pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Comcast
| [Reception] Sirius Optimizing (FM Plug)
Got the email from Sirius regarding "optimizing" my Sportster Replay to make it perform better while fitting FCC guidelines.
The options they gave me were Cassette Adapter, Some giant long FM transmitting antenna, or the FM Plug...I chose the FM Plug, and it plugs in where the FM Transmitting wire goes. It doesn't optimize at all! I haven't changed the FM Frequency on my radio for 8+ months, and not only did I have to look for a new one once I put the FM Plug in, I couldn't find one that didn't have static interference. As soon as I pulled the plug out, voila, clear as a bell.
I understand the FCC probably smacked their hands about the transmissions being too strong, but why on earth should I use this FM Plug? It makes my receiver worse! I've removed it and don't plan on using it. |
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slcpd6469
join:2003-09-25
Valley Park, MO | I heard an announcement about this the other day and now my reception is horrible. I changed nothing on the radio but now I get static all the time. My radio is on the dash right under my antenna. I guess they were able to change something remotely. |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA | That's interesting. Didn't think they could change something like that remotely...
I put the FM Plug into my glove box and that's likely where it will stay... |
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cypherstream
Build Fios, and I will come.
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
 ·Cingular Wireless
| reply to pennstatejim
In my car I have the 1/8" plug sending line level audio outputs to my Kenwood Excelon's AUX L/R RCA inputs. It's wired behind the dash.
In the girls car, the reception was bad, but the line level option wasn't possible on a stock Ford Escape radio. We got the direct antenna hookup, where the FM Out on the Sirius goes into a Y adapter. One side connects the lead from the Car's antenna, and the other side plugs into the back of the radio's ANT IN. This works flawless.
I got that e-mail too, but I'm deleting it. Things work fine the way they are. Both are hardwired. One line level, and the other is a direct FM Transmitter to the antenna input. |
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Cthen
join:2004-08-01
Ypsilanti, MI
·Comcast
| said by cypherstream  : We got the direct antenna hookup, where the FM Out on the Sirius goes into a Y adapter. One side connects the lead from the Car's antenna, and the other side plugs into the back of the radio's ANT IN. This works flawless. »www.myradiostore.com/sirius/siri···e14.html
I had to use the same for my Taurus, there was no auxiliary and no tape deck for an adapter. It works flawless for me as well and I didn't get anymore interference when going by a certain tower in Southfield on I-696 that has a buttload of signal equipment on it. 
Now if you get desperate you can make one if you want too. 
»www.pokerpulse.com/2-5mm.htm |
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scajjr
join:2005-03-01
Kingston, NH
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to pennstatejim
I got that email as one of my 3 units is an Xact Razor in use in my work truck (an International) whose radio has no inputs for external devices. Now my Razor has always been able to broadcast about 300+ feet easily. Not going to get any of the "solutions" for it, works great as is. I have a Sirius 1 I got free a year ago and it's FM output sucked so I got the antenna connector and that works great.
Any of the FM out jack non-direct connection solutions don't work well. The FM transmitter output is so weak now thanks to the FCC you really have to use some form of direct connection to get decent sound.
At home I just listen on the net.
Sam |
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pennstatejim
join:2007-10-10
Reading, PA | Yep, I'm pretty much leaving it the way it is. It broadcasts nicely the way it is. I'll worry about a direct connection when I have to get a new radio or a new car... Until then, the FM transmitter works great... |
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scots
Can we have Twinkies?
Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to pennstatejim
I've received two of these e-mails recently. I have 3 receivers active on my account. One is factory installed with my car, the other two are the portable units (one in the other half's car and the other in the house). The ESN's listed in each e-mail don't match up with any of the 3 receivers that are currently active on my account, so I just deleted the e-mails. I'm guessing maybe they're for old receivers that I haven't used in a while. |
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CatSnak
Stick A Fork In Me, I'm Done
Premium
join:2001-05-06
Lakeside, CA
| reply to cypherstream
said by cypherstream :In the girls car, the reception was bad, but the line level option wasn't possible on a stock Ford Escape radio. We got the direct antenna hookup, where the FM Out on the Sirius goes into a Y adapter. One side connects the lead from the Car's antenna, and the other side plugs into the back of the radio's ANT IN. This works flawless. That's the route I'm going with my S50 I put in my GF's Explorer. Got the parts last week and just need to get around to getting it in stalled.
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Founding member, 2002-2003, 2005-2006 Director of Communications, 2004-2005 Secretary for the Crunchenstein Project |
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AZ_OGM
join:2007-01-12
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to cypherstream
I'll probably have to go the same route. I started up a new job and have to take Loop 202 along the north side of the airport. The cleanest frequency I can find still gets a little static going by the airport and when on the elevated portion of I-10. Hopefully that will clean it up. If it works for my cousin who lives in Orange County, it should definately work for me. |
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jeffster1970
Whatta Ya Think About Dat?
Premium
join:2004-04-01
Kitchener, ON
clubs:
·magicjack.com
·Acanac Inc.
·Bell Sympatico
·Vonage
| reply to pennstatejim
I found that removing car antenna and wrapping fm plug around power cord to work pretty good. I can't get AM radio at all, not that I'd ever miss it. FM comes in okay, but rarely used. However, that project mentioned in this thread looks like something that I might go ahead and try!
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"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 |
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