All . . . . I am thinking of buying equipment for the SiriusXM system. What reception do you get with Sirius?? Do you have to have a truckers antenna to get good signals??I am having mixed emotions about Sirius . . . . costs 425 dollars for equipment for my truck. I am not sure it is worth it.Thanks . . . . . ken

I got it with my truck and extended warranty for life, like it... reception is good, only draw back is heading NW and North as the camper overhang blocks the Sat signal. Antenna on the truck roof.While I do have the little extended antenna, I haven't put it on the front hood. There are other discussions on this on location but I'm planning, when I figure out how to access the box behind the glove box somewhere, to put it on the front cent of hood. Other than that, it's good to listen to, news, music, comedy etc.. so to me, well worth it. Especially out west where stations aren't as dense and a lot of blank areas of reception..Again, only draw back, easily solvable, is the signal blocking.I'm full time, so it's more appreciated than just weekend camping.Hope that helps...

I just have the little bulb antenna. Works fine except for in canyons or tunnels. Love Sirius radio. Nice to have the same stations everywhere and no fading.

ken burke wrote:All . . . . I am thinking of buying equipment for the SiriusXM system. What reception do you get with Sirius?? Do you have to have a truckers antenna to get good signals??I am having mixed emotions about Sirius . . . . costs 425 dollars for equipment for my truck. I am not sure it is worth it.Thanks . . . . . kenand then an asking $250 - $350/year for the subscription. First couple of years I was able to call them and tell them I wanted to cancel my subscription because of what I considered to be an outrageous amount and they offered their "special rate" (they were asking $265 and I got it for $85). The last year I had it the renewal was somewhere in the $300 range, I called, they stood firm, I cancelled.

Go to best buy. They have portable systems for around a hundred dollars. With one of these you can move it from truck to trailer, to house, to other cars. No reason buying a big buck built in one.

BobKrogstie wrote: The last year I had it the renewal was somewhere in the $300 range, I called, they stood firm, I cancelled.You do the same thing with your TV, or your phone service?

Sirius Radio for RVs Reception | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

rk911
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
rk911 wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
if you live in a large city with 30 zillion fm stations it would be difficult to find a clear "channel" to use one of those transmitters.
bumpy

we live in metro Chicago and spend between 1-3 months in Phoenix each spring. I've had no problem finding a clear FM frequency for my SXM receiver in either area.

I had an old FM transmitter jobby and around Baltimore/Washington D.C. there was just too much outside interference to get a good signal. I would be reluctant to spend a lot of money on this type of a solution. but I don't think the OP wants an easy/quick/cheap solution. I think he wants an excuse to upgrade his radio from the AM only cheap charley that came in the edsel.
bumpy

that may very well be the case but in my case I paid <$30 for the receiver and $10 for the antenna. not a large investment and it does the job. totally agree that the AUX port connection is best by a long shot but my point was if he doesn't have one he can still connect another way. but if he's looking for an excuse...well, I've been there as well. :)
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 09, 2017
rk911 wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
if you live in a large city with 30 zillion fm stations it would be difficult to find a clear "channel" to use one of those transmitters.
bumpy

we live in metro Chicago and spend between 1-3 months in Phoenix each spring. I've had no problem finding a clear FM frequency for my SXM receiver in either area.

I had an old FM transmitter jobby and around Baltimore/Washington D.C. there was just too much outside interference to get a good signal. I would be reluctant to spend a lot of money on this type of a solution. but I don't think the OP wants an easy/quick/cheap solution. I think he wants an excuse to upgrade his radio from the AM only cheap charley that came in the edsel.
bumpy
rk911
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
if you live in a large city with 30 zillion fm stations it would be difficult to find a clear "channel" to use one of those transmitters.
bumpy

we live in metro Chicago and spend between 1-3 months in Phoenix each spring. I've had no problem finding a clear FM frequency for my SXM receiver in either area.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
if you live in a large city with 30 zillion fm stations it would be difficult to find a clear "channel" to use one of those transmitters.
bumpy
rk911
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
ken burke wrote:
Thanks all for you input on the Sirius radio. I don't understand a lot of what you say, but my radio is not set up for anything. No channels. That is why I have to go with a new radio and tuner.
ken

you misunderstood. your current radio will work if it has an "AUX" input, for a 1/8 inch???? plug. if you bought any upgraded radio in the last 6 years it should have one. does your radio have an aux input??? that is the first requirement, nothing needs to be "set up" for channels on it. post a picture of the face of your radio.
bumpy

listen to what bumpy, myself and others have been trying to tell you. your current in-dash AM/FM radio does not need to be replaced. many Sirius/XM (SXM) radios can be connected to your existing AM/FM dash radio in a number of ways. through an AUX port on the front or rear of your in-dash radio or by using the FM demodulator built in to the SXM receiver. you would tune both your in-dash radio and the SXM receiver to a clear/unused FM frequency.

