to get Sirius Satellite Radio? I bought the Sportster
Satellite Radio
and 2 extra car kits. I also bought the home kit, so I could carry the
receiver into the house and enjoy music and talk at all times.
The first step to installing, is
to open the annoying plastic packaging, you know the ones, where you end
up cutting your hands on the sharp plastic or the knife you are attempting
to open the package with !
Next, I read the directions...
yeah right, I am a guy so I just starting hooking things up and figured
directions were for lightweights.
Well it was easy, I hooked up the power cord
to an empty cigarette lighter socker, and ran the antenna wire up the
door pillar in my 2005 Ford F-250. I placed the antenna on the roof close
to the door. For best reception it's suggested to the have antenna on
a flat surface pointing towards the sky. The roof fits the bill, and the
truck is so high, nobody really notices the antenna. (it's only about
2" in diameter and about 3/8" high, so it's not an eyesore no
matter where you put it)
I then called Sirius and activated my account.
Give a CC and chose your plan. They then ask you for the radio serial
number, and within minutes, the unit is activated and you are receiving
music and talk stations.
You may be asking, what about the speaker wires?
I am not an audiophile so I opted for the FM transmitter option, which
means that the signal is sent through an FM signal and is picked up by
your factory radio. I have had little if no trouble with this method.
There is one or two times, where I have had interference, but it's only
for a minute or so, and not on my regular commute.
If you are an audiophile, you may consider
using RCA outputs to interface with your radio (if the radio supports
it) or getting a dedicated radio that will work with Sirius Satellite
Radio. This option requires getting a head unit, and a Sirius tuner, which
can be expensive, but the quality will be better. Many new cars are coming
with Sirius built in, so keep it in mind before you buy a new car.
I also installed the car kit, in my 1969 Lincoln
and 2001 BMW M3, all installs were as easy as my Ford F-250 except the
Lincoln's sharp door trim cut the antenna wire. Most never cars have large
soft weather stripping with will not damage the antenna wire, the Lincoln
did not. I will be ordering a new antenna shortly.
Happy Listening,
Kevin Schappell