[Shotgun]

I recently purchased an 07 Rainier. It has the std radio with cassette and cd. I was wondering if anyone knew how easy/complicated it would be to add the XM kit for it using the existing radio. Can a Sirius kit be done the same way also? I know that since they merged we will eventually be able to get either's channels from the same receiver.

In regards to the antenna located on the roof, is that strictly for OnStar, or is a dual purpose antenna if satellite radio is installed? Thanks!

Any ideas of costs? Dealer installation?

 

[marinerbc]

I didn't have a stock XM/Sirius capable radio, but I did have a Kenwood receiver that was Sirius ready. (Chose Sirius for now for the channels that I wanted; next year will have a choice of "a la carte" from the Sirius/XM menu, I am told.)

Since you have a GM Vehicle (I am presuming not an XM/Sirius ready one?) then you may require a new stereo.

I needed this for mine:

http://shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&siId=2482426&catParentID=24750&scId=24750&oldParentID=

I installed the antenna and such myself, and I will never look back.

SIRIUS 128 for all NASCAR all the time, by the way.

 

[marinerbc]

I forgot.

The Sirius receiver for the Kenwood stereo was $99. The car kit was $69.

Another option is to keep your existing stock deck and go with a Sportster 5 for $149 (I paid $129 at Wal Mart), and have it broadcast over FM (you choose an empty frequency) to your existing stereo.

Our other car has this setup; the Sportster 5 is actually a lot more feature laden than the Kenwood in dash setup is. You can record an hour of Satellite radio, you get Sports alerts, you can program it to let you know when a favourite artist is on another channel.

I'd go with the Sportster(s) if I had it do do over again. At least there's one of them here.

http://shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&siId=3356093&catParentID=7875&scId=7875&oldParentID=

 

[AndrewGS]

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=247350&i=607SIRGM1&tp=87

I use this unit in my Silverado. It's plug and play, but your truck may not have the factory XM/OnStar antenna wired down to where the factory XM unit would normally be, so you'll probably have to use the included antenna. I use my truck's factory XM antenna, but it doesn't receive very well at times. I've thought about wiring the included magnetic antenna behind the dash and 3Ming it to the top of the dash near the windshield, but I've gone nearly three years on the XM antenna.

 

[Shotgun]

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=247350&i=607SIRGM1&tp=87

I use this unit in my Silverado. It's plug and play, but your truck may not have the factory XM/OnStar antenna wired down to where the factory XM unit would normally be, so you'll probably have to use the included antenna. I use my truck's factory XM antenna, but it doesn't receive very well at times. I've thought about wiring the included magnetic antenna behind the dash and 3Ming it to the top of the dash near the windshield, but I've gone nearly three years on the XM antenna.

That is what I am leaning to doing. That way, I can used the OnStar/XM antenna already there. I just hope there is a wire from it to the radio are, not just for OnStar. I believe most of my work will be behind the glove box.

 

[Shotgun]

I didn't have a stock XM/Sirius capable radio, but I did have a Kenwood receiver that was Sirius ready. (Chose Sirius for now for the channels that I wanted; next year will have a choice of "a la carte" from the Sirius/XM menu, I am told.)

Since you have a GM Vehicle (I am presuming not an XM/Sirius ready one?) then you may require a new stereo.

I needed this for mine:

http://shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&siId=2482426&catParentID=24750&scId=24750&oldParentID=

I installed the antenna and such myself, and I will never look back.

SIRIUS 128 for all NASCAR all the time, by the way.

Yeah, once I found that I could get a Sirius unit for the Buick, I'll probably go with that as opposed to XM. I already have 2 receivers with Sirius, and this way I can transfer the subscription from the T&C to the Rainier.

 

[marinerbc]

Then you already know all this stuff.

Sirius 128, baby. And of course 97 and 98.


One curious thing: I was unaware that XM is land based until a while back. Sure explains some reception problems.

 

[AndrewGS]

One curious thing: I was unaware that XM is land based until a while back. Sure explains some reception problems.

Both XM and Sirius have terrestrial transmitters in congested cities, but their main mode of operation is satellite.

 

[69Firebird400]

Then you already know all this stuff.

Sirius 128, baby. And of course 97 and 98.


