then. I just assumed it was the same problem I have(missed the part about being along the same route). It always cuts out when it's something you want to hear! |
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Copperhead
Joined: 27 Oct 2007
Posts: 96
Location: Kellogg, IA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:47 am Post subject: |
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| regarding losing the signal.... xm has had a problem, not regularly, regarding the satellites they are using. They sent me an email a while back that they appologized for the disruptions. I get drop off of signal once in a while. Seems to have been more of a problem within the last 6 months. Who knows.... sunspot activity or just not paying their satallite bill on time. :D |
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klleetrucking
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 56
Location: Dalzell,S.C.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:35 am Post subject: XM Problems |
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| Thanks copperhead for the ideas.I just came through the I20 corridor w/b on Tues. and as usual the signal went in and out for 43 miles, sometimes for up to 15 seconds. At no time in that stretch did the signal last for more than 2,3 seconds at a time. :evil: Once I was clear of the metroplex it worked fine. :D I'm convinced there's an inherent problem with this particular PANASONIC unit. :x |
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