So I spent yesterday installing a Sirius radio into my wife's car

[wienerdog]

She got a new job that features a 45 min - 1 hr commute each way, so I told her we'll get her an inexpensive Sirius radio. I'm so glad my wife got the new job. It totally justified us getting this thing, and it's funny because I didn't see a market for it until the radio stations in Philadelphia started going downhill FAST!

Her parents couldn't understand and asked "you're paying for radio"? I guess when your idea of variety is Oldies stations and a BEN FM channel (one of those random mixes without DJs that is really just junk music), you can't see why you'd pay for radio. But when you're in traffic for 45 min each way to work, you'd better get good entertainment or you'll get hard core road rage.

In fact, Satellite should market themselves as good for society and your health because you'll be too entertained to get angry on the road! I just totally came up with a new marketing strategy!

Aside from the Howard Stern thing, which seems to be working well. Which, by the way, was hysterical for the 10-15 minutes I heard this morning before the wife left.

[Patrick Shannon]

Every time some ding-a-ling cries out "Why would I pay for radio!?!" you can make them speechless by replying "So I take it you don't pay for satellite/cable TV, then?"

Oh yeah, satellite radio is awesome for the drives to and fro work. And depending on what you get, the radios are dirt cheap, too.

I think it's hilarious how local FM stations are promoting "Free FM." Funny how they fail to tell you that you have to put up with twenty minutes of commercials for that. Back when I used to listen to FM, it was quite common to have commercials playing on all six of my presets.

My only problem is that I don't listen to my XM in my car as much as I should. I have a short attention span, and if I don't like a song right off the bat, I want to go right to the next one. Hence why my iPod gets more play lately. Then again, I get sick of my collection, and it's back to the satellite radio.

[danedawg99]

I think it's hilarious how local FM stations are promoting "Free FM." Funny how they fail to tell you that you have to put up with twenty minutes of commercials for that. Back when I used to listen to FM, it was quite common to have commercials playing on all six of my presets.


yeah, the station here that used to play Stern changed it's name to "101.5 FREE FM" and it's now an FM talk radio station. STOOPID! :p

[TheBluePanda]

I've never been a radio listener. I always rotate through my cds. Eventually I may break down and get XM or Sirius, but right now its at the bottom of my priority list. If I did have a few hundred to throw at my vehicle, it would most likely go towards some sweet subwoofer action.

[Patrick Shannon]

One of my favorite "Free FM" commercials follows a concept where a reporter is talking about some famous star that got arrested for lewd conduct. Just before she says the name of the star, the old pay-phone sound chimes in and says "Please deposit 75 cents for the next three minutes." (Tagline: Radio...you shouldn't have to pay for it.)

But what's really funny is that in how that commercial backfired on itself. The reporter says that the act was so lewd that they couldn't discuss it on the radio.

On satellite radio, they can say whatever they want ;) Opie and Anthony have been having a field day mocking these anti-satellite ads and I wouldn't be surprised if Howard Stern followed suit, too.

[Vikia]

I can't stand our local free radio stations! Haven't listened for years.
I have been streaming radio on iTunes for sometime now.
A couple of my FREE faves:
www.radioparadise.com (eclectic)
www.generationrockradio.com (fabulous 70's, 80's & 90's rock)

As for my car - I use my iPod.

[wienerdog]

One of my favorite "Free FM" commercials follows a concept where a reporter is talking about some famous star that got arrested for lewd conduct. Just before she says the name of the star, the old pay-phone sound chimes in and says "Please deposit 75 cents for the next three minutes." (Tagline: Radio...you shouldn't have to pay for it.)

But what's really funny is that in how that commercial backfired on itself. The reporter says that the act was so lewd that they couldn't discuss it on the radio.

On satellite radio, they can say whatever they want ;) Opie and Anthony have been having a field day mocking these anti-satellite ads and I wouldn't be surprised if Howard Stern followed suit, too.

It's amazing how quickly satellite is growing. It's becoming a standard in many car manufacturer audio packages. I think the 80s and 90s kids will be the big market for this, but if they can get the tech-friendly Gen X and Baby Boomers into the oldies variety and classic rock mix, along with talk, etc., they'll really expand. I think the tech is a bit complicated and clunky for installation right now.

[Patrick Shannon]

I think the tech is a bit complicated and clunky for installation right now.

Eh, it's improved much since they first came out. I have an old Alpine XM receiver that literally takes up the entire glovebox, but I saw the Alpine XM receivers these days and they've shrunk a great deal (same for Alpine's Sirius receiver too).

As far as stand alone units, they're incorporating FM transmitters into the units. Now audiophiles wont' like this option a bit, but I would think an audiophile knows a thing or two about wiring directly already.

Lots of tech places (Best buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics) offers cheap (or sometimes free) installation of such things. I think the biggest pain of the installation comes when you need to position the antenna on the outside of the car. However, I've had my antenna on the inside (rear view window) and never hardly get a drop out from it, except under big bridges and next to TALL buildings in an area without XM ground repeaters.

[wienerdog]

Eh, it's improved much since they first came out. I have an old Alpine XM receiver that literally takes up the entire glovebox, but I saw the Alpine XM receivers these days and they've shrunk a great deal (same for Alpine's Sirius receiver too).

As far as stand alone units, they're incorporating FM transmitters into the units. Now audiophiles wont' like this option a bit, but I would think an audiophile knows a thing or two about wiring directly already.

Lots of tech places (Best buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics) offers cheap (or sometimes free) installation of such things. I think the biggest pain of the installation comes when you need to position the antenna on the outside of the car. However, I've had my antenna on the inside (rear view window) and never hardly get a drop out from it, except under big bridges and next to TALL buildings in an area without XM ground repeaters.

I put the antenna on top of my trunk and found when I am under an over-hang at the gas station, it lost the signal.