Satellite Radio

[IkeH]

Any other folks here have Sirius or XM? I've had Sirius for a year and a half and have enjoyed it, in general. I've heard good things about XM also and tried logging on to the 3 day temporary service. It was when my cable box decided it was obsolete and went nuts, so I missed the free preview. I tried getting on again and only got back a pre-prepared email that I'd already had the preview and not entitled to another. So, I said screw you, I'll stay with Sirius and not look back.

This was to do a little homework before I got my wife a Christmas present of the portable radio for her car/office, etc. So I went ahead with the present system that we're on. I was just curious as to others' takes on the programming they liked to listen to on the two systems available. Also tell me which type of radio you got to listen to it on. I received an installed Kenwood radio/cdplayer for my birthday in my car and it does an Ok job. Very difficult contraption to operate and set up and doesn't sound as good as the original Volvo unit. Can't get enough bass out of it(of course).

My usage usually goes between 70,72, & 75 Jazz stations(straight ahead, fusion & standards), occasional classical(not crazy about their programming here)CNN, Fox, and the two comedy channels. Occasionally I wander around the talk channels, NPRs, other music things, but come back to these. The radio I have is not that user friendly. I'd be driving all over the place trying to channel surf with this thing. Let me know what you think about it.

Ike

[WoodSheddin]

XM here. Mostly the main classical channel, CNN, unsigned bands, bluegrass, traffic channel occasionally, Frank's Place are my main listening. The wife likes the kids stuff. Certainly worth $10/month.

[Tom Mason]

Just got the sirius for my truck (gift from my parents).

So far, I am almost glued to 72. I have listened a little to all of the jazz as well as a spot on each of the classical channels. I will take a few days and prowl around, but I think that I will end up staing on 72 most of the time.

I have the cheapie $125 system that requires you to run an antenna and cable from your vehicle roof to the receiver, the suction cup mounting system (I used the velcro system), and the low power broadcast to my FM radio. It is working fine. My truck's stereo system is the stock GMC system that came with it in '97. It has good sound for being a stock system.

When I get the system for my wife's car here within the next two months, I will only have to uplink her car's stereo system (sattelite radio built into the car stereo). It will also cost less for the second system.

Tom Mason

[CJ Krause]

XFM

[Tom Mason]

There is no difference in reception from my house to the bonnies where my parents live and my hunting grounds. (about 2 hours west of Memphis)

The Sirius receiver came with a preset FM transmitter to go to your car stereo. If there is a station on that frequency, then you can change the preset.

So far, no reception problems.

Tom Mason

[Mitchell Spray]

My mother got xm radio a litte over a year ago and she loves it. She plays it probably 18 hours a day. My direct tv subscription now includes many of the xm radio stations and since my tv is run through my stereo, it is an added bonus. I can highly recommend it.
On the mobile version, if you encounter terrain that gets in between you and the satellite, the signal can be interrupted from time to time.

Mitch Spray

[Carroll]

I'm watching this thread with interest (particularly due to ignorance), because I'm considering moving out to the boonies. We're in the process of trying to subtract all of the costs of living in the city while adding in all of the costs of living in the boonies...

Well, if you choose to locate in the boonies in my neck of the woods... these choices are available on regular FM radio

http://www.wpln.org/
http://www.wuot.org/
http://www.wmot.org/
http://www.wkyufm.org/

And there is not a real music repair shop between Nashville and Knoxville.

[IkeH]

http://www.wpln.org/
http://www.wuot.org/
http://www.wmot.org/
http://www.wkyufm.org/

' not much on agenda-based "news" shows, and classical music as background sounds reminds me a bit too much of "work".

Jazz stations are pretty nice to listen to sometimes, provided the djs have good taste and good resources.

'mot has gotten to be a decent jazz station. Daytime is a little hit or miss, but with Don Parlocha at night it's pretty first class.

[IkeH]

I dont know if anyone else knew, but if you have AOL, you have XM radio on it.

-tubachris

I tried to listen in, but it said I needed Windoze - blah, blah - kind of hard to do on a Mac. Oh well, I strike out again.

BTW- if you Google "XM vs Sirius Radio" you'll get a lot of various BBS feedback, some good info and speculation there. Didn't know Sirius had the only NFL deal, makes me feel better about the choice.

Ike

[LoyalTubist]

All the radio stations listed are from the same general vicinity. I like a lot of variety in my radio. I hate Los Angeles radio, save for the jazz station in Long Beach and the classical station from USC. You can hear all these stations online any time, anywhere in the world.

Classical: WRR-Dallas, TX

Jazz: KKJZ-Long Beach, CA

60s Pop Music KHJ-Pago Pago, American Samoa (plays the newer stuff during the week)

Old Time Radio Unlisted Low Power AM Station-Antioch, IL

News BBC-London

Big Band Music WRIV-Riverhead, NY

1920s Music WBDH-Chesapeake, VA

2nd Classical Station KUSC-Los Angeles

[lprince]

If you have XM you should check out Dave Robinson's Trad Jazz show on "Real Jazz" xm70 on Fri. 9PM eastern time

[CJ Krause]

if you