Archive for the ‘Help and Hints’ Category

How to get the best SIRIUS/XM Satellite Signal

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Throughout this “how to” I will discuss the tricks and tips on How to get the best Satellite Signal possible out of your SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

First to find out how to get a better signal, we need to look at how the signal is sent. SIRIUS and XM both us different Satellite Patterns so I will Discuss them individually.

How the SIRIUS Signal is delivered. SIRIUS uses satellites that are always moving in a “figure-8″ pattern. The best rule of thumb is imagine that the SIRIUS satellites are in the sky above Minnesota. That is the best direction to aim your antenna. Larger cities also have what’s called Terrestrial repeaters. These act as repeaters for areas that could not otherwise get signal, ie. behind large buildings. These cities have receivers and transmitters on the ground that blanket the area in signal.

If you check on your SIRIUS Radio menu, click SIGNAL INDICATOR or ANTENNA AIMING, you will see a SAT and TER with several boxes filled in black. This is your signal strength. SAT is the direct signal from satellites in space, TER is the signal from on-the-ground repeaters.

XM Radio works on the same principle except their satellites do not move. XM Home antennas should always be pointed towards the SOUTH as the satellites are located on the Equator.

If you are having good luck getting signal in one room and want to use your SIRIUS in another try the ECHO Repeater System or try a SIRIUS Extension Cable.These both allow you to place your SIRIUS antenna in one area and the SIRIUS Radio in another.

If you are having trouble receiving signal in your home, and you have tried all the possible antenna placements an upgraded antenna may allow you to pull in the signal better. A good SIRIUS outdoor antenna to go with is the SIRIUS Outdoor Home Antenna. The best antenna we offer works with both SIRIUS and XM Radio, the PRO-600 antenna.

In the Vehicle

In car you want to make sure your Satellite antenna is on the roof, or in a convertible on the truck lid. The magnetic antenna should always be placed 4-6 inches from the edge of the roof and clear from any roof rack or other obstruction. Make sure to route the antenna cable safely as not to crimp the cable, this can cause an Aquiring Signal error message if the cable is damaged.  If you need to remove the cable from the SIRIUS dock or receiver, be sure to pull on the plug and not the cable, the cable connector could come undone and the antenna would we useless. Standard car antennas work will in many cases, but in cases like a Big-Rig or other large vehicle the standard antenna may be ill suited due to the vehicle having a fiberglass body or other obstructions, in this case using a SIRIUS and XM Radio Truck antenna would be best.

In most cases the standard antenna you buy, or receive with your radio is suffiencet to receive Satellite Radio content, being very carefully with the antenna cable and proper aiming should prove to give you quality signal. In some limited areas with canyons, forest cover and other natural sky obstructions, upgrading to a better antenna is the only way to get Satellite radio.

If you have any questions on antenna aiming feel free to email Josh or gives us a call 773-772-4340, we are here to help.

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Posted in Help and Hints, antenna | 4 Comments »

A Couple Tips to avoid Auto Theft

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

This is a little off topic from what I usually post, but very useful information nonetheless. This is more of a concern on summer nights, but this should always be on everyone’s mind.

According to www.auto-theft.info, 1,192,809 cars were stolen in 2006

Here are a few tips to avoid losing your Car, Satellite Radio and other precioius belongings:

1.)  Bring the satellite radio/GPS down from the suction cup at the end of the day. No use advertising to bypassers that you have expensive stuff. Also be sure to remove the face of your aftermarket if applicable.

2.) If you have space in your glove box or center console stash it in there overnight. It’s not the best solution,but its better than leaving it out in the open.

3.) Keep you doors locked and windows up while away from the car. If you have a convertible put the top up, some car alarms have add-ons you can install like a motion sensor built for convertibles.

4.) Invest in a car alarm with starter-kill. These alarms will kill the car’s engine starter if you car is broken into, rendering it undriveable. Some thieves will steal cars take them to a remote location and gut them, they can’t gut a car that won’t leave your driveway.

5.) Install a motion sensing light in your driveway, no thief likes an audience.

6.)  If you drive a truck be sure to lock the back window, if you can, it’s a small window and is often overlooked. If you have a sunroof be sure to close it fully also.

7.) Always park in a well-lit area if possible, like I said no thief likes an audience.

8.) NEVER boobey-trap your vehicle, even though everyone would like to. It is actually illegal in most states and if the thief is hurt you can be held liable in some cases.

The best tip I can give is use your own common sense and never think “It could never happen to me”.

If anyone has any tips, helpful stories or helpful comments on how people can keep their cars and belongings safe, feel free to comment! Thanks!

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How to Find a SIRIUS Part You Need

Friday, October 17th, 2008

When you are surfing the Interent looking for a SIRIUS Accessory, TSS-Radio will probably be a name you’ll see or hear most often. This is because we offer Eveything SIRIUS. We carry the small parts to most SIRIUS Radios. Anything from SIRIUS power cables to SIRIUS Antennas, we carry it all. But what happens when you get to our site and need to find something.

