Anyone have an XM radio in their Wrangler?

[TJinVA]

I have a Pioneer XM-ready radio and am looking to put in an XM radio... I have been looking at lots of different models. Pioneer has the add on that hooks via IP-bus cable to the head unit (but has the disadvantage of not being able to be used anywhere except the Jeep.) I like the Delphi SkyFi unit because you can connect it up in the Jeep, in the house, and even make a boom box out of it. I was also wondering about antenna mounting with a soft top... Anyone have either version/model? What do you think?

[Justin Pert BKA dallasXJ]

I have Pioneer XM - used to be FM modulated through factory radio, but then upgraded to a Pioneer unit and IP bus cable - much better. I use the Terk Surface (Hood) mount antennae...very low profile. I have seen people mount those on top of their sound bars and with sof top - no reception probs. I put mine on the windshield cowl (magnet mount), next to my GPS external antenna mount - neither one has a reception problem there and are low profile not to attract prying eyes and sticky fingers.

I almost went portable XM, but really don't listen to XM in the house - on/off the roads, but like the portability option...good luck!

[yzergod]

Originally posted by TJinVA:
I was also wondering about antenna mounting with a soft top... I was pondering the same and found that there is an aftermarket company that sells an antenna that mounts to/goes through glass. I was thinking that it would mount perfectly to the windshield and since the antenna is small, it wouldn't hinder off-road. HTH. Try searching "xm antenna" on ebay.

[Jason J Crawford]

I've been doing a lot of research on this lately and found that an XM antenna will function through a soft top. A popular plact to put it is on top of the center hoop of your roll bar.

Moving this to our new "Mobile Electronics" section :D

[TJinVA]

Originally posted by ABN82MP:
Moving this to our new "Mobile Electronics" section :D Hey! I originally posted it to that section! ;) :D :D

[Jason J Crawford]

Yeah, I know. I'm an idiot smile.gif Not used to the forum placement yet, and thought I had clicked on OT :D

[TJinVA]

I keep wanting to click on it from the "Take me to the following forums" line at the top but it isn't there. (Hint, hint...) :D

[Jason J Crawford]

Like to help you out there, but that's not my department smile.gif

Which XM set up are you looking at getting?

[TJinVA]

I am looking at the Pioneer GEX-P900XM (older model) to plug into the IP-bus port on my DEH-3500. (E-bay has several for under $100.) I think that getting one that can be mounted out of sight is probably better for security, since potential thieves may not be aware to look for it. Of course, the antenna is a dead giveaway, so that is why I wanted to know about mounting positions. If I can mount it "out of sight" then so much the better.

[TJ_in_TX]

I set up Sirius (no commercials) in 98 TJ. Have antenna on hood just in front of windshield right now, but have also been told it will run through soft top just fine. I'll be trying that very soon as it's just waiting to be stolen out there on the hood.

FM Modulated as I already had cd-changer set up in console and did not want to change head unit. All stashed nicely into shifter console, but took awhile to get it clean.

Awesome! 100 channels anywhere, really good reception (esp in the middle of nowhere) and excellent fidelity (better than radio). Just got this set up a few months ago, and I'm hooked!

[bosp7]

I have a Sony XM in my 97 TJ. I put my antenna in the back corner of the tub next to where the roll bar attaches to the body (just above the fuel fill tube). There's a little flat space there where it sits just fine, and it gets good reception through the top. I mounted the radio under the ash tray where the airbag on/off switch is on newer tj's, and connected it to the stereo with a fm modulator. The worst thing about using one with a fm modulator is that everytime I start my Jeep the radio comes on blasting static - because when I shut it off the xm was on, but it doesn't come back on automaticaly when I start up.

[TJinVA]

Thanks for all of the replies. I found a Pioneer GEX-P900XM XM radio on ebay for $100 that includes a pair of antennas (one for glass the other for a top) and uses the IP-bus to connect to my headunit. Looks like I'll get it sometime next week and then get signed up. I'll take some pics and post.

