First of all, it strikes me as a little odd that the NAB, which represents conglomerates like Clear Channel Communications, would file a petition against XM, which is partially owned by Clear Channel. It also seems like banning the ground-based repeaters from broadcasting the local traffic and weather would have limited impact, since the repeaters are only needed in isolated urban areas that are shadowed from the satellites. What's the point?
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Your the first person I've heard of who gets the scrolling song title on an XM receiver. It has been well documented on Sirius receivers, but not on XM.
It must be a Bose (Clarion) issue then that is limiting Nissan and Infiniti owners with factory XM receivers.
Now I wonder if anyone else's Bose factory head units are scrolling.
That would help determine if it's a Bose issue or the Clarion XM tuner that is the problem design.
My aftermarket installed receiver in my one car is an Alpine unit. It can also control a CD changer. That one only displays the 8 characters.
My XM ready Alpine stereo will scroll. I think it is more a question of the newer, XM ready units, not some kind of 'adapter' that can scroll the title/artist.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure how the car manufacturer factory units work. Sorry, can't help there.
WHY ON EARTH WOULD ANYONE GET XM? XM has commercials..that defeats the purpose doesn't it? I've had Sirius for a year and i love it I'm buying a new Grand Am and that Monsoon stereo is coming out for a new Sirius ready one. And, if you go to Crutchfield you can get the tuner for free with purchase of the antenna. They'll also show you how to install it yourself. I did..i made a hole in my car...but it works just fine.
commercials on channels like CNN or ABC or Discovery where normal commercials would be anyway. No music channels have ads now.
XM has done a one-up on Sirius by removing commercials and not raising prices. Why pay more for Sirius for very similar content?
If you like Sirius, go for it. But XM does have the stability of a larger base. A comforting thought for me at least. Also, XM is also factory available from a LOT of vendors, like GM, Honda, and others. Some like the factory look.
I'm putting XM in my Wrangler but going aftermarket for security and sound quality.
Am buying an Infiniti FX45, and am interested in getting XM installed by the dealer. The MSRP for the unit is $400, it sells on line for $295, and they asked $899 for it installed. When I balked, they dropped the price to $750, but it still seems outrageous. What is a fair price to get an OEM unit in a prewired Infiniti (or, or that mater, any car)??
I am guessing the install time is 1-2 hours. Certainly $500 installed should certainly be enough. Otherwise, buy it online and have it installed elsewhere (or do it yourself, it oribably comes with instructions).
Buy the Nissan hardware and take it and all required parts/cables etc to a quality aftermarket installation place - shouldn't cost over 200, if its complicated - *much* less if it isn't!
if its not complicated - read - your head uni has an input, and the XM radio unit has a suitable output, and a simple cable connection would do the trick - the only remaining things are antenna installation (some people leave it on the rear deck, no 'installation'), power & antenna cables to the XM unit and the installation of the XM tuner itself - under-deck, uder-seat etc. This kind of install should cost less than an hour of labour plus some minor materials' fees. Ask around at local (car) audio shops.
I'm thinking of leasing a MINI Cooper. I already use a Roady in two cars and at home, so I don't want to pay all kinds of extra $$ for the available Sirius in the Cooper. I am thinking of having the dealer accessory aux input installed so I can plug in the Roady that way.
I'm currently getting terrible engine noise with the Roady using stereo aux-in in my 96 Accord with a crappy stereo (even direct wired the Roady power in the dash, not thru cig adapter; this car would be traded in for the MINI). No engine noise in my 99 Gr Cherokee with a good stereo and a cassette adapter.
Any way to predict if I'll have problems in the Cooper? Would upgrading to the available HK system possibly help? And will the volume part of the wheel radio controls still work?
Hello if you plan on keeping you vehicle in my opinion it's worth the investment.I purchessed sirius from my truck.Every body said what do you need that for but they all love it when they hear it. And I only listen to BOB&Tom in the morning then it's right back to satellite.
I'm a newbie to this XM thing. I bought a Roady and have installed it in one of my vehicles. I plan on occasionally using it in another vehicle and quickly figured out that I'm not going to want to keep moving the antenna when I change vehicles. So I'd like to buy a second antenna. About the only one I've found is the Terk Micro antenna - will this work with the Roady without any special adapters, etc.?
