I'm interested in installing a satellite radio to listen to music and sports. Has anyone tried one of those xm radio's or serius? How much do they cost? What brand do you recommend. Please don't ask me to choose between the red sox and sailing!
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Just got back after using the sirius
I just got back after using a Sirius in Baja Mexico-it was great. We got all the news on the way down and listened to NPR while cruising. I was disappointed in the weather that was available-it was broken down into US regions and the best I could get was the West Coast forecast-no tropical. We got hammered by a Norther that was never forecast. Radio Shack is offering a discount and I believe I paid around a $150 for the setup. The little radio holder is suppose to stick to your car windshield but it never did. I checked out both brands and found little difference for boaters use.
I just got back after using a Sirius in Baja Mexico-it was great. We got all the news on the way down and listened to NPR while cruising. I was disappointed in the weather that was available-it was broken down into US regions and the best I could get was the West Coast forecast-no tropical. We got hammered by a Norther that was never forecast. Radio Shack is offering a discount and I believe I paid around a $150 for the setup. The little radio holder is suppose to stick to your car windshield but it never did. I checked out both brands and found little difference for boaters use.
Neat gadget works great !
About 4 weeks ago I was aboard a friends boat and they had a XM satellite radio. They had a Delphi "Roady 2" model. The neat thing about this one is that it has a built in stereo FM transmitter. You select an unused FM frequency and tune it in on your FM car home or boat radio. It cost $119 ordering on line from circuit city. Then 9.95 activation fee and 9.95 per month. It comes with a cigarette lighter power cord. It is very small about 2 inches by 4 inches and less than 1/2 inch thick. It gfets quite warm when operating. The satellite antenna is less than an inch square and has a powerful magnet to stick on the car roof with about 20 ft of antenna wire. I understand it works great even 150 miles offshore but haven't tried that yet. You get over 100 channels of music, talk, news etc. XM also has an excellent weather service that is different and separate from the XM satellite radio. See www.xmradio.com/weather It is $29.95 / mo with a $50 activation fee. It is a data service that interfaces to your laptop aboard the boat or wherever you are. The Roady 2 worked fine with the satellite antenna inside the boat but would probably work better with it outside. My wife decided she wanted one so we now have one and move it from home to boat to car.
About 4 weeks ago I was aboard a friends boat and they had a XM satellite radio. They had a Delphi "Roady 2" model. The neat thing about this one is that it has a built in stereo FM transmitter. You select an unused FM frequency and tune it in on your FM car home or boat radio. It cost $119 ordering on line from circuit city. Then 9.95 activation fee and 9.95 per month. It comes with a cigarette lighter power cord. It is very small about 2 inches by 4 inches and less than 1/2 inch thick. It gfets quite warm when operating. The satellite antenna is less than an inch square and has a powerful magnet to stick on the car roof with about 20 ft of antenna wire. I understand it works great even 150 miles offshore but haven't tried that yet. You get over 100 channels of music, talk, news etc. XM also has an excellent weather service that is different and separate from the XM satellite radio. See www.xmradio.com/weather It is $29.95 / mo with a $50 activation fee. It is a data service that interfaces to your laptop aboard the boat or wherever you are. The Roady 2 worked fine with the satellite antenna inside the boat but would probably work better with it outside. My wife decided she wanted one so we now have one and move it from home to boat to car.
Best 10 bucks I spend each month....
and, I can use it in the car , home or boat. I bought the boom box for the XM radio... the kind where the radio pops out of the car holder and into the boom box. The boom box plugs inot a 110v outlet, but is reduced to 12v, I cannot find a simple 12v adapter. It also runs on batteries, and the antenna is built in to the boom box. Go for it........ Jeff
and, I can use it in the car , home or boat. I bought the boom box for the XM radio... the kind where the radio pops out of the car holder and into the boom box. The boom box plugs inot a 110v outlet, but is reduced to 12v, I cannot find a simple 12v adapter. It also runs on batteries, and the antenna is built in to the boom box. Go for it........ Jeff
xm radio
the xm radio is great! and, starting next year, they will broadcast all of the mlb games! we put the sony receiver (about $150)on our 356, it attaches directly to the radio Hunter installs, and uses the same control head and remote. I actually put a standard auto xm antenna inside the nav station and it works great. you could also get the roady 2 and use the built in fm modulator to broadcast to your current radio. we put the roady(s) in our cars after using the radio on board. xm has a family plan, the 2nd-4th radios are only 6.95/mo.
