Signal Strength in Los Angeles s50

taconugget · 12-28-2005, 03:45 PM

Ok so I just installed the s50. Works like a champ. Really love the device. Here is my problem. I only get one bar of service. While I know this doesnt effect the quality of the music or anything like that, it just seems odd to me in a major city like Los Angeles that this is all Im getting. I have tried driving around, and still thats it. 1 bar for both terrestial and satellite. I have a clear view of the sky, and the antenna is mounted on the roof. Customer support told me that in LA I should have at least full terrrestial signal, and that it sounds like a defective antenna. Can anyone out there in LA confirm that the service in LA should be fulll before I go to the hassle of dealing with sirius warranty division.... I live about 5 miles East of downtown LA. Any other recommendations are welcome as well. Oh yah I already updated the firmware on the device as well.

Thanks

boozer · 12-28-2005, 07:57 PM

I have the starmate replay and almost always have 3 bars here in LA.

jnj86 · 12-28-2005, 08:11 PM

I own the Starmate Replay. I live in South OC and while driving I usually get 7-10 for SAT and the same for TER. I drive to the LA area pretty much every day for work and get good signal there too. My antenna is on the roof of my truck. While at home, I have my home antenna sitting on my desk (not even close to a window) and I get 3 for SAT and a 6 for TER.

taconugget · 12-28-2005, 10:38 PM

Alright, thanks for all your replys. Im ordering a new antenna and ill let you know if this solves the issues. Thanks again.

Big G · 12-29-2005, 08:26 PM

I also have the s50. I live in the dallas area. and thats all the sig strenght i get 1 bar on sat and 1 bar on terr. is this a issue with the s50? seems as starmates dont have this problem

Changelives · 12-29-2005, 08:51 PM

I also have only one bar on my new S50 and it sucks, let alone all the static.

What is the new antenna you are ordering? Also What FM frequency are you using?

taconugget · 12-30-2005, 02:33 AM

i just ordered another antenna casue i didnt want to wait for the replacement to get here. Its the same one that shipped with the unit. Im hoping i just damaged the other antenna in the install process. As far as the static I to am getting that but thats because LA has so many stations. I cant find one that stays silent for long enough to keep it on. I have been using 89.7 wich seems to work alright. I also ordered a wired FM modulator to get rid of the problem for good. SATSWB is the modulator I bought. I will install on Saturday and let you know how it works.

Here is a linik to what I think will work:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pBnYcbl...WB&i=220SATSWB

carlsbad_mike · 12-30-2005, 10:41 AM

I am only seeing one bar in Carlsbad, 20 miles north of San Diego. I'm also experiencing frequent signal cutouts. With so many people having the same experience it seems this must be a S50 problem.

taconugget · 12-31-2005, 01:19 AM

so i couldnt wait till saturday so i did my fab install today. New dot antenna from crutchfield did wonders. I now get full service on either terrestrial or satallite in LA. It made a HUGE differnece. Maybe the antenna that shipped with the s50 eventhough it looks the same as the new antenna is somehow not as good. I dont get cutouts anymore. I am now please with my sirius s50. I also wired in a FM tranmitter (SATSWB) and it helps big time too. No more competing radio stations cutting into my signal. I highly reccomend this as well. I also got rid of the crappy sirius mounts and bought a Pro Fit mount and ran all the wires behind the dash. It look super trick and very pro.

FM Modulator
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pBnYcbl...WB&i=220SATSWB

Antenna
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C5vGBxO...=detailed_info

Mount
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IVR4n8S...50&I=042BM5099

person182 · 01-01-2006, 01:16 AM

I have a s50 and my satellite bar is not full, but my terrestrial signal is almost full. The reception is pretty good. Is anyone else experiencing this as well?

ErrinV · 01-01-2006, 01:32 AM

I'm in Alhambra and I only get one bar of reception too. Sounds fine though. I'm using the antenna that came with my XTR-1 since that's what's already mounted in my truck. Mine is mostly terrestrial signal too.

Errin

person182 · 01-01-2006, 01:54 AM

Whenever I plug in earphones to the top of the headphone jack of teh s50, the reception sounds better. Does anyone else notice this?

Big G · 01-07-2006, 01:29 AM

got my replacement s50 from crutchfield today and i am glad to say my signal cutout problem is solved guess there are some bad units out there
now sat signal strength is full bars no more cutouts. if your having same cutout problem have it replaced.

chazzzzy · 01-08-2006, 12:10 PM

Big G.. you had the whole unit replaced? Or just the antenna? I am in Los Angeles and I am lucky if I ever get one bar satellite.. only receiving terrestrial. I only got like 3 bars for a second somewhere when I was driving.

Is this a bad antenna issue? Or a bad S50?

This really sucks, because routing the antenna was a real pain to do yesterday.

Arrggghh!

B33TL3 · 01-08-2006, 12:15 PM

I'm in Santa Monica with 2 bars and very decent reception using the supplied car dock antenna... and my antenna isn't even outside, it's magnet-ed on a skylight in the living room.