Also, from what I saw in the literature, the wireless FM Modulator is also the power source for the Roady, correct? One of my vehicles has a cassette deck but the other one does not, so I was thinking of leaving the FM Modulator in one and the cassette attachment in the other, but wasn't quite sure about the power connection since it is separate with the cassette attachment (the store was out of the FM Modulators so they are sending me one from another store - I haven't seen it yet).
I'm sure these seem like very basic questions, but I'm not much of an audio person at all!
The Roady should be the FM Modulator power source, not the other way around. But basically, all you want to do is move the Roady and have the antenna and power sources wired/stored in each of the cars.
Thanks, Paul. What I got afraid of was whether I would need 2 power outlets - one for the Roady and one for the wireless FM modulator (what I saw on the website was a bit confusing to me). The vehicle I want to use the FM modulator in only has a cigarette lighter power outlet, and I would have a problem if I needed 2 of them.
I found out something last night about XM. The traffic and weather channels were the main reason I chose XM over Sirius. However, last night I found a fallicy in my system - I got stuck behind an accident because I was enjoying the music so much! Lesson learned - turn to the traffic station before starting the trip...
Another beginner question. I have 2 power outlets and a cigarette lighter in one of my vehicles. I also have a 300 watt inverter (probably overkill) that I use for my computer on long trips. If I use the inverter in one of the power outlets and the Roady's power supply in the other, will that be too much for the electrical system? On Saturday we're taking one of the trips where I'd probably want to use both.
IF you had to use two cigarette lighter adapters, you can get a splitter from Radio Shack that gives you two adapter outlets after plugging one end into the cigarette lighter. I use this in my Wrangler actually (though I spliced it behind the dashboard). This allows me the two outlets for stuff like my GPS to be hardwired but hidden. I now have one adapter plug available after using one of the adapter plugs for the GPS.
So there are ways to work around it if you did need multiple cigarette adapters.
Now in my BMW, the FM modulator is hidden back in the dash to keep it hidden. I honestly don't know how it is powered (whether by something off the stereo or directly from the battery). Now it is a different kind of unit from what the Roady uses, but I suspect those that designed the Roady allowed for minimal adapters to be required for power to make it as easy as possible to move between cars.
When I mount XM in my Wrangler, I plan on adding Alpine's XM ready unit that has the XM tuner built into it, unlike the older models that required an external box. It will be a simple swap from the Alpine currently in there (my daughter will get the old head unit) and I'll mount the XM antenna mentioned in the Wrangler forum.
Is the Alpine XM ready unit also a regular radio? Or would I need to add it into the dash along with the radio? I've been half thinking of adding an aftermarket soundbar to the Wrangler and if I do that it might make sense to go all the way and get the Alpine head unit (especially if they don't require a separate tuner) and have them do the whole install. The main disadvantage would be paying for 2 subsciptions when we rarely are in both vehicles, but perhaps not having to move things around would make it worth the added expense.
The Alpine Unit (CDA9820XM) has a regular AM/FM tuner, CD Player, and the added band of XM.
It would replace your stock radio, just as you would if you did a regular aftermarket install.
If you opt for a soundbar and such, I would recommend going with an amp. You will get MUCH better sound as the amp allows more power to get to the speakers, reducing distortion (I know, it sounds backwards, but it is true.) I'd also recommend a subwoofer if your factory unit didn't have one. It makes a WORLD of difference and makes it easier to hear with the top off or windows down.
I still have to recommend High Voltage in Bakersfield for the work. Their work is top notch. You could do it yourself, but they can do a great job if you are not comfortable with it. I'd also recommend 5.25 speakers in the front over the 4x6's defaulting in it. (This may be be better suited back on the Wrangler forum).
You have my email if you have any other questions specific to the TJ you'd like to ask.
"You could do it yourself, but they can do a great job..." Me - try it myself? That's definitely beyond my capabilities! The Roady is my speed, but not much more - especially if I have to get into the dash. Many years ago I put in a couple of CB's in cars I owned, and I don't have any idea how I did it!
