What the heck is the deal with Sirius Satelite Reception?!
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Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 190
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From: MovesALot
05 E55, 08 S63, 09 GL450
What the heck is the deal with Sirius Satelite Reception?!
I am almost at my wits end. I am used to getting the occassional "acquiring signal" message every once in a while in tunnels, under overpasses, and so on, However, in the last 2-3 weeks, my COMAND unit looses signal even with a direct sky view, all day and night. What gives? Anyone experiencing same problems?
Could this have anything to do with using the 5+3+7 button to select AMG211(so the AMG logo shows at startup)?
Can't think of anything else I could have done to cause this. Tinting the windows?
Muucha Gracias!
Could this have anything to do with using the 5+3+7 button to select AMG211(so the AMG logo shows at startup)?
Can't think of anything else I could have done to cause this. Tinting the windows?
Muucha Gracias!
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, AZ
E55
I have an aftermarket head unit with Sirius tuner and the darn thing goes out on me all the time even with a clear sky. Love it when it works, curse it when it doesn't.
Great for the 2-3 hour drive or longer.
Great for the 2-3 hour drive or longer.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Northern California
05 e55
ive noticed it too... but the weird thing is that my antenna is mounted on the trunk on the oem location, and occasionally the signal will either cut out or take time to acquire... i just live with it... with their new channel lineup, i dont find myself listening it much nowadays anyways...
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 187
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From: Daytona Beach
2004 E55 AMG
Local ground interference can affect signal. When I lived in San Antonio metro area had lots of problems, but now here in Daytona Beach have had zero problems for a year and a half now. Perfect signal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,621
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From: Naperville, IL/Chicago
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
I have had XM and/or Sirius in most of my vehicles since it came out years ago, I have always lost my signal in tunnels and most underpasses or even when parked next to a tall building or even when driving semi trailers on the highway that is located to the south of my car...I just thought that was normal.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 190
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From: MovesALot
05 E55, 08 S63, 09 GL450
Antenna location
Antenna is located (recessed) in the trunk lid where MB put it. I asked the tint shop and they swear it is a non metallic tint and should not cause any inteference. Any ideas? Thanks...
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8
could be a few things.
your connection to the antenna or head unit may be loose or going bad.
have the dealer check it out, if ya want.
if it worked fine before the tint, they didnt touch the antenna, and then it didnt work well after the tint, it could be the tint.
maybe you are just noticing it more now for some reason?
may be a repeater down or maintenance in your area may be out of date. they probably arent spending much money in this area lately, they have enough money problems as it is with stock at .12 cents and a big loan due next year.
your connection to the antenna or head unit may be loose or going bad.
have the dealer check it out, if ya want.
if it worked fine before the tint, they didnt touch the antenna, and then it didnt work well after the tint, it could be the tint.
maybe you are just noticing it more now for some reason?
may be a repeater down or maintenance in your area may be out of date. they probably arent spending much money in this area lately, they have enough money problems as it is with stock at .12 cents and a big loan due next year.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 516
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From: Oakville, ON
'12 ML350
I noted on New Year's Day, though since improved today, that the title/artist data were not being updated with each track and reception was questionable. But like I said, I noticed no service problems today.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
My Sirius is factory installed and the antenna is located on the trunk. I too have noticed unexpected loss of signal in wide open areas. I also think their programming sucks now and seldom listen to it. I'm back to CD's and will drop them when its renewal time.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8
the satellites rotate in a "figure 8" orbit over north america.
two are always transmitting while one is past the equator recharging.
they follow this same pattern over and over.
not sure why the reception for some has gotten worse over time and during certain times of the YEAR. now during certain times of the DAY may be of concern of you are stationary, say using a portable piece in a house with the antenna in one place. sometimes this causes an issue as the satellites are moving and may be out of sight of an antenna that is not placed properly.
i worked for sirius for 5 years, was part of the reason you have sirius in your car in the first place, they laid us all off 2 weeks ago. cutting a lot of costs. who knows how they are handling technical issues as of late.
two are always transmitting while one is past the equator recharging.
they follow this same pattern over and over.
not sure why the reception for some has gotten worse over time and during certain times of the YEAR. now during certain times of the DAY may be of concern of you are stationary, say using a portable piece in a house with the antenna in one place. sometimes this causes an issue as the satellites are moving and may be out of sight of an antenna that is not placed properly.
i worked for sirius for 5 years, was part of the reason you have sirius in your car in the first place, they laid us all off 2 weeks ago. cutting a lot of costs. who knows how they are handling technical issues as of late.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
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From: Northern California
05 e55
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 702
Likes: 30
From: Leesburg, VA
2017 C63S
I have had XM and/or Sirius in most of my vehicles since it came out years ago, I have always lost my signal in tunnels and most underpasses or even when parked next to a tall building or even when driving semi trailers on the highway that is located to the south of my car...I just thought that was normal.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: Glendale, AZ
E55
I've heard at some corporations they have even eliminated voicemail on phones, claiming it saves them $1 million a year.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
SIRI just sucks.......Only thing worse is XMSIRI.........Yet Howard still gets 500 million???
