Sirius' on-again, off-again signal problems

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Sirius Satellite Radio has a lot on its plate. Shock jock Howard Stern is already making noises about leaving after his contract expires in a couple of years, the stock price is in the tank, and the company has huge debt.

All of that shouldn't matter to subscribers, of which I am one. But the frequent signal dropouts are really getting out of hand.

I had similar problems in the early days, but after a while, the dropouts became rare. Months would go by without signal interruptions, but about six months ago, the off-and-on signal problems returned.

Sometimes, the dropout lasts just a few seconds but occurs many times an hour. My Sirius home radio hasn't budged since I first got it many years ago, and my antenna is pretty much in the same place it has always been, but lately, the signal regularly disappears for minutes at a time before sputtering back to life.

When the radio drops out, the tuner's display reads "Acquiring Signal," which in and of itself is really annoying. The fact is, it's not acquiring signal; that's why I'm not hearing anything. I'm guessing that these dropout problems are related to the ground repeaters used in metropolitan areas. I'm in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

My attempts to speak with a Sirius representative didn't get very far. I received a response via e-mail saying this: "It's not unusual for people at home to experience reception issues because of a faulty antenna or some terrestrial interference."

I swapped out the antenna, and it didn't make a difference.

How about you? Has your Sirius service held up over the years?

Side note: Jay Thomas, on Channel 108 (Sirius XM Stars Too) is the funniest man on radio. It seems as if whatever is running through his head on any given day is hilarious. While Howard Stern seems dried up and bored with himself, Thomas is a breath of fresh air.

[machine3]

I haven't noticed any signal drop during the mornings listening to Howard.

[katinaprod]

I have noticed serious drop out over various periods of time - and they appear more when the weather heats up. I also listen in the house and the antenna is properly lined up but broadcast is very erratic.<br /><br />Although I love Sirius I am strongly considering not renewing when it runs out. Tech support at Sirius is very poor - they also told me it was an antenna problem (bought a new one - same problem) a problem with the receiver (bought a new one, same problem). It is a transmission problem - I live in Soho in NYC. It is very, very annoying (and primitive in this digital era!!)

[getwired]

I have noticed worsening signal strength under overpasses and bridges in the car more than anything else. Just seems like it used to be more reliable. Really need more, stronger, repeaters.

[jsl4980]

I have noticed more signal drops lately and I'm located in Central New York, and an overall weaker signal but only within the last month. Could have something to do with the horrible winter weather, but I'm not a satellite expert. <br /><br />Jay Thomas is good, but Covino and Rich (on 108 noon to 3) are better!

[sterndisciple]

How dare you? Do you really think you're opinion means anything? You could have written that article without putting down the greatest entertainer that has ever lived. But no. You had to add your stupid little side note that proves you're a petty man without enough talent to be in a league with Joe the plumber.<br /><br />Howard Stern has been the greatest radio entertainer that has ever lived. Greatest interviewer ever. Most innovative man who single-handedly changed the world. There was a day when interviewers would never ask a celebrity about their love life. Howard changed that and now it's a daily event on Access Hollywood.<br /><br />You like Jay Thomas? Good for you but here's a reality check. He's on radio because his career is on the down-slide. It's what he's doing so he doesn't starve to death. Nobodies asking him to be on TV. Nobodies trying to steal him from Sirius... <br /><br />Howard is neither dried up or bored. You're just a dimwit with a lousy sense of humor.

[microg]

Don't hold back. Tell us what you really think.

[ledhead1962]

Talk a bout a serious man crush. If everyone doesn't like Howard do you hold your breath and threaten to swallow your tongue? Get a life.

[danbrotherston]

*blings*....anyways.....

[bonesbautista]

Yikes. A real man fan. Yikes.

[BigStarryEyes]

At first I thought this post was an example of Poe's Law, but alas I think it's serious(geddit?)<br />Stern is tired, tiresome and irrelevant. Steve, on the other hand, is right. Thomas is funnier and better - and who cares what his career is doing?<br /><br />And I get the "acquiring signal" message not infrequently and often for no apparent reason.