One curious thing: I was unaware that XM is land based until a while back. Sure explains some reception problems.

When testing various cars with factory sat radio systems (both XM and Sirius), I have found the I actually get much better reception with XM than I do with Sirius. Interesting.

 

[AndrewGS]

When testing various cars with factory sat radio systems (both XM and Sirius), I have found the I actually get much better reception with XM than I do with Sirius. Interesting.

XM has more terrestrial coverage than Sirius. XM also uses two geostationary orbiting satellites while Sirius uses three geosynchronous orbiting satellites.

 

[MonteCarloSS86]

The Sirius reception in the SS is pretty bad if you're going slowly next to trees or something like that. But that's mainly (read: completely) because I have it mounted on the cowl due to the lack of roof on the car... Haha

The Jeep gets pretty good reception with the antenna mounted on the roof just ahead of the tailgate. I still need to go in there and make the wiring look nice but this stupid storm is killing it for me. Which sucks because it's like 74 degrees outside...

But Lithium, Howard Stern, Left of Center, CBC Radio Music, and the NPR are my main stations for Sirius.

 

[marinerbc]

The Vault
Vinyl Rewind
CBC 3
NASCAR
Sports Updates 97
Sirius 12
Raw Dog
NFL 124
CFL 126

I just don't get the Stern thing. So shoot me.

Both XM and Sirius have terrestrial transmitters in congested cities, but their main mode of operation is satellite.

Interesting. They must not have a ground repeater here in Podunk, then, not surprising given that we're only 350,000 here.

 

[AndrewGS]

Interesting. They must not have a ground repeater here in Podunk, then, not surprising given that we're only 350,000 here.

Don't feel bad, they don't have much terrestrial coverage in Houston either, and if you count illegals there are about 7,000,000 of us.

 

[marinerbc]

Don't feel bad, they don't have much terrestrial coverage in Houston either, and if you count illegals there are about 7,000,000 of us.

But you have Spaceships and space people and space thingys.

We just got electricity. And they say pavement is gonna revolutionize the place.

I'm so ashamed.

 

[TechnoAura]

When testing various cars with factory sat radio systems (both XM and Sirius), I have found the I actually get much better reception with XM than I do with Sirius. Interesting.

Although I have not decided which I like better, Sirius or XM, I too have found that XM reception is better than Sirius. My wife's SUV has Sirius and I have XM. I have found that when driving her vehicle with Sirius I lose reception a lot more often than when I drive my car with XM. It is important to note that both our vehicles came with factory satellite radio systems so as to compare apples to apples.

Has anyone else experienced the same or have an explanation? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AndrewGS]

Although I have not decided which I like better, Sirius or XM, I too have found that XM reception is better than Sirius. My wife's SUV has Sirius and I have XM. I have found that when driving her vehicle with Sirius I lose reception a lot more often than when I drive my car with XM. It is important to note that both our vehicles came with factory satellite radio systems so as to compare apples to apples.

Has anyone else experienced the same or have an explanation? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

It's the way the satellites work. XM uses two satellites that constantly stay in a fixed position over the equator looking down on the North America. Sirius uses three satellites that orbit in a figure 8 over North America and South America having two of the satellites over North America at any one time, but at changing positions.

 

[TechnoAura]

It's the way the satellites work. XM uses two satellites that constantly stay in a fixed position over the equator looking down on the North America. Sirius uses three satellites that orbit in a figure 8 over North America and South America having two of the satellites over North America at any one time, but at changing positions.

AndrewGS,

Thank you for your explanation. Very interesting.

Have any of you learned more about the potential merger between XM and Sirius? I haven't in several weeks. I know there was much concern over XM and Sirius becoming a monopoly if they merged. My understanding is that the federal government has given the okay if they decide to merge.

Any thoughts or comments?

 

[xPUMPx]

i have both of them aftermarket and XM has much better reception in general, i also prefer there programming for the most part. [email protected] 6-12 Ron and Fez noon -3

 

[TechnoAura]

I was able to answer my own question. Here is a link to a website that will provide more information about a potential merger.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/24/xm-sirius-merger-approved/

 

[marinerbc]

Thanks for that, TechnoAura. Looks like I will be buying a new adapter, and a new receiver as well when the CRTC gives this the thumbs up next year.

Ugh.