# XM radio?

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by Meka (carpe Diem!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 0:01:57

Hello lovelies:
Santa wanted to get me an XM radio, or at least, he/she/it was thinking about it. But let me tell ya, this santa is like a technologically deprived caveman living in a cave in Antarctica. He had no ideas of what radios would be XM compatible, and which ones sold for a reasonable amount. And so I turn to you, since Santa doesn't have an account on the zone, the cheap bastard. What are your experiences with XM radio? What should I..err..Santa look for?
Thanks for any assistance on the matter. I'm returning this Santa for an upgraded model.
Hugs,
Meka

## Post 2 by fuzzy101 (The master of fuzz!!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 2:20:51

I think the boomboxes are the most accessible.

## Post 3 by Selena Fan (Account disabled) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 2:40:04

I had an x m radio! But I could never get it to work! You always have to make sure the antena is always pointing north! I got my Mom to return it back to Wallmart! I'll just stick with my shortwave radio! The shortwave radio is the best for me!

## Post 4 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 6:11:31

Shortwaves will become obsolete soon, and I speak from the perspective of someone who owns a couple of them. As for pointing north, I'm not sure you got that from, since the antenna is supposed to point southwest. Now, to the actual topic. Santa says that since u called him a cheep bastard, he has decided to give you coal. But the good news is that at least it'll be a coal dilldo, so you won't be completely out of enjoyment. JK. I have found the Roadie II to be quite easy to use, and it is probably even afordable by our cheep friend Santa. I recall modivated saying that he got one for under $30 in another topic. My limited experiences with boomboxes is that they are fairly easy to use as well, but I don't have any specific models to recommend, sorry.

## Post 5 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 6:51:56

Mekah, I have a couple XM radios here. I have a boombox sitting above my computer on the top shelf. You do have to play with the antenna a bit, but if you have a window facing the soutwest, you should be OK. I also have the Roady II. It connects to your stereo receier, or you can use it wirelessly as it transmits over the FM Band. Honestly, I'd suggest you get Santa to heat his sleigh with coal that you just got, and haul you over to Best Buy, or any of the other retailers that sell the hardware. I'd suggest staying away from Walmart. Before anyone says anything, I know they probably have the best prices, but if you're not sure what you're getting, you might have better luck at a decent electronics-oriented store. That's what we did when we bought our boombox, and I'm glad we did. Good luck.
Lou

## Post 6 by mysticrain (Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 14:38:32

Hi.
I was wondering, do you have to pay extra if you have more than one receiver? Lou, you said that you had two, so that's why I'm asking. Also, how much is xm per month?
Thanks,
Jen

## Post 7 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 16:24:48

I don't remember exactly what I pay for it. We pay by the quarter and save a couple bucks that way. I think you can get up to four receivers on one account. You can also listen on-line to some of the channels. I'm not whimping out on you Jen, but you ight go to xmradio.com, and see what you find. Also, go to Tweater or Best Buy. I think you have them fairly close to you. I bought my first one at Tweater, and was really pleased with the help I got. They'll install it in your car, but not your cane.
Lou

## Post 8 by sparkie (the hilljack) on Sunday, 10-Dec-2006 20:02:38

Sounds like the boomboxes are the most accessable as I have a blind friend that has one of the boombox styles.
Troy

## Post 9 by mysticrain (Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature.) on Monday, 11-Dec-2006 0:06:53

lol
Thanks Lou

## Post 10 by kl1964 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Monday, 11-Dec-2006 6:23:43

I've been wanting XM radio, too, but have been stymied by the notiono f what to buy. I have a friend who has a receiver, and it seems easy enough to tune and use, but I'm not sure of the model name (I think it's a Roady2 but I'm not sure), and since he himself got it as a present he's not sure either.

## Post 11 by WillieTheWoof (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 11-Dec-2006 10:28:30

As I duck to avoide the large quantity of darts, arrows and other pointy objects coming from the hand of the wonderfully motivated Lou(please, stop shooting at me okay!) I did buy my unit at the frowned uppon Walmart. it is true you really can't look at the units but I did know what I wanted and the price couldn't be beat. All of the XM radios I have seen are completely accessible via keypad or rotery tuner. I like the boombox the best. I don't know which actual box I have but the receiver in it is the older Delfi MyFi and it has served me for over 2 years without a hitch. The antenna on the box is quite good and actually works in an area of the house where it shouldn't. It is on my computer moniter against a wall with no window in sight. Go figure. I have tried the SkyFi but the internal antenna is fickel and doesn't work as well as a larger external antenna. It does come with one and when it is attached does do well. Ouch! that hurts....

## Post 12 by Leafs Fan (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Monday, 11-Dec-2006 13:18:49

I have a Skyfi from Delphi and it works well. The antenna does have to face south; if this is not possible, you can buy a signal repeater but usually that wouldn,t be necessary. As per additional receivers, I think it's $6.95 per month per additional receiver. Less of course if you pay per quarter, per year, or multi-year.

## Post 13 by KC8PNL (The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.) on Monday, 11-Dec-2006 17:49:33

Yes, it's $6.95 per month with a maximum of 4 recievers. That's 6.95 per radio, not overall though. I just thought thhat should be clerified.