XM Radio Reception?

[PalmerGA]

My 2012 Camaro loses the XM signal fairly easily. I can go under a canopy of trees over the road and the radio signal will cut in and out. Anyone else have this problem? I'm wondering if maybe there is a better "antenna" than the Shark Fin out there somewhere.

My Dodge truck just has a small 2"x3" receiver on the roof and it practically never loses signal.

[Salstang]

Yes...same problem here and its really annoying. I didn't have that problem in any of the Fords I've owned...(Lincoln MKZ, 2 Focus's, Mustang GT) When I asked the dealer about it, they said there was nothing that could be done, and all cars do it, even Fords. When I told them I didn't have that problem in any of my Fords they said I was wrong and of course I did, I just didn't notice it. Hows that for a lame excuse? The funny thing is, I still have the Focus, and I know I'm not going crazy, and I don't care what they say, it doesn't happen in my Focus, driving on the same roads at the same time of day. In other words, the Chevy Dealer is full of S**t.

[PalmerGA]

Yeah, of course it isn't the fact that it's a Chevy that is the problem. I'm sure there are other models of Chevys that have no problem w/ reception. I think it's the Shark Fin antenna. XM signals come from satelites (up above) and that fin being so narrow reduces the area of signal reception. Therefore, it doesn't take much to block (or partially block) that signal.

Would love to see someone provide a replacement receiver antenna that just sits flat on the roof and increases the reception area. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the Shark Fin anyway, appearance-wise.

[Ringo64]

Mine is quite odd... I'll get reception in my garage but then I back out and there is a small tree by my driveway that if I stop in the right spot under it then it will go out. Then there are some areas under a canopy of trees if I hit the right spot it will go out for a second.

It's not enough to anger me, guess I'm lucky. I won't be buying XM though once my trial expires next year though unless they give me an amazing deal.

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by Ringo64

Mine is quite odd... I'll get reception in my garage but then I back out and there is a small tree by my driveway that if I stop in the right spot under it then it will go out. Then there are some areas under a canopy of trees if I hit the right spot it will go out for a second.

That's what I'm talking about. It's kind of irritating.

Originally Posted by Ringo64

It's not enough to anger me, guess I'm lucky. I won't be buying XM though once my trial expires next year though unless they give me an amazing deal.

If you start paying for it, it will start to anger you at times.

[DeAdMiKe187]

Living in NYC, I've yet to ever lose reception. However, the sound quality on most of the stations is worse than FM radio.

[ChrisBlair]

Don't worry, what with the lousy sound quality and the bad reception, you won't miss it when you cancel.

[Mikey193]

yeah i'm not gonna lie i always lose signal for my xm radio

[Salstang]

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

Yeah, of course it isn't the fact that it's a Chevy that is the problem. I'm sure there are other models of Chevys that have no problem w/ reception. I think it's the Shark Fin antenna. XM signals come from satelites (up above) and that fin being so narrow reduces the area of signal reception. Therefore, it doesn't take much to block (or partially block) that signal.

Would love to see someone provide a replacement receiver antenna that just sits flat on the roof and increases the reception area. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the Shark Fin anyway, appearance-wise.

I wasn't trying to say it was because its a Chevy. I happen to have owned Fords and I like them, but I have nothing against Chevys either. I'm just saying, there must be something in the design of the antennae that can be corrected to make it better. If I can get good reception in one car, why not the other? Personally...I love my Camaro, but the sound system leaves a lot to be desired, and with the reception being what it is, it can be quite aggravating. I won't pay for XM once my trial is up, because if it keeps going out, then it will REALLY aggravate me.

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by Salstang

I wasn't trying to say it was because its a Chevy. I happen to have owned Fords and I like them, but I have nothing against Chevys either. I'm just saying, there must be something in the design of the antennae that can be corrected to make it better. If I can get good reception in one car, why not the other? Personally...I love my Camaro, but the sound system leaves a lot to be desired, and with the reception being what it is, it can be quite aggravating. I won't pay for XM once my trial is up, because if it keeps going out, then it will REALLY aggravate me.

Didn't mean to point a finger at you, stang, as being critical of Chevy. I did that to protect myself so others wouldn't think I was getting on GM. I doubt they built the Shark Fin - I just don't think it has enough surface area to receive uninterrupted signals from satelites.