Just over a week ago, I put a new sound system into my wife's '99 C5 Vert. The system uses a Metra adaptor, Clarion NZ500, Sirius SC-C1 and a Boyo Back up camera. I plan to write up an install article, but for right now, I'm not satisfied.

Following the advice of others here, I mounted the antenna for the Satellite Radio near the Nav antenna, on the rear bumper support that runs across the car, just behind the trunk wells.

The result is that I get a lot of cutting out. The antenna signal indicator on the display never reaches three bars (of three) but hovers between one and two. Cutting out is not a problem moving under overpasses, or with excellent overhead and side clearance, but I do notice cutting out on shady residential streets. It seems the trees are a problem. I've had issues with the XM in my Accord, but it's rare to have issues caused by trees.

Since the antenna is already in the rear bumper cavity, should I lift it to the top with double-stick tape, or bite the bullet and relocate it to ahead of the rearview mirror.

The Clarion unit seems to work great as a radio, and I am pleased with the Nav system performance. I think the difficulty here is the SC-C1 unit or the antenna positioning.

Thoughts?

Pat

 

FWIW, I have seen my XM reception (factory radio in my Silverado) cut out along heavily tree-lined roads and where there are steep hillsides. Part of the problem is the location of the specific satellite location in the sky. I think that there still are separate satellites for XM and Sirius. I can drive along the same roads using my Sirius radio in the same vehicle (antenna is on the roof out in the open) and Sirius cuts out in different places.

If you have another antenna or can borrow one, try setting the antenna on the dash near the lower corner of the windshield. IIRC, somebody installed the small Sirius antenna on the top just in front of the rear glass and used a BMW cover. That was on a coupe so it was easy to get the cable inside the car from there. FRC's would be a different matter.

 

I don't know if this would work for you as yours is already in the back, but, I mounted my Sirius antenna along with the GPS antenna under the hood. I put it in the spot over the right front wheel in front of the battery (got the idea from others). It works well for me. I only have had drop outs in the same palces I get drop outs in my truck (truck has XM) and that is under certain overpasses and in my garage. Ran the wiring through the same fire wall hole as I ran my amp power.

Dave

 

Reading on other sites, I find that the cutting out problem is pretty common with SC-C1 Sirius tuners. Pretty consistently, people say that a different Sirius antenna (micro dot, I think it is) is more sensitive and that as a result the cut-outs are mitigated, or at least minimized. I've ordered one of these antennas, and I'll try it out at several different locations in the car. Hopefully, the stronger antenna will solve the problem. And, equally hopefully, I'll be able to identify a more optimum location.

Thanks to all for your thoughts. Any other recommendations? -- Please post.

Pat

 

The new Sirius Dot-Micro antenna did seem to yeild a slightly stronger signal. Particularly if positioned on the dash, or above the rear view mirror, places I haven't tried the original antenna. But the stronger signal didn't seem to help with regard to cutting out. Even with the unit on the dash, and showing three bars on the signal strength, the unit would occasionally cut out. After playing around with this, I reconnected the original antenna, and the Sirius presets all dropped out.

I decided to call Crutchfield, and talked to Marty in tech support. I've gotta say, Marty was polite, helpful, asked reasonable questions, and provided feedback. Not like calling and talking to someone who is following a response tree. Marty thought that the issue was likely in the SC-C1 tuner, or possibly the cable from the head unit to the SC-C1. Crutchfield is sending me a new SC-C1 tuner and cable. I'll send the old ones back to them. Needless to say, since the tuner is much easier to access than the cable, I'll try it before opening up the console again (tuner is mounted to structure under the waterfall).

Pat