xm411.com - First Review Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater SA10116

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Ziggy
XM Freak!

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 7409
Location: New York, NY
Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno

First Review Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater SA10116

The Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater SA10116 is (almost) here!

The unit comes packaged with the tramsmitter antenna (on right), the repeater antenna (left), power supply for the transimitter (top) and a couple of moutning screws (not pictured).

Setup is fairly simple and straight forward. You begin by setting up your exisitng XM antenna (not included with this package) in a location that gets good reception of the XM signal. This may be outside, or on a south facing window sill. This antenna gets plugged into the rear of the Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater Transmitter. A power jack is right next to the antenna connection, and should be plugged in and to the wall with the included power supply. There is also a "PWR OUT" selector switch on the rear of the unit which allows you to control the strength of the signal transmitted from the unit.

Once the power and antenna are attached, both blue indicator lights will light up on the face of the unit. Please note that the blue antenna indicator will light up only to signify that the antenna is attached correctly. It does not let you know whether your antenna is in a location receiveing a good XM signal or not. You will have to look at the signal strength indicator on your XM radio do determine best location for the XM antenna.

Once you have this setup, place the Repeater Antenna close to your exisitng XM Radio and plug it into your antenna jack on the XM radio or car cradle. This connector is identical to the XM Home Antenna provided with all boomboxes and XM home receivers and kits so compatibility is guaranteed. The Repeater Receiver Antenna does not require any separate power connections.

As you can see both the satellite and terrestrial signal is transferred wirelessly from the remote transmitter location where your XM antenna is located to this Repeater Antenna and into your XM tuner. The cable that comes with the Repeater Antenna is about six feet.

Receiving the repeater signal with the receiver antenna was fairly easy up to the first 40-50 feet of distance form the transmitter, in the last 50-75 foot range, the receiver antenna had to be oriented with the flat surface facing the repeater transmitter and moved around a bit for best signal reception from the transmitter. In my testing in New York City, where the radio airwaves are very crowded, I was able to successfully use this product to a distance of about 70 feet which is just a bit shy of the advertised 75 feet. Not bad in my opinion. I will try it in more rural and remote locations in the near future and hope that this distance may be a bit more.

Keep in mind that this system operates in the 900Mhz band that alot of wireless devices already operate on. It may cause some interference to those devices such as wireless phones.

Available here:
http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/sa10116-xm-signal-repeater.html

Additional receivers are here:
http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/sa10117-xm-repeater-receiver.html
_________________
www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Last edited by Ziggy on Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:17 am; edited 1 time in total

Tue May 17, 2005 12:26 pm

coloradoxmfan
XM411 Community Leader

Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 6509
Location: Where it's freezing
Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora

Sweet! Great review. So, essentially, this will help alleviate having to modify your antenna placement in a house, for example, everytime you move the XM receiver around?

Tue May 17, 2005 12:35 pm

Ziggy
XM Freak!

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 7409
Location: New York, NY
Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno

That is correct. Please keep in mind that this system DOES NOT transmit directly to your XM Radio, but to teh special Repeater receiver antenna which gets plugged into your XM radio tuner.
_________________
www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Tue May 17, 2005 12:37 pm

coloradoxmfan
XM411 Community Leader

Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 6509
Location: Where it's freezing
Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora

Are there any limitations on the number of receivers that work with the repeater?

Tue May 17, 2005 12:42 pm

Ziggy
XM Freak!

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 7409
Location: New York, NY
Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno

No, you can have as many Repeater Antennas in use within 75 feet of the transmiter as you want. This is an ideal solution for an office environment.
_________________
www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Tue May 17, 2005 12:50 pm

byrd
XM411 Nut!

Joined: 10 Sep 2004
Posts: 132
Location: Gloucester, VA

What is the coverage pattern on the radiator antenna? I know some wireless internet router antennas essentially make a doughnut radiating outward around the antenna and thus don't work very well from floor to floor in a house. Has this been tested with the Delphi repeater?

It would be nice to be able to install the repeater in my attic since it's much easier to run an antenna with a good view of the sky into my attic. If placed correctly in the attic, the 75ft distance would probably cover most of my 1st and 2nd floor... IF the repeater signal also radiates vertically.

