I'm thinking about getting XM pretty soon. I was just curious about the types of antennas you guys are using and where you're mounting them. Does the Trek Glass Mount antenna affect the integrated AM/FM radio antennas in Accord rear windshields? Any pics would be great. Also do you guys like the car only XM equipment or the Sony or Delphi models that can be transferred inside? Thanks guys.

-Chris

 

Oh... I got this one as for antenna choices Terk has 8 antennas for XM....the
new smaller roof mounts look real cool and work fine. The glass mount is stated
to give the best reception,but the looks did not appeal to everyone ..but no fear the newer version is much smaller. No it will not affect your am/fm antenna(but you may want to look at the smaller roof mounts if this is a concern) I have it in my cars and I also have an xtra car unit that i run inside with my home stereo ( I have an ac/dc convertor)...it all depends on where you think it will benefit you
the most

 

That's cool man. What models are you using? Hear anything good about the Delphi model?

-Chris

 

the thru-glass tends to fall off if not installed like *perfectly* (ie> making sure window is super clean, and sometimes it's required you warm the window up before sticking). Right now I'm using hte SR-2, have it on my rear deck next to my 3rd tail light (5th gen prelude). I'm thinking I might get the SH rear deck which eliminates the 3rd tail light, and stick the SR-3 (that's hte new tiny roof mount) to the underside of the new rear deck material where the 3rd tail light use to be, so you can't see the antenna at all. Stealth install. XM and others will tell you having it on the rear deck screws up your receiption, which might be true to an extent, but it works fine for me. no problems what-so-ever. My antenna even got put into my trunk on accident one time under an inflatible raft and snow shovel, and it still picked up fine.

 

What XM Ready deck are you planning on using? I would go with an Alpine head unit, just my opinion. But as for your situation, go with the roof mount to be on the safe side. But I don't think it should affect your am/fm reception. Don't forget, getting an XM ready deck and an antenna aren't all you need for XM radio. After spending $300-500 on a deck and $75 on an antenna, you also have to pay another $150 for the XM tuner and then the monthly fees, etc. Just some information incase you didn't know. All-in-all, XM is pretty tight, I recommend it. Happy listening

 

Oh yeah I know about the subscription and stuff, thanks. Right now I have an Alpine CDA7983 which is XM ready. Do you guys know anything about using the Sony or Delphi models w/ the FM modulators harming the sound quality?

-Chris

 

The modulator will play through your radio, so it will not be CD quality. It shouldn't sound bad though.

 

i'd go with the alpine if you're able to. There is a good difference is SQ... go into any circuit city, they should have a demo of the alpine direct vs the delphi being modulated. The delphi doesn't sound bad, but not quite as good... though the way you can look at channels w/o changing to them is awsome. I personally have the alpine setup in my car, the receiver box under the passenger seat and as I said above the antenna on my rear deck.

 

I've seen a few people put the antenna (plain old roofmount) under the dash as close to the front of the windshield as possible. depends on how much of the dash is exposed though.

 

OK, thanks for the replies. The thing is, I really would like XM at home as well. If I get the subscription for my Alpine deck, can I get like a Sony or Delphi model for home use w/ the same subscription?

-Chris

 

Actually...No ( trust me I tried ) Unlike cell phones,there is no "shared" plans
at the current moment.....the technology is fairly new and the companies dont have enough subscribers to be "profitable" at this time ( sorta like DSS is now...
take a loss on the equip now...make up for it on the service). I hooked it into my
home 'cause i paying for the service while the 'rex is down. the aerial that I'm using is the sr2...I even quizzed the rep...what was the possibility of the antennas
being designed like the Fuba Bee sting style...I think that would be cool @ least in my case since I have one on my car now...but I can see where it would be a prob
( drill a hole in my car.....WTF )

have fun

 

Since you already have an Alpine deck, you should just get the Alpine tuner. It will be easier. And as for sound quality, it won't be CD quality....it will be better. If you really want XM in you home, get the Sony deck and whatever XM stuff is needed for that and sell your Alpine deck to get some money. Just an idea, but whatever you feel like doing should be good. Hope you like whatever you decide on.

 

The sony receiver that plugs into a sony deck isn't portable. The portable unit works with any deck... I guess if you are looking for portable i'd go with the Delphi, and contact alpine to get the AI-Net changer port adaptor. This will allow the radio to have an AUX input, and since the delphi has a headphone jack out, you'd just need to get a headphone to RCA adaptor cable. Then the delphi would have a direct plug-in to the alpine, which will help maintain the higher sound quality.

 

OK sounds good guys. I think I'm probably just gonna get the Alpine tuner and antenna and whatnot. I'll probably starting buying the stuff after next paycheck next week. I'll be sure to post pics once I get everything installed.

-Chris