Skyfi2 FM Modulation

[User X-X-X]

According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM
modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
antenna as possible." How close must the antenna be to the
car antenna?

[David]

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:51:29 -0500, User X-X-X <"user
x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote:

>According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM
>modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
>antenna as possible." How close must the antenna be to the
>car antenna?

As close as possible.

Seriously, though. What manual?

[Jonathan]

Greetings,

The useful range is reportedly in the 3-6 foot area, so if you are placing
your XM antenna on your dash then anywhere on the side nearest the car
antenna to about the middle of the dash will be fine. If you are placing
the XM antenna outside, then anywhere within about 3-6' of the car antenna
on the same side of the car will be fine.

The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my wife's
car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with either
setup.

Cheers - Jonathan

"User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:7vWdnVcSzeNqOWrenZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@comcast.com...
> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM modulator,
> place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM antenna as possible." How
> close must the antenna be to the car antenna?

[User X-X-X]

David wrote:
> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:51:29 -0500, User X-X-X <"user
> x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote:
>
>> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM
>> modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
>> antenna as possible." How close must the antenna be to the
>> car antenna?
>
> As close as possible.
>
> Seriously, though. What manual?
>

On line

http://www.xmradio.com/manuals/skyfi2_install_guide.pdf

page 12

[User X-X-X]

Jonathan wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> The useful range is reportedly in the 3-6 foot area, so if you are placing
> your XM antenna on your dash then anywhere on the side nearest the car
> antenna to about the middle of the dash will be fine. If you are placing
> the XM antenna outside, then anywhere within about 3-6' of the car antenna
> on the same side of the car will be fine.
>
> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my wife's
> car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with either
> setup.

So it doesn't have to be outside the vehicle to receive the
signal?

[David]

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 19:15:47 -0500, User X-X-X <"user
x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote:

>David wrote:
>> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:51:29 -0500, User X-X-X <"user
>> x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM
>>> modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
>>> antenna as possible." How close must the antenna be to the
>>> car antenna?
>>
>> As close as possible.
>>
>> Seriously, though. What manual?
>>
>
>On line
>
>http://www.xmradio.com/manuals/skyfi2_install_guide.pdf
>
>page 12
The modulator's not built-in to the receiver/

[Ron M.]

"User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:gMednT1-5-jbJ2reRVn-qg@comcast.com...
> Jonathan wrote:
>> Greetings,
>>
>> The useful range is reportedly in the 3-6 foot area, so if you are
>> placing your XM antenna on your dash then anywhere on the side nearest
>> the car antenna to about the middle of the dash will be fine. If you are
>> placing the XM antenna outside, then anywhere within about 3-6' of the
>> car antenna on the same side of the car will be fine.
>>
>> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my
>> wife's car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with
>> either setup.
>
> So it doesn't have to be outside the vehicle to receive the signal?

Not at all. I have mine positioned on the deck above the rear seat of my car
and it works
just fine. When I first got it I had the antenna positioned near the edge of
the trunk lid
on the outside of the car. But again, I now have it inside of the car and it
still works great
for me.

Ron M.

[Craig]

"David" <rickets@knac.com> wrote...

>>On line
>>
>>http://www.xmradio.com/manuals/skyfi2_install_guide.pdf
>>
>>page 12

> The modulator's not built-in to the receiver

I don't see such a statement on p 12. And the SKYFi2 does have a built-in
FM modulator.

Craig

[Craig]

"User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote...

> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM modulator,
> place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM antenna as possible." How
> close must the antenna be to the car antenna?

As others have pointed out, it can be away from the car's FM antenna a
fair distance. My guess is that your choice of placement for the XM's
antenna is more important for receiving the satellite signal than it is for
its transmitting FM to your car's antenna. Before firmly deciding on a XM
antenna location and going to lots of effort routing hidden cables, test it
out in a proposed location without carefully hiding the antenna cable first
and drive around to check reception. You could also check out the xmfan.com
Installation Forum and see what others have done in your model car:

http://xmfan.com/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=5a742f555283b2b8306e21502ed5fdb0

For instance, in the Ford Focus, many can place the antenna on the center or
side dashboard inside the car at the base of the window. Yet for a Ford
Explorer, a roof-mount is much more needed to avoid XM drop-outs.

Note also that the audio quality using the FM modulator will be worse than a
direct antenna connect, cassette adapter, or the best choice, a PIE or
similar "line in" adapter to the vehicles built-in radio. The forum link,
above, can shed more light on these choices--and choices for locating the
radio in your vehicle. Enjoy.

PS--regarding nearness of the two antennas for FM modulation mode, being
closer might be more important for those living in areas where the various
FM modulation frequency choices are somewhat noisy due to crowded broadcast
FM stations near the desired frequency.

Craig

[J. D. B.]

As close as possible.

User X-X-X wrote:
> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM modulator,
> place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM antenna as possible." How
> close must the antenna be to the car antenna?

