Satellite Radio

rjstaaf · 08-10-05, 07:33

Hey guys,

We got spoiled on our recent trip to NY by having XM Radio in the rental car for 10 days. I want to add it to the Mustang and am looking for opinions on the various options out there. I do know we want to go XM and I need something portable so we can go from the Mustang to the wife's minivan on trips.

Right now it looks like I am going with the Delphi SkyFi2

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l4VaagW...0&I=040SA10101

For the Mustang I am gonna go with the FM modulator that plugs into the antenna on my stock headunit. We will probably do the same thing for the wife's minivan.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l4VaagW...0&I=040SA10112

For the antenna I am debating putting it on the roof vs just putting it on the rear shelf. Anyone know how putting the antenna on the rear shelf may affect reception? For the minivan, it is just going on the roof.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-l4VaagW...0&I=209XMICRO2

To mount the unit in the Mustang, I wanted to avoid anything that would permanently alter the car. I found this at Circuit City, just the perfect option for me. It just fits in a cupholder. I haven't decided how I want to mount it in the minivan yet.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Belki...oductDetail.do

Any comments or suggestions on what I have put together would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Autoeng · 08-10-05, 07:44

Quote:

For the antenna I am debating putting it on the roof vs just putting it on the rear shelf. Anyone know how putting the antenna on the rear shelf may affect reception?

If you are not in a big city with terrestrial repeaters it will have an effect.

Mosca · 08-10-05, 07:56

I have a SkyFi and Roadie. The Roadie is smaller, the SkyFi's display is more informative. I'd go with the more informative display, it's less fiddlling while driving.

If you put the antenna on the roof, be careful for scratches.

I LOVE my XM Radio. I bought a 3 year subscription for 3 radios (the Miata has it built into the head unit).

Tom

rjstaaf · 08-10-05, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosca

I have a SkyFi and Roadie. The Roadie is smaller, the SkyFi's display is more informative. I'd go with the more informative display, it's less fiddlling while driving.

If you put the antenna on the roof, be careful for scratches.

I LOVE my XM Radio. I bought a 3 year subscription for 3 radios (the Miata has it built into the head unit).

Tom

If I put it on the roof do you think the magnet in the antenna will still hold if I put a piece of the 3M clear bra material down to protect the roof?

Picus · 08-10-05, 08:41

I'd try it in the rear rack first. My antenna is in the rear rack and I've never had a problem with reception. I do live in a big city but I've driven it through some pretty rural areas without an issue.

JayC · 08-10-05, 09:23

I have mine in the back window on the deck.. it works fine as long as you arent in a heavily wooded area but even then, having it outside wouldn't make any difference.

Mosca · 08-10-05, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjstaaf

If I put it on the roof do you think the magnet in the antenna will still hold if I put a piece of the 3M clear bra material down to protect the roof?

Absolutely yes. The magnet is hella strong.

Tom

hirosh · 08-10-05, 12:44

instead of FM modulator, have you thought of getting an auxuillary input device that will plug into your factory radio and let you play your satellite radio through the factory radio? they're probably more expensive than a FM modulator, but they are suppose to sound better since they plug directly into your factory radio.

i tried looking for something similar to hook my iPod to my factory Mach460 and came across a forum board for xm radio, although i don't have the bookmark right now. well, let me know if you want it, i can get it later when i go home from work.

rjstaaf · 08-10-05, 12:54

Reid,

I could be wrong but, I am pretty sure there isn't an auxilliary output on the Mach 460 head unit in my 2001. There are two kinds of FM modulators for XM, wireless and wired through the antenna. Unless I am wrong about the auxilliary output on the head unit I think the FM modulator is really my only option

I have thought about just putting in an XM ready aftermarket head unit but, that opens another whole can of worms

Thanks

hirosh · 08-10-05, 11:16

Bob,

Check this post out on the svtperformance.com forum board. it talks about a PIE auxillary input adapter that allows you to hook up any portable audio device to your factory Mach 460 radio. an excerpt from the post:

"The 6-disc in my '03 has a 20-pin changer controller connector with a harness hooked to it. The FRDN-AUX is a passthrough style harness, so you just hook the existing harness to one end of the FRDN-AUX, and the other end plugs into the deck."

so, there is a possibility this could work for you. you should check to see if you have a 20-pin connector. i made the mistake of ordering the iPod adaptor one without realizing my 2004 Mach 460 does not have a 20-pin connector. (the 2004 Mach 460 has built in satellite radio which makes it impossible for me to hook up any portable audio devices)

another option is JL Audio's CleanSweep which has some auxillary input, but that is only if you want to add aftermarket amplifiers and speakers.

rjstaaf · 08-11-05, 09:10

Reid,

I talked with the folks at PIE (Precision Interface Electronics) and the FRDN-AUX will give me an auxiliary port. I am wondering though if this is worth the extra expense and effort? I am by no means an audiophile. Will I notice the difference between FM modulation through a direct connection through the antenna vs the direct connection through the AUX port?

Here is the FRDN-AUX
http://www.pie.net/index-2-details.c...ordID=FRDN-AUX

Here is a site that carries the FRDN-AUX
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=430

Here is a link to a 3.5mm-RCA cable that they say is needed to go from the SkyFi2 to the RCA on the FRDN-AUX
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2009&sku=03180

I also found a possible solution for your '04 Mach 460 dilema though. It would appear that PIE is working on a solution for the '04 Mach 460. Here is another company that is marketing a similar product for the '04 Mach 460 head unit. Here is a thread from their forum.

http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_forum...PagePosition=1

hirosh · 08-11-05, 01:40

i think it is possible for you to notice the difference. for one thing, using a FM modulator, even a wired one, is still like listening to FM radio. but directly wiring your XM radio to your car radio would be like listening to it through headphones. did you read blkz28conv's post asking for other member's opinions on XM radio? if not, HERE it is. it seems like opinions vary from people liking it to people disliking it.

gnahc79 had this to say about his XM radio:
I like my XM, I've had it for over 2 yrs. It cuts out under bridges (~2 sec), under heavy tree cover, and occasionally when I'm in San Francisco. My antenna is mounted on the roof and everything too. Not a big deal for me really. Sound quality using the FM modulator is inbetween CD and FM. With an aux in I think it should be much better. The FM modulator is finicky and the FM signal, if strong enough, does override the XM signal.

that's one thing i noticed with FM modulators (i have one for my iPod). sometimes the signal gets junk. like the other day, i started getting static from my cell phone. but whether you go with the wired FM modulator or an auxilary input adaptor, it's probably better than regular ol' FM radio.

and thanks for the info about blitzsafe. i saw that post when i was looking for an iPod adaptor. it's been a while for them to post anything new. hopefully PIE does come out with one for my Mach 460 soon, i think logjamselectronics had something there, so i don't have to go with the aftermarket radio route. i don't mind, Alpine has a nice headunit, but like you said, that is a whole 'nother can of worms.

btw, if you have an iPod and want to hook it up to your Stang, i have a PIE iPod adaptor you can have if you want it.