satellite Radio models

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by evd, Jun 23, 2014.

  1. evd

    evd Light Load Member

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    would like to know what is best satellite radio out there for trucks?
    there few models and I don't know which better on the road.
    and how I can install antenna with out any alteration like drill to the truck ?

    thanks in advance for any help.
     

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    Last edited: Jun 23, 2014
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  3. tkpinsc

    tkpinsc Light Load Member

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    First you need o decide which set of channels you want, Sirius or xm, and choose a compatible radio. I got mine with a heavy discount from Sirius when I signed up for a year of service.

    I have a Sirius 6. I simply lay the antenna on the dash of my cascadia. Occasionally lose the signal when travelling a certain direction but it comes back in a few miles.

    Only model I've used except one that's built into my car so I don't know how it compares.
     
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  4. nightgunner

    nightgunner Road Train Member

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    I still use my XM Roady 2 that I got from Walmart back in '05 or '06. Honestly they all do the same thing. No reason to spend a lot of money because of how it looks. Just find the cheapest one on sale.
     
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  5. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    I will disagree with that somewhat.
    If you can find one that has the 1 hour (?) recording.
    That's really nice to have.
    And TuneSelect.

    The recording records the last hour automatically of whatever channel you are listening to.
    So basically that allows you to Pause shows

    And the Tune Select let's you 'memorize' songs and it will tell you whenever a certain song comes one, and you will be able to jump to it with a key press.
    If I was looking for a new XM Radio these would be a must.

    I had the SkyFi2 and really miss the recording.
     
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  6. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    I have xm onyx *I think that's how is spell* and it has that one hour recording. I can go back a hour and listen again or repeat a song. useful on comedy central channel and skipping the ads. love it.
     
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  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I have the basic Onyx and its . . . basic.

    I like the recording feature on the upgraded one.

    They're all cheap junk from China that doesn't withstand the vibration after time.
     
  8. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Your truck doesn't have built in XM? Most cascadias do.

    I ran my antena out the passenger door and mounted on the cb antenna base. You drive an evolution which has no upper bracket for miror or cb antennas which is why i though it was built in. You can put it on your dash....you can also double side foam tape it on the roof running wire out passenger door frame. Dash works half way decent but you will loos signal on road with tall trees on right. (i76 in pa, parts of i 80 on oh all of WV.)
     
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  9. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I have XM but I've heard Sirius tuners pull off of different satellites that are better situated to give optimal performance across the continental US, including the northeast. With XM and a less then optimal antenna location, the further east and north you go the more leaves and hills will obstruct your signal. Back before Sirius and XM merged, it is said Sirius had the better satellite setup and I'd assume everything still runs the same, depending on whether you have an "XM" account/radio or a "Sirius" account/radio (Yes, I realize they are the same company) Can anyone back this up?

    And yes, a lot of trucks today have radios with integrated XM/Sirius tuners and antennas and these are great if you get one, but in these cases it is on the driver to activate and pay for the subscription
     
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  10. evd

    evd Light Load Member

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    I drive regional Va ,WV ,NY ,RI ,MA,CT and PA hope to get the most signal I can in those area.
     
  11. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    I though that all serios/xm sats now broadcast both and thus it deosnt make a difference.....could be wrong tho. In either case, antena placement makes a big difference. Mount as high up on the truck as you can.
     
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