XM Radio - Static with the FM Mod

WillG · 06-26-2003, 11:49 PM

I just got the FM modulator installed in my car. I works okay, but I am detecting some static in the audio. Has anyone else experienced this. Can anything be done?

Lisa Menin · 07-03-2003, 10:34 PM

I would like to know this, too. I have the Alpine receiver and have been having static since Day One. I also experience occasional audio dropouts. I spoke with an engineer at XM who thinks that the antenna is defective. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Lisa Menin · 07-19-2003, 10:59 PM

Update to my previous post. Both the FM Modulator and the antenna turned out to be defective. I replaced both today and now the audio is crystal clear. All static is gone.

WillG · 07-20-2003, 05:28 PM

How did you confirm your equipment was defective?

Lisa Menin · 07-21-2003, 10:07 AM

The satellite radio had originally been installed by my dealer approximately 2 months ago. It never sounded right. I ended up speaking with a senior engineer at XM who suggested that I go to a store such as Circuit City who had a lot of experience in installing their radios. The Circuit City tech found two problems - one of which was caused by a problem with the antenna and the other by a problem with the FM modulator. He replaced both and showed me the rusted or damaged pieces on both units. For the first time since the original installation, there is no static or scratchiness in the audio.

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WillG · 07-21-2003, 07:53 PM

I had my equipment installed by C.C.

Steven Simon · 07-21-2003, 08:57 PM

The dropouts could be a result of tall tree lines. If you pass by a thick, tall forest, it usally will crap out a few times.... There is no way around this. Happens me to from time to time...

Also when going under a bridge... I find it's usually a 3 second delay... If it's more than 3 seconds under a bridge, you will loose signal.

WillG · 07-21-2003, 11:36 PM

It's not really dropouts, but it is a staticy sound that can be heard almost constantly

Lisa Menin · 07-22-2003, 01:19 PM

Will: That was exactly my problem. (I had dropouts under bridges, etc... too but that wasn't the issue.) I had static constantly. Both the antenna and the FM mod were defective. Why don't you take the car to CC and have them check it out? I believe that, if CC did the installation, there are no labor charges thereafter. The antenna and FM mod should be under warranty.



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