Ok so it's not the latest and greatest equipment, I know. But this is the second time that I had to replace an antenna. First it was the one in my car that bent and had exposed wires and just tonight I got the "no antenna detected" on my boom box. Turns out that antenna had exposed wires. I'm so f'ing pissed! I'm going to buy another so I can listen to Howard but this time I will be writing the company as well. Anyone else had any problems with their equipment; not necessarily just XAct.

Just showing some support. This thread is sinking......

I'm on my third one since November

I had the AC Power plug rip right out of my Starmate Replay last week. Luckily, I bought it at Costco and they will take anything back. I probally could have taken a piss on it first.

where were the exposed wires...I did a few nifty repairs to my antenna's and theyre still stayin fixed.....

all you gots to do is buy a new one and then put yo old one in da box and return it.

where were the exposed wires...I did a few nifty repairs to my antenna's and theyre still stayin fixed.....

Right where I plug it into the boom box.

the actual connector or where it bends?

the actual connector or where it bends?

yeah.

Funny you mention this because I had the same thing happen to me on the weekend. I just get that "Antenna not Detected" message even though the antenna is clearly plugged in. I went to my mom's house to try to see if her antenna worked in mine and it did. So it's a broken antenna. :(

It's also an XACT (the Starmate Replay equivalent). I tried calling Sirius this weekend but they said they couldn't get me a replacement and to call back M-F. Today I talked to someone and they said I dialed the wrong 800 number. Every number they give me takes me to the same menu.

The radio should still be under warranty. I'm gonna keep calling them.

I too have the Xact and sometimes I have a full antenna showing on the face of the receiver but I just hear static for several minutes. Anyone have this problem too?

Ok so it's not the latest and greatest equipment, I know. But this is the second time that I had to replace an antenna. First it was the one in my car that bent and had exposed wires and just tonight I got the "no antenna detected" on my boom box. Turns out that antenna had exposed wires. I'm so f'ing pissed! I'm going to buy another so I can listen to Howard but this time I will be writing the company as well. Anyone else had any problems with their equipment; not necessarily just XAct.
That can be fixed. Just cut the wire and sodder the wire back and the insulation and it will work fine. When some grimy mexican broke in to my car (and got caught) theyh tried to jack my sirius and did nothing but bream my antena. Its a very easy fix.

Funny you mention this because I had the same thing happen to me on the weekend. I just get that "Antenna not Detected" message even though the antenna is clearly plugged in. I went to my mom's house to try to see if her antenna worked in mine and it did. So it's a broken antenna. :(

It's also an XACT (the Starmate Replay equivalent). I tried calling Sirius this weekend but they said they couldn't get me a replacement and to call back M-F. Today I talked to someone and they said I dialed the wrong 800 number. Every number they give me takes me to the same menu.

The radio should still be under warranty. I'm gonna keep calling them.

What number(s) did you call?

Ok so it's not the latest and greatest equipment, I know. But this is the second time that I had to replace an antenna. First it was the one in my car that bent and had exposed wires and just tonight I got the "no antenna detected" on my boom box. Turns out that antenna had exposed wires. I'm so f'ing pissed! I'm going to buy another so I can listen to Howard but this time I will be writing the company as well. Anyone else had any problems with their equipment; not necessarily just XAct.

Not yet.

I luv my Exact. Best $32. I ever spent........

What the hell is that grimy mexican shit! Grimy gangster is probably more accurate. No need to implicate a whole nationality for your shitty problems. My antenna has held up well. I throw it out my window regularly looking for reception and nothing happens to it. That wire is hard to cut through so probably has to do with the way it was installed. Anyway, doesn't mean the equipment isn't shit. I have a visor, and after praising it on this board all weekend, it took a shit. The solder on the mini plug input and 12 volt connector wore out. Now I can't listen to Howard through my stereo. I have to use the FM modulator. Damn! I hate that. Luckily my grimy mexican cousin can open it up and fix it. Anyway, both Xact and Directed Electronics make crappy equipment. Hope Sirius does something about these problems.

The numbers I called were:

1800 869 5187
1888 539 7474

Still getting the run around after being on hold for 15 minutes. :(

I'm gonna try again tomorrow. I got mine at Costco too, maybe I can get a new antenna from them?

Try this number, it is for Sirius Warranty
1-866-257-7726

I had my Sportster Replay Antenna go out completely at the end of January (its in a post somewhere here)

I called and they said I had to send in my old antenna before they sent me a replacement, even though it was less than a month old. I mailed it in (even though others here said they just got a replacement without exchange, I just didn't feel like dealing with another phone call)

After a month of waiting and almost getting in accidents with my BoomBox antenna sliding around on the dash, still no replacement. On Monday I finally called and was told someone would call me back. After no phone call, Tuesday night I called back and was told "Oh it already shipped back on the 7th". He sounded surprised when I said "it is the 7th" He then said "oh I guess it shipped today"

Well I got it today and its not the "micro dot" antenna like I had, but the old "low profile"

I think I have read that the "Micro Dot" has much better reception.
Should I call back and have it exchanged??

Micro Dot
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/607/h60714120-f.jpeg

Low Profile
http://www.goelectronic.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/full/14105.jpg



EDIT: I called back and they were very nice.
A little confused saying I had received the antenna that came with the SportsterReplay. But once I e-mailed them the pictures above and a picture of the SportsterReplay coming with the "Dot" antenna they called right back said it was on the way and to even keep the first antenna (gave it to a friend that has been having to take his back and forth from work truck to his car.)

Ok thanks :)

I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to call that number. Good thing too since I also need a new cigarette lighter adapter. That thing broke too now.

So I'm gonna send in both the antenna and the cigarette adapter thingy :(

Been forced to listen to testicular radio in the car the last couple days...forgot how shit that crap was :D

I have a Sirius cheap car radio that is about a year old, but once again showing the "no antenna" connection problem. it comes in and out. My old sportster didd the same thing after two years. I guess there is a antenna line problem. Not sure, but I hate to sample for the problem.

I have gone through 4 of the "DOT" types in two years. The last one was my fault, somehow the insulation got nicked during installation.

I think they are just shitty overall. Anyone had better luck?

do you move it from car to car?
best to grab it from the base and pull up and out.
I used to pull the wire to break the magnetic seal.
I have been thru at least 6 antennas since July 05,but my currrent one I have used for almost a year now.

do you move it from car to car?
best to grab it from the base and pull up and out.
I used to pull the wire to break the magnetic seal.
I have been thru at least 6 antennas since July 05,but my currrent one I have used for almost a year now.

This is solid advice. A lot of the antennas will break for no reason, and a lot will break from being moved around a lot. It's a fragile wire inside and when it gets bent back and forth it eventually frays on the inside of the outside. It's like bending a paper clip back and forth a few times.

So if it's because you move it around, try taping some electrical tape around the ends, where the wire meets the antenna and where the wire meets the SMB connector end. That way it will strengthen it a bit when it gets moved around.