Tonykart8

Hi everyone, just joined and this is my first post..

Just bought a new A4 and I am wondering if the Sirus Radio in the A4 can pick up the terrestrial repeater signal on the ground. I live in Phoenix and notice the signal cuts out when driving through underpasses, gas station canopies, in the garage, etc. The XM radio in my SUV picks up the terrestrial signal just fine even in the 7th street tunnel downtown. Any input or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks..

stealth63

It does use the Sirus repeaters, but Sirus and XM are still using unique systems even though they have merged. Different frequencies (although they are next to each other) and different encodings protocols. Therefor they use a different set of repeaters and satellites.

Tonykart8

stealth63,

Thanks for the reply. I called Sirus and had them re-ping my radio. Now works in the garage. Yet there is latency in the switch from terrestrial UHF repeaters to satellite S-Band of around 2 seconds. My SUV XM radio stays on terrestrial priority until driven out of the Phoenix metro area where it then switches to the S-Band. Any thoughts.. Thanks again..

Nostromo

There's been a thread about the poor Sirius reception in our A4's. It's a bad antennae, or firmware, or something....

My last car with an off-the-shelf magnetic Sirius antennae very rarely dropped out. '11 A4 drops fairly often. Dealer couldn't help.

Tonykart8

Nostromo,

Did a little research..

Mini Cooper, BMW, Benz and Volvo have had the same problems as Audi. Same input from dealers. =Zero

Tonykart8

The major metropolitan areas that have Sirus UHF repeaters.

Akron
Albany
Albuquerque
Atlanta
Austin
Birmingham
Boston
Buffalo
Charlotte
Chicago
Cincinnati
Clevland
Columbus
Dayton
Denver
Detroit
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Greensboro
Greenville, SC
Harrisburg
Hartford
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Kansas City
Knoxville
Los Angeles
Louisville
Las Vegas
Memphis
Miami
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Monterey
Nashville
Norfolk
New Orleans
New York City
Oklahoma City
Orlando
Philidelphia/Wilmington
Phoenix/Tucson
Pittsburgh
Portland
Providence
Raleigh
Richmond
Rochester
Sacramento
San Antonio
San Diego
Seattle
San Francisco
Salt Lake City
Springfield, MA
St. Louis
Syracuse
Tampa
Toledo
Washington DC/Baltimore

Huey52

I find the Sirius in my A5 is no better, but also no worse, than same in prior vehicles, meaning in the country the Sat signal cuts out in foliage canopy, etc. You can't fight physics. At least they've advanced by providing the metropolitan UHF repeaters, but of course line-of-sight considerations in the urban canyons as well.

Satellite radio is really at its best in the western "big sky" expanses and long haul road trips.

Nostromo

I finally heard back from AOA today. She was very nice on the phone and 'cringed' that my old Toyota was getting near perfect Sirius on the same commute. Will call back by Friday with some sort of plan or solution. Will keep you updated.

stealth63

Do you have MMI or not. I have MMI in my 2011 A4 and I get great reception. In the 80 miles I drive a day the only place I lose reception is in a tunnel, which is expected. However i just had a 2011 nonMMI A4 as a service loaner for two days and it was terrible. It dropped in and out at least 3-5 times each way on my drive. Any overpass caused a quick signal loss. Night and day difference between my car.

Nostromo

Interesting.... No, I don't have MMI.

Anyone else can chime in wi AMI vs MMI?