XM Radar Stops Refreshing - 396

Phil · #1 07-03-2009, 09:09 PM

Hi Everyone,

Last weekend I ran into an issue with my 396 where the XM Radar images stopped downloading. They worked fine for most of the flight, but then it stopped all at once... I didn't notice it, until I started to get into some pop-up showers. Then I realized my XM Radar lag time was nearly 60 minutes old.

An inflight reboot fixed the issue.

Today I loaned it out to a friend and he was using it on a trip from Houston to Northern Kansas. The same thing happened to him. The radar images were fine and then they stopped downloading. A reboot fixed the problem.

Has anyone else experienced issues where the XM Radar images stop unannounced?

The XM signal is still great and all of the software/firmware is current.

Thanks,
Phil

petehowell · #2 07-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Weather seems to come and go as it pleases - I have not had luck with inflight reboots. I plan to have them refresh my subscription tomorrow - but I dont think that will help.

petehowell · #3 07-06-2009, 06:26 AM

Flew to South Bend and back to retreive Kate yesterday. Both down and back, XM WX worked for a while after takeoff and just when I needed it, it stopped, lost radar and metars, only to have it come back on later in the trip.

Rebooting did not help - XM signal was strong and steady the entire time.

Latest firmware up loaded. Angry call to Garmin in a bit here. Has a refresh solved the problem for anyone? Garmin told me last time it either works or it doesn't. if it is working, a refresh is not needed.

Ironflight · #4 07-06-2009, 07:33 AM

Hmmm....just another data point for yesterday - I flew close to 8 hours from SOCAL to Houston, and the XM (on my 696) seemed to behave normally all day. I wonder if this might be a regional data problem?

Paul

OKAV8r · #5 07-06-2009, 08:44 AM

is the "puck" antenna getting hot??

Phil · #6 07-06-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OKAV8r

is the "puck" antenna getting hot??

That's a really good question, I can suggest that my puck may have been getting hot. When I've had the issue it has been on hot days.

Is that a known problem, or is that just a suggestion/hypothesis?

Phil

petehowell · #7 07-06-2009, 09:40 AM

Blast tube to the XM puck - I'll tap the baffles tonight!

mburch · #8 07-06-2009, 10:19 AM

Did you put your XM antenna inside the engine compartment? For what it's worth, that's never been my first choice for a mounting location. The manual says that the max operating temperature for the antenna is 185 F, and also says "Do not store the GXM 30A where exposure to temperature extremes may occur, as permanent damage may result."

mcb

petehowell · #9 07-06-2009, 10:30 AM

My last post was tounge-in-cheek. Mine is mounted on the glare shield. We were under clouds most of the day - I doubt the puck got anywhere near 185degF.

Maybe I could build a shade tent for it?

petehowell · #10 08-01-2009, 11:27 PM

I returned from Colo today and my XM issues continued. I always have WX for the first hour or so and then it stops refreshing. A reboot will sometimes get it back for short while, and finally, even the reboot does not work.

I have solid XM audio lock the whole time. I have latest firmware, and have refreshed via the phone line.

Any thoughts out there? More fun with Garmin on Monday.