One complaint.... seems kinda pricey.
_________________

Tue May 17, 2005 1:21 pm

KTMC
XM411 Community Leader

Joined: 08 Feb 2004
Posts: 5653
Location: ALBUQERQUE NM
Primary Radio: SKYFI2/BOOMBOX HELIX SL100

well i see xm beat sirius to the marketplace with this product
sirius was supposed to have a item like this but so far no word
when will this item be available
_________________
SLACKER

Tue May 17, 2005 4:44 pm

coloradoxmfan
XM411 Community Leader

Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 6509
Location: Where it's freezing
Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora

quote:
Originally posted by KTMC:
well i see xm beat sirius to the marketplace with this product
sirius was supposed to have a item like this but so far no word
when will this item be available

It is expected mid-June

Tue May 17, 2005 5:09 pm

rpokane
XM411 Freshman

Joined: 17 Feb 2004
Posts: 29

Primary Radio: AirWare

I was hoping you could use a regular antenna for this. How practical is the new antenna for the MyFi? I thought this new product would be best for that type of portability indoors.
It would be cool if you could do some sort of XM-mesh like a neighbourhood WiFi-mesh! Smile
And yes, the price is a little high...

Tue May 17, 2005 5:51 pm

Stocker
XM411 Community Leader 100K+

Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 109928

Primary Radio: Inno, SkyFi2

quote:
Originally posted by rpokane:
I was hoping you could use a regular antenna for this. How practical is the new antenna for the MyFi? I thought this new product would be best for that type of portability indoors.
It would be cool if you could do some sort of XM-mesh like a neighbourhood WiFi-mesh!
And yes, the price is a little high...

quote:
Originally posted by Ziggy:
As you can see both the satellite and terrestrial signal is transferred wirelessly from the remote transmitter location where your XM antenna is located to this Repeater Antenna and into your XM tuner.

I'm assuming you can use this with the MyFi as you roam around the house within the range limit using this adapter:
MyFi Antenna Adapter

You could probably attach the portable receiver onto your belt or put it in your pocket while it's hooked up to the MyFi.

We'll know more about this product as soon as people actually start using it and posting their experience with the repeater.

All new equipment costs more money. The price to be an early adopter of technology. Wink

_________________

for ALL your SiriusXM needs!

Tue May 17, 2005 6:08 pm

Nickel II
I sleep here

Joined: 07 Feb 2004
Posts: 3555
Location: Sunny San Diego
Primary Radio: Inno

Nice review Ziggy. Thanks.

Sound Quality? Any loss of noticable difference in the sound quality in using this vs. getting the signal directly from SAT? When this was first announced, a few people had concerns about that.

Any word on them making a smaller "personal" sized micro antenna that can be used with the MyFi indoors with this - or just the larger repeater antenna for now?

Tue May 17, 2005 6:55 pm

pike
XM411 Community Leader

Joined: 08 Feb 2004
Posts: 1725
Location: Cleveland, OH
Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno

There's no way this could have any effect on sound quality because it's retransmitting the signal while it's still in the digital format.

-Mike
_________________

Tue May 17, 2005 7:36 pm

goreds2
I sleep here

Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 3283
Location: Ohio
Primary Radio: MyFi (DELPHI In Home Repeater Rules!)

I would consider this a "luxury item". I will probably purchase though when the price reduces.

Nice review. Thanks. Smile
_________________
*Cut down south facing tree to receive better XM signal in my house* (2005)
XM SKYBOX (In son's bedroom)
MyFi in Truck (Including Best Of SIRIUS)
2nd MyFi Everywhere (Family)
2 XM3020 and 1 Delphi Premium Boombox

Tue May 17, 2005 9:31 pm

zeitwatch1
I live Here

Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 471
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Primary Radio: MyFi

Would there ever be a situation when you would not want to choose the maximum power output? Would there be any reason not to?

Wed May 18, 2005 1:14 am

Ziggy
XM Freak!

Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 7409
Location: New York, NY
Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno

You would reduce the power output if you are not using the maximum 75 foot range, and/or you notice that this product is affecting yor other 900 Mhz equipment.
_________________
www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!

