Forum Discussion

Saint_Augustine's avatar
Jun 05, 2015

Cheap way to get SiriusXM

Hi:
I have a MH on the E350 2001 Econoline chassis. The radio is of the same vintage. I can find no place for even an MP3 player. I would like to be able to get SiriusXM preferably and still keep my old radio. Any suggestions for cheap way to do this? Best Buy suggested I replace radio with XM-enabled Alpine for $180 bucks. I don't want to spend more than $100.00. Will probably get buy on what we have if necessary.
Thanks for any help.
Bob

27 Replies

  • BB_TX wrote:
    I would be hesitant to use one that used an FM modulator to play thru an open FM channel on your radio. I had an iPod dock that used that technology. Worked ok as long as you had a good clean unused FM channel available. But when I started on a trip, that open channel would suddenly become a used channel in another town. That could mean having to search for a new open channel multiple times on each day's travel. And in a densely populated area, finding a clean channel could sometimes be a challenge.

    And don't forget, you have to pay a yearly subscription fee.


    Very close to my thoughts. I am not a fan of FM modulators unless it ia at a fixed location.

    You might think about a In dash
  • BB_TX wrote:
    I would be hesitant to use one that used an FM modulator to play thru an open FM channel on your radio. I had an iPod dock that used that technology. Worked ok as long as you had a good clean unused FM channel available. But when I started on a trip, that open channel would suddenly become a used channel in another town. .


    I had something that played thru an FM modulator and when I got near baltimore or DC every channel had interference.
    bumpy
  • I forgot about those shortcomings, BB_TX. The unit I listed has a 3.5mm output jack and cable but I'm not sure if a 2001 radio will have an AUX jack.
  • I would be hesitant to use one that used an FM modulator to play thru an open FM channel on your radio. I had an iPod dock that used that technology. Worked ok as long as you had a good clean unused FM channel available. But when I started on a trip, that open channel would suddenly become a used channel in another town. That could mean having to search for a new open channel multiple times on each day's travel. And in a densely populated area, finding a clean channel could sometimes be a challenge.

    And don't forget, you have to pay a yearly subscription fee.
  • Get an XM radio with an FM modulator built in. You tune the MH radio to one of a few frequencies at either end of the dial where there is no FM station, like 88.1 or 107.9, then set the XM receiver to transmit on that same frequency.
  • There are adapters that mount between antenna and radio that will give you a mini plug. Then using a portable like the Roady to plug in. Then you choose an unused fm position to get music.

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