Factory Satellite Radio Problems

[TripleJackInGA]

I have a 2003 Dream Cruiser with the SIRIUS Satellite Radio and have a problem with it.
It seems like it only happens on days when the Sun is out and the temp is above 85 or so.I will start listening to the SIRIUS radio and after just a couple of minutes, it says 'NO SIGNAL', so I change back to the AM, or FM, or CD and it works as normal, and then a few minutes later back to the SIRIUS, and it works for another couple of minutes, and again 'NO SIGNAL'. I am guessing that either the roff-top antenna is overheating and causing a signal drop or something in that section of the receiver is.

Has anyone else ever had this problem ?

[rash_girl]

Dalite seems to be the authority on satalites.
actually, he knows alot period.

must be a retired thing, all the time in the world eh

[Dalite]

TripleJack,

It is possible that the antenna is breaking down under heat, and may need replacing. It could also be a connection that is being affected by heat. I installed my Sirius setup, and had a problem develop with intermittent operation of my rear hatch lamp switch. I traced it back to a plug-in connection that wasn't fully seated, and which eventually worked completely loose. Needless to say, it was a problem that I generated for my self. It didn't show up until heat and vibration caused the connector to work loose. Here are some other possibilities ...

This sounds like one of the antenna connections to the tuner module is loose, or not making a complete connection. The antenna has 2 coaxial leads. One tracks for satellite reception and one for ground based signal reception. The concept is to offer diversity of signal reception to fill in the gaps when the satellite may be hidden from view. They should both be making positive connection to the tuner at all times. If either one wasn't fully seated when the unit was installed, vibration could cause one to fully work loose or create a situation where it only made contact due to vibration, or vibration at a certain speed range.

Other possibility could be one of the power connectors could be intermittent. You would probably not be able to see any sign of the power connection problem, as the setup doesn't have any type of power indicator lamp. Anytime the power connection is broken (there are 2 power leads; one for switched power and one for constant hot), especially the switched power connection - the tuner has to go through the task of re-aquiring the signal.

Since the radio receives it's power and antenna signal from a different source, it would always play when you switched the mode back to AM/FM or CD.

If this was dealer installed, I would take it back for them to look at. Your best chance for a first time resolution of the problem would be to take it back on a very overcast day, or one with rain in the forcast. Satellite signals are most affected by moisture in the air. It can take the form of rain or heavy clouds. Next big blocker of satellite signals is leaves (foliage) development in early spring and the problem is made worse when the leaves are damp or wet. These are the things that tend to absorb a SHF (Super High Frequency) signal such as a satellite sends, amd make the Sirius setup try to depend on the ground signal side of the antenna. There is not that good of a coverage area with the ground based signal, and it is highly likely that there is not a ground repeater station servicing your geographic location. I think this part of the Sirius network (ground repeater stations) is stillin the works. Short answer on the wet or overcast day selection is that it will offer the best chance for the service dept to see the problem right away.

Hope this helps, and rash_girl, it is a retirement thing; nothing better to do.

I got interested in satellite communications when I first got my amateur radio license (ham radio) and had to really get into the tech end to understand how they worked and how to line up the signal, etc. A lot of the info that I looked over started applying more and more as satellites became more a part of our everyday life.

[TripleJackInGA]

Thanks for the info, Dalite,but you made my brain hurt!

Actually it does very well on overcast days, and only occasionaly 'blips'when Igo under something to block the signal or into the garage. The problem I have is only when it's very sunnyand temps above 85 or so.
The unit is factory installed.

I agree that it is probably some connection that is being affected by the temps as far as expansion/contraction, etc.

I think I'm good on my location being in Metro Atlanta.