I have the exact same problem with my 696.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=87573
I have not been able to even pinpoint the source of the problem much less find
a pattern in behavior when it comes to loosing the signal.
It happens in mid flight usually about 5 to 10 minutes out, sometimes in climb and sometimes in a steady cruise and sometimes it stays on.
I am not usually the guy who gives up on anything but I am about ready to pull the plug on my subscription (music only).
With ADS-B weather availability, XM is becoming obsolete, too bad.
I have the exact same problem with my 696.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=87573
I have not been able to even pinpoint the source of the problem much less find
a pattern in behavior when it comes to loosing the signal.
It happens in mid flight usually about 5 to 10 minutes out, sometimes in climb and sometimes in a steady cruise and sometimes it stays on.
I am not usually the guy who gives up on anything but I am about ready to pull the plug on my subscription (music only).
With ADS-B weather availability, XM is becoming obsolete, too bad.
Light Speed ignition on top and Magneto on the bottom.
Wheelen strobes turned on at start up.
Just be be clear, I have never lost the GPS signal just the XM reception and by that I mean, no service indicated on the XM page.
About 40 hours into service I relocated the XM antena from under the cowl,
where it was next to the GPS antena, to the top of the glare shield. This made absolutely no difference.
I have tried to narrow it down to where I make some sort of adjustment or switching something on or off. No luck so far and as I pointed out in the link to the other post, sometimes it stays on, even 2 flights in a row.
I am glad it's not essential for safe flight but frustrating nevertheless.
See if you can borrow a buddy's antenna - I chased bad XM for months and finally figured out he antenna had gone bad. New antenna fixed all issues.
Cautiously optimistic.
I now have a brand new XM antenna installed and so far so good, no lost signal.
I have to admit, I did not want to call Garmin for some reason thinking that it would cost me a new antenna. However, they listen to my problem and sent me a replacement antenna at no charge.