are you old enough to remember FM radio adapters? these were little units that connected to your in-dash AM radio by coaxial cable. to make them work you tuned your in-dash AM radio to a particular frequency that the FM adapter was transmitting on and then used the FM adapter to tune to FM frequencies. if your current in-dash radio does not have an AUX input on the front or rear that's how you can still use a SXM receiver.
shastagary
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
he keeps saying he needs to replace the truck radio if it does not have a auxiliary input and it can tune in a fm radio station he cn get a sirius radio made for car use that has the fm transmitter in it. use his current radio to tune into the fm radio station created by the sirius radio. if he decides to replace the truck radio someday get one with a auxiliary input and plug it in that way.
sar tracker wrote:
Not sure if it's available any longer, but I have the XTR3CK receiver. Portable and small, it receives the sat signal, then re-transmits it over an few pre-set FM frequencies (currently, I have it set on 89.1). Signal is just strong enough to receive the FM signal in our RV, with the pickup disconnected and sitting in front. (probably 30-40' between receiver and stereo in RV.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
SCClockDr wrote:
ken burke wrote:
All . . . . I am thinking of buying equipment for the SiriusXM system. What reception do you get with Sirius??doesn't address reception, If you have large buildings, forests, etc. in the way, you will lose reception at times
This is the best arrangement we've had to date.

Do you have to have a truckers antenna to get good signals?the answer to this question is NO?
Browning antenna

I am having mixed emotions about Sirius . . . . costs 425 dollars for equipment for my truck. I am not sure it is worth it.I believe it has been answered, NO you do NOT have to spend $425
Not addressed

Thanks . . . . . ken

Once committed, finding x, y, and/or z won't work for me is a bummer in my book.

I accept your reasoning is a bit different than mine at times and it is just as valid. It is often even better.
SCClockDr
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
ken burke wrote:
All . . . . I am thinking of buying equipment for the SiriusXM system. What reception do you get with Sirius??
This is the best arrangement we've had to date.
Do you have to have a truckers antenna to get good signals??
Browning antenna

I am having mixed emotions about Sirius . . . . costs 425 dollars for equipment for my truck. I am not sure it is worth it.
Not addressed

Thanks . . . . . ken

Once committed, finding x, y, and/or z won't work for me is a bummer in my book.

I accept your reasoning is a bit different than mine at times and it is just as valid. It is often even better.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
SCClockDr wrote:
We use XM vs Sirius. There is an after market radio and control box in the truck with its original magnetic puck. It has issues traveling ENE TO N when north of 38° or so especially in the northeast USA. I suspect our Titanium nose cap blocks it some.
In our Titanium we have a model XDPIV2 (upgrade from a Roady2) that is FM coupled to our Samsung home theater system. The newer XM units sport weaker FM transmitters than the earlier Roady units. A dedicated rabbit ears in the rear cap fixed that issue. It is supported by a Browning BR-TRUCKER Satellite Radio Trucker Mirror-Mount Antenna with Large Built-In Ground Plane mounted on an 8' painters pole. This is the best arrangement we've had to date.

I'm thinking of installing a Browning on the truck for our Alaska trip next summer so as to clear the Titanium. Aesthetics is holding up that idea with DW (mast sticking up from the truck). I may just get the Browning and wait for the no signal complaints from DW.

interesting information, but the OP is puzzled by steps A & B. you are discussing steps x,y,&z
bumpy
SCClockDr
Explorer
Sep 08, 2017
We use XM vs Sirius. There is an after market radio and control box in the truck with its original magnetic puck. It has issues traveling ENE TO N when north of 38° or so especially in the northeast USA. I suspect our Titanium nose cap blocks it some.
In our Titanium we have a model XDPIV2 (upgrade from a Roady2) that is FM coupled to our Samsung home theater system. The newer XM units sport weaker FM transmitters than the earlier Roady units. A dedicated rabbit ears in the rear cap fixed that issue. It is supported by a Browning BR-TRUCKER Satellite Radio Trucker Mirror-Mount Antenna with Large Built-In Ground Plane mounted on an 8' painters pole. This is the best arrangement we've had to date.

I'm thinking of installing a Browning on the truck for our Alaska trip next summer so as to clear the Titanium. Aesthetics is holding up that idea with DW (mast sticking up from the truck). I may just get the Browning and wait for the no signal complaints from DW.

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Sirius Radio for RVs Reception

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