Fan in San Diego Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 This makes no sense to me. Any engineers out there that can explain that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 They (XM and Sirius) have terrestrial broadcast antennas in many large cities to help improve the signal among the tall buildings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 It's satellite radio, that's why. Just like you wouldn't put a DirectTV dish in your basement your XM receiver antenna has to see the sky to work. It is true that major cities have terrestrial boosters to help with reception in downtown areas, but most places do not. This also explains why Sirius/XM cuts out when driving under bridges and tree-lined streets. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 It's satellite radio, that's why. Just like you wouldn't put a DirectTV dish in your basement your XM receiver antenna has to see the sky to work. It is true that major cities have terrestrial boosters to help with reception in downtown areas, but most places do not. This also explains why Sirius/XM cuts out when driving under bridges and tree-lined streets. PTR I should have been a little more specific. The covered parking garage has no view of the sky and I can get XM just fine. There is an overpass only 1/2 mile away from the garage and the signal cuts out. Its wierd. This doesn't happen passing under other overpasses that I have noticed. Its just a wierd thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 I should have been a little more specific. The covered parking garage has no view of the sky and I can get XM just fine. There is an overpass only 1/2 mile away from the garage and the signal cuts out. Its wierd. This doesn't happen passing under other overpasses that I have noticed. Its just a wierd thing. It depends on a number of factors. For example, in the parking garage I used to park in, I could get the signal near the outsude but when I would go through the inside it'd cut out. The reason why is XM/Sirius doesn't need a solid signal strength to work, it just needs *some* signal. So, when you are in the parking garage, it gets just enough from driving near the outside of it that it works. When you go under a wide bridge, it gets completely blanked for a second. When you go under a small bridge, it still keeps signal. At least, that's my guess based upon how I've experienced it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 At least, that's my guess based upon how I've experienced it. Did everyone just ignore Jack's (correct) answer....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 In my area , the XM/Sirius cuts out in a ravine that has sides that in some places are 500-700 feet high. The radio antenna can't see the satellite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Did everyone just ignore Jack's (correct) answer....? Cept the parking garage I used to park in didn't get signal from any terrestrial repeaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Cept the parking garage I used to park in didn't get signal from any terrestrial repeaters. Yes, but FiSD was asking why it worked for him. It's because there are repeaters in his area. Nobody installed terrestrial repeaters where you live because they're afraid of getting killed due to the high violent crime rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Yes, but FiSD was asking why it worked for him. It's because there are repeaters in his area. Nobody installed terrestrial repeaters where you live because they're afraid of getting killed due to the high violent crime rate. I think you're a bit confused. "Used to" = Austin. And FiSD didn't ignore it, he mentioned a counter-case to explain why he thought it was wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 I think you're a bit confused. "Used to" = Austin. And FiSD didn't ignore it, he mentioned a counter-case to explain why he thought it was wrong. No, FiSD was replying to PTR, thus my asking if anyone read Jack's response. And Austin is just as dangerous: http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/?city1=548...;city2=54805000 Texas is a scary place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 No, FiSD was replying to PTR, thus my asking if anyone read Jack's response. PTR also talked about terrestrial repeaters. Duh. And Austin is just as dangerous:http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/?city1=548...;city2=54805000 Texas is a scary place! You keep forgetting that those crime stats lump in both the mexican areas and white people areas together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 PTR also talked about terrestrial repeaters. Duh. You keep forgetting that those crime stats lump in both the mexican areas and white people areas together. Why am I confused? Too many cell repeater stations interfering with my brain function? Damn, I am already suing SDG&E might as well sue Verizon and AT&T ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills_fan_in_raleigh Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 we have repeaters here in raleigh and my sirius receiver works perfect in the house without the antenna anywhere near a view of the sky, however a mile from my house there is this dead zone, cell nor sat radio works. Its a simple street with a few trees but must be a terrain thing since neither works there. So evenin areas with the repeaters signal issues still exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 we have repeaters here in raleigh and my sirius receiver works perfect in the house without the antenna anywhere near a view of the sky, however a mile from my house there is this dead zone, cell nor sat radio works. Its a simple street with a few trees but must be a terrain thing since neither works there. So evenin areas with the repeaters signal issues still exist. Ya probably a dead spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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