Sirius radio--all the stuff I need to know?

There is a chance that the Radio in your Truck has a built in Tuner.
If that's the case you only need to call them and have them turn it on and pay $ of course.

If you go to SXM website they have pretty good deals on Receivers sometimes. But you'll need to keep service on it for a while.
Kind of like they do with Cell Phones.

If you get one of the small receivers just make sure you get one with a Car Kit, comes with a lighter plug and a car antenna.
That will work ok most of the time if you find a good place to mount it.

AAs far as connecting it there are 2 main options.
If the radio in your truck has an Aux in Port you just get an Aux cable and connect it to the radio.

 

There are XM/ Sirius radios available to look at( and for sale) at the xm Sirius website. Some electronic stores sell them also ( truck stops?, not sure).

Every radio has its own special 'radio ID'; you need this ID when you call and activate your radio. You find the ID under the menu on the radio.

Yes, the radio has a special antenna. There is one that looks like a small hockey puck and it is magnetic and has a wire from it that connects to the radio. The problem with a magnet is that trucks are made out of plastic and fiberglass anymore and there is no where to stick it to. I have seen them taped to the outside mirrors.
There are special antennas made for big trucks that attach to the mirrors, about a foot or so high and clamp on to the mirror. Look around a truck stop and you'll see them. They're not cheap $50-60; something like that.

Yes, radio uses 12 v outlet.

If your truck radio has an aux cord input this is the best way to connect to the xm radio. Otherwise the xm radio transmits an fm signal that you tune into on the truck radio. It is a pain when you go through a city that broadcasts on the fm signal that you are using; first the xm has to be changed and then the truck radio has to be changed.

There are some non xm/ Sirius websites that sell equipment; possibly save some money that way. Also, I'm paying around 24 a month; I have nfl football, 6 extra

 

On the Cascadia's I have had in the past I use the supplied stock XM antenna. There is no metal on the Cascadia so I super glued a metal washer to the top of the passenger mirror and affixed it to that. It's not visible and you can pop the washer off when you're done with the truck or just leave it.

I use the Edge receiver. I've had it for a year now after finally replacing my old SkyFi receiver. The Edge has pause, rewind and when you tune to a preset channel it starts at the beginning of the song that is currently playing. Very nice solid radio.


http://www.crutchfield.com/p_220EDGE/SiriusXM-Edge.html?tp=85&awkw=75647589985&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47743181545&awdv=c

Stutka, does your current stereo have an auxiliary input? If so that is the best way to get into your stereo.

 

you can take a look at all the new recivers that they offer at any big truck stop chain. go to loves they have them on display. they generaly come with a car package then look for the gernade stick looking antennas. you can buy different mounts for them with the cascadia i seen guys that buy the cb mount that attaches to the door.

follow the directions in the box the reciver needs to be on and set to the tuneing channel. they will do their part on their end. my advise when it comes to paying for it...go with atleast the payment for the whole year, pay once and its done. i think mine was $180 for the whole year.

the best way hooking it to the truck is through the AUX port, other wise you must use the FM transmitter method and its a real pain every time u chnage states or regions u need a different radio station.

good luck and happy listing i love mine its a change between the Ipod. lots of stuff to listen to on there.

 

Good info here

 

Where do you get the cable at to plug into the aux. port?

 

You can get one anywhere. Two 1/8th jacks on both ends in various lengths. $7 bucks at Radio Shack, $10 bucks or so at the truckstops. Defiantly do not want to mess with the built in FM modulator in these radios. My old Sky Fi worked like a champ but the newer units don't put out as much power and are easily drowned out by local stations on the frequency you are tuned too. Read somewhere the FCC limited the output on them a few years back.

 

That's an aux jack you are talking about it. Yes pretty standard on most radios nowadays. As for the rewind function, it comes in handy for a a great song you really like or like you were saying, rewind and hear it again after getting distracted. Also you can rewind a talk show and fast forward through all the commercials. It's a very useful feature.