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Message |
    
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1062
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 1:08 pm: | 
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I just got satellite radio service. I can't believe what I have been missing and hearing songs that I forgot I loved from years ago! Audio is so good. I'm totally hooked! Went with XM and did some research. They have 2 18kw satellites named Rock and Roll. One over the west and one over the east. 900 repeaters spread out across the nation. The satellites are the 2 most powerful commercial satellites EVER! I'm still learning and researching this technology. I know a lot of people said they would never pay for radio and I was one of them. Its just not like a radio but something way bigger and for as cheap as it is satellite is worth it to a music lover like myself. I'm a musician and found out that if you have a band and you are unsigned you can get your stuff on XM. I believe that one day satellite will be the King if not already. AM radio will be non existant, FM radio will be what AM radio is today and satallite will take over merging with others such as mobile phone companies, satellite TV, wireless internet, ect ect. Making one satellite service capable of ones wireless needs. Satellite is the future in my opinion! If any other members use satellite radio please share your opinions with me and how you use your gear for best reception and performance.
Moderator? I'm not sure where to put this so I will just put it here in the open forum. thanks guys and have an awesome day!......wire |
Travis55
Junior Member
Username: Travis55
Post Number: 31
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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Ive been wanting to get it for a while now cause I like older country music . I will get it eventually , have fun with yours .  |
Capt205
Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 63
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 3:04 pm: |
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I have it, and rarely if ever listen to anything else (except the 2way). I got mine last year while working in New Orleans after Katrina, and I was able to keep current with the news as it gets all the major networks audio feed.
Music wise XM40 DeepTracks ROCKS! |
Pmb1108
Member
Username: Pmb1108
Post Number: 64
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 3:32 pm: |
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I've had Sirius in the car for about 4 months now.My son bought the radio and a years subscription for my birthday.Its a very versatile entertainment source - but between me and every one else here- I would not have gone out and bought into it on my own.That being said,I am quite perplexed that the signal is lost sometimes when traveling under heavy foilage (trees).What frequency do they use for this medium? I assume it must be quite high in frequency.
Paul CEF662 |
Allan
Junior Member
Username: Allan
Post Number: 32
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
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Sitting in traffic, I have turned my FM radio to 88.7, and most of the time I can listen to what ever a nearby subscriber is listening to. The transmitter in those things that broadcasts to their radio are good for 40-50' range. |
Cadilac
Junior Member
Username: Cadilac
Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |
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I had XM for a while and I really liked it. I got it because a friend had one and he decided to upgrade his radio so I got his boombox and he picked up the tuner for me. It was pretty good ovr all. I had a lot of trouble holding a signal in my apartment. What helped some what was putting the antenna in the window sill. I went with XM because I got a really swet deal, but if I were going to by my own stuff, I'd probably go with sirius. I'd recommend satelite radio for anyone. If I hadn't had a fincncial situation come up, I'd still have it. |
Wildrat
Advanced Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 827
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:06 pm: |
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If you like XM, you would love Sirius. I had both and I think the Rock on Sirius was much better setup. I especially liked ch. 19 Buzzsaw, good ole Classic Rock. It's worth the money I pay, and whats good for each additional receiver it's only like 6 or 7 bucks. I guess they figure they'll get ya on the first one then do the others cheaper so you think your getting a good deal. I like the comedy channel's also, it's good on a long trip. Laughter is good medicine, not as good as the methadone, but it's a close second. I even got Sirius receivers for our two Street Glides, now I need a CB for the two bikes. Harley wants around 1300 bucks to put their CB on the bikes. I told the guy that was insane, now I need an antenna and a decent radio for the bikes. I think I'll go post that in the mobile section. |
Woozy
New member
Username: Woozy
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:24 pm: |
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Have had XM in my truck for over 2 1/2 years. I run 500 miles a day, a lot in a radio dead zone between southern oregon and northern Cal. I don't know how I survived all those years without it. If you live in a big city you need to have it hooked to your aux in jacks of have a wired FM modulator because local radio can tear it up pretty bad. At home I use the FM transmit and listen to the old time radio channel on my portable shortwave(FM of course). |
Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop
Post Number: 341
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 6:54 am: |
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I have XM for the Wife in the bedroom. But have Sirius in my truck. And now I have a Sirius radio in the Wife's truck. (a co-worker sold it to me real cheap) I never listen to the local FM stations, just Sirius. I love it, and I even listen to it on the laptop while surfing the Net! |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 730
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 9:08 am: |
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I love the XM, I made the choice after signing up for a trial for each over the internet. I listened for 2 weeks and decided on XM over 2 years ago. I have 2 radios, one is permanently installed in my commuter and controlled thru the headunit (no external boxes in view) The other is an older roadie that travels between the pickup truck and the shop. The audio quality could be much better IMHO but I like the variety. I rarely listen to FM now, just XM and CD's.
