SIRIUS RADIO ??

[fookeneh]

Trying to figure out what set up I should get. I would like two docking stations, one for my DD and one for my trail rig. I guess I could just swap the antenna over easily enough. I really like the idea of just tuning in and leaving it alone without having to choose and listen to the same MP3's or old CD's.
So it would cost about $ 100 to get started and $15 per month ?
Do i need to plug it into my old deck , or is it a self powered amp?
My deck is a '98 model, so it doesn't have sirius in it.....
Any suggestions would be great

:beer

[Jeep_Explorer]

I have sirius, and it rocks. I bought an extra docking station and put that in the work truck. I take the unit itself, and just transfer it to the other docking station in the work truck when I get to work.. It works excellent.

The Starmate 4 is what I have, and all the wires attach to the docking station, so if you do a complex install hiding all the wires, you can leave them in that vehicle.

Also, the Sirius works with ANY head unit. If you do not have an Aux input on your deck to run a wire to, you can also "Tune" into your sirius with your radio in the car. Basically you program a radio frequency into the sirius Unit (ex. factory preset is 88.1 FM.) so you would tune your radio to 88.1 and hear the sirius. The downfalls are that when you pass someone with the same fequency, you pick up thier music too.

Channel 101 from 12:00pm - 4:00.... Bubba the Love Sponge. The funniest show on radio... by far.... there is no holds bar on that show....

[Limited]

I also have one,
Cant say I play CD's at all anymore. Can always find somthing. As far as just swapping the antenna over.... Not that easy, It would be a Pain in the ass!
But you will love it! Its great. :poke:

[4Lo]

I've had mine for 1.5 years and luv it. I have turned4 other people onto sirius as well. I have 5 radios now on my account.

Get it you won't regret it.:beer

[killer toy]

so ive herd if you go to a truck shop ie "inland kenworth" you can get the american subsription and you get more chanels. im sure canada will catch up soon but untill then.... i have it and love it. perfect for camping

camping tip
take a portable gettoblaster, tune it into your sirius and run only your sat raidio off your truck it will last almost the whole day depending on your truck battery

or

park all vehicle close to each other and run around tuning all your buddied trucks to pick up your radio and have a instant bush party. it works well:redneck

[4Lo]

park all vehicle close to each other and run around tuning all your buddied trucks to pick up your radio and have a instant bush party. it works well:redneck


Done and it works great.:D

[fookeneh]

Is there an in dash model available ? That would be cool , toss the old CD player and install a sirius deck.

[Lone Ranger]

The simplest way I can put it: THEY KICK ASS!!! No commercials but yes it cost money.

I got the older big grey receiver and have 4 years on it and the display is now finally starting to flicker because I have hit it a few too many times (3 times all out blows, two antennas dead and one docking kit.. Yes, I go a little crazy when it doesn't work LOL). They work good on the trail but they're about as good as GPSr's in heavy tree cover, they do come and go (CDs cover good for this). I won't ever go back unless I no longer make an income.

As for transmitting, I've done up to around 100' to the truck behind me while travelling down the highway! I don't know how to say it better, but you'll know once you get one, XM sucks and FM radio blows. There is no better. As for Canada/US channels, don't sweat it, there's only a few you don't get with your Canadian subscription (a couple of the christian channels I think), you get all the good stuff anyways. Oh, and Buzzsaw just plain kicks ASS!!!!

[fookeneh]

Is the sound quality just as good when you transmit through the radio, or is it better when you plug into the deck?
The reason I ask is because Sirius has an entry level head unit that suction cups to the windshield and has no wires going to the deck, it just transmits through FM .
I've heard XM is better ......... not sure if there would be much difference, kinda like all the cell phone providers .

[Lone Ranger]

The sound quality's about the same as a good FM signal because the sat unit transmits in digital (ie if loses signal only goes quiet, no static).

Yeah, I guess its comparing apples to oranges really between the two but I do know for a fact that Sirius is getting the upper hand (XM came out first, that's why they're so big, plus endorsed by GM). I have friends who have XM and after playing around with Sirius they usually do switch over (plus, it being endorsed by Ford I guess its just becoming another Ford vs GM battle again I guess). I don't give a damn who endorses it but I love the music programming they provide and I find they're very trucker friendly so that scores bonus points with me LOL.

The only time sound quality comes into play is if another radio station starts cutting in on your signal, then you have to switch (which is no biggy, you eventually find the best). LR

[sparkyjay1]

I have the sportster 4, the FM transmission sucks because the FCC has reduced the wattage output allowed. THe older units work better. I bought an optionl $30 FM modulator, its basically a splitter for your antenna going to the deck. Your exsisting FM attenna for your car deck plugs into it as well as the attenna out from the sirius radio. When the sirius radio is turned on there is a relay in the modulator that disconnects your car attenna and connects the sitrius antenna. It works great now. Or if your deck has rca INPUTS, connect it that way or if it has a AUX jack on the deck you would connnect it that way. But as far as just the wireless FM transmission it sucks, you get background static. Keep in mind this is on the new units. I did have the sportster replay before(the big silver one with the dial on it) and it worked better. With the old one you could park close with your buddies and everybody tune in.

[killer toy]

sirius all the way over xm so ive herd xm hase 1 satalitte and sirius has 3 (just what i herd) have been camping in a few remote spots where my sirius has good reception and buddys xm has no or poor... but im sure that is an age old battly that could be said both ways. mine is transmitting to deck seems to be fine no fuzz makes sense that hard wired would work better. newer deck that are "sirius ready" you can order it direct too your deck but still have to pay a buy in fee and monthly fees so if u Need a new deck that way might be better less clutter of wires under dash but your old deck is fine i would just buy the sirius unit it is about the same price.

[90T4Rguy]

You can buy another antenna or even a docking kit from any supplier.
Typical setups range fron the messy ones that plug into the cigarette lighter and stick onto the windshield, to hideaway boxes behind the dash and you access it by hitting source on your deck.

If you use the sirius to transmit, you dont get the best quality because it's FM and is subject to interferance, The best way is to hardwire it or get the sirius ready stereos.

hope that helps.:canadian

[Moose good]

XM and Sirius merged earlier this year...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/satelliteradio/

[Mhamilton]

I have had mine since Christmas and I never use it. I pre paid for 2 years and will sell the whole set up for $250. I have too many CD's and hate the radio. You can email me at harkmamilton@yahoo.ca if anyone is interested. Thanks

[Limited]

XM and Sirius merged earlier this year...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/satelliteradio/

not quite yet!
They may not let them do it.

I also love it, I took the CD player right out and put in a **** tape deck, this way when ass holes lookin in and see a tape deck they wount want to steal it... I hope