I'm really looking forward to getting the home kit for the Roady - I've very much enjoyed having it in the Taco. I might have been a bit luke-warm about this (though I was the one that wanted it enough to go out and buy one), but it is SO nice to have all those choices to listen to on our way home. I'm now a complete convert!
Our trip went very well - using both power points in the Taco - one for the roady and one for the 300 Watt power inverter powering the computer - worked very nicely. I'm now starting to think about getting a second Roady so I won't have to move the one I have all the time. I find myself listening much more, rather than just having the radio on for background noise while I'm driving.
My wife has a 2003 Honda Civic LX and I bought her the Terk XM Commander a couple of months ago. She loves the XM radio, but hates how there is noise in the system because of the FM modulator. I want to find out if there is an adapter that I can buy to where I can hook up the XM Commander directly into the back of the factory head unit. Where can I find this adapter and how much will it cost? I would like to trick the factory head unit into thinking there is a CD changer in the trunk, if possible, because I don't want to cut any wires.
I own a 2004 Mazda 6 (with the Bose option), which I bought this spring. Just read that Mazda will be offering Sirius-equipped radios for the 6 starting this fall, which is great, because free radio in my area sucks!
I don't want an aftermarket receiver messing up the look of my interior, so I want to get a an original equipment receiver installed. How much should I expect to pay for parts & labor? Thanks!
Mazda may offer factory head units that will fit in your car. They may offer then for new ones only. You can always go the RF modulator route. The sound isn't quite as clear, but compared to the static I get on regular radio, it is crystal clear. It is soldered into the back of my factory head unit and I installed the Alpine unit. The display is hidden. (My install was for XM, but Sirius would be similar I suspect).
If Mazda goes the same route as Ford does (and they seem to do a lot of things the same way), you can buy the adapter IF your radio is already fitted for it. Whether they do or not, you might want to search on the internet for places that sell the factory units. I bought a CD player for my 2000 Lincoln LS from a web site called Radiosandmore.com for about half the price the Lincoln Mercury dealer wanted. They are quite knowledgeable. Call their 800 number and see what they have to say about what is available. I agree on not having extra things around, so I bought the factory unit for my new T-Bird. It cost me $499 or $599 (I don't really remember) and I am totally satisfied with the Sirius radio and the programming, but then I remembered this site and mentioned it to another person who wanted the factory built in satellite radio and they got the unit for about $260 and got it installed for another $60. My bad!
Just helped my son put a Kenwood Sirius ready radio into his 2001 Ford Focus. We've been sampling what they have to offer and I'm considering putting a new Sirius radio into my 2000 Mustang convertible.
I'm new to this group so please excuse if this has been talked about before but the trunk on my Mustang is fiberglass. The Sirius antenna needs to "mount" on a metal surface and would not (I assume) work given my trunk lid. As I don't have a roof to use, what are my alternatives??
I have XM and I think the antennas are somewhat different so perhaps my experience isn't the best to judge. However, when I first got my Roady, I had the antenna sitting on my dash of my Tacoma. It tended to slide around a bit but did reasonably well (enough so that I thought about getting a metal washer and glueing it to the dash corner so that the antenna wouldn't slide around).
On my hard top Wrangler, I just put the antenna inside on the roll bar - the fiberglass top doesn't interfere with reception at all.
I was under the impression that the antenna used the metal surface of the roof or trunk as part of the antenna (the Sirius antenna says it must have at least 12 X 12 inches of metal surface). Does anyone have any experience with a Sirius Antenna no mounted on metal??
