A ? about myfi reception

[dsclark]

I have scoured the net for info on this. Some people say that it gets great indoor reception, some say that it gets horrible indoor reception, regardless of antenna used.
Here's my question- I know that reception will always be better when you are outside, but are there some areas of the country that get a better xm singal than others? I suppose the same could be asked about sirius.

[David McRoy]

Any reports of poor indoor reception that I've heard of were due to the user being unaware that connection to an outdoor antenna was necessary unless the MyFi was situated in a south-facing window or was able to receive a signal from a terrestrial repeater.

[Jeff Ray]

Hey there,

Talked myself into trying a MyFi yesterday and paid full retail at CC. Figured for $20, give it a try for 29 days. Return on day 30 if not satisfied.

So here is the 24 hour impression and comments. BTW, live and work in NYC. Gadgetwise, very cool. Not too big but could be smaller. Setup was easy but it takes a little while to figure out all the features. Must read the manual. Since I take the subway to/from work, the five hour record function of stuff while I sleep is useful.

Now sound. At home, pretty good but I am not an true audiophile. Spent 2K on my system 15 years ago. On the street without clip on antenna, good but dead spots. With antenna, better. Works in my south facing office without clip on antenna. Will try in car this weekend using built-in FM modulator.

As a fun thing, full retail is okay. Looks better than cheaper alternative offerings. 5 hour record a must for a city dweller.

Wonder if I will end up returning it after all.

Jeff in NYC

[speco2003]

I am in Las Vegas. At work on my desktop I use no ext ant. I am in a concrete bunker, I am not kidding. I have no windows, I am the monitor engineer for a show here, ny room is well encsed and soundproofed. I cant figure out how the damn thing gets signal so well, full bars. At home I have to use the ant for some reason. My car it works great in with the car ant, and even without. I have noticed as sson as u plug into one of the cradles it makes you use the ext ant. I love this thing.

[Jodeus]

As was said, the major influence for reception for a MyFi is whether your area has ground repeaters or not. Living on Long Island, I go to clients in all 5 boroughs of NYC. I've been in Brooklyn and had a full signal in the middle of an office building. Walking around NYC I typically get full reception without the external antenna and the MyFi tucked under my coat.
The major complaint with the device is with those that live in more rural areas. Too many drop outs. But you have to remember that this is a satellite based system, it HAS to have a direct signal to the satellite or it's a no-go.
Personally I wasn't sure how I would like my MyFi when I bought it (full retail at CompUSA) and I have not regretted it one bit.

-Jody

[Jeff Ray]

An update on reception in the car. I just drove the corridor between NYC and Washington DC. Picked up a MyFi on spec Saturday for the trip. Still undecided whether I will keep it since my last portable was the original Walkman.

Anyway, rather than put the antenna outside as per the instructions, I tried to put it on my dash going south and on the rear deck going north. In these locations, I consistently got 2-3 bars. It definitely did not work to put in on my front dash going north. Also, 88.1 worked best for NYC to Baltimore. When approaching DC had to switch to 88.3 for best FM modulation. Have not figured out best way to mount the MyFi but it was fine in the cupholder.

Jeff in NYC
Keep it or return it, dunnknow.

[GoFlashGo]

I live in Dallas and work in Fort Worth. I suspect there are lots of repeaters here because I get good reception in my house and car with the antenna anywhere I put it (including on the floor, where it is now).

I really like this device and would never buy a non-portable satellite receiver as I can move this from car to car and home while paying for one subscription.

Only downside is, I'm using the RF transmitter in my car and ALL of the potential stations have traffic on them. I can overpower one of them but I occasionally get static break-thru. I guess I'll have to have it hard-wired to my car radio.

[chrism131]

I'm considering getting one of these units off of ebay. I can save about 30% that way. I live in the DC area, anyone have any experience with this unit in my area.

[chrism131]

Okay, I bought the unit and left a post on my experience with the MyFi. To sum up, so far I really like it works great in the car. Here is a tip try mounting the body antenna to the sunroof. I get great reception in the car and at work. It is okay at home, but found a good spot where I can place an antenna

[Vowelumos]

I have loved my my-fi so far. I travel a lot and it is great to have. In most major markets you will get a good terestial signal and no external antenna will be required.

Driving in suburban and rual areas , the include mag mount antenna provides me a good signal 99% of the time. When I jump in the other car without the antenna on it, the clip on antenna suctioned to the sun roof works well, but I get occasional drop outs.

At our new house in an area that would most likely be considered a rual area (I get no terrestial signal here either). I will get good reception mowing the yard or working outside as long as I get the clip on a pretty clear shot of the sky. The somewhat geeky look you get with the antenna clipped on your ballcap is pretty effective.

In the house the home antenna seems to get me a strong reliable signal wherever I stick it.almost every room in the house has windows on at least two sides, but even in rooms with no south facing window I am still getting a good signal.