I just purchased the Delphi SKYFi XM Radio system including the receiver, vehicle adapter kit, and home adapter kit. I first set up the home kit since it was dark and cold outside when I got home. I found that I had two problems. First, the volume was low and barely increased even as I increased the stereo volume drastically. If I had a CD playing, the stereo would have been blaring but with the SKYFi, it was quiet to barely audible. The second problem was that there was a very annoying buzzing sound. I thought maybe this was a problem with where we had the antenna or something.

But this morning I grabbed the vehicle adapter kit on my way out the door and put everything together using the AUX input in my Element. I just hooked it together quickly and laid it in one of the trays on the dash temporarily so I could listen to it on my way to work- receiver in the cradle; cradle hooked up to the AUX input, power, and antenna; antenna routed out the front door and up on the roof over the front passenger seat. Now I could adjust the volume okay so I assume that was some problem with my stereo at home. However, that annoying buzzing sound was still happening. I experimented a little and found that the buzzing increases in volume faster than the volume of the music as I turn the volume up. The buzzing continues even when I have the SKYFi power off but still have it in the cradle and have the car stereo on with AUX selected. Once I remove the Delphi receiver from the cradle or switch the stereo off of AUX to FM, AM, or CD, the buzzing stops. I have used the same cable to connect my laptop to the AUX and play music that way and have had no buzzing problems.

I am starting to think I have a bum receiver, but I thought I’d check in with some folks who have purchased this product to see if perhaps there may be something I am doing wrong. I’ve browsed many of the other threads in this topic and haven’t found anything that seems to explain my problem. Any thought before I take it back? Feel free to point me to another thread if I’ve missed something potentially useful.

Thank you,

A Very Disappointed Kirsten

Okay, after perusing xmfan.com I found that several people there had similar problems. Apparently one of the connections to the cradle appears to be seated when it actually isn't. I found by pushing much harder on them all that one of them was, indeed, not fully seated. Once it popped fully into place the buzzing sound appears to have gone away. Hope it's this easy to fix at home as well!

Kirsten Who Just Wants Things to Work the Right Way the First Time :roll:

[quote:31adb115fe=" "]Kirsten Who Just Wants Things to Work the Right Way the First Time :roll:[/quote:31adb115fe]

Oh yeah, I hear ya.

-brendan

Glad you found the answer to your problem...xmfan.com is an awesome site. As far as your home set up goes are you connecting it through the RCAs?

Hey Kirsten,
Press the "menu" button on your Sky-Fi, scroll down to "output level" and press "enter". Now scroll to turn up the output level and press "enter" when it sounds better.

Yes, I am connecting through the RCA's.

Thanks for the clue about the output level. As it turns out the volume problem went away when the plug was fully seated, but that is good to know.

The interesting thing is that on the home unit, all three plugs had metal showing even though they seemed like they wouldn't go in any further. After being a bit more insistent with it, the audio cable seated fully with no metal showing. But no matter what I do (or my husband does), the other two don't seem to go in any further. I suppose it doesn't matter since everything sounds fine now, but it would be nice to know if I have things set up right.

BTW, they now have a PIE adaptor for the Element for those of us with XM. This allows you to plug the output of the XM into the back of the headunit instead of into the AUX plug, thus eliminating wires. You can get them from XMFan.com (great site for XM info!!)

I just ordered mine and will post pics once I do the installation. No more unsightly wires!!!

Getting XM radion. What is PIE? I did not know you can get to the back of the headunit. Is there RCAs back there? :?:

There are no RCA jacks on the back of the radio. The PIE adaptors plug into the CD changer control on the back of the radio and you can plug your RCA connections into the PIE adaptor. This allows for a cleaner installation than usint the AUX input on the dash. Here's a link to the basic info:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/xmfanstore/pieauxinput.html

Any hints on getting to the back of the radio with minimal dismantling? I have my Roady mounted under the shifter above the sub. I would love to get the plug back...