I am really glad that I didn't know that you had to have a metal surface to mount the antenna as I have a 2004 Thunderbird, and the trunk lid is fiberglass. Originally, the antenna was mounted on the trunk lid, but I didn't like the looks, particularly with the top down. The reception was excellent. I read on a T-Bird site about people who had mounted it inside the trunk and I went to a body shop and had them cut a hole in the frame brace inside the lid so that the antenna fit in from the bottom and flush with the brace. If I had known that the brace was also fiberglass, I would have done the work myself as they cut it with a dremel type tool. Then they put a small strap of metal under it and then I replaced the liner. You can't even see it and the reception is still perfect. If you really did need a metal for the antenna to pick signals up from (I don't know how strong the signal is where you are from), then I would still put it under the trunk lid and put a piece of sheet metal under it, affixing it somehow with screws on the crossbrace in the trunk. Try it with just some duct tape holding it for a few days and I bet you will be totally satisfied with the reception. It is important that you mount it with the top UP, and the flat side down.
Thanks Joe for telling of your experience. I didn't want to go ahead and buy a new radio for the car and then do all the installation only to discover that the thing wouldn't work!
I have been searching the past couple of days on the web and I see no mention of what to do when you have a convertible with a non-metal trunk lid. I don't know how many cars fall into this category but with at least the Corvette, your T-Bird and my Mustang, you'd think they'd have some mention about what to do in this situation!
Get the Sirius since you want the sports. I got XM because it had the local traffic reports (which Sirius now carries). I'm still very happy, though I only have a little Roady (try hooking that up to a Bose Wave radio - very nice!).
I personally thought there wasn't enough difference between the 2 to have a clear choice based on quality. Go with the programming you want today, and not with the hope that the other system will someday carry it.
Some folks on another web site have reported using a piece of metal window screen (12" x 12" or so )and suspended it from the inside of the bottom of the trunk lid. Then they mounted the antenna between the screen and the inside of trunk lid.
Claimed excellent reception and very easy to install and also to remove if the time ever arrived.
I suppose you could use practically any size screen, as long as you could figure out how to suspend it.
I am also going to go with Sirius based solely upon the sports programming, since I'm a huge NHL and NFL fan and I could care less about NASCAR.
I doubt that the exsisting major leagues that are already on Sirius would also end up on XM. Such programming is usually provided under exclusive rights (you know, that legal stuff the read at the end of the games on TV) and huge sums of money are paid to secure these rights.
Of course, these contracts do expire and at this time it doesn't appear that MLB has signed with either Sirius or XM. It's probably only a matter of time before MLB signs with XM or Sirius, but who knows which one will win the rights at this time?
I'd go with Sirius at this time and just stay away from a long term contact.
The September 6, 2004, issue of Forbes magazine features a cover story written by Scott Woolley on the challenges faced by the satellite radio industry by the politically powerful National Association of Broadcasters. The primary assertion of the story is that the powerful Washington, D.C., lobbyists representing the NAB have coerced the FCC and Congress into effectively creating an anti-competitive environment where, through a string of regulatory manuevers, any small broadcaster (either over-the-air or satellite) is restricted so severely in what they can and can't broadcast that they cannot provide many of the services that, obstensibly, the market would readily consume and thus allow those companies to fairly compete for listeners.
The arguments used by the NAB are always exaggerated and dubious claims that such services (which would compete with the big broadcasters) would ultimately provide a disservice to the general public by drawing listeners away from the traditional stations -- which are best at providing information of local interest -- toward national radio services that do not provide such important and valuable information (they could but can't because of the NAB). In fact, the NAB and the Florida Association of Broadcasters have sent a letter (<http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/Filings/081704jointlettertoPowell.pdf>) to the FCC chairman not-so-gently reminding him how critically important their services were during the recent hurricane. Having myself been directly in the path of the storm, I can attest to the value the local TV and radio stations have been to the community -- something that satellite radio could not provide -- but totally scoff at the notion that these local stations are at all threatened by competition with the satellite providers. It's been proven over and again: competition is good! The NAB is anti-competitive, and powerful enough to sway the government into actually sustaining an anti-competitive environment. It's kinda scary.
Credit XM and Sirius with exploiting the shortsightedness of the NAB in not forseeing the possiblity of broadcasting local traffic and weather information on a nation-wide basis, thereby circumventing the regulations prohibiting satellite radio from broadcasting such information locally. Mark one up for satellite radio, but the battle goes on -- the NAB is busy regrouping from that brain lapse by promoting new legislation banning all "locally differentiated" content altogether. It looks like if satellite radio does not become profitable soon, it may soon die as we know it. (But we still have to look forward to: digital-quality commercial radio!) From the office of Congressman Gene Green of Texas:
March 24, 2004 - Two Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representatives Chip Pickering (R-MS) and Gene Green (D-TX), today introduced legislation aimed at protecting local radio broadcasting and more strictly enforcing the licenses of satellite radio companies.
