Quite a few times this year XM data to the 396 has been very out-of-date. Returning from Grangeville the other day, an obvious TFR didn't display at an active fire-fighting location. On several other flights METAR data has frequently been 3-hours or more old. I'm considering de-activating my subscription if it doesn't improve soon. Is anyone else having similar issues?

Mine's been spot on. No probs at all. Though my Dish HD channels all quit tonight. Must be gravity waves.

Gump

I don't have XM, so can't comment on that.

I do know however, that not all fires are issued TFR's. Last summer, I was approaching a very large range fire near Bliss, and could see the fire fighting planes dropping retardant. I needed to get into Gooding for fuel, and didn't know if it was in a TFR since the SEATS were landing and taking off there. I called Flight Watch 122.0 and asked if Gooding was in the TFR. They said no TFR had been issued.

I anounced my position and intentions on the CTAF and received a position report from the SEAT in return. I fell in behind a SEAT on downwind and followed him in. The smoke was very thick, and visibility only a couple of miles over the airport. I talked to the pilot when I got on the ground, and asked him why there wasn't a TFR? He said the fire was moving so quickly that by the time they put up a TFR the fire would be downwind.

I waited a couple of hours for the activity and smoke to calm down, and went on my way. I always just assume there will be fire fighting aircraft in the vicinity of smoke, and unless short on fuel or dodging weather I stay away.

Hey Mike, you've probably already done this, but there was a required firmware update on the XM antennas this summer. Might be worth checking if your software is up to date:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=922

blackrock wrote:Quite a few times this year XM data to the 396 has been very out-of-date. Returning from Grangeville the other day, an obvious TFR didn't display at an active fire-fighting location. On several other flights METAR data has frequently been 3-hours or more old. I'm considering de-activating my subscription if it doesn't improve soon. Is anyone else having similar issues?

Hi Mike

My only XM problem has been TFRs and it is a joke. I busted a fire TFR last summer because I depended solely on XM. ONLY! DUAT or 1800wxbrief count as an official TFR briefing as far as FAA is concerned. Never depend solely on xm for TFR, cross check.

If the metar is over 1hour old make sure you have a good signal, if you do reboot. That works for me.

Cheers

Oregon180 wrote:Hey Mike, you've probably already done this, but there was a required firmware update on the XM antennas this summer. Might be worth checking if your software is up to date:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=922

Thanks Kristian; I didn't know about that update so I'll download it tomorrow. That is likely my problem since XM is working well for you and others.

Rob, Thanks for the TFR info and warning. I do rely on XM too much. An ipad/iphone or something to help get briefings at out-of-the-way airports would be great. I'm probably not alone; verbal TFR location information is a PIA to visualize. Give me a map, and I'm golden.

Gump, Maybe we need a reverse gravity wave polarizer to zap those satellites back inline! My Direct TV wigs out sometimes, too. Could it be a Nevada Area 51 thing.

Cheers,
Mike

DEGJR - Good input. That could have been what happened, too. I was over 10,000 feet so was likely above it, if a TFR was there so I flew closer to the smoke than I normally would and at first didn't see any other AC. When I started to turn away, I could see several helo's dumping water and a spotter circling the fire. I meant to double check for a TFR after landing, but didn't.

A quick call to FSS before take off or to Center when in the air if you're coming out of an isolated area, and you can find out if there are any active TFRs in the area. I've always been told where they are through both of those sources, with reference to cities and towns, so it's not hard to visualize where they are.

Cary