Sirius/XM Problems
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 49
From: Mt. Juliet TN
Yep, XM reception in a Corvette is sub-standard. XM satellites sit relatively low to the horizon and with the antenna in the mirrors, the mirror itself will sometimes block the signal. For me it's more an annoyance than a problem as the dropouts are short lived and not very frequent. There are places though in my normal drive where it drops out every day due to the direction of travel and surrounding obstacles. I am glad we have XM instead of Sirius due to the programming differences, however, Sirius would work better with the antenna in the mirror design. Sirius satellites are in orbits that put them higher in the sky making obstacles less of a problem. My wife drives a F150 with Sirius. In the Appalachian mountains of east TN, she gets much better satellite reception than I do, even when I had my Sky with an outside antenna. With XM, the signal drops out frequently as you drive the mountain roads. At $5 a month, I can't be without my satellite radio. The drop outs are just something you live with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I've had a 2006,2009, and 2012 with no real problems. There is one spot of about 1/2 mi on my commute that I loose reception but that's going thru mountains. I've driven all over northern and southern AZ with no problem.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
2005's had a black "button" on the halo, commonly referred to as the "wart". Did away with the wart in 2006 and integrated the antenna into the car somewhere. I always wondered why as most cars with XM have the antenna mounted externally on the roof, better for reception I guess. I have an '05 with the wart and reception is pretty good, an occasional drop but that's about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 220
From: Akron Ohio
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
I have keenwood in my 05 coupe with after market xm antenna that I mounted inside the rear spoiler completely out of site with no interference issues at all. also did away with the ugly wart.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Leominster MA
My 08 vert's reception is terrible. I drive 20 miles 1 way to work mostly hiway. Every bridge, hill, 18 wheeler, or even sometimes nothing interferes with my signal. A typical 1 way drive to work has a loss of signal no less than 15 times. Frustrating for sure. And I don't think theres much of a fix for a vert either. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 230
From: Northeast FL
My 08 vert's reception is terrible. I drive 20 miles 1 way to work mostly hiway. Every bridge, hill, 18 wheeler, or even sometimes nothing interferes with my signal. A typical 1 way drive to work has a loss of signal no less than 15 times. Frustrating for sure. And I don't think theres much of a fix for a vert either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 140
Only trouble I've had are in a downtown type area (large skyscraper type buildings), in my driveway backing out and right next to the house (detached garage past rear of house), and any street with many very thick trees.
On the highway it is fine
One reason I never bothered subscribing after the trial.
On the highway it is fine
One reason I never bothered subscribing after the trial.