The "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act," would clarify that Digital Audio Satellite Radio licensees could not circumvent their obligation to provide national audio programming by inserting local content into their network of ground based repeaters.
I just found this thread and am so glad! Have decided to get Sirius but am trying to make head or tail out of what equipment's available, how it's installed, etc.... trying to catch up on past posts so if my questions have been answered already, please forgive!
I bought a new '04 Mustang about a month ago... could have gotten one already equipped with Sirius-ready in-dash, but got an AWESOME deal on this particular car without the Sirius unit, and it definitely wasn't worth the price difference it would have cost me to get the other car that wasn't eligible for my particular deal. Anyway, I'm reading with great interest some previous posts about antenna installation and fiberglass trunk lids!
My main question to begin with is this: I'd rather install an in-dash unit so as to not ruin the look of my interior with a plug-&-play (plus I don't really have a lot of room for one)... BUT, a co-worker told me that installing a satellite or ANY aftermarket unit in-dash would void every part of my factory warranty dealing with ANYTHING electrical on my car. Is there any truth to this?? I understand it voids the radio's warranty since it'd no longer be there, but I find it hard to believe that if the wiring for some other electrical part like headlights or door locks or seat gets buggered somehow down the road, that they wouldn't cover it based on my having installed an aftermarket stereo! Please tell me this ain't so!
No, it will not void your warranty. Are you saying that your vehicle does not have a satellite ready radio? If it does, you can buy the Sirius adapter directly from your dealer. I also believe PIE makes an adapter that would give you what you want. I am a PIE dealer, but would need to know the specifics of your vehicle and radio to answer your question. You can email me if you would like at LobsenzA@AncoAuto.com.
I am taking delivery of a new MB S500 which can integrate the Sirius radio with the Command system. I was already to have it installed when they told me that I would have to place the black antenna on the trunk lid and cut a hole in the lid.(car is white). I told them to hold off since I want to see the antenna but I think I am going to pass on it until they come up with a better solution. Does anyone know of other antenna options?
If you live in the northern part of the US, you're going to want your antenna to have a good view of the sky, probably on the roof. The trunk lid would be my second choice as it's significantly lower.
If you live in the southern half of the US, you can probably get away with mounting it on the trunk lid, and maybe even on the very rear part of your package shelf, inside the car, with a view to the sky.
The further south you live, the less critical the antenna location will be for good reception.
My comments are based off a couple of years experience with two different vehicles with XM installed. One OEM and one aftermarket with an FM modulation connection.
I am not certain if Sirius has as many terrestial repeaters as XM does, but my comments are accurate regarding XM's service. I'm not bashing on Sirius, just haven't been following their expansion program since I already made my decision.
Under no circumstances do they need to cut a hole in any sheet metal to install the antenna. It's designed to be a magnetic connection (with a little adhesive for security).
I'd press the dealer for just how many installations they've done where they've cut the sheet metal.
Thanks for the comment. I live in Southern Calif. so an alternate location might work. I was going to go with Sirius because that is the integrated system for Mercedes. I saw the receiver when I picked up the car today and no way do I want it on the trunk. They admitted they are "experimenting" with locations and are going to try an instillation on the rear deck behind the rear headrests.My salesperson who just bought a MB station wagon is going to leave her car there for a few days while they try different locations (her husband is the service manager). She suggested I wait awhile until they sort it out.
You can buy the sirius converter for your Ford Satellite ready receiver from your dealer and he will probably charge you about $400. I paid that and then found the same unit on the internet at a place I had done business with called Radios&More.com It is a lot cheaper.
