Anyone got Sirius or XM radio?

[VicHockeyFan]

I'm looking at maybe getting it for HOME, but I wonder if anyone has experience to tell me about any reception problems.

[gumgum]

I had Sirius and the reception problems were terrible. I suspected it was because I was close to the water (Closer to US signals).But I never bothered to verify this as it was pointless to keep it, seeing as I was going to use it at home. The headphones-antenna were the most uncomfortable headphones I've ever tried.
I returned the unit within 24 hours.

[guyinthesky]

I've got Sirius in my crane and I have no problems with it (I'm close to the water!) ...I know a few people that have it in their cars and they have no problems...

[gumgum]

^I'm in S. Fairfield. Makes a difference, I would suspect.

[guyinthesky]

Originally Posted by gumgum

^I'm in S. Fairfield. Makes a difference, I would suspect.

I guess! - I'm not far from there, but yah never know, some units aren't as strong as the next, interference in weather can sometimes cause problems with them...Honestly VHF...If you wanted one, I'd go pick one up, try it out for a week or so, if its not working return it...

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by guyinthesky

I guess! - I'm not far from there, but yah never know, some units aren't as strong as the next, interference in weather can sometimes cause problems with them...Honestly VHF...If you wanted one, I'd go pick one up, try it out for a week or so, if its not working return it...

Yah, OK, I never thought of the return option.

[Bernard]

The issue with sat radio is clear access to the southern horizon. The sats are in geosync orbit so over the equator.

Reception at a house should be better than in a car - just get your antenna set up properly.

I used it in the mountains around Lillooet and rarely had an issue with reception, and there are some very steep sided mountain faces there.

I am not sure why you would want sat radio at home when so much is available streaming online.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Bernard

The issue with sat radio is clear access to the southern horizon. The sats are in geosync orbit so over the equator.

Reception at a house should be better than in a car - just get your antenna set up properly.

I used it in the mountains around Lillooet and rarely had an issue with reception, and there are some very steep sided mountain faces there.

I am not sure why you would want sat radio at home when so much is available streaming online.

The Sirius site says aim you antenna straight up if you are in Ontario, aim it East if you are out here. That's one way I don't have a real clear shot at from my place.

If I need to launch a missile from my balcony, I'm hitting Prince Rupert or Japan best.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by Bernard

The issue with sat radio is clear access to the southern horizon. The sats are in geosync orbit so over the equator.

XM satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, not Sirius.


Here is a page explaining it.
[Removed due to spyware in link - Admin]

My experience is that Sirius coverage is a fair bit better, cutting out only when a view of the sky is obstructed by a tree or tall building. A friend's experience with XM in his car is that the coverage is quite spotty.

Either way, I have been quite disappointed in Sirius's sound quality, which is the result of poor compression codecs and not satellite signal reception. XM is not much better for SQ.

[G-Man]

^ One more reason to ban highrises!

[VicHockeyFan]

This is cool:

[G-Man]

Looking at that map I would guess that Sirius is owned by the Aspers

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by G-Man

Looking at that map I would guess that Sirius is owned by the Aspers

No kidding, that's funny.

[LJ]

I have the American XM in my car. (much cheaper than the Canadian subscription)

It works very well anywhere in Victoria and up island (Comox area), also worked great in Whistler.

Only loose the signal when there is a heavy tree canopy overhead.

Aren't XM and Sirius all one company now?

[victorian fan]

Aren't XM and Sirius all one company now?

Yes
Sirius XM Radio (NASD: SIRI)