I’m wanting to invest in a satellite radio for home, not for car use. Since I’m at home most of the time at the ranch, it doesn’t make sense to put this in a vehicle when it will be mostly used when I’m not in my vehicle.
I’m coming to the conclusing I’ll need the basic radio, a speaker dock of some kind, and an antenna.
Are the window antennas adequate, or do I need to spend some money for an outside antenna to mount on the house?
Are there certain speaker docks that work better than others?
Are there some things about satellite radio to consider that I haven’t thought of?
Hope you don’t mind if I tag along on this thread as well, as I have been toying with the same idea. I’ve got a small radio out at my ranch but would like something more versatile. Satellite radio is appealing, but I just HATE paying monthly fees.
I’m actually planning on taking the ham radio “technician” license exam next month and have been looking at some different transceivers that would give me access to a wide spectrum of radio while additionally providing me with some “off-grid” SHTF communications. Just what I need, another half-assed hobby to dump money into.
All that aside, the satellite radio may prove the easiest route for simply listening to a wide variety of programming with a reliable signal.
Inside v. outside antenna mounting depends a lot on material used in the roof. Metal roof and metal coated decking are definite no-gos from my experience. First thing I’d do is look at where you need to aim the antenna and make sure you have a clear shot at that part of the sky. Then mount the outside antenna (best reception and you’ll probably end up going that route anyway) and make sure you have enough lead to get to where the receiver is mounted.
I just did a round trip in to Yellowstone Park; satellite radio is the ticket! Most of the time, XM offers a 425.00 for 6 months deal to get you to come back… if you threaten to cancel at the end, they will extend it again. Love not having to hunt for local radio while driving all over the country.
Typo $25 for six months. I have had XM for 10 years now you can get a car kit and home station with one subscription you can move it from your car to your home as needed.
One kit I looked at has a “window” antenna (i.e. you locate the unit near a window and put the antenna literally on the window sill). Is this adequate? Or am I going to have to get an outside antenna mounted to the house for best reception.
Really I’m trying to get by with a minimum of installation woes.
How did you get a subscription at $25/six months? The Sirius website lists their introductory package at $199/yr. Which I’m not gonna pay for radio (on top of the cost of the actual equipment).
I’m probably talking out my ass, but I think as long as the antenna is placed in a southern-facing window and there are no obstructions above it should work just fine.
This is from Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_Satellite_Radio): Each receiver must be connected to an external antenna, which is included with the receiver. Antenna placement is crucial to receiving a clear signal. In some locations users have experienced difficulty receiving the Sirius programming because the signal is not consistently strong. For best reception, antennas should be placed such that they have an unobstructed view of the sky (preferably on rooftops without overhanging eaves or trees). If this is not an option, the antenna should be placed on an exterior wall. When placing on an exterior wall, the antenna should be mounted to a wall which faces the center of the continental United States in order to minimize the likelihood of the building itself blocking the signal.
That’s based solely on my experience with the sat radio in my vehicle. The antenna is built into the roof and works anywhere unless I’m driving downtown with a tall building on my south side, in a parking garage, etc. The antennas don’t seem to picky.
Roger that. I’ve renewed the introductory rate on my truck radio . . . five times. But I’m still payin’ more than you. I gotta call those bastards up and quit. For realsies!
We use one of these at work, even though the window itself faces due east, and we average three bars of signal with the antenna angled to the southeast. We only lose signal on occasion. Most of our signal woes are due to people standing outside and blocking the antenna, or having an unusually tall vehicle park in the adjacent parking spot.
The “window” antenna gets my cheap-ass stamp of approval, even during monsoon summers.
I’ve had Sirius for about 6 years now. I bought the basic head unit for about $100 which came with 2 antennas (little square magnetic blocks) & a stand for the head unit. I signed up for the lifetime membership. It was $500 & stays on forever regardless of rate increases or whatever. They don’t advertise it & I’m not sure if they still offer it. I love mine. It stays at my shop permanently. My drive home isn’t too long so I just listen to CD’s in the truck.
Ask your cell phone provider about a booster for the ranch. They will usually provide it free if you have bad reception.
IMHO, If you’re going to go to all the trouble and expense of getting satellite radio, I think you would be better off getting satellite TV and internet or just satellite internet. Much more versatile and cost effective. Then, you could have TV, internet, radio, satellite radio, VOIP (e.g. Ooma.com), streaming video/TV, wifi, etc.
Much of the cost could be offset by getting rid of your telephone land line, replacing it with VOIP and get rid of cable TV if you have it and replace it with satellite TV and internet. You could also set your cell phone to use wifi from the satellite internet so that you could reduce or eliminate data usage against your cell rate plan.
I just let my Sirius expire for 2 days… if you call 855-711-4795, that’s where they hook you up for 6 months for $25.00; I also looked online and while they hide it, there is an Ala Cart package. Its $7.99 for 50 channels of your choice. If you want to add a premium channel or go over the 50, it’s 25 cents per channel. I could only come up with 41 channels that would even remotely want to listen to.