As to the antenna location, I have a T-Bird and so it is easy to install in the trunk (it is fiberglass) and well hidden. Many of the guys on the T-Bird site have just put the antenna on their dashboard or just laying inside the back window on the rear deck and it works just fine. I get excellent reception in the basement garage of my office so Sirius must have lots of repeaters in my area (Miami). Try it loose like that and see if it works. You can always have it installed more permanently if your reception doesn't meet your expectations.
In the "for what it's worth" department - I'm in SoCal also, but I have an XM Roady. The antennas are quite small and when I first got it, I was driving a Toyota Tacoma and just put the antenna loose on my dash. I would get occasional short drops in signal while driving northbound on the Grapevine, but otherwise it worked quite well. I would guess you would have the same with the Sirius mounted on the rear deck.
"The Ford Motor Company plans to announce on Monday that it will offer Sirius Satellite Radio in more of its cars and trucks and that it will begin installing the satellite radio systems at its factories for the first time."
Comments
It must be a Bose (Clarion) issue then that is limiting Nissan and Infiniti owners with factory XM receivers.
Now I wonder if anyone else's Bose factory head units are scrolling.
That would help determine if it's a Bose issue or the Clarion XM tuner that is the problem design.
My XM ready Alpine stereo will scroll. I think it is more a question of the newer, XM ready units, not some kind of 'adapter' that can scroll the title/artist.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure how the car manufacturer factory units work. Sorry, can't help there.
-Paul
XM has commercials..that defeats the purpose doesn't it?
I've had Sirius for a year and i love it
I'm buying a new Grand Am and that Monsoon stereo is coming out for a new Sirius ready one.
And, if you go to Crutchfield you can get the tuner for free with purchase of the antenna.
They'll also show you how to install it yourself.
I did..i made a hole in my car...but it works just fine.
XM has done a one-up on Sirius by removing commercials and not raising prices. Why pay more for Sirius for very similar content?
If you like Sirius, go for it. But XM does have the stability of a larger base. A comforting thought for me at least. Also, XM is also factory available from a LOT of vendors, like GM, Honda, and others. Some like the factory look.
I'm putting XM in my Wrangler but going aftermarket for security and sound quality.
-Paul
I am calling them tomorrow to see how we are doing on that.
I'm currently getting terrible engine noise with the Roady using stereo aux-in in my 96 Accord with a crappy stereo (even direct wired the Roady power in the dash, not thru cig adapter; this car would be traded in for the MINI). No engine noise in my 99 Gr Cherokee with a good stereo and a cassette adapter.
Any way to predict if I'll have problems in the Cooper? Would upgrading to the available HK system possibly help? And will the volume part of the wheel radio controls still work?
Also, from what I saw in the literature, the wireless FM Modulator is also the power source for the Roady, correct? One of my vehicles has a cassette deck but the other one does not, so I was thinking of leaving the FM Modulator in one and the cassette attachment in the other, but wasn't quite sure about the power connection since it is separate with the cassette attachment (the store was out of the FM Modulators so they are sending me one from another store - I haven't seen it yet).
I'm sure these seem like very basic questions, but I'm not much of an audio person at all!
Thanks!
http://www.xmradio.com/roady/
The Roady should be the FM Modulator power source, not the other way around. But basically, all you want to do is move the Roady and have the antenna and power sources wired/stored in each of the cars.
-Paul
I found out something last night about XM. The traffic and weather channels were the main reason I chose XM over Sirius. However, last night I found a fallicy in my system - I got stuck behind an accident because I was enjoying the music so much! Lesson learned - turn to the traffic station before starting the trip...
Another beginner question. I have 2 power outlets and a cigarette lighter in one of my vehicles. I also have a 300 watt inverter (probably overkill) that I use for my computer on long trips. If I use the inverter in one of the power outlets and the Roady's power supply in the other, will that be too much for the electrical system? On Saturday we're taking one of the trips where I'd probably want to use both.
Thanks!
Shouldn't be a problem.
IF you had to use two cigarette lighter adapters, you can get a splitter from Radio Shack that gives you two adapter outlets after plugging one end into the cigarette lighter. I use this in my Wrangler actually (though I spliced it behind the dashboard). This allows me the two outlets for stuff like my GPS to be hardwired but hidden. I now have one adapter plug available after using one of the adapter plugs for the GPS.