the xm radio is great! and, starting next year, they will broadcast all of the mlb games! we put the sony receiver (about $150)on our 356, it attaches directly to the radio Hunter installs, and uses the same control head and remote. I actually put a standard auto xm antenna inside the nav station and it works great. you could also get the roady 2 and use the built in fm modulator to broadcast to your current radio. we put the roady(s) in our cars after using the radio on board. xm has a family plan, the 2nd-4th radios are only 6.95/mo.
Why bother?
I've been working on developing a new product: a record player that works on moving sailboats, so that you can listen to Cat Stevens anytime, without news broadcasts. How much "up to date" do we need to take with us, I thought we went out to get away? Paying a monthly fee for anything that's FREE now, or can come on a CD or, oh my gosh: a cassette, seems a bit of a frivolous expense. Glad you have the dough for it. Stu
I've been working on developing a new product: a record player that works on moving sailboats, so that you can listen to Cat Stevens anytime, without news broadcasts. How much "up to date" do we need to take with us, I thought we went out to get away? Paying a monthly fee for anything that's FREE now, or can come on a CD or, oh my gosh: a cassette, seems a bit of a frivolous expense. Glad you have the dough for it. Stu
I installed the Sirius marine antenna
on the boat this summer in conjunction with the little FM transmitter docking station. I've got a docking station at home, in the car, and on the boat and just move the "radio" part from place to place. LOVE IT! Whatever music anyone is in the mood to listen to (or talk radio, NPR, CNN, etc.)just dial in the appropriate channel (They refer to "stations" as channels) and you've got it. On the music side there aren't any commercials and the only "voice" is an announcer you'll hear is back-announcing whatever tracks were just played. I understand they'll be coming out with a NOAA downlink sometime later this year to compete with the XM weather software. The cost for the radio subscription works out to under $10/month if you pay a year in advance. FYI it works through you existing FM radio, either at home, in the car, or on the boat and has a range of probably 10 feet or so. Just tune your FM radio to one of 4 stations; 88.1, 88.2, 88.3, or 88.4, whichever isn't in use in your area. FWIW, if you go out of that area and into another area where your original tuning channel is occupied you might have to switch the docking station transmitter to another of the 4 channels and re-tune your FM. I'd wholeheartedly endorse your getting it; either Sirius or XM.
on the boat this summer in conjunction with the little FM transmitter docking station. I've got a docking station at home, in the car, and on the boat and just move the "radio" part from place to place. LOVE IT! Whatever music anyone is in the mood to listen to (or talk radio, NPR, CNN, etc.)just dial in the appropriate channel (They refer to "stations" as channels) and you've got it. On the music side there aren't any commercials and the only "voice" is an announcer you'll hear is back-announcing whatever tracks were just played. I understand they'll be coming out with a NOAA downlink sometime later this year to compete with the XM weather software. The cost for the radio subscription works out to under $10/month if you pay a year in advance. FYI it works through you existing FM radio, either at home, in the car, or on the boat and has a range of probably 10 feet or so. Just tune your FM radio to one of 4 stations; 88.1, 88.2, 88.3, or 88.4, whichever isn't in use in your area. FWIW, if you go out of that area and into another area where your original tuning channel is occupied you might have to switch the docking station transmitter to another of the 4 channels and re-tune your FM. I'd wholeheartedly endorse your getting it; either Sirius or XM.
