XM Radio Reception 2009 Sierra

zcori88 · November 1, 2014

I recently bought a 2009 Sierra. We are coming to the end of our free XM Radio trial and thinking about getting a subscription but I want to sort out a bit of a reception issue first.

I have had Sirius radio before and the only time I really lost signal was if I was in underground parking or under some other roof like structure. this truck however seems to lose signal (goes to static and says "No XM Signal" on the display) anytime I drive past a tall tree or go down a hill.

Has anyone else had a loss of signal like this? it seems excessive to me, but is this just how these factory systems work?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide, and I apologize if this is a repeat thread. I went through 12 pages of threads and found nothing so when I reached the end of my patience I posted a new one.

2017SierraSLT · November 1, 2014

That's about the norm for the OEM antenna and the XM reception. The aftermarket XM receivers hardly lose signal like these trucks do.

&CDFiXER% · November 6, 2014

I had a 2009 and it did not lose signal under trees. Occasionally under over passes. I used to drive under 6 on my way to/from work and only one would cause it lose signal. My 2011 & 2013 Silverado's do not lose signal under over passes, and they both work in the garage, whereas our two cars from 2009 will not in the garage.

IIRC, doesn't Canada have a little tougher time with XM reception than the US?

AzDragonLord · November 7, 2014

I drive through mountainous terrain almost daily and the only time I lose reception is in a tunnel or when I park on the north side of a tall building. Reception has been solid for me, even driving through canyons. Of course I am closer to the equator than the OP, so that may play into it.

MikeNH · November 7, 2014

I don't know how the back end stuff works now that they're essentially one company but back when they were separate XM only used two extremely powerful satellites in a fixed (geostationary) orbit above the equator. Their orbit is timed to match the rotation of earth so they essentially never move from our prospective. Sirius used satellites (3-4) in geosynchronous orbit above North America. They too always stay in one general area but moved around it in a big oval over the continent. This supposedly offers better coverage than XM's method.

zcori88 · November 7, 2014

Thanks for replying folks, very much appreciated. So since 3 out of think my situation is not the norm, im thinking maybe i will replace the antenna. maybe with an XM antenna rather than the GM one.