Chad |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 9:31 am: |
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Yeah its really great. I hear some Sirius owners complain about the signal. I hear alot of people who have had both services say XM has better service but Sirius has a better line up. Like you Paul it was bought for me and I would have never bought it myself but knowing what I know now I would no doubt never be without. I tried using the omni antenna for the mobile in the house and a power converter. Reception was poor so I bought the home kit with the directional antenna. The gain is much better with the house antenna and as long as I point it south I'm good. Soon I'm gonna get a better stereo system so I can listen without using a walkman. If I use it at work almost the whole parking lot can pick it up because I use the transmitter feature. Thankfully I have not had reception problems YET! I do not have a favorite channel yet but I have been listening to the comedy channels, Deep Classics and The Rhyme a lot. Really takes me back to my teen days when I hear a tune that my friends and I used to jam to and make out with girls ! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1064
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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Hey Paul I did some more research and I found that Sirius and XM satellites (DARS;digital audio radio satellite) transmit in the 2.3 Ghz S band and the terrestrial repeaters are in the 2320 to 2345 Mhz range. Three satellites built by Boeing up to 18Kw for XM and three satellites built bt Space Systems\Loral for Sirius. Have not found the name of Srius satellites but XM sat, names are Rock, Roll and Rhythm. |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 735
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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Comedy 150, I have had to pull over at times because I was laughing soooo hard!
Chad |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2570
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 5:41 pm: |
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i agree with CEF662 in that i don't need another monthly bill for a 'user service', i've got more then enough already, & won't in the immediate future, plan on subscription radio. being near the capital of the world, NYC, some of the greatest broadcast radio, & stations, of all time have come out of it. however, it appears inevitable, that in the (near?) future, satellite radio will be come a neccessity here as well.
99% of the AM broadcast band is talk radio, from the normal religion, to the extreme, almost cult-like, & the most extreme to-the-right as well as to-the-left, & every STRANGE thing that could possibly be left. listen at sunrise & sunset to the ODD things heard, during dark, there is so much noise, it's really hard to listen to much here. as for the FM broadcast band, does anyone realize there are NO country & western stations left in NYC-hasn't been for quite a few years already(not that i listen to C & W, but my wife complains when at certain times of the year, the CT C & W station @ 92.5 gets wiped out by other stations, no matter how you face the antenna...).
rock & roll is another thing altogether. NYC with just 1 REAL rock station??? R & R was already dying over the radio, but after stern left to satellite, K-rock went all talk during the week, FREE-FM, 'JACK' has taken over the airwaves, even 101 CBS-FM, the oldies station, 50's-early 60's rock, is long gone. a few WEAK college stations that program occasional R & R 'hours', if you can receive them, or 104 is it! even here on LI, there's only 3 R & R stations left. they are the cause of 'channel changing syndrome'. they will play opposite ends of the spectrum back-to-back. how do you go from ozzy osbourne to elton john??? come on, 98.5 'the bone' WAS our 'classic HARD rock' station, til they fired all the DJ's & went to a semi-rock-version-jack radio.
enough ranting, but i will hold out as long as possible before adding another service to my 'auotmatic-monthly-debit' list  |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 996
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:02 pm: |
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I just put a Sirius radio in my truck. For me, the radio stations around here have gone downhill, with too many "talk" morning shows. Now it's "talk" afternoon shows. These are the largest Rock-N-Roll stations in this area.
For me, I don't want to listen to some idiot talk out his/her opinions, I want music, weather, traffic & news. Sirius had the best Rock stations for me, plus I can hear Big 12 sports. My father has XM and he loves it. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, just shop your flavor and enjoy.
Alsworld |
Drexel
New member
Username: Drexel
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
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My wife gave me a Sirius Receiver and Boombox for Christmas and I have really enjoyed listening to all my old favorite music of all kinds, also sports, newcast, traffic reports, without all the commercials. My daughter bought one for her SUV and she enjoys it also.One of the drivers for our moving company said he listens to nothing but XM in his 18 wheeler. drexel |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
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I have noticed a whole lot OTR drivers subscibe to satellite radio. Many have said they don't even use the CB much anymore for entertainment just traffic info. Satellite proves to be an important safety tool to keep drivers awake. XM even has a channel called Trucker Talk.lol Bet it can get interesting at times. |
Jeff032
New member
Username: Jeff032
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 9:43 pm: |
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I HAVE LISTENED TO SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO HERE
IN CANADA AND I LIKE IT ALOT.XM IS GARBAGE DO NOT
PURCHASE THE PIECE OF JUNK XM CUZ YOU WILL NOT
LIKE WHAT XM OFFERS YOU FOR CHANNELS OR
SUSCRIPTION.STAY WITH SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO CAUSE YOU WILL LIKE IT ALOT |
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 131
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 11:26 pm: |
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I've used XM in the big truck now for over 2 years and it's great. The trucker channel is kind of...well...goobery, but I am a political talk radio junkie, and there is a never-ending supply of my "fix" on XM.
