Satellite Radio Problems

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2011

Is anyone having problems with their satellite radio?
On a run tonight from Iowa to Michigan ours kept giving a message "antenna not detected", than it says "acquiring signal" than goes back to "antenna not detected".
Sometimes it works for about 30 seconds.
We have an outside antennae on the mirror mount.
If no one else is having problems I'm thinking the cable may be broken.

bikerpaul · Feb 28, 2011

Either a broken wire, bad ground, or a bad antenna. Problems like this are always a headache to find and fix. Outside chance the satellite was having a problem.

layoutshooter · Feb 28, 2011

There have been a couple of large solar flares in the past two weeks. The sun in going into it's "active" cycle. Both flares were big enough to disrupt radio and satellite signals. You might have been "lucky" enough to see the affects of one of those.

'Monster' Solar Flare Erupts From Sun | Sun Photos & Space Weather | Space Storms, Solar Weather & Solar Dynamics Observatory | Space.com

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2011

I'm at the TA in Monroe, MI now.
I tried a new cable to the outside antennae. Still getting the same message. "Antennae Not Detected"
So, it's either the outside antennae or the receiver itself.

scottm4211 · Feb 28, 2011

I'm guessing it's the receiver. If you have Sirius most of their newer units are junk. The solar flare thing should on happen intermittently if at all.

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2011

I wish I had the little magnetic antennae that came with it. Then I could find out if it's the antennae or receiver.

Steady Eddie · Feb 28, 2011

Your radio, it wouldn't be a Streamer GT model? Had one, and it did the same thing, had to replace it.

scottm4211 · Feb 28, 2011

jjoerger said:
I wish I had the little magnetic antennae that came with it. Then I could find out if it's the antennae or receiver.

Is there anyone around that will pop their receiver out and plug your antenna in to try it?

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2011

It says it's a model ST3B. It has the orange background.

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2011

scottm4211 said:
Is there anyone around that will pop their receiver out and plug your antenna in to try it?

I already checked with the other 2 straight trucks here. Neither one had satellite radio.
Theres 3 Panther vans here but they all look to be asleep.

scottm4211 · Feb 28, 2011

I'd pop into wal mart and get a magnetic antenna to try it out. You can always return it if that's not the cause.

jansiemoo · Feb 28, 2011

I had the same problem. For me, it was the plug on the radio for the antenna. (It may have been damaged when it flew across the truck while still plugged in after giving me some crap!) I called xm to *cancel* and they were able to send me a replacement of the same model ($60) for $10.

MissKat · Mar 1, 2011

You can call Xm and they will send a refresher signal to your unit. Our large expensive antenna quit and best buy had the larger round magnet one for $29. It is now taped to the defunct one and works well. In this latest storm surge yesterday and today we did lose signal in Nebraska Illinois Indiana for a time. We have the onyx

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jjoerger · Mar 1, 2011

We are going to buy a new receiver today and try the antennae that comes with it on our old one. If it works we will return the new receiver and buy a new antennae. If it doesn't work we will have a new receiver to hook up to our old antennae.
Isn't it amazing how hooked we become on these gadgets?

ChrisGa23 · Mar 1, 2011

I bet if you call up sirius and complain they will send you a new unit for free or lower your subscription for the year. I heard they go the extra mile trying to keep customers signed up
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wombat52 · Mar 1, 2011

hang on do not buy anything new all it is look at the unit on your dash or window ok are you looking at it ok see the brass fitting going into the side of it yes the antenna there you go wiggle it with your hand do not know why but it comes loose and mind does this no antenna or requiring signal business i wiggle it the brass fitting BINGO it works again i was thinking of buying a new outside antenna but another driver told me what i am now telling you save your money ..
if that works i know it will you can buy me a coffee at the truckstop ok just joking no need to buy me a coffee
wombat

jjoerger · Mar 1, 2011

Bought a new receiver and tried the new magnetic antennae. My old unit worked fine on it. So, took it back got a refund and bought a new outside antennae. Everything is working great now.

Fr8 Shaker · Mar 1, 2011

My XM is doing the same thing, started a few days ago. I think it is the antenna also. Thought the wire may have gotten pinched when the dog house was put back in. Best buy had an antenna for 40.99 I believe and Walmart had the radio with antenna and install kit for 59.00. Thought I was only one having this problem. Haven't purchased either one yet.