posted
Unfortunatly I'm only able to listen to the talk stations occasionally. Something either atmospheric or temp related affects my ability to get the high channels signal. I tried to get help on XMfan but it never really led to anything usefull... Worked fine until last summer, then every warm sunny day, by about 1 Oclock, with the sun beating down on the antenna, I would have constant phase in/out of the talk channels only... Overcast rainy days, no probs... This lasted all summer. Then this fall I've had pretty solid reception, except for a few warm sunny days... Now today its pretty damn cold but overcast and I'm not getting the high channels again... I've no clue...
On top of that replacePCR is being real buggy about starting up, and my work PC has some gremlin thats crashing the puter every other time I save a WORD doc, and its hanging up on programs that it should... rrrr sometimes I really hate these things...
posted
Does the signal strength drop when you lose the talk channels? Or is it always strong on the signal page? Very strange that your not getting certain channels, but you get others. I always thought the entire stream was all one freq. Try posting over on www.xm411.com more techies over there.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
This is a quote for one guy in that first thread.
"Each satellite has two transponders, one for the low channels and another for the high channels. So apparently you're having a problem picking up the "high" transponder."
Yes, when this problem happens, signal quality and the BER become very irratic, (I tried to describe it in these threads) but yes, it DISTINCTLY only affected the channels from 67 on up, not my music, never really had the same prob on the music, occasional drops, but nothing like this.
Another guy in the second thread mentioned that there is no doubt that the components in the antenna are suseptable to expansion/contraction due to temp...
It just became pointless when nobody can get past... "Well it must be hooked up wrong or you changed something???".... Hasn't been touched since it was installed...
posted
Anyway to bring the antenna inside and put it in your window? That's how I have it at work. I wonder if maybe a car antenna might be a better choice since it's outside all the time.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I honestly don't know if the "home antenna" is good for outdoor or indoor. I have seen pictures of the inside of the antenna and it's basically just a wire attached to a piece of tin foil. I can see how temp extremes might effect it. An amplified antenna would take care of the problem I am sure.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Klaus: Anyone looking for some good stock, XMSR is getting hammered today on the news that their insurance company isn't going to cover one of their satelites that has a bad power supply. Boeing supplied the two Satelites currently being used - Rock & Roll and fucked up the power system so they will not be operational in 5 years. XM is set to launch Satelite #3 soon (the problem is fixed) and #4 next year. Anyway, conventional wisdom is that XM's insurance company will cover most of the replacement sats that they just haven't agreed on a price yet. So the stock is a good buy now at 10 (down from almost 14 today) Target price for end of the year is 15-20.
XMSR closed at $40.20 today!! Wooohooo (I bought at $10 in 8/03)
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Plugged in my Antenna Specialist Amplified Antenna kit...
Instantly can see a difference on the Signal strength page of the ReplacePCR software, and the antenna isn't even outside above my window yet (where the original is), its just sitting on the window ledge inside facing south..
BER is fluctuating, 70-120 from ROLL (I dont recieve Rock at all)
C/N around 7
AGC holding at 241
I'll hopefully get a nice clear day with lots of intense sun to test this further..
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
How does it work? Do you plug it in (to power) or is it just a bigger antenna?
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Not powered. Bigger, and more diretional than stock. I believe the directional aspect is why they call it "amplified". Chad might know.. So you need a nice view like me.
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
But, I do know that I am having my Roady 2 replaced under warantee. The power adapter broke off inside the unit. Not a stellar design.
Posts: 2331 | From: Rosemount | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
The roady2 is a pretty cheap design I agree. It's the low cost solution in the XM line up. I was happy with mine but I can see how the plugs would wear out because you constantly have to plug/unplug when you move it.
I am so far very happy with my MyFi. It really is nice to be able to run it wireless with the FM mod and no power cord. The built in antenna does an OK job if your area is covered by repeaters. I used it on the Light Rail and never lost signal even in the tunnel. If you are in satellite only area the built in ant sucks and the little antenna they give you is ok at best.
My favorite feature is the 5 hours of recording. I have a new office mate that I can't really listen to Opie & Anthony around so I just set the MyFi to record it and then listen in my car. It breaks up segments into chunks that you can skip though just like a cd. My only complaint is there is no fast forward just skip song/track. Not sure why that was not included.
Price is decent at $299 - because you get EVERYTHING (see my posting below for pic). Car kit, home kit, 3 antennas, remote, case, belt clip, stand etc.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I meant you might know about antenna's and how they work with radio signals.. Not sure what chasing sparks is??
I know the basic stock antenna is Omni-directional really (Meaning if you lay it flat on a surface, pointing up, it has a reception horizon that would be like placing half a ball or sphere over the top with it at the center..
I believe this one has a much narrower reception horizon, so in some instances it could be harder to align it properly because it allows for less "slop".. But looks better built, much heavier, larger, sealed well. Need to give it a few day.. and I need some extreme heat or cold because that was when I was having issues mostly..