Mel is a tard.....
Mel is a tard.....
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 3
From: Texas
2005 E55
I had terrible reception problems a few months ago. The dealership changed the head unit and the radio tuner. It improved a little, but was still in the toilet. It quit working entirely two weeks later. They changed another trunkload of components, including a new antenna. That last repair fixed the problem and reception has been flawless since. My feeling is that it was the antenna all along. Too bad for Mercedes that they spent about $5K on an antenna.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 917
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
Their music selection is benign, mono-syllable, tasteless, same tempo, not creative, and outright boring. I listen to 60's, 70's 80's, and several other "oldies" stations but I never hear anything interesting or what I like (Stones, Doors, British Invasion, etc.). I'm sick of listening to the Carpenters, Barry Manilow, The Supremes, Tony Orlando, Neil Diamond, and others like them. It seems that's all Sirius plays anymore. I also don't like Cousin Brucie and what seems to be increasing "dj chatter". Sirius appears to be trying to please everyone when in fact they continue to appeal to no one. JMHO, and BTW, although Sirius is installed and active in all three of my cars I will drop them soon. I have already discontinued the two other non-vehicle systems I had. I'm very disappointed in Sirius and personally do not think they will survive in 2009's bad economy. Look at their stock after they acquired XM, it's worthless.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 516
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From: Oakville, ON
'12 ML350
I actually really like the Sirius programming for the music I listen to: classical on Pop & Symphony, 80's new wave on First Wave, 90's alternative on Lithium, and trance/house on Area.
I've had XM before on my previous Audi and currently have it on my wife's Honda Odyssey, and I actually prefer Sirius - except no NHL Home Ice on Sirius which is a bummer. I am glad that XM now has most of the same programming as Sirius so I can get the same stations while in my wife's Odyssey.
I've had XM before on my previous Audi and currently have it on my wife's Honda Odyssey, and I actually prefer Sirius - except no NHL Home Ice on Sirius which is a bummer. I am glad that XM now has most of the same programming as Sirius so I can get the same stations while in my wife's Odyssey.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2005 E55
I actually thought it was only my car that had problems but stand corrected. I think it is the antenna. This conclusion is only because I have two aftermarket Sirius radios in other vehicles without problems. Both antennas are installed on the interior dash and rarely lose signal even through short tunnels.
I have been out of the industry for a while but I am willing to bet that after changing the antenna it should clear the problem. I will let you know my results soon I hope.
Prior to Sirius and XM merging, Sirius had three satellites roaming the skies to triangulate for better signal and XM was using the figure eight give more overhead signal strength.
I have been out of the industry for a while but I am willing to bet that after changing the antenna it should clear the problem. I will let you know my results soon I hope.
Prior to Sirius and XM merging, Sirius had three satellites roaming the skies to triangulate for better signal and XM was using the figure eight give more overhead signal strength.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 190
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From: MovesALot
05 E55, 08 S63, 09 GL450
I actually really like the Sirius programming for the music I listen to: classical on Pop & Symphony, 80's new wave on First Wave, 90's alternative on Lithium, and trance/house on Area.
I've had XM before on my previous Audi and currently have it on my wife's Honda Odyssey, and I actually prefer Sirius - except no NHL Home Ice on Sirius which is a bummer. I am glad that XM now has most of the same programming as Sirius so I can get the same stations while in my wife's Odyssey.
I've had XM before on my previous Audi and currently have it on my wife's Honda Odyssey, and I actually prefer Sirius - except no NHL Home Ice on Sirius which is a bummer. I am glad that XM now has most of the same programming as Sirius so I can get the same stations while in my wife's Odyssey.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach
2004 E55 AMG
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
2016 S550
I have the same issues with my E63. Sirius reception has been poor since new. I have complained to the dealer and MBUSA and eventually the antenna and all wiring was replaced and although the reception improved slightly, it is still problematic. I always though the issue was either the antenna or a signal amplifier somewhere in the system - maybe the head unit next.
The new Sirius-XM programming stinks. I too expect to drop it when my contract expires.
The new Sirius-XM programming stinks. I too expect to drop it when my contract expires.
