SIRIUS vs Xm antennas... the same..?

Tim97rs · 08-30-2005, 05:22 PM

is there a difference between Sirius and Xm antennas? if connecters are the same, is there any reason why i cant use an antenna made for XM with my Sirius stuff?

please reply only if you KNOW for sure... i appreciate the "i think it wills" and the "i cant see why nots"... but i would prefer to not go running around and making purchases on hunches.
thanks

Tim97rs · 08-30-2005, 05:34 PM

disregard... just had to go a few pages futher in google....

frodobaggins · 08-30-2005, 05:36 PM

I'm using my XM antenna on my sirius right now.

Tim97rs · 08-30-2005, 05:58 PM

really... humm... notice ANY difference in reception...?

frodobaggins · 08-30-2005, 06:10 PM

Nah, but mine is stationary, haven't tested mobile.

frodobaggins · 08-31-2005, 01:41 AM

Noticing a little cutting out now and then.

edrex · 08-31-2005, 10:36 AM

Is there a point to doing that? One gets better reception or something?

frodobaggins · 09-01-2005, 11:45 PM

He wanted to know because I assume he either already has an XM antenna, or easier access to one.

And an update, My XM antenna works like **** on my Sirius radio.

antimatter · 09-02-2005, 01:57 AM

or is it the SIRIUS is just $hit

frodobaggins · 09-02-2005, 02:15 AM

lol, no, I like it

kiltjim · 09-02-2005, 08:33 AM

I thought there was some diference in the voltages. Like a Sirius system is 6v, and XM is 12v. That might be why you are expereiencing drop out. But I don't have anything to back this up.

frodobaggins · 09-02-2005, 11:29 AM

No, its the way the antennas are designed. (I looked it up)

Tim97rs · 09-02-2005, 11:38 AM

sirius has 3 satelites in a higher orbit that beam the signals down at about 45* and 90* angles, while XM is in a lower orbit, has only 2 satelites and beams the signals down at a 30-45 degree angle...
thats the difference in the antennas... they're designed to pick up thier respective signals from a specific anlge if i understood it correctly.

kiltjim · 09-02-2005, 09:31 PM

But what is the difference between the antennas? If they are designed to pick up at different angles, they would be required to be setup at that given angle. The mobile antennas would work equally as well for both systems, because they are moving.

fromplanetbob · 09-03-2005, 04:48 PM

They are not really designed to pick up different angles of satellite signal. SIRIUS and XM Operate on different frequencies and while they are close enough together in the spectrum that you can use a SIRIUS or XM antenna for either service, the correct antenna for the radio will pick up better reception because it's tuned in. It's like those old tvs with the fine tuning adjustment.

But yes, you can use the antennas from either service on either radio, just expect some degraded signal which means more drop outs.