Wed May 18, 2005 7:34 am

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		Author	Thread
		Ziggy XM Freak! Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 7409 Location: New York, NY Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno	First Review Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater SA10116 The Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater SA10116 is (almost) here! The unit comes packaged with the tramsmitter antenna (on right), the repeater antenna (left), power supply for the transimitter (top) and a couple of moutning screws (not pictured). Setup is fairly simple and straight forward. You begin by setting up your exisitng XM antenna (not included with this package) in a location that gets good reception of the XM signal. This may be outside, or on a south facing window sill. This antenna gets plugged into the rear of the Delphi XM Radio Signal Repeater Transmitter. A power jack is right next to the antenna connection, and should be plugged in and to the wall with the included power supply. There is also a "PWR OUT" selector switch on the rear of the unit which allows you to control the strength of the signal transmitted from the unit. Once the power and antenna are attached, both blue indicator lights will light up on the face of the unit. Please note that the blue antenna indicator will light up only to signify that the antenna is attached correctly. It does not let you know whether your antenna is in a location receiveing a good XM signal or not. You will have to look at the signal strength indicator on your XM radio do determine best location for the XM antenna. Once you have this setup, place the Repeater Antenna close to your exisitng XM Radio and plug it into your antenna jack on the XM radio or car cradle. This connector is identical to the XM Home Antenna provided with all boomboxes and XM home receivers and kits so compatibility is guaranteed. The Repeater Receiver Antenna does not require any separate power connections. As you can see both the satellite and terrestrial signal is transferred wirelessly from the remote transmitter location where your XM antenna is located to this Repeater Antenna and into your XM tuner. The cable that comes with the Repeater Antenna is about six feet. Receiving the repeater signal with the receiver antenna was fairly easy up to the first 40-50 feet of distance form the transmitter, in the last 50-75 foot range, the receiver antenna had to be oriented with the flat surface facing the repeater transmitter and moved around a bit for best signal reception from the transmitter. In my testing in New York City, where the radio airwaves are very crowded, I was able to successfully use this product to a distance of about 70 feet which is just a bit shy of the advertised 75 feet. Not bad in my opinion. I will try it in more rural and remote locations in the near future and hope that this distance may be a bit more. Keep in mind that this system operates in the 900Mhz band that alot of wireless devices already operate on. It may cause some interference to those devices such as wireless phones. Available here: http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/sa10116-xm-signal-repeater.html Additional receivers are here: http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/sa10117-xm-repeater-receiver.html _________________ www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More! Last edited by Ziggy on Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:17 am; edited 1 time in total
		Tue May 17, 2005 12:26 pm
		coloradoxmfan XM411 Community Leader Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 6509 Location: Where it's freezing Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora	Sweet! Great review. So, essentially, this will help alleviate having to modify your antenna placement in a house, for example, everytime you move the XM receiver around?
		Tue May 17, 2005 12:35 pm
		Ziggy XM Freak! Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 7409 Location: New York, NY Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno	That is correct. Please keep in mind that this system DOES NOT transmit directly to your XM Radio, but to teh special Repeater receiver antenna which gets plugged into your XM radio tuner. _________________ www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!
		Tue May 17, 2005 12:37 pm
		coloradoxmfan XM411 Community Leader Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 6509 Location: Where it's freezing Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora	Are there any limitations on the number of receivers that work with the repeater?
		Tue May 17, 2005 12:42 pm
		Ziggy XM Freak! Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 7409 Location: New York, NY Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno	No, you can have as many Repeater Antennas in use within 75 feet of the transmiter as you want. This is an ideal solution for an office environment. _________________ www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!
		Tue May 17, 2005 12:50 pm