So there are ways to work around it if you did need multiple cigarette adapters.
Now in my BMW, the FM modulator is hidden back in the dash to keep it hidden. I honestly don't know how it is powered (whether by something off the stereo or directly from the battery). Now it is a different kind of unit from what the Roady uses, but I suspect those that designed the Roady allowed for minimal adapters to be required for power to make it as easy as possible to move between cars.
When I mount XM in my Wrangler, I plan on adding Alpine's XM ready unit that has the XM tuner built into it, unlike the older models that required an external box. It will be a simple swap from the Alpine currently in there (my daughter will get the old head unit) and I'll mount the XM antenna mentioned in the Wrangler forum.
-Paul
It would replace your stock radio, just as you would if you did a regular aftermarket install.
If you opt for a soundbar and such, I would recommend going with an amp. You will get MUCH better sound as the amp allows more power to get to the speakers, reducing distortion (I know, it sounds backwards, but it is true.) I'd also recommend a subwoofer if your factory unit didn't have one. It makes a WORLD of difference and makes it easier to hear with the top off or windows down.
I still have to recommend High Voltage in Bakersfield for the work. Their work is top notch. You could do it yourself, but they can do a great job if you are not comfortable with it. I'd also recommend 5.25 speakers in the front over the 4x6's defaulting in it. (This may be be better suited back on the Wrangler forum).
You have my email if you have any other questions specific to the TJ you'd like to ask.
-Paul
I'm really looking forward to getting the home kit for the Roady - I've very much enjoyed having it in the Taco. I might have been a bit luke-warm about this (though I was the one that wanted it enough to go out and buy one), but it is SO nice to have all those choices to listen to on our way home. I'm now a complete convert!
http://www.xm411.com
-Steven-
I don't want an aftermarket receiver messing up the look of my interior, so I want to get a an original equipment receiver installed. How much should I expect to pay for parts & labor? Thanks!
Mazda may offer factory head units that will fit in your car. They may offer then for new ones only. You can always go the RF modulator route. The sound isn't quite as clear, but compared to the static I get on regular radio, it is crystal clear. It is soldered into the back of my factory head unit and I installed the Alpine unit. The display is hidden. (My install was for XM, but Sirius would be similar I suspect).
-Paul
I'm new to this group so please excuse if this has been talked about before but the trunk on my Mustang is fiberglass. The Sirius antenna needs to "mount" on a metal surface and would not (I assume) work given my trunk lid. As I don't have a roof to use, what are my alternatives??
On my hard top Wrangler, I just put the antenna inside on the roll bar - the fiberglass top doesn't interfere with reception at all.
I have been searching the past couple of days on the web and I see no mention of what to do when you have a convertible with a non-metal trunk lid. I don't know how many cars fall into this category but with at least the Corvette, your T-Bird and my Mustang, you'd think they'd have some mention about what to do in this situation!
Now....have heard both, and probably would prefer XM if.....it had sports deals.
I love the fact that Sirius has the NFL, basketball, and hockey.
Is this exclusive, or does XM have a shot at these things? The key for me would be a baseball package. Any word on that potential?
-Paul
I personally thought there wasn't enough difference between the 2 to have a clear choice based on quality. Go with the programming you want today, and not with the hope that the other system will someday carry it.
Claimed excellent reception and very easy to install and also to remove if the time ever arrived.
I suppose you could use practically any size screen, as long as you could figure out how to suspend it.
Just an idea!
I doubt that the exsisting major leagues that are already on Sirius would also end up on XM. Such programming is usually provided under exclusive rights (you know, that legal stuff the read at the end of the games on TV) and huge sums of money are paid to secure these rights.
Of course, these contracts do expire and at this time it doesn't appear that MLB has signed with either Sirius or XM. It's probably only a matter of time before MLB signs with XM or Sirius, but who knows which one will win the rights at this time?
I'd go with Sirius at this time and just stay away from a long term contact.