[User X-X-X]

David wrote:

> The modulator's not built-in to the receiver/
>

That's what I thought but it says "If you use the wireless
FM modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
antenna as possible." It sounds like the receiver doubles as
a transmitter.

http://www.xmradio.com/manuals/skyfi2_install_guide.pdf

page 12 of the PDF page 13 of guide

[User X-X-X]

Craig wrote:
> "David" <rickets@knac.com> wrote...
>
>>> On line
>>>
>>> http://www.xmradio.com/manuals/skyfi2_install_guide.pdf
>>>
>>> page 12
>
>> The modulator's not built-in to the receiver
>
> I don't see such a statement on p 12. And the SKYFi2 does have a built-in
> FM modulator.

It's page 12 of the PDF page 13 of the guide

[Wulf]

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 17:51:29 -0500, User X-X-X <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote:

>According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM
>modulator, place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM
>antenna as possible." How close must the antenna be to the
>car antenna?
mines on laying on the dash aprox 2-3 ft from my antenna.
which gives me a very clear signal unless I happen to get into a area where a station
is using that band.

Wulf

[User X-X-X]

Craig wrote:

> As others have pointed out, it can be away from the car's FM antenna a
> fair distance. My guess is that your choice of placement for the XM's
> antenna is more important for receiving the satellite signal than it is for
> its transmitting FM to your car's antenna. Before firmly deciding on a XM
> antenna location and going to lots of effort routing hidden cables, test it
> out in a proposed location without carefully hiding the antenna cable first
> and drive around to check reception. You could also check out the xmfan.com
> Installation Forum and see what others have done in your model car:
>
> http://xmfan.com/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=5a742f555283b2b8306e21502ed5fdb0
>

Thanks for the tips.

[Kim Cole]

> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my wife's
> car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with either
> setup

ITS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR YOU NIGGER

[Von Fourche]

"Craig" <wpyr@REMOVEMEworldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:6QQJf.423324$qk4.91656@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote...
>
>> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM modulator,
>> place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM antenna as possible." How
>> close must the antenna be to the car antenna?
>
> As others have pointed out, it can be away from the car's FM antenna a
> fair distance. My guess is that your choice of placement for the XM's
> antenna is more important for receiving the satellite signal than it is
> for its transmitting FM to your car's antenna. Before firmly deciding on a
> XM antenna location and going to lots of effort routing hidden cables,
> test it out in a proposed location without carefully hiding the antenna
> cable first and drive around to check reception. You could also check out
> the xmfan.com Installation Forum and see what others have done in your
> model car:


Wait a second now. I have a SkyFi2. I use the built in FM modulator
exclusively. I have a home docking station and a car kit. I have the XM
antenna right on the dash right in the center in the car. I know it's
picking up XM signals but, it's broadcasting the XM modulation too? I
thought the modulator sent it's signal out from the SkyFi2 box itself, not
the antenna. Not so?

[Craig]

"Von Fourche" <Monaco7876@hotmail.com> wrote...

> "Craig" wrote in message...
>>
>> "User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote...
>>
>>> According to the install manual "If you use the wireless FM modulator,
>>> place the antenna as close to the vehicle's FM antenna as possible." How
>>> close must the antenna be to the car antenna?
>>
>> As others have pointed out, it can be away from the car's FM antenna a
>> fair distance. My guess is that your choice of placement for the XM's
>> antenna is more important for receiving the satellite signal than it is
>> for its transmitting FM to your car's antenna. Before firmly deciding on
>> a XM antenna location and going to lots of effort routing hidden cables,
>> test it out in a proposed location without carefully hiding the antenna
>> cable first and drive around to check reception. You could also check out
>> the xmfan.com Installation Forum and see what others have done in your
>> model car:
>
>
> Wait a second now. I have a SkyFi2. I use the built in FM modulator
> exclusively. I have a home docking station and a car kit. I have the XM
> antenna right on the dash right in the center in the car. I know it's
> picking up XM signals but, it's broadcasting the XM modulation too? I
> thought the modulator sent it's signal out from the SkyFi2 box itself, not
> the antenna. Not so?

I would guess 'Not so'. Note that I admit these are guesses. My reasoning
is two-fold:

-First, Delphi would not suggest placing the XM antenna as close as possible
to the vehicle's antenna unless the FM modulator in the SKYFi2 was using the
XM's antenna to transmit FM.

-Second, the SKYFi2's manual strongly suggests using the SKYFi2 car kit, not
the older SKYFi car kit (but makes no such suggestion regarding home kits or
boomboxes). My guess is that the SKYFi2 car kit's antenna, cabling and
connectors are designed not only to maximize XM reception and minimize XM
signal loss pre-receiver but that they are also designed to minimize power
loss of the FM transmitted signal and that this may not be the case for the
older SKYFi antenna and car cradle, etc.

Given that the older SKYFi had no built-in FM, and that a FM modulator
could be bought which replaced the cigarette lighter power adapter, I'd also
guess that the SKYFi's FM transmission may be coming from inside the car as
you think.