[jtklein]

I would pay wxra NOT to listen to Stern!

[snoopy122300]

i think you might be retarded dude...

[lusciatti]

Everyone's opinion means something! I'm guessing this is a typical Stern fan comment, no sense of reality!

[satkinsn]

I live in a cold weather part of the world, far upstate New York - tho' what isn't a cold weather part of the world this week? - and I've noticed the signal has been *off,* for lack of a better word, lately. It has a hollow, not-quite-right sound. I've also noticed more drop outs, but I suspect all of this is cold-related.<br /><br />Scott A.<br />Watertown NY

[neowolfwitch]

I didn't mention it in my post about drop-outs, but I have noticed this too. It seems like the audio quality has gone down considerably in the last couple of months. I don't know what the technical details are, but it's like they went from a 128k stream to a 64k stream. Muffled and just "dead" sounding audio. I hadn't really noticed how bad it was until I was ripping some of my CD collection last week and listening to some songs I hear often on Sirius- by comparison the Sirius versions sounded just awful. Worse than FM radio.

[smona977]

I've got Sirius in both of my cars and the signal dropout is really bad and seems to be getting worse. I agree this is getting ridiculous, they need to admit to problems and get it fixed.

[eBob1]

Normally, my signal only drops out when I am stuck under an overpass for longer than a few seconds, which I can understand. Last week, though, the signal dropped out a few times out in the open when I had to go to the south suburbs of Chicago (and for longer than a few seconds). I am still on the free six months I got when I bought my car. When the signal drops out when I am in the open I seriously consider just letting the radio die when the six months are up, but I dread going back to terrestrial radio.

[Larryblack--2008]

Since the Merger, Sirius has completely went down hill. How so you ask? When they went to congress to ask for support, they told the legislators that the merger would mean an increase in options for listeners. They ELIMINATED music stations, the music choices are bland and the programming director must be on drugs... Examples:<br /><br />Sirius Backspin was eliminated completely! Only after public outcry is it being restored in the middle of this month....<br /><br />Heart and Soul (Sirius 51) has turned into a Ballad station - there is an entire genre of music from R&#38;B that was heard on 51 that is gone! <br /><br />Even their premier programming stinks! The Jamie Foxx channel (which is the only reason i kept the service after the merger) would air more comedy than music. Now, you hear more music than comedy.<br /><br />Where i was a sirius addict and applauded the merger i now find myself furious and disappointed in my car. I also find myself going back to traditional radio because this merger was a blank bill of goods. The programming stinks and i am getting to the point where i want it out of my car. <br /><br />Whoever decided the programming should be fired upon sight.

[dwckabal]

I had XM radio for 4 years, until the merger. I never had a single problem with signals, except for situations where it was blocked completely, like overpasses &#38; tunnels. My sister signed up for Sirius when Howard signed on, and she was (and is still) constantly getting signal dropouts (this is in San Diego). And I'll agree, since the merger XM got infinitely worse, while Sirius got moderately worse. This is why I no longer subscribe to XM and, like you, just wanted it out of my car, so I got an aftermarket radio with the capability to get satellite IF the programming rises above the level of morning-drive terrestrial radio.<br /><br />I'm sorry, a 24-hour AC/DC channel for 4 months? The only station that I listened to that didn't change much was Liquid Metal. Everything else, Comedy, Classic Rock, 80's Metal all got worse, and they eliminated the Punk channel (Fungus) completely.<br /><br />It was a good ride while it lasted.

[bschmidt25]

+1 on being extremely disappointed with XM after the merger. I've had it for about a year and a half. After they changed the lineup and programming in November, I'm seriously considering cancelling my subscription. Many of the channels play the same songs as others (usually at the same time or immediately after it plays on another channel) and the variety has definitely dropped off. They eliminated channels that I listened to frequently (82) and changed the lineup on others (not for the better) without changing the name (40,49). That plus adding more commercials on more channels and I'm starting to wonder why I'm paying for it now since it's basically the same as terrestrial radio. I haven't noticed as many signal issues as some are reporting, but mine was never that good to start with.

