Satellite Radio at sea

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Robert

As a birthday gift I was given a Sirius satellite radio set up. In collecting the cabkes and stuff I needed I had an interesting dicussion with the manager of a local radio store. He suggested that it might be possible to use the mast mounted HF antenna as a signal source for the satellite radio. I have an HF FM splitter in the cabin and could pull the signal off to feed the Sirius Sportster radio. Anybody in Hunter land using a satellite radio ?? If so where is the antenna ?? As as to my original question - anybody know of a way to hook up the satellite radio antenna lead to the mast head antenna ??? Robert
 
Feb 10, 2006
75
Hunter 25 Forked River, New Jersey
Satellite Radio

I have a small outboard and the antenna mounts on top of it. I don't think the mast mounted antenna will work
 
Jun 4, 2004
167
- - Conway, Lake Ouachita, Arkansas
Sirrus radio

I use my sirrus radio but use the stock antenna laid outside of on of my port windows and when not in use I just put it inside the window. If you figure out a way to hook it up to the antenna on the mast I would love to know. I have used the radio as far as the bahamas and had great reception, Gotta love that margaritaville Tim Welsh
 
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Paul I aboard One Slip

Lets get Sirius....

I have Sirius... I love it. I purchased the Marine stick type antenna from TERK and have it mounted on an aft rail. Works great. I get reception like I never could with terrestrial radio, and the variety of music is so wide I dont even bother with CD's anymore. Satellite radio requires a line of sight signal. So the signal could be blocked by a sail under some circumstances. Mine seldom looses signal. Mast mounting the antenna would certainly remove any shadowing effect from the sails, but I am unsure of the ground plane problems a VHF antenna might cause. I am also unsure if your splitter (I also have one of those for terrestrial AM/FM) will sense the satellite signals presence (it is designed to look for normal AM/FM signals) and not try to broadcast full VHF signal into your Sirius unit, which could harm it. Lastly, I'm not sure where you can get the proper adapters to get from your VHF splitter to the Serius antenna input. I'd try it, but be careful. Please report the results.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
XM came with my new truck. Another's on my boat.

These radios are line of sight. But as we often say here; It Depends. In the Northwest we have trees and hills. Both block the signal. I bought a unit for my boat. The antenna has a 30' cable. It's about as big as a tablespoon (without the handle). I velcro'd it to the underside of my nav station. It has to receive its signal past cabin-top winches and aluminum backing plates. It rarely cuts out. Love it. Now if they just broadcast 5-1 sound. Forget about Cd's. I don't know why you want to use a different antenna. The proper antenna comes with the radios and are free. The only cost is for an extra antenna if you are moving the radio between vehicles. Remember, like satellite TV, you're not going to get a free signal just because of a cheater antenna. They know who has signed up with them.
 
Feb 15, 2005
81
- - Island Harbor Marina, Palm Harbor FL
XM in Surround

Fred - XM IS available in surround sound, at least on a few channels. It's calle XMHD. Of course, it requires XMHD-compatible equipment, and as far as I know, only home-type receivers currently support XMHD. Probably only a matter of time until auto/boat receivers will include XMHD, tho. See the related link for more info. Jack
 

AndyK

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Mar 10, 2004
195
Hunter 33 Salem, MA
mmm...Sirius

I simply mounted my Sirius antenna on the interior shelf above the chart table in my 2004-H33. The deck is just glass there so the signal passes right through. I did the samething in my Jeep Wrangler with an internal mount for my antenna. The only time I lose signal is when I go through tunnels, oops - that's my car. Seriously (Siriusly), I have had no problems with my interior mounts. Andy
 
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larry W

XM2GO

I have XM which I bought as a package with both an auto and home antenna. The home did not work out because of tree interference. I use the auto antenna which is magnetic and the mount bracket to hold the reciever and the 12 volt charger. When at the boat I use the home antenna on a shelf inside the cabin and the 110v charger feeds the home bracket. I bought an extra cassette output that goes into my radio system on both the baot and truck. The reciever can also be used when walking as it has ear phones and a belt case. Nice to catch sports and stock symbols.
 
Sep 14, 2004
204
Hunter 42 Deltaville VA
XM Roady 2

I have an XM Roady 2 in the car with a docking station in my living room at home and on the Hunter P 42. The boat's "home" antenna is behind the TV pressed up against the underside of the deck. No wires or anything to trip over. It is all hidden. The antenna wire is directly connected to the FM/CD player below the TV and there is a junction box for the FM antenna from the mast top. The XM signal is always full strength even mounted below the deck. Remote control works from the cockpit. Its great!
 
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