The arguments used by the NAB are always exaggerated and dubious claims that such services (which would compete with the big broadcasters) would ultimately provide a disservice to the general public by drawing listeners away from the traditional stations -- which are best at providing information of local interest -- toward national radio services that do not provide such important and valuable information (they could but can't because of the NAB). In fact, the NAB and the Florida Association of Broadcasters have sent a letter (<http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/Filings/081704jointlettertoPowell.pdf>) to the FCC chairman not-so-gently reminding him how critically important their services were during the recent hurricane. Having myself been directly in the path of the storm, I can attest to the value the local TV and radio stations have been to the community -- something that satellite radio could not provide -- but totally scoff at the notion that these local stations are at all threatened by competition with the satellite providers. It's been proven over and again: competition is good! The NAB is anti-competitive, and powerful enough to sway the government into actually sustaining an anti-competitive environment. It's kinda scary.
Credit XM and Sirius with exploiting the shortsightedness of the NAB in not forseeing the possiblity of broadcasting local traffic and weather information on a nation-wide basis, thereby circumventing the regulations prohibiting satellite radio from broadcasting such information locally. Mark one up for satellite radio, but the battle goes on -- the NAB is busy regrouping from that brain lapse by promoting new legislation banning all "locally differentiated" content altogether. It looks like if satellite radio does not become profitable soon, it may soon die as we know it. (But we still have to look forward to: digital-quality commercial radio!) From the office of Congressman Gene Green of Texas:
March 24, 2004 - Two Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representatives Chip Pickering (R-MS) and Gene Green (D-TX), today introduced legislation aimed at protecting local radio broadcasting and more strictly enforcing the licenses of satellite radio companies.
The "Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act," would clarify that Digital Audio Satellite Radio licensees could not circumvent their obligation to provide national audio programming by inserting local content into their network of ground based repeaters.
NewsFactor
Steve, Host
I bought a new '04 Mustang about a month ago... could have gotten one already equipped with Sirius-ready in-dash, but got an AWESOME deal on this particular car without the Sirius unit, and it definitely wasn't worth the price difference it would have cost me to get the other car that wasn't eligible for my particular deal. Anyway, I'm reading with great interest some previous posts about antenna installation and fiberglass trunk lids!
My main question to begin with is this: I'd rather install an in-dash unit so as to not ruin the look of my interior with a plug-&-play (plus I don't really have a lot of room for one)... BUT, a co-worker told me that installing a satellite or ANY aftermarket unit in-dash would void every part of my factory warranty dealing with ANYTHING electrical on my car. Is there any truth to this?? I understand it voids the radio's warranty since it'd no longer be there, but I find it hard to believe that if the wiring for some other electrical part like headlights or door locks or seat gets buggered somehow down the road, that they wouldn't cover it based on my having installed an aftermarket stereo! Please tell me this ain't so!
Thanks
If you live in the southern half of the US, you can probably get away with mounting it on the trunk lid, and maybe even on the very rear part of your package shelf, inside the car, with a view to the sky.
The further south you live, the less critical the antenna location will be for good reception.
My comments are based off a couple of years experience with two different vehicles with XM installed. One OEM and one aftermarket with an FM modulation connection.
I am not certain if Sirius has as many terrestial repeaters as XM does, but my comments are accurate regarding XM's service. I'm not bashing on Sirius, just haven't been following their expansion program since I already made my decision.
Under no circumstances do they need to cut a hole in any sheet metal to install the antenna. It's designed to be a magnetic connection (with a little adhesive for security).
I'd press the dealer for just how many installations they've done where they've cut the sheet metal.
Nice car by the way!
As to the antenna location, I have a T-Bird and so it is easy to install in the trunk (it is fiberglass) and well hidden. Many of the guys on the T-Bird site have just put the antenna on their dashboard or just laying inside the back window on the rear deck and it works just fine. I get excellent reception in the basement garage of my office so Sirius must have lots of repeaters in my area (Miami). Try it loose like that and see if it works. You can always have it installed more permanently if your reception doesn't meet your expectations.
Ford to Offer Sirius Radio as an Option in More Cars (NY Times)
Steve, Host
Have a skyfi in a VSM mount in an 02 Explorer..and have XM option in my Malibu Maxx.