XM Reception question
 

Ok - I've never really discussed this with anyone. Just wondering if anyone else has the same problem.

I have a Roady 2 and a "mushroom" antenna that I got from the T/A. I can pretty much be anywhere and have a perfect signal (I even have a perfect signal if my truck is sitting inside of our garage with the doors closed), except...

Anytime I'm near a large city (Columbus, Chicago, Indianapolis, etc) the signal comes and goes - it'll go from a perfect signal to 1 bar, or sometimes no signal at all. This isn't happening when I'm running through the downtown but when I'm on the bypasses around them. There's nothing blocking the line-of-sight for the antenna - it just drops out.

Another normal dropout area is on I-78 going through Allentown, PA. In fact, I could probably add just about every large metro area into that list but those are the ones I deal with on a normal basis.

For example, we have a dedicated run that brings us north on US-33, onto I270 around the west side of Columbus, then back onto US-33. While on the southside of the city, perfect signal. Come around the west side and start north and the signal drops every time when I'm 5 miles or so north or south of I-70, then the signal comes right back perfect.

Does this happen to anyone else or should I look into replacing my radio?

Dont worry about that, that is normal for satellite radios. It all depends on who else is using satellite signals and how close you are to them. It happens to me also. I have a mirror mount mushroom antenna, happens alot right around downtown areas and heavy industrial areas when i am moving.

I was led to believe that in metropolitan areas, the satellite radio companies are using land-based repeaters to broadcast the signals, and this is why you sometimes lose your signal in an urban area.

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