[sting7k]

Tune to channel 39, Backspin returned yesterday. Along with 2 other channels that went away, Sirius heard the complaints and now they are back.

[lusciatti]

We have had XM for 2 years and never had problems with the signal. Since the merger, we have times where the signal is gone for up to 20 minutes. Changing to FM to listen to the radio is not why I signed up for satellite radio!

[frankjacob1]

Yes I have noticed signal drop offs have become more problematic. I was going to but a new receiver and decided that the entire Sirius/XM idea has probably run its course since no one is buying new autos they no longer have a ready source of new signups. I will give it another year and then decide what to do.

[daren.darrow]

I've only had Sirius only a few months (I had XM before for a few years) and I have had many problems with Sirius signal since I started service. While driving in my car under a clear sky and without any obstructions, I will lose signal for a few seconds. I noticed it a lot during a recent road trip I made from California to Oklahoma. <br /><br />I've also noticed that Sirius doesn't seem to have terrestrial repeaters like XM had. Driving around San Francisco I often lose signal. I didn't have that issue with XM.

[Nocturnex]

why dont you all just get a ipod hookup in your car......<br /><br />i have a sirius capable radio...(the kenwood dvd one)<br /><br />and have no interest in getting it activated....<br /><br />want to know why?<br /><br />because no matter what radio it is its gonna play songs you don't want to hear or lose signal at some point<br /><br />last i checked my ipod hasn't ever lost a signal or played music i don't want to hear.

[strongpimphand]

obviously you listen to the radio to find new music and listen to live events. if these listeners wanted to listen to their own music, they would bust out the cd players and mp3 players....

[jeepinls]

Nocturnex re: get an ipod hookup... Ihave an ipod hookup, and am quite certain you and I aren't the only one with this 'brand new' concept (snicker) The point of the sat radio is to have more options, hear new bands, many prior to being signed on to a label. (Blackwater rising, year long disaster) While I am not as broad minded in regards to listening to all available genres, I hope to never have to use terr radio again. I live out in the sticks, where there are no options for radio, 1 rock station, and a few country station. The signal interruptions are very annoying (what was the punch line,Raw Dog, you cut out) however I believe these quirks will work themselves out. Remember the 1st few years of cell phones.....

[snoopy122300]

you sir are a genius... i think you've totally turned me around on this. i never thought of using my ipod to listen to the music i already have! and sometimes, the music fairy puts new music on my ipod, stuff i've never heard before or downloaded; that's how i find out about new music - from the ipod fairy.

[Bill_I]

iPods are not the best sound quality, but they play what you want where you want it. This includes airplanes, subways, driving through tunnels, etc. It just takes a bit of bother to load in the tunes you want to hear. Now if you could only keep the non-replaceable batteries charged.... Why can't they make a unit that takes two AA batteries. My Sony camera takes two AAs and MemorySticks change out for unlimited picture taking. Why is there not a music player that takes camera-type memory cards?

[hokie34]

I leave in rural southwest VA and have had terrible signal problems in the last month or so. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. I have two radios, one in my car and one in my truck and the one in the truck is almost unlistenable with the signal drop outs. It always had 2 to 3 bars of signal strength and now it's never more than 1. I've had to switch over to terrestrial radio for the first time in 3 years when the drop outs get too bad. The radio in my car is better for some reason, but it's signal strength is never more than 2 now.

[vamman]

One word: cops.<br /><br />It would seem that the signal dropouts I experience are usually when there are cops in the area. After a few times I started noting when I'd seen a cop in the area. After days of tinkering with this I found cop that had the radio in his cruiser and he to said that when hes using the radar gun on traffic the signal drops in and out. Now I don't understand how these bands could be interfering since I'm not a physicist but I am a biologist and observed this and even have found some raw data to backup the issue.<br /><br />Ultimately the radio was a gift from my fiancee which she thought was a great idea and I too thought so until I hooked it up and used it for a few days. The problems I have with this radio are not the dropouts but what the actual radio offers the listeners. I thought I would have a wide variety of radio stations to listen to while driving long hours on the highway but in the end all we have are a few music stations that I would tolerate for awhile and a ton of trash and news stations which by the way they make up for on commercials....... commercial free my ass.<br /><br />I was never so pissed off when listening to CNN and a commercial breaks the middle of a news segment to advertise a new Sirius plan. ***? Considering how much money this whole thing cost us and how much I can pay for an average music CD, I think this is my first and last time using this system.<br /><br />There should be a huge variety of stations and music to choose from. I can't blame Stern for leaving.