Delphi also recommends turning off the FM modulator when not using it. Do
you turn off the modulator when using the home kit? I assume with the home
kit that you use a line out cord to connect to your home audio system rather
than FM modulation for greatly increased audio fidelity. Just curious.

They're my guesses and I'll stick with them until corrected.

Craig

[Jonathan]

Moron

"Kim Cole" <p0sitiveatheist@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1140321312.246833.114420@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
>
>> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my
>> wife's
>> car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with either
>> setup
>
> ITS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR YOU NIGGER
>

[Jonathan]

Greetings,

My suggestion would be that if you are in an area that has difficulty
receiving an XM signal (further north) then put the antenna on the outside
of the car for the best possible view of the sky, but if you are in an area
where you don't have reception issues (for example, I'm in Florida) then
inside the car on the dash is quite acceptable.

Cheers - Jonathan

"User X-X-X" <"user x-x-x"@domain.invalid> wrote in message
news:gMednT1-5-jbJ2reRVn-qg@comcast.com...
> Jonathan wrote:
>> Greetings,
>>
>> The useful range is reportedly in the 3-6 foot area, so if you are
>> placing your XM antenna on your dash then anywhere on the side nearest
>> the car antenna to about the middle of the dash will be fine. If you are
>> placing the XM antenna outside, then anywhere within about 3-6' of the
>> car antenna on the same side of the car will be fine.
>>
>> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my
>> wife's car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with
>> either setup.
>
> So it doesn't have to be outside the vehicle to receive the signal?

[User X-X-X]

Jonathan wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> My suggestion would be that if you are in an area that has difficulty
> receiving an XM signal (further north) then put the antenna on the outside
> of the car for the best possible view of the sky, but if you are in an area
> where you don't have reception issues (for example, I'm in Florida) then
> inside the car on the dash is quite acceptable.
>

Thanks,

I guess Detroit would be considered "further north".

Do you know of any maps which show coverage areas(satellite
locations?)and/or repeater locations.

[Craig]

"User X-X-X" wrote...

> Jonathan wrote:
>> Greetings,
>>
>> My suggestion would be that if you are in an area that has difficulty
>> receiving an XM signal (further north) then put the antenna on the
>> outside of the car for the best possible view of the sky, but if you are
>> in an area where you don't have reception issues (for example, I'm in
>> Florida) then inside the car on the dash is quite acceptable.
>>
>
> Thanks,
>
> I guess Detroit would be considered "further north".

Since I'm in Arizona (but northern AZ ;-) I'd agree--and this may make an
external roof-mount more important for you than me.

> Do you know of any maps which show coverage areas(satellite
> locations?)and/or repeater locations.

The two satellites (Rock and Roll) are in orbit south of The States, one
sharing latitude with the Eastern US, the other the Western US. The further
north you go, the lower in the sky users' antennas need to be pointed and
the greater need to have clear coverage of the southern sky.

Re: repeater locations, the xmfan.com forums seem to discuss this a lot
and I gather that there may be no easily accessible map or chart describing
the locations. On the other hand, since the nearest repeater to my home is
about 125 miles away in Phoenix, I may not watch these discussions as much
as those of you who live in the big cities with multiple repeaters. I have
to admit, I was very happily surprised to keep XM coverage on a recent trip
to Phoenix as I traveled through one of the long freeway tunnels.

Craig

[User X-X-X]

Craig wrote:

> Re: repeater locations, the xmfan.com forums seem to discuss this a lot

I found this link on xmfan

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=456929

It shows 24 repeaters in Detroit and gives latitude and
longitude positions. Just for the hell of it I'm going to
see if I can enter the coordinates in Google Earth and see
if I recognize the locations.

[Kim Cole]

JERK

Jonathan wrote:
> Moron
>
> "Kim Cole" <p0sitiveatheist@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1140321312.246833.114420@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> >
> >> The XM antenna for my SkyFi2 is in the center of my dash, and in my
> >> wife's
> >> car it's on the dash closest to the FM antenna. No problems with either
> >> setup
> >
> > ITS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR YOU NIGGER
> >

[Von Fourche]

"Craig" <wpyr@REMOVEMEworldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:cKZJf.40929$id5.8400@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> Delphi also recommends turning off the FM modulator when not using it. Do
> you turn off the modulator when using the home kit? I assume with the home
> kit that you use a line out cord to connect to your home audio system
> rather than FM modulation for greatly increased audio fidelity. Just
> curious.


Whenever I have my SkiFi2 in the home docking base (most of the time) I
use the line-out feature but I leave the FM modulator on. I haven't noticed
any sound quality issues while doing this.

[Craig]

"Craig" wrote...

> "Von Fourche" wrote...
>
>> "Craig" wrote in message...
>>>
>>> "User X-X-X" wrote...
>>>
>
> They're my guesses and I'll stick with them until corrected.
>
> Craig

See: http://xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=58063

Craig