XM in Mexico
Seems like almost everybody agrees that satellite radio is worth the $10 a month. We get great reception without changing stations (channels) when driving across country. Here in Mexico we seem to need news of home. XM radio is a solid copy and we get CNN, Fox, ABC, Bloomberg, etc. all in English, just like at home. We get Weather for the Great Basin in the USA and high pressure fortells a strong "norther" in a day or two down here. FM is dying due to incessant commercials and "talk" radio. Satellite radio has a channel for your choice of music (or talk) and with no commercials. When one ponders the cost of a single item at West Marine for our boats, $9.95 per month seems pretty minor. XM has just come out with a "walkman" style portable with a 20 GB hard drive that can be used at home or in the car/boat with appropriate add-ons. Try the XMFan website for further info.
Seems like almost everybody agrees that satellite radio is worth the $10 a month. We get great reception without changing stations (channels) when driving across country. Here in Mexico we seem to need news of home. XM radio is a solid copy and we get CNN, Fox, ABC, Bloomberg, etc. all in English, just like at home. We get Weather for the Great Basin in the USA and high pressure fortells a strong "norther" in a day or two down here. FM is dying due to incessant commercials and "talk" radio. Satellite radio has a channel for your choice of music (or talk) and with no commercials. When one ponders the cost of a single item at West Marine for our boats, $9.95 per month seems pretty minor. XM has just come out with a "walkman" style portable with a 20 GB hard drive that can be used at home or in the car/boat with appropriate add-ons. Try the XMFan website for further info.
XM RADIO
Satellite is the only way to go!! We have had it our cars for 3 years and on the boat for 2. I run it through my sailboat stereo and it is wonderful. Since it is basically an auto stereo I bought the modulator and use the XMSky-Fi from my car. I feel like I go back to the dark ages when I listen to broadcast radio and the mindless idiots talking all the time. I don't work for them but I should get a kickback. Three other boaters on the dock coverted this year after listening to our XM. Worth every penny.
Satellite is the only way to go!! We have had it our cars for 3 years and on the boat for 2. I run it through my sailboat stereo and it is wonderful. Since it is basically an auto stereo I bought the modulator and use the XMSky-Fi from my car. I feel like I go back to the dark ages when I listen to broadcast radio and the mindless idiots talking all the time. I don't work for them but I should get a kickback. Three other boaters on the dock coverted this year after listening to our XM. Worth every penny.
By all means...GO FOR IT!!
I got a used XM type unit (with CD and AM/FM) on EBay for about $75. Added an XM marine antenna mounted on the aft pulpit, and bingo! I find myself making up reasons to hang out on the boat even in the off season just to listen. Satelite radio is going to do to broadcast radio what cable tv did to broadcast tv. IMO, it's well worth the $9.95 a month not to have to deal with inane commercials and disc jockeys. To quote an old tv commercial, "Try it..You'll like it!"
I got a used XM type unit (with CD and AM/FM) on EBay for about $75. Added an XM marine antenna mounted on the aft pulpit, and bingo! I find myself making up reasons to hang out on the boat even in the off season just to listen. Satelite radio is going to do to broadcast radio what cable tv did to broadcast tv. IMO, it's well worth the $9.95 a month not to have to deal with inane commercials and disc jockeys. To quote an old tv commercial, "Try it..You'll like it!"
Sports on XM
Do satellite radio channels carry any sports events, especially the big ones like the Baseball World Series? Our regional land based stations really are negilent on that account. Dick
Do satellite radio channels carry any sports events, especially the big ones like the Baseball World Series? Our regional land based stations really are negilent on that account. Dick
Sirius
We've had Sirius on our boat for almost 2 years and are very happy with it. It even had reception throughout the Bahamas. We got a Kenwood unit that has the Sirius tuner built in, rather than relying on the FM modulator-type. We also have the portable unit for our cars. The second subscription is at a discounted rate. The boat stores sell marine quality stereos with Sirius built in as well as marine antennas (vs. the car type). There are many options available, so it pays to do some research both in the stores and the catalogs. Also, you can find out the channels available on each of the providers websites, even listen as a guest to sample playlists. As far as weather goes, it's true that currently it should really not be relied on for marine weather forecasts. But, that's what the VHF/NOAA channels are for. Unless you subscribe to the add-on weather package via the satellite radio, but that's another whole story. Anyway, it's very difficult to go back and listen to regular AM/FM broadcasts after experiencing satellite radio.