[hador_nyc]

I am an electrical engineer, and I did work with aircraft radars when I was in the USAF. I have not ever taken apart a XM/Sirrus receiver, but I have taken apart radars on fighter aircraft.<br /><br />While it is possible that the radar gun the cop uses can have radiation leaking out of it that can interfere with his XM/Sirrus receiver in his car; which means he should get that gun checked out! It's unlikely the the emissions from that gun can be directly interfering with the receiver in your car. Police radar guns work in the range of 10.525 GHz or 24.15 GHz. XM and Sirrus use 2.333 GHz and 2.325 GHz respectively. The different frequencies do not interact with one another; not even when they hit the same antenna and one is much more powerful than the other. To make the point better, currently, satellite TV, and GPS signals do not use the same frequencies as XM (or eachother) and do not interfere. Terrestrial radio/TV is also very close if frequency, and yet do not interfere. Looking at XM and Sirrus, as I note above, they use fairly close frequencies, but there is no interference. The difference between them is wide enough, as with TV/Radio stations, to prevent interference from something called side bands which I won't bore you with an explanation of. The point is that your XM/Sirrus system is "deaf" to the police radar unless the power is so great that it would physically burn the antenna which is what the USAF is building with it's airborne laser project.<br /><br />I would love to see this raw data, but basically the only problem that could happen is if your XM/Sirrus receiver was designed in such a way as to be able to "hear" and react to those frequencies.

[fdunn3]

If you are a radio engineer then you should be familiar with harmonics and subharmonics. These two artifacts of RF transmission are amplified when pulsed as with a radar gun as the edges of the pulses (off-&gt;on &#38; on-&gt;off) are analog edges, that is they have a finite amount of time to go from one state to another. During that time (very short) the harmonics cover more of the spectrum than just the plain harmonics and subharmonics of the carrier frequency of the radar. For those brief periods of time those signals are a wide spectrum noise source. <br />More than enough to unlock the phase loop detector in a Sirius/XM radio for a period of time until it can gain enough signal to lock again. <br /> <br />But speed guns are not the only source of RF interference for Sirius/XM there are also the WiFi bands that are in the neighborhood of 2.4GHz and of course they are always changing state (off-&gt;on &#38; on-&gt;off) so they too are sources of wideband noise, surely enough to interfere with the Sirius/XM spectrum. <br /> <br />My suggestion to Sirius/XM radio users is to find some of these sources and see how well they can receive near the presence of these signals. <br /> <br />BTW - Microwave ovens are very powerful sources of microwave interference as well as microwave circuit links for anything from the Telcos to Remote TV Vans to studio to transmission tower links. <br /> <br />It is quite possible that when you have a drop off that you are driving through a microwave signal path and as far as the low signal levels that could either be caused by wideband noise eminating from any of the above sources. <br /> <br />Try taking your receiver far out into the country where you don't see any airports, houses, or microwave repeaters (including cell towers) and I think you will see tha the signal strength is higher due to a higher signal-noise ratio.

[Bill_I]

As a biologist, you are listening to Radio Darwin. Both Sirius and XM have been losing money for years and just trying to survive. Signal dropouts and programming mistakes are signs of the struggle.