Well we have devised a few simple-easy to use guide to help you find what you need such as:

SIRIUS Accessory Finder- This beatuy is found on EVERY page of our website to the right-hand side. It will show you how to find the model number on your SIRIUS Radio, and let you select that model number to search for all the parts available.

Vehicle Specific Mount Finder- This is a guide to help you find a mount for your specific car. No more wacky suction cups, use one of these to mount your radio without the hassle.

These two can help you find everything you need on our site, but as always give us a call up here at (773)772-4340 if you want to discuss your options or if you cannot find something you need. We’re Here to help with Everything SIRIUS

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Tip of the Week with a Surprise Interview!

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Here’s a maiden voyage on a new idea I’d like to try, Tip of The Week from ours truly JoshI will give, each week, a new tip ranging from Portable Radios to Car Kit Installs. Also I’m am going to try to get interviews with relevant people throughout the Satellite Radio World to make this blog a little more interesting to read.

This Week’s Tip:

How to get A la Carte SIRIUS Programming on your SIRIUS Radio

First, you need to purchase a SIRIUS Radio that is A la Carte compatible. Currently the Starmate 5 is the only SIRIUS Radio that can receive A la Carte Programming.

Second, Go online to SIRIUS.com and Click Install and Activate at the Top of the page.

Third, Follow the steps through and activate your SIRIUS Radio. and BAM your Done!

Fourth, Enjoy the programming YOU pick and control!

Interview of the Week: Jamie from TSS-Radio

Josh: How do you feel people reacted to the merger?

Jamie: I feel a lot of people didn’t even know that the merger happened. The people who did know were really confused about what that meant to them.

Josh: What do you think of A la Carte programming?

Jamie:It’s pretty much sweet but the options don’t make it a very attractive choice. I think this is also an issue people are confused on. If all you really want is music or just some talk radio it’s great. If you want any premium station you might as well get a full subscription.

Josh: Do you listen to SIRIUS at home? If so what is your favorite channel or SIRIUS celebrity?

Jamie: Yeah. I love Sirius actually. I don’t have cable and it’s the next best thing. My favorite channel is Sirius OutQ 109 for DNR and Diana Cage. My favorite music stations are Sirius Disorder, Boombox, Outlaw Country, The Beat, Alt Nation, Left of Center, any of the Decades Channels….. Come to think of it, there aren’t very many music stations I don’t like.

Josh: You’re a younger guy, do you see your peers with Satellite Radio?

 Jamie: I don’t. Not because they wouldn’t like it but because they don’t understand why anyone would pay for radio when there is free internet radio. It’s such a great substitution for cable. If someone is looking for an MP3 player that isn’t an iPod, a Stiletto is great substitution. If someone has an office job and they are able to set it up, a soloist and any radio that will dock on it is AbFab.

Josh: Why not? What keeps them from buying SIRIUS?

Jamie: The thing that keeps a lot of people from buying Sirius is because they don’t know how much they would love it until they get it. Here are the people whose life sucks because they don’t have SatRad:1.People who drive in cars.2.People who sit at desks.3.People who walk. 4.People who take public transportation.5.People who are sad.6.People who have ears.7.People with Ebeneezer Scrooge hearts.

Josh: How would you get younger people to try SIRIUS? I know me being a young guy myself I do not see many of my peers with SIRIUS, but after you get it you can’t go back to the “other” radio, it’s so worth it.

 Jamie: Yeah. I think you just answered your own question, Champ.

Josh: Last Question, When do you plan to release a comedy album? You’re a big comedy star here in Chicago, so when are you going to cut a few tracks?

Jamie: www.myspace.com/woney

Let me know how you guys feel about the new “Tip of the Week” and who you would like to see Interviewed?

 Submit your suggestions: Send Suggestions

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What happens when a product is out-of-stock?

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

When you see an out-of-stock red button on our website, there are a couple of reasons that it is unavailable.

 

Reason 1. In the case of the Stiletto 2 Headphones or Sportster 5 , these items are just temporarily out-of-stock. This means that the manufacturer or distributor has not received a shipment or that we ordered too few and sold out. Using the Link below the out-of-stock button on the product page, “Click Here to Join the Notification List“, is a great way to be notified when a product is received, same day!

Reason 2. In the case of the Stiletto Home Kit SLH1 or Sirius S50 , these items have been discontinued and will not be available again. In rare instances, we may receive a small batch or refurbished items, in which case getting on the Notify List by clicking the blue link on the product page is the best way to be notified if we get them in. In some cases also we put a link in the description to a product that may act as a replacement, like the SCH1p1.

In any case get on the Notify List or Call/Email and ask to be placed on the Notify List. This is the only way you can be updated on the status of a product or given a replacement suggestion.

These are the two main reasons that you might see . But we do always ask that if you have any questions about the status of a certain product to call us or Email Me Joshua Kincaide at Josh@tss-radio.com or Sales@tss-radio.com . We will be glad to give you the status or time frame if available.

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