I agree that for someone who stays pretty much local in a metropolitan area that you can probably find what you want on broadcast AM, but for a truck driver, I can drive 240 miles during a 3 hour radio program, and with XM I can listen to the program in it's entirety without driving out of range.
The CB still gets priority...if someone wants to talk to me I'll mute the XM with the remote control. I've learned the hard way that driving with the CB off is hazardous to my health. I can't count the times...literally...that drivers have alerted me to stopped traffic just around the corner. And at 75 MPH and 80,000 lbs, that translates to dead people. Lots of them.
It is kind of irritating to me that alot of drivers these days turn on the XM or Sirius and turn OFF the CB. More times that not if I can't raise someone, they're either on the phone or there is a satellite radio on their dashboard.
I like listening to different points of view, so I'll listen to the channels dedicated to the left, the right, and the neutral, i.e; Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, America Left, America Right, NPR, BBC, and ya gotta love Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and Art Bell, lol.
I also think it's pretty cool to be able to listen to Frank's Place...a channel that plays music from the Frank Sinatra genre, or dial up music from the 1940's only, or simply choose your decade...40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's, and tons of contemporary crapola that is fit for the garbage can.
I also love the Latin music from Cuba and reggae stuff.
Try getting that kind of selection on broadcast radio...in digital stereo...coast to coast, without driving out of range or drifting in and out.
The comedy channels are pretty funny, but alot of it turns my stomach.
Yeah...sattelite radio is the bomb no doubt. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1104
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 1:02 pm: |
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XM IS NOT GARBAGE! I have never had a signal problem and always full strength. In the car and house I have a 7 band EQ and the audio is so rich and clean its amazing! Sure there are channels I'm not interested in but I have all my presets filled with stuff I like. I have never been bored with it at all! I use the Roady XT and it great and easy to use! Now I have heard XM subs call Sirius garbage but personally I cannot comment since I'm not a Sirius sub. I have heard Sirius and as far as I can tell its signal and audio qaulity is just as good as XM! I'm very happy with my XM service and have no reason to switch to Sirius. I have thought about subscribing to both services to have the best of both worlds. But to call one or the other garbage just because someone had a problem with theirs is wrong! I have noticed the service comradery and bashing of the competition on many other forums! Me? I love my XM!! XM 4 LIFE!!!73 |
707
Member
Username: 707
Post Number: 88
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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there are some key differences in the methods used by XM and Sirius. XM uses a form of AAC encoding and a fixed bitrate for each channel, while Sirius uses PACv4 and variable bit rate. VBR allows each Sirius channel to use only the bandwidth necessary at any given instant of programming, allowing slightly more dynamic sound, while XM dead air uses the same amount of bandwidth as Aerosmith at full tilt. These differences are barely audible and perception is subject to actual programming.
For the most part, they sound about the same. Sirius has a bit more of a swirly sound to the cymbals and upper voice frequencies, like you are used to with low bit rate MP3's, while XM will sound crisper but a bit flatter at times. Neither service uses much dynamic compression, unlike terrestrial FM broadcast stations.
I run my XM receiver in my shack on a vintage Knight KG-250 tube amp, with a pair of 4 way tower speakers. Deep Tracks sounds Really Good at nominal volume. |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 752
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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Wow! I thought XM was quite swishy in the top end! I made my decision after listening to them on the internet for a couple weeks. I got a free trial subscription to both and made my decision. I recommend doing the same if you are interested in sat radio.
Chad
Tech 833 note. I find the top end 'swishy' too. That is all the digital compression and grunge. It gives me a headache after 30 minutes or so. I personally can't handle it for very long. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 8:54 am: |
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I use a Pyramid SE-709EX 7 band Eqaulizer in the house and when I go with it in the mobile, the audio is near perfect. Without it I agree the sound is a bit flat. I use headphones 90 percent of the time and honestly I cannot tell between the XM and a cd! Use a good qaulity EQ and all the imperfections go away! I bet some even better audio gear can improve the sound more. Now if your an audiophile then nothing will ever make you happy very long. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1292
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
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Hotwire- Nothing will make me happy? Not so!