We've had Sirius on our boat for almost 2 years and are very happy with it. It even had reception throughout the Bahamas. We got a Kenwood unit that has the Sirius tuner built in, rather than relying on the FM modulator-type. We also have the portable unit for our cars. The second subscription is at a discounted rate. The boat stores sell marine quality stereos with Sirius built in as well as marine antennas (vs. the car type). There are many options available, so it pays to do some research both in the stores and the catalogs. Also, you can find out the channels available on each of the providers websites, even listen as a guest to sample playlists. As far as weather goes, it's true that currently it should really not be relied on for marine weather forecasts. But, that's what the VHF/NOAA channels are for. Unless you subscribe to the add-on weather package via the satellite radio, but that's another whole story. Anyway, it's very difficult to go back and listen to regular AM/FM broadcasts after experiencing satellite radio.
Get IT !!!
Both XM and Sirius carry sports, but not all sports. Eg: Sirius has an NFL pkg and XM carries basketball, college etc. Check their web sites. Both XM and Sirius have a portable /wireless version that plugs into your cigarette lighter and broadcasts through a free FM channel or through a tapedeck adaptor. These are great, because you can use it in your car after boating season.
Both XM and Sirius carry sports, but not all sports. Eg: Sirius has an NFL pkg and XM carries basketball, college etc. Check their web sites. Both XM and Sirius have a portable /wireless version that plugs into your cigarette lighter and broadcasts through a free FM channel or through a tapedeck adaptor. These are great, because you can use it in your car after boating season.
Some URLs
In the spirit of making this thread a bit more comprehensive when it falls into the archives, here's some user results done by 'Woody' on the SSCA BB. Note the URLs at the bottom for more info. One gives you a moving graphic of the different sat orbits. Jack "I have been doing some research at xmfan.com and siriusbackstage.com ... The XM sats are geostationary and have focused antennas. As a result they are limited to the continental US with some stray signal to Canada and Mexico. I have read reports of success in Bermuda, but it seems the signal dies south of the Bahamas. Sirius, on the other hand, has three sats that orbit in a figure eight over south and north america. At least two are over the US at all times. Because they are moving, the antennas are not as focused in order to maintain a large coverage area. It looks like they are turned off only as they move south of the equator. The result is a much wider coverag area outside of north america. I have read of good signal reports from most of Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Panama, and even Hawaii! I have not read of any reports good or bad from the windwards. Going North there is good coverage well into Canada and Alaska. It looks like Sirius is the choice for the Caribbean. It's a bummer for me, as I alread have XM. I will be switching to Sirus when I buy a unit for the boat. http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6119
In the spirit of making this thread a bit more comprehensive when it falls into the archives, here's some user results done by 'Woody' on the SSCA BB. Note the URLs at the bottom for more info. One gives you a moving graphic of the different sat orbits. Jack "I have been doing some research at xmfan.com and siriusbackstage.com ... The XM sats are geostationary and have focused antennas. As a result they are limited to the continental US with some stray signal to Canada and Mexico. I have read reports of success in Bermuda, but it seems the signal dies south of the Bahamas. Sirius, on the other hand, has three sats that orbit in a figure eight over south and north america. At least two are over the US at all times. Because they are moving, the antennas are not as focused in order to maintain a large coverage area. It looks like they are turned off only as they move south of the equator. The result is a much wider coverag area outside of north america. I have read of good signal reports from most of Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Panama, and even Hawaii! I have not read of any reports good or bad from the windwards. Going North there is good coverage well into Canada and Alaska. It looks like Sirius is the choice for the Caribbean. It's a bummer for me, as I alread have XM. I will be switching to Sirus when I buy a unit for the boat. http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6119
xm radio and MLB
Xm radio just signed a large, exclusive contract to carry all of the MLB games next year
Xm radio just signed a large, exclusive contract to carry all of the MLB games next year
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