Way to see Sirius signal strength?

audionet1 · 07-29-2006, 05:42 PM

is there a hidden screen somewhere in iDrive to let me see my signal strength for satellite radio? On the stand-alone sirius receivers you can go to a diag. screen which shows you local repeater signal strength and satellite strength.

A friend of mine had issues with his signal dropping out all the time (just like I do) and noticed his satellite signal was almost always zero so it turned out he was only getting signal from the local repeaters... he replaced his antenna and all is great. I doubt that is my case as I have seen other people here complain about their signal drop-outs... BUT, I would like to know what the signal looks like when I drive through those particular areas.

I searched the forum for secret screen, sirius signal strength, hidden idrive, etc but found nothing. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Nick

driverseven · 07-31-2006, 01:58 PM

I haven't seen anything like that -- did you ever complain to Sirius about it?

I did and ended up in an email correspondence where they asked me to report the routes where it was a problem. I can at least hold out hope that they'll add repeaters that cover my local area -- aside from that, I don't think there's anything else you can do.

Once you see how low the signal is, what else would you be able to do with that information?

The best place I've found for info on sirius is this community --- kind of like an e90post for Sirius owners
http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum...isplay.php?f=7

Watch out -- there are people who will deny that Sirius has a reception problem.

One bit of info I did learn is that the Sirius satellites are constantly moving and so you will get better reception in a problem area on certain days and times. If you do start tracking your signal strength, you would be noticing the impact of this. The satellite could be lower in the sky, relative to your car, right now, and so that tree is not inteferferring with your signal. But tomorrow, it may be above you and the tree is now blocking your signal.

cobradac · 07-31-2006, 03:39 PM

Yep, they draw a very stretched out figure "8" over NA with three satellites. You can see simulation here.

http://www.cashflowbusiness.net/siri_orbit.htm

07-29-2006, 05:42 PM	#1
audionet1 New Member 3 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 12 550i M Sport, 22 M5 Comp Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Way to see Sirius signal strength? is there a hidden screen somewhere in iDrive to let me see my signal strength for satellite radio? On the stand-alone sirius receivers you can go to a diag. screen which shows you local repeater signal strength and satellite strength. A friend of mine had issues with his signal dropping out all the time (just like I do) and noticed his satellite signal was almost always zero so it turned out he was only getting signal from the local repeaters... he replaced his antenna and all is great. I doubt that is my case as I have seen other people here complain about their signal drop-outs... BUT, I would like to know what the signal looks like when I drive through those particular areas. I searched the forum for secret screen, sirius signal strength, hidden idrive, etc but found nothing. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks! Nick
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07-31-2006, 01:58 PM	#2
driverseven Curve junky 19 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 228 Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	I haven't seen anything like that -- did you ever complain to Sirius about it? I did and ended up in an email correspondence where they asked me to report the routes where it was a problem. I can at least hold out hope that they'll add repeaters that cover my local area -- aside from that, I don't think there's anything else you can do. Once you see how low the signal is, what else would you be able to do with that information? The best place I've found for info on sirius is this community --- kind of like an e90post for Sirius owners http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum...isplay.php?f=7 Watch out -- there are people who will deny that Sirius has a reception problem. One bit of info I did learn is that the Sirius satellites are constantly moving and so you will get better reception in a problem area on certain days and times. If you do start tracking your signal strength, you would be noticing the impact of this. The satellite could be lower in the sky, relative to your car, right now, and so that tree is not inteferferring with your signal. But tomorrow, it may be above you and the tree is now blocking your signal. __________________ 228 \| In-service: Nov '14
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07-31-2006, 03:39 PM	#3
cobradac First Lieutenant 20 Rep 374 Posts Drives: '05 645Ci Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Titusville, FLA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 645Ci [0.00]	Yep, they draw a very stretched out figure "8" over NA with three satellites. You can see simulation here. http://www.cashflowbusiness.net/siri_orbit.htm
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