If you dont have reception at your cabin this might work.. Especially if you could get it up in the air.. Down to $114.
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Are you getting the channels you were missing?
I get suprisingly good reception at my cabin. In fact the antenna works great without being outside. Signal must travel though the wood roof.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Need more time to test, I was in a meeting all morning, but yes, the high end channels were all coming in yesterday afternoon (no intense sun tho) and they were the channels I typically had probs with (above 67)
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Kinda tough to test that part unless someone gets their vehicle on the rooftop below my window.. Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
So the price is going up to $12.95 unless you are already a subscriber you can do it annually (I do anyway) for $9.99.
$6.99 for each additional radio (up to four). Normal rate includes Internet streaming Normal rate includes Opie and Anthony
Not a bad deal - I actually save $2 a month because I can do it for $9.99 instead of $9.99+1.99=11.98 currently.
XM Satellite Radio Expands Basic Service and Announces Price Changes Effective April 2; XM Offers Existing Subscribers Unique Opportunity to Lock in Current Rate for Up to Five Years Monday February 28, 10:12 am ET
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading provider of satellite radio with more than 3.2 million subscribers, today announced that it is expanding its basic service package, and that the monthly subscription price for XM's basic service will increase to $12.95 beginning April 2, 2005. XM is also offering existing customers the unique opportunity to lock in the current $9.99 monthly rate with a one-year prepaid plan and deeper discounts with a two, three, four, or five-year prepaid plan until April 2.
The price change will not affect XM's Family Plan, which allows XM subscribers to add up to four additional subscriptions for $6.99 a month per radio. Beginning April 2, XM's expanded basic service will include the Internet service XM Radio Online, which offers more than 70 channels of XM music and talk programming (previously $3.99 per month), and the High Voltage channel, featuring the talk radio duo Opie & Anthony (previously $1.99 per month).
Since the national launch of XM Radio in November 2001, XM has dramatically expanded its channel lineup from 100 channels to 151 channels. XM has converted all of its music channels to a commercial-free format and invested heavily to add 21 traffic & weather channels, 16 channels dedicated to Major League Baseball, nine college sports channels, and XM Public Radio, featuring legendary journalist Bob Edwards, among other channel additions. This is the only price change since XM's 2001 launch.
Hugh Panero, XM President & CEO, said, "XM's growth to date demonstrates that the potential for satellite radio is far greater than anyone anticipated. This new pricing approach will help fund future technology development, enable us to offer more attractively-priced radios and maintain our programming excellence. Together, these initiatives should result in XM exceeding its current target of 20 million customers by 2010. Most importantly, XM is instituting the pricing change in a way that adds value to the basic service and provides existing customers the opportunity to lock in the current lower monthly rate -- a unique opportunity rarely offered by subscription entertainment services, including satellite radio, satellite television and cable television."
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thats cool, now I can likely stream from home, without a big tower, I'll never have a good view for a antenna at my house.
I wonder how that will work while gaming?? How much computer resources is streaming gonna take up?
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
It doesn't take much and there are 3 quality settings to choose from. You can also increase the buffer size/length to avoid any drop outs (this would have fixed Amy's problem I think). It basically just plays in media player.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
Two looks to be a pretty good deal, cheaper than what we have paid, for more service...
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Let me know how well it works while playing. I have heard you may need to increase the buffer size.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Streamed O&A while playing last night. Left in on the low setting= 32kbps. Not one drop, didnt appear to affect WoW (no small thanks to the new RAM) Now i'm irked I only get it until sat afternoon and then nothing for the rest of the month....
Posts: 2469 | From: Anchorage, AK | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Fuckin' xm. So I am listening to my radio this afternoon and all of a sudden it starts telling me I need to activate my account! I call them up to see what the deal is. They claim that both accounts were set up in Feb. 2004 and have expired (this is when Brad hooked his up, I didn't hook mine up until August). I told them I paid for a year upfront with mine, and it wasn't connected until August. Anways, took about 45 minutes but they FINALLY got it hooked back up. Morans.
-------------------- Clinton '08!!!! Posts: 211 | From: Shakopee, MN | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Did Brad not pay his bill? If that's the case the accounts on his family plan will also get disconnected until you pay. Happened to me once. The customer service people are in Canada and yes they are morans or morons or whatever.
Joe - Nice that you were able to stream XM while playing I will do that after April 1st. I won't need to lug my MyFi home every night.
Posts: 5484 | From: St. Paul, Mn | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
I've been without my XM for almost a month now. The warantee replacement department at Delphi "Has all their Roady2s on back order" and "Don't know when they will be getting any 'in'" Yet they are all over in the stores and online places have them avaliable to ship....
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
I've no clue...![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Hasn't been touched since it was installed...
![[beer]](graemlins/beer.gif)
XMSR closed at $40.20 today!! Wooohooo (I bought at $10 in 8/03)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[shake]](graemlins/jpshakehead.gif)
