Jixter
August 9th, 2006, 08:30 PM
I've got XM and an Audiovox XCS9 receiver, a 2001 Honda Civic with roof
rack, I've mounted the magnetic antenna on the driver side trunk for best
signal strength. I live in the Vancouver, BC area.
http://www.xmradio.com/xr9/index.jsp
Problem is I've had fadeouts in my reception in several areas of my regular
commute. Usually this is around tall buildings or large trees etc.. It's
quite annoying especially listening to some of the comedy channels.
I'm sure they've added the FM broadcast of the signal by now.. but maybe
there is a problem with the signal still? I can receive regular analog FM
from all around but not XM.. I can even get XM down 2 levels in a parking
garage sometimes.. but not near tall trees.
I'm not looking for a debate on XM vs. Sirius here but rather some general
advice on improving my reception.
I saw an in-line signal booster that claims to improve the signal enough to
reduce common fade outs. It said it was 15-18db gain and was a product from
Interstate Connections. This looks like a trucker type product that is
meant for long cable runs. I found it at my local London Drugs but I can't
even find it on ebay.
http://www.interstate-connections.com/ic/index.asp?id=55
The amplifier is like $50 Canadian and I paid about $69 for the radio. I
also have a friend that has Sirius but he has a much larger antenna and has
much less if any fade outs.
The Audiovox radio also has one super small antenna maybe 1inch square.. I
also thought about just getting a larger antenna for it.. the closest I can
find is the home kit that's $99.99
It's an antenna! Why can't I buy the parts and wire this thing up myself!
Any feedback you have on the following points would be much appreciated.
1. Advice on DIY satellite antenna for cheap, can I use a wifi antenna?
straight cable? coil? certain wavelength?
2. Signal booster or amplifier success/failures anyone may have to report.
3. Should I ditch this radio and get one that has a large memory buffer for
like $400? Still have fade outs but could skip through them.
Do I need to ground the antenna somehow?
Jixter
rack, I've mounted the magnetic antenna on the driver side trunk for best
signal strength. I live in the Vancouver, BC area.
http://www.xmradio.com/xr9/index.jsp
Problem is I've had fadeouts in my reception in several areas of my regular
commute. Usually this is around tall buildings or large trees etc.. It's
quite annoying especially listening to some of the comedy channels.
I'm sure they've added the FM broadcast of the signal by now.. but maybe
there is a problem with the signal still? I can receive regular analog FM
from all around but not XM.. I can even get XM down 2 levels in a parking
garage sometimes.. but not near tall trees.
I'm not looking for a debate on XM vs. Sirius here but rather some general
advice on improving my reception.
I saw an in-line signal booster that claims to improve the signal enough to
reduce common fade outs. It said it was 15-18db gain and was a product from
Interstate Connections. This looks like a trucker type product that is
meant for long cable runs. I found it at my local London Drugs but I can't
even find it on ebay.
http://www.interstate-connections.com/ic/index.asp?id=55
The amplifier is like $50 Canadian and I paid about $69 for the radio. I
also have a friend that has Sirius but he has a much larger antenna and has
much less if any fade outs.
The Audiovox radio also has one super small antenna maybe 1inch square.. I
also thought about just getting a larger antenna for it.. the closest I can
find is the home kit that's $99.99
It's an antenna! Why can't I buy the parts and wire this thing up myself!
Any feedback you have on the following points would be much appreciated.
1. Advice on DIY satellite antenna for cheap, can I use a wifi antenna?
straight cable? coil? certain wavelength?
2. Signal booster or amplifier success/failures anyone may have to report.
3. Should I ditch this radio and get one that has a large memory buffer for
like $400? Still have fade outs but could skip through them.
Do I need to ground the antenna somehow?
Jixter