SIRIUS outdoor antenna question

mcf57 · #1 02-08-2010, 09:29 AM

I have a SIRIUS radio in my living room. In order to get an antenna to it, I basically snaked a 50ft TERK extension up the walls and to the attic where I then connected an Open Home PNP Antenna that sits outdoors and on the shingles of my roof. Now, I realize this type of antenna is probably meant more for indoor use, but at the time, it was an extra antenna I had so I simply figured I would use it.

All has worked great for the most part and I have had this antenna pointing toward the Northern sky. I used to get 3 bars for antenna strength, but within the last few months, I have now been getting about 1-2 bars (mostly 2 bars) and on occasion, I even lose signal briefly and have the "acquiring signal" display on the radio.

95% of the time I have no disruption in service so it isn't a huge deal, but I'm wondering if I would be better off going up the the attic/roof and replacing this "home PNP antenna" with a regular auto antenna; simply attach it to the TERK extension up there and mount it on the shingles like the current one is.

I have been told that pointing an antenna toward the southern sky (new global satellite) might give me better results and I am trying to figure that out in different ways including the following:

add another TERK extension & relocate in attic
get a home distribution kit and use some extra RG6 cabling I have available in the house

Until then, I now have an extra auto antenna I was thinking I could use and wondering if this would yield a better signal (for a northern view) than the home antenna. I'm also wondering if the weather elements have partially affected (over time) the current antenna installed on the roof too. Any thoughts?

limegrass69 · #2 02-08-2010, 09:50 AM

You'd need to get up there and have a look at the antenna. They can break down over a period of time when exposed to the elements. An auto antenna might work, but those perform best when attached to a metal surface.

Depending on where you are, you might fare better pointing the antenna straight up or slightly to the south, rather than to the north.

Outdoors is best, obviously. However, depending on the construction of your home, you may find success in putting the antenna in the attic. It's a matter of trial and error.

If you are going to be there a while, and you expect to remain a subscriber, you might do well with an outdoor antenna designed for a residential install. You'll likely have good luck with an antenna like that. Check over at TSS. They have them.

mcf57 · #3 02-08-2010, 10:41 AM

Yea, an antenna pointing toward the southern sky is probably a preferred setup & I'm working on that for this living room radio.

I do plan on staying in this house for a while so the Home distribution kit at TSS seems like a good option too. It would allow for not only better signal, but I could install a 2nd radio in my basement since I have the extra RG6 cabling down there too. We'll see.

tssrich · #4 02-08-2010, 03:04 PM

The home antenna is weather proof, so you can put it outside with no problems. I had mine outside when I lived in the suburbs for 3 years, with no issues. With the new SAT-FM5 being geostationary a southern view would probably work great, so go for it.