[neowolfwitch]

Another "me too" post.<br /><br />I was an "early adopter" of Sirius in Denver many years ago. Back then, I experienced a lot of drop-outs, but attributed them more to the technology of the time than anything else. The last few years (after buying newer receivers/antennas) I've had almost no problems at all with signal drop-outs, except in mountain tunnels or if I'm stuck under large overpasses for extended lengths of time. <br /><br />The last few months- drop-outs have been a daily occurrence. Just this morning- I lost signal at least twice for 5-10 seconds at a time on my way into work. I was driving on "open" freeways without any major geographic or man-made barriers to the satellite signals, and I wasn't surrounded by semi-trucks or anything else that might have caused them.<br /><br />I had heard Sirius was shutting down some of their terrestrial repeaters, but that shouldn't affect actual satellite reception. I think something is either going wrong with one of their satellites, or they are having major problems on the production/transmission end.

[Bill_I]

You are not alone, we have similar drop-outs on XM, very annoying. I have a fixed location with the antenna outside and a clear view of the southern sky. XM has two birds in synchronous orbit at 85 and 110 degrees west, each running 5 kilowatts of power to their east and west footprints. Still the dropouts persist at random intervals.

I live in Southwest Georgia, and I have also experienced the periodic loss of signal. I have also experienced the "Updating Channels" interruption three times in the past two weeks, sometimes followed by the "acquiring signal" problem. Sirius is indeed facing some challenges, including bond payments that are coming due in Q2 this year. I have been a subscriber for more than four years, making me an old-timer with them, but I too am getting frustrated. The loss of stations is hard to accept, particularly Disorder, which was a unique and eclectic blend of material. Can I just do all of this with MP3s? I can certainly program a good stretch of dozens of hours of programming, but there is value in relying on programming directors and knowledgeable DJs too. I hope Sirius survives and prospers, but I know they have a difficult cost-structure issue going forward......

[SiriusBuzz]

1. I listen 8 hours per day and I am not hearing any dropouts. Are you sure your case may not be a geographical isolated issue?<br /><br />2. I have been listening to to Howard Stern off and on for over 10 years and he is better then ever. Personally, I don't know anyone who would disagree.

[TapTapper]

It's not just repeaters in urban areas. I'm in a rural area in upstate NY and the signal probs are getting steadily worse. Often it's out for over an hour, at home and in the car. <br /><br />When this was really bad a couple years ago I finally called customer service to complain: I was on the road most of the day and had no signal at all most of the time. The "tech" kept telling me to change the antenna position, and I kept explaining to HIM that it was a car and the position changes constantly. I mentioned the rumors about repeater problems and he said there was no problem at all.<br /><br />Fast-forward 2 years, and now it's almost as bad as it was then.

[iaa9981]

I am in the Boston area and have noticed very odd signal behavior starting within the last week. While listening to Howard the audio suddenly breaks up and I lose the signal (goes to "Acquiring Signal"), when the signal comes back the feed is roughly 5-10minutes prior to where I lost the signal. This only appears to be happening when listening to Howards channel 100 because if I change the channel and then go back to Howard it seems to correct itself to real time, that is until it breaks up again and I get transported back in time to 5-10mins prior.

[varagon]

I've had my serious receiver in my car for roughly three years, and up until this past year, didn't have any difficulties "acquiring a signal." I live in SEKansas, about as rural as you get, so the issue may be something else. I was told, when I called, to "upgrade my receiver," even though it's still working fine.<br /><br />However, my current complaint is the playlists on my favorite stations has changed quite a bit since the merge with XM, for the worse, not better.

[stoobush]

Here in MD, the only place I have problems is in downtown Kensington, which seems to need a repeater of its own. I've got one of the first-gen Clarion receivers and antennas, and it still gets great signal everywhere. <br /> <br />I imagine I'm one of the few people who was pleased by the new Sirius/XM lineup. All of my favorite stations (80s, The Pulse, Spectrum, Alt Nation, First Wave, Coffeehouse, &#38; Broadway) stayed put or were replaced by superior XM analogues (XMU for Left of Center, Bluesville for Blues). Plus we got my favorite XM station, The Loft. I can see, however, why XM fans would lament the loss of Fred. Similarly, Hockey and NBA fans must be pretty pissed at the new Sirius sports lineup, but as long as we've got Sirius NFL, I'm content.