problems with siruis antenna and closed shades

[pstokely]

I get three bars when the shade is open, but it keeps cutting out when the shade is closed, I put the antenna between the shade and window sil

[Dookus]

1. odd...

is there any metal in the shade? Is it a venetian blind or a regular shade?

[pstokely]

3. they are blinds

nt

[punpirate]

2. The satellite signal...

... is actually quite weak, and the shade is likely causing lots of reflected signals coming at the antenna from different directions, rather than from a single source. The receiver probably interprets all those ghost reflections as interference.

[pstokely]

4. if there something I can put behind the antenna

I can't have the shades open, I'm getting three bars

[punpirate]

6. Dunno...

... the first thing that comes to mind would be to find something you could mount on the window trim that would push the shade further away from the window, and therefore the antenna.

If theft wouldn't be a problem, I'd find a way to mount the antenna outside the window. Primary signal strength would go up a bit, and that would place it even further away from the source of reflection, if that's the problem.

Alternatively, you could install cloth curtains and leave the shade up. Soft cloth wouldn't reflect the signal very well at all and you'd still have your privacy.

Cheers.

[SoCalDem]

5. My sirius thingie is not working in my car anymore

It works fine indoors in the little bracket thing.. In the car, it turns right on.. the radio is brand new and works fine.. speakers are fine..but the sirius gadget says only "acquiring signal", but it never does :(

I HATE BEST BUY.. I have had it back to them TWICE already and apparently they don;t know what they are doing.. waaaaaah!!

[DancingBear]

8. It's probably in the roof mounted antenna

When it says "acquiring signal" does the radio work? At times, mine will give me that prompt while the radio is working.

If not, I am guessing the antenna is not aligned correctly.

Did Best Buy install the antenna kit in your car? If so, make an installer take a ride with you, and show him/her what is happening.

[TexasProgresive]

7. If the blinds are metal they are acting as a screen

Last year I took a class on wireless networking-one of the things we covered was signal propagation problems. It was a 2 week class and our instructor allowed us to take routers home and do a rough site survey of signal strength around our homes. One person took a router to her nearly completed home which was built to be energy efficient with e-glass in the windows. She got some signal through the walls but even with the router placed on the window sill got zilch in front of the windows.

Our house doesn't have e-windows but was sheathed with foil coated foam board. We can't get a good FM signal unless the antenna is in the window.

Antenna placement tips from Sirius

http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/Page&c=Page&cid=1071870446092&

"Since the antennas are weatherproof, it's always best to place them outside on your roof. The clearer the view of the sky that your antenna has, the less likely you are to experience signal loss. Placing your antenna on the roof may require the purchase of an antenna extension cable. Use the map below to optimize your antenna placement.


Sometimes it's easier to place your antenna outside of a window or to mount it on the side of your house. Either way, you should still try to give your antenna a clear view of the sky. If this is the best option for you, use the map below to optimize your antenna placement.


In addition to our 3 satellites, we also make use of terrestrial repeaters in major metropolitan areas to boost our signal. In these areas, it may be possible to receive the SIRIUS signal with your antenna placed inside your home. We recommend placing your antenna in or near a window*. Again, use the map below to optimize your antenna placement

* Metal window screens can disrupt or block the signal."