XM Radio...

farmboy

farmboy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
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So i just got and XM radio, since they are all the rage these days and honestly i am very impressed. They were $20 off at Best buy and i knew someone else getting one so i could get the second subscription for a few dollars off a month so i figured i would give it a shot. Had it for about a day and i can already tell this thing is going to be nice on long road trips and would be awesome if i could hook it up in the cruiser. I know Travis has one in his YJ but who else has a satelite radio or runs one in a buggy or jeep?

Sam
 
Run one in my TJ. Got the smaller sized antenna nd mounted it on the dash right by where the vin plate is. Ran it like that 3 years and the only place I loose signal is in a tunnel or maybe a parking deck, same as everyone else with XM
 
Good question... I saw one on the "dash" of Bigwoody's buggy at the last open invite and wanted to ask how it's fed. It appeared the XM fed directly into the amp and didn't interface with a stereo? Unless the "streo" was in his toolbox?

Can the volume on the XM/Sirus (I have some uber-cheapo "Roady" type deal that I got as a gift, but have never opened the package, much less subscribed :shaking: )

I'm particularly interested (if that is the case) since my free RadioCrack amp (has low-impedance? RCA jacks) has survived many, MANY drownings screwed to the back of the pass. seat... while the past 3 stereos have died from either dust, water, or a combination within weeks of install. The XM could be kept in something simple as a ziplock with the power, antenna, & interface leads run thru one corner. Easily removed & stashed when the rain comes.... and it WILL come!
 
I had a Roady in the WJ, and it sucks, I put it in my wifes car (she is still in VA) and works great. I have another type of XM that has a converter the plugs in the back of the radio for the YJ... works great!

XM & Sirius merged. :)
 
I've got XM in my yota. Works great. I never listen to the regular radio anymore. The only thing I don't like is that some of the stations have comercials. I just switch to an different station of the same genre.
 
I have Sirius and love it. I bought a lifetime subscription and will never go back to regular radio. I have a portable unit that also pops into a boombox for outside events or wrenching or whatever.
 
Sirius here, it's in the Jeep and the Ram, they have an FM modulator so there's nothing to plug into the stereo
 
sirius here and love it.. had it in the jeep... but i had a big unit so it go tossed to my other car
 
Sirius down here in FL as well and love it. Even works on the trail..............
 
Caver Dave said:
Good question... I saw one on the "dash" of Bigwoody's buggy at the last open invite and wanted to ask how it's fed. It appeared the XM fed directly into the amp and didn't interface with a stereo? Unless the "streo" was in his toolbox?

Can the volume on the XM/Sirus (I have some uber-cheapo "Roady" type deal that I got as a gift, but have never opened the package, much less subscribed :shaking: )

I'm particularly interested (if that is the case) since my free RadioCrack amp (has low-impedance? RCA jacks) has survived many, MANY drownings screwed to the back of the pass. seat... while the past 3 stereos have died from either dust, water, or a combination within weeks of install. The XM could be kept in something simple as a ziplock with the power, antenna, & interface leads run thru one corner. Easily removed & stashed when the rain comes.... and it WILL come!
Click to expand...

Yeah, Dave. You should be able to control the volume directly from the unit. Get the 1/8" headphone to RCA adapter, plug it in, adjust your gain, and you're good to go! Plus, since your "head unit" is now the size of a deck of cards, you can throw it in your pocket and that's one less thing you have to worry about attracting theives!
 
catfishblues said:
Yeah, Dave. You should be able to control the volume directly from the unit. Get the 1/8" headphone to RCA adapter, plug it in, adjust your gain, and you're good to go! Plus, since your "head unit" is now the size of a deck of cards, you can throw it in your pocket and that's one less thing you have to worry about attracting theives!
Click to expand...

After consulting the accompanying instructions, it seems there's NO volume control on this unit, only an "audio level" setting buried within the various screens... not exactly conducive to using it to adjust the volume (PITA to get there).

Others have said to use a set of phones with inline volume control, for use as a "portable"... so maybe one of these would work as volume control?

I think I'll bite the bullet and subscribe anyway, before driving to BFIowa next week...
 
I have XM in my Honda, not currently subscribed to it as we don't spend enough time in the car to warrant it. ( wife drives 12 miles to work, would rather listen to a CD, I hardly ever drive the car ) It is a hard wired Pioneer head unit and remote mount XM reciver. One of the first out when XM came out.
I found driving across country that it works well in MOST places.

I drove the car to Tellico one year to ride with friends, driving the highway to Murphy I found that in places the mountain gets in the way, some times for several minutes.

My antenna is mounted on the roof, so there is no vehicle obstruction.

Other than the few dead spots here and there, it was great.


