sirius static

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=111129
Printed Date: July 12, 2025 at 4:05 AM

Topic: sirius static

Posted By: EMVirostek
Subject: sirius static
Date Posted: January 30, 2009 at 12:39 AM

Does anyone experience background static with a sirius plug-n-play unit? I have a Starmate 4 connected with a Sirius FM Direct in line modulator. I didn't have the issue in my old grand cherokee. I have it installed in a 2005 grand cherokee laredo with the base audio system.

It seems to happen after I've been driving for over 20 mins. I have the fm direct mounted behind the passenger kick panel since it's close to the standard antenna connection. Is there something back there interfering? I wonder if it's getting too hot? Who knows...that's why i'm posting here...

Thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: EMVirostek
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

i stumped everyone??

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Is there more than one frequency that the modulator is capable of transmitting on_?_ Is it possible that after the 20 minutes, you are just getting close to a radio station that is near the frequency that the modulator is currently transmittting on_?_

Posted By: EMVirostek
Date Posted: February 01, 2009 at 12:50 PM

It's an inline wired transmitter...they call it FM Direct. It connects between the car antenna and the radio, then it plugs into the Sirius FM Out jack. What I'm getting at is that whatever frequency the Sirius unit transmits to, the modulator sends it to the cars head unit. I tried different frequencies when the static starts up and it's audible on every frequency. Im almost wondering if the FM Direct is overheating or something...

Posted By: soundnsecurity
Date Posted: February 02, 2009 at 10:51 AM

wheres your satellite radio antenna? is it on the roof or inside the cab? also when you drive and get static are there a lot of tall trees by the road? those plug n play units can be really tricky units to get good signal and it also depends on where exactly the broadcast satellite is in the sky

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Posted By: EMVirostek
Date Posted: February 02, 2009 at 12:37 PM

The antenna is mounted on the roof, where it's supposed to be. It doesn't matter where I am when the static kicks in. It's weird, I get a strong Sirius signal and clear sound, but there is this underlying white noise that is audible only after having it running over 20 mins. Let me emphasize, the Sirius signal is not impeded at all...it just gets this additional static/white noise in the background. So strange...it didn;t do it in my older grand cherokee...only after installing it in my new car.

I did hard wire the power adapter recently, but it happened even before I did that...

Posted By: EMVirostek
Date Posted: February 17, 2009 at 4:13 PM

So I went as far as replacing the FM Direct...bouth a new one and it still gives me static after 20-30 mins...I'm beginning to wonder if it's the receiver itself...maybe it has a faulty fm modulator. I can't believe I'm the only one experiencing this.