I have listened to many systems (including my own) that make me happy! I can listen to the home stereo for hours on end without fatigue. 1960 vintage tube amp, 1970 vintage tower speakers, huge wires, and lots of clean vinyl! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1108
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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Tech833,
What's vinyl? Ha just kidding! I have some nice albums handed down from my folks. My dad was about the first to have Led Zepplin 1 in Indiana. He brought it back from California when nobody here had ever heard of Zepplin in Indiana. Various Beatle albums including the white album and many more classic rock albums! Something about the sound of vinyl I like but for portability and best sound possible I love my cds. Put them all on my Mp3 and I'm good for days!73 |
Sniper_62881
New member
Username: Sniper_62881
Post Number: 8
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 7:08 pm: |
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Im trying to make a decison on whether or not i want to get satelite radio. Humm...
marc/cef613 |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 758
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 9:29 pm: |
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HW, I have 2 white albums, one is in the plastic
Chad |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1111
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 8:30 am: |
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Awesome Chad! I think they remastered it and put it on cd. The good stuff is hard to find these days!
Sniper! If your a music lover you will never want to go without satellite radio after you try it! |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 761
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 01, 2006 - 2:21 am: |
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It's an "investment" |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 01, 2006 - 1:57 pm: |
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Hey Chad, What do you think the White album in mint condition is valued at today? In dollars that is. |
Johnbrowning
Junior Member
Username: Johnbrowning
Post Number: 35
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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I have had Sirius for two years. I think Sirius has better programming then XM even though XM has more subscribers. I like Fox news and conservitive talk radio and Sirius has better programing. I also like a mix of music and am never wanting for anything with it. I think that XM also has better market saturation because you can find them every place while SIrius recievers are harder to find. I also think that more truckers use Sirius then XM based on my experinces. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1898
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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I use XM and my dad has Sirous. Now on XM out of like 200 channels there is a few like the news and talk channels like CNN or FOX, ect, ect that throw in a few commercials advertising future programming and other XM channels,maybe sometimes a charity service but I absolutly have never heard a commercial for a consumer product.
Now what I listen to 99% of the time is the music channels(over 100 channels)and I have never heard a commercial. The only stuff you will hear on a music channel like channel 46 is " Your listening to XM channel 46 TOP TRACKS classic rock" then the music continues. Or maybe you will hear this on a music channel like channel 65 " Your jamming to channel 65 THE RYME old school raps and be sure to listen at midnight every Saturday for Snoop Doggs show The Basement where Snoop takes you back in the day!" Then the music continues. So its really commercial free on all the channels except a few news channels.
Satellite is the future. The FM radio stations are trying to compete by going digital but still commercials for like 20 minutes of the hour or more. Satalite is not controlled by the FCC so beware. The talk guys can say whatever they want and if you have kids best to let them hear Disney!
I pay 12 bucks a month for XM. To me its worth it cause I listen almost everyday.
Once you go satellite I have never met anyone who prefers FM instead. |
Hatchet
Intermediate Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 129
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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There are starting to be commercials on XM and Sirus. On XM the ststions with CM after the name are "commercial" stations. They are programmed and operated by clear channel corp. |
N8xfj
Intermediate Member
Username: N8xfj
Post Number: 163
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 6:43 pm: |
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HMMM well that will be something to think about for a while to see what happens before getting one then, but do appreciate the info though guys.Thanks. |
Wildrat
Senior Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 1262
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 4:57 pm: |
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I am still liking my Sirius Radio. It is great in the Jeep, even better on the bike. I do not like the idea of Sirius buying XM. I do not like the they have their channel's setup. Hopefully nothing will change on Sirius except for more programming.
WILDRAT
MARK
27.285MHZ
CEF674
CVC029
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Penrider
Junior Member
Username: Penrider
Post Number: 36
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 7:27 pm: |
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I've had both at one time or another, I use sirius now...both had about equal sound quality in the wife's durango(just Almost as good a sound system as you'll ever find from the factory, esp in a truck/suv)...I use sirius because I like the lineup better for country music, although I think xm's rock lineup is probably better...the only probs I've had is with receiver equipment quality...take it from experience, buy the Best quality receiver you can get your hands on...the cheaper and even midgrade ones either mess up or die rather quickly
Sean
CEF867
CVC81
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Keithinatlanta
Advanced Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 980
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 10, 2014 - 8:00 pm: |
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Guys, here it is 2014, and I am still using XM radio, of course now it is Sirius/xm. I am like the truck drivers, I drive all over SE and SW all the way to Colorado and back through KS and Missouri for my business travels, and the satellite radio helps a lot, especially when it comes to news.
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Milkman21218
Advanced Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 572
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 10, 2014 - 11:04 pm: |
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I have a XM with a Lifetime sub. And a factory installed Sirius radio in one vehicle. And a Sirius radio with a Lifetime sub that I purchased for a Ham who sells many of them at Hamfest for $80. Well worth it! I may get another.
Izzy
CEF#502
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