When I get a new work van, I will probably pop for a Roady or the like. I spend a LOT of time driving for work.
 
I have had both and have really enjoyed them. I just switched o sirus over the winter and it did not work as well as my XM. . If i update my head unit i will be good to go. But either one of them are worth the money. But, i did buy my wife a cheap roadie model for xm and i have to say it sucked so bad we hers after nly having it a few weeks.
 
Caver Dave said:
After consulting the accompanying instructions, it seems there's NO volume control on this unit, only an "audio level" setting buried within the various screens... not exactly conducive to using it to adjust the volume (PITA to get there).
Others have said to use a set of phones with inline volume control, for use as a "portable"... so maybe one of these would work as volume control?
I think I'll bite the bullet and subscribe anyway, before driving to BFIowa next week...
Click to expand...

What a crock! I know several of the other models have volume controls on them. You could pop into Radio Snatch or Wal-Mart and get an "inline volume control" that should plug in between the unit and the adapter cable. That should do a reasonable job of controlling the volume.

Or you could buy a decent XM reciever! :p
 
Caver Dave said:
After consulting the accompanying instructions, it seems there's NO volume control on this unit, only an "audio level" setting buried within the various screens... not exactly conducive to using it to adjust the volume (PITA to get there).
Others have said to use a set of phones with inline volume control, for use as a "portable"... so maybe one of these would work as volume control?
I think I'll bite the bullet and subscribe anyway, before driving to BFIowa next week...
Click to expand...


Mine is the same way but i am going to try and use the volume controle peice on the rig and plug the XM directly into the amp.
 
Finally got around to opening the package this AM (I've had this thing for about 1.5 years :shaking:) and registered for a free trial (only 3 days & 3 channels[1, 174, 247]... what a joke!).

Hopefully I'll find my way out to the DD this afternoon for a little rough install (not gonna hide the wires since it'll be going into the mimi-van later this week... my wife bit on going forward with the subscription if the trial goes well (appears there are codes to reduce the $12.95/month to the $7 range... anyone know?)

If that all goes as planned, I'll grab a volume control and a SPDT rocker switch... **Don't forget to run a switched 12V to your amp for the remote on/off function... normally fed via the power antenna lead on your stereo... your amp will either not work (no 12V source) or battery will drain (unswitched 12V source) **

Might find some type of HD mount for use in the Moss also (cheesy plastic swivel looks it won't last 1 trip up Trail 1 :rolleyes: )
 
Caver Dave said:
Finally got around to opening the package this AM (I've had this thing for about 1.5 years :shaking:) and registered for a free trial (only 3 days... what a joke!).
Hopefully I'll find my way out to the DD this afternoon for a little rough install (not gonna hide the wires since it'll be going into the mimi-van later this week... my wife bit on going forward with the subscription if the trial goes well (appears there are codes to reduce the $12.95/month to the $7 range... anyone know?)
If that all goes as planned, I'll grab a volume control and a SPDT rocker switch... **Don't forget to run a switched 12V to your amp for the remote on/off function... normally fed via the power antenna lead on your stereo... your amp will either not work (no 12V source) or battery will drain (unswitched 12V source) **
Might find some type of HD mount for use in the Moss also (cheesy plastic swivel looks it won't last 1 trip up Trail 1 :rolleyes: )
Click to expand...

I figured you were going to hook the remote line up to an ignition switched voltage. Good idea putting it on a switch, though. You could shut it off when the threat of water arose. I'd also put a switch on the main power line for that same purpose. Also, unless you plan on listening to it without the keys in, use an ignition switched voltage for the rem switch, that way you can't accidentally leave it on.

Let us know how it turns out!
 
I dont know how you get the 6.95 rate, but I have it.

When I bought my XM it was 9.99, but between when I bought and when I activated they increased the price to the current 12.99. When I balked they gave me the 9.99 rate and "guaranteed it for as long as I was a customer". Well when renewal time came around, the bill showed the 12.99 rate.

2 phone calls and 20 minutes time and I was told it was now 6.95, which I wasnt complaining about, but I was also willing to pay 9.99, like agreed, but they said no 6.95 was my new rate...
 
i got a Sirius in my jeep and i love it no commercials and the newest music first and my gmaw has a XM in her house and they are honestly about the same
 
pimpin_jeep_xj said:
i got a Sirius in my jeep and i love it no commercials and the newest music first and my gmaw has a XM in her house and they are honestly about the same
Click to expand...

Thats what i have heard too. The XM was just what seemed easiest and the guy at best buy suggested it...even though he tried to convince me to let them put it in. :shaking: I know i did twice as good a job putting it in then they would have and saved my $70 to pay for something i break this weekend.
 
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