		byrd XM411 Nut! Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Gloucester, VA	What is the coverage pattern on the radiator antenna? I know some wireless internet router antennas essentially make a doughnut radiating outward around the antenna and thus don't work very well from floor to floor in a house. Has this been tested with the Delphi repeater? It would be nice to be able to install the repeater in my attic since it's much easier to run an antenna with a good view of the sky into my attic. If placed correctly in the attic, the 75ft distance would probably cover most of my 1st and 2nd floor... IF the repeater signal also radiates vertically. One complaint.... seems kinda pricey. _________________
		Tue May 17, 2005 1:21 pm
		KTMC XM411 Community Leader Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 5653 Location: ALBUQERQUE NM Primary Radio: SKYFI2/BOOMBOX HELIX SL100	well i see xm beat sirius to the marketplace with this product sirius was supposed to have a item like this but so far no word when will this item be available _________________ SLACKER
		Tue May 17, 2005 4:44 pm
		coloradoxmfan XM411 Community Leader Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 6509 Location: Where it's freezing Primary Radio: Slacker / Fly Cast / Pandora	quote: Originally posted by KTMC: well i see xm beat sirius to the marketplace with this product sirius was supposed to have a item like this but so far no word when will this item be available It is expected mid-June
		Tue May 17, 2005 5:09 pm
		rpokane XM411 Freshman Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 29 Primary Radio: AirWare	I was hoping you could use a regular antenna for this. How practical is the new antenna for the MyFi? I thought this new product would be best for that type of portability indoors. It would be cool if you could do some sort of XM-mesh like a neighbourhood WiFi-mesh! And yes, the price is a little high...
		Tue May 17, 2005 5:51 pm
		Stocker XM411 Community Leader 100K+ Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 109928 Primary Radio: Inno, SkyFi2	quote: Originally posted by rpokane: I was hoping you could use a regular antenna for this. How practical is the new antenna for the MyFi? I thought this new product would be best for that type of portability indoors. It would be cool if you could do some sort of XM-mesh like a neighbourhood WiFi-mesh! And yes, the price is a little high... quote: Originally posted by Ziggy: As you can see both the satellite and terrestrial signal is transferred wirelessly from the remote transmitter location where your XM antenna is located to this Repeater Antenna and into your XM tuner. I'm assuming you can use this with the MyFi as you roam around the house within the range limit using this adapter: MyFi Antenna Adapter You could probably attach the portable receiver onto your belt or put it in your pocket while it's hooked up to the MyFi. We'll know more about this product as soon as people actually start using it and posting their experience with the repeater. All new equipment costs more money. The price to be an early adopter of technology. _________________ for ALL your SiriusXM needs!
		Tue May 17, 2005 6:08 pm
		Nickel II I sleep here Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 3555 Location: Sunny San Diego Primary Radio: Inno	Nice review Ziggy. Thanks. Sound Quality? Any loss of noticable difference in the sound quality in using this vs. getting the signal directly from SAT? When this was first announced, a few people had concerns about that. Any word on them making a smaller "personal" sized micro antenna that can be used with the MyFi indoors with this - or just the larger repeater antenna for now?
		Tue May 17, 2005 6:55 pm
		pike XM411 Community Leader Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 1725 Location: Cleveland, OH Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno	There's no way this could have any effect on sound quality because it's retransmitting the signal while it's still in the digital format. -Mike _________________
		Tue May 17, 2005 7:36 pm
		goreds2 I sleep here Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 3283 Location: Ohio Primary Radio: MyFi (DELPHI In Home Repeater Rules!)	I would consider this a "luxury item". I will probably purchase though when the price reduces. Nice review. Thanks. _________________ Cut down south facing tree to receive better XM signal in my house (2005) XM SKYBOX (In son's bedroom) MyFi in Truck (Including Best Of SIRIUS) 2nd MyFi Everywhere (Family) 2 XM3020 and 1 Delphi Premium Boombox
		Tue May 17, 2005 9:31 pm
		zeitwatch1 I live Here Joined: 12 Dec 2004 Posts: 471 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Primary Radio: MyFi	Would there ever be a situation when you would not want to choose the maximum power output? Would there be any reason not to?
		Wed May 18, 2005 1:14 am
		Ziggy XM Freak! Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 7409 Location: New York, NY Primary Radio: Pioneer Inno	You would reduce the power output if you are not using the maximum 75 foot range, and/or you notice that this product is affecting yor other 900 Mhz equipment. _________________ www.MyRadioStore.com - XM Radio & Opie & Anthony Hats/Shirts. The latest XM Hardware and ALL Accessories! Pioneer Inno, Skyfi 3, Samsung Helix, and More!
		Wed May 18, 2005 7:34 am