[twobag14]

Originally posted by yzergod:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by TJinVA:
I was also wondering about antenna mounting with a soft top... I was pondering the same and found that there is an aftermarket company that sells an antenna that mounts to/goes through glass. I was thinking that it would mount perfectly to the windshield and since the antenna is small, it wouldn't hinder off-road. HTH. Try searching "xm antenna" on ebay. </font>[/QUOTE]i just put my antenna under the passenger side rollbar padding..you cant even see it now..and i have no problem with reception

[Big_Vincent]

I am new to the whole XM satelite radio. I have a XM ready head unit, if I get a subscription and antenna will I be ready to go? But what if I get a Skifi unit (for the house and boat) will I still be able to use the pioneer radio for XM plus the other unit under the same subscription?

[TJinVA]

Originally posted by Big_Vincent:
I am new to the whole XM satelite radio. I have a XM ready head unit, if I get a subscription and antenna will I be ready to go? But what if I get a Skifi unit (for the house and boat) will I still be able to use the pioneer radio for XM plus the other unit under the same subscription? The answer to the first question is no. XM Ready means it can be used to control an XM receiver connected to it.

The answer to the second question is maybe. You can use an FM modulator to play the XM through your existing radio. I am not sure if SkyFi has that capability or you may have to buy the adapters for each place you would want to use it (car, boat, Jeep, house, etc.) So, if you have SkyFi and move it around between locations, you can use the same subscription. If you have 2 different XM recievers, then you need two subscriptions.

All of this is based on what I have read. I don't have an XM receiver yet, but should get it this week.

[Big_Vincent]

Ok, thanks for the clearing up. So I would need an extra modulator for the XM ready radio? So I guess in my situation I would be better off with the Skyfi, but is there any way to hook it up without the casseste adapter? Thanks for your help.

[Jason J Crawford]

Delphi just came out with a new XM system called the Commander. It comes with everything you need to hook it up in your vehicle...including a modulator. Retails for around $149.

If you have a CD player in your vehicle, you'll need 1 of 2 things to make XM work for you. Either an XM ready head unit, which just means it has XM controls, or an FM modulator. Even if you get the SkiFi you'll need a modulator.

[snowpeep]

Originally posted by ABN82MP:
I've been doing a lot of research on this lately and found that an XM antenna will function through a soft top. A popular plact to put it is on top of the center hoop of your roll bar.

Moving this to our new "Mobile Electronics" section :D now see my problem is what happens when you switch to a hard top in the winter?? i cant find anything that says the XM antenna will work through that --

[Jason J Crawford]

The place I got the info about the mounting location also said it will work through a hard top smile.gif

[snowpeep]

Originally posted by ABN82MP:
The place I got the info about the mounting location also said it will work through a hard top smile.gif really...????

can you email the info?

[Jason J Crawford]

Actually I found it in a post on JU which, of course, is down :rolleyes:

I'll find it for you in the morning and post a link. There were several people on the thread who had the same setup you're looking for.

[Jason J Crawford]

Thread (http://jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=454535&highlight=xm)

[Big_Vincent]

How bad are the commercials in XM? I have read complaints in the circuit city site about XM advertises itself. I just wanted to hear first hand if they are like regular radio commercials or just a short ad? Thanks

[twobag14]

put my hardtop on today and still no problems getting reception thru the hardtop

Originally posted by snowpeep:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ABN82MP:
I've been doing a lot of research on this lately and found that an XM antenna will function through a soft top. A popular plact to put it is on top of the center hoop of your roll bar.

Moving this to our new "Mobile Electronics" section :D now see my problem is what happens when you switch to a hard top in the winter?? i cant find anything that says the XM antenna will work through that -- </font>[/QUOTE]

[snowpeep]

cool -- thanks for the update and the thread --

hmmm... maybe ill add this to the christmas list --
not like the thing needs any more stereo crap but i am beginning to dislike hearing the radio

[djwirfel]

i have the delphi system in my TJ mounted on the rollbar under the soft top...no problems at all..

[Jeeper99]

Ok, kinda new to this whole xm stuff and i'm tryin to figure it out.
I put a after market cd playin in my TJ, would these setups still work. And how or where would u mount the face?

[TJinVA]

Well, I finally got my XM receiver and antenna. I got a Pioneer GEX-P900XM on ebay with a pair of antennas. The antenna I'm using is a Terk low-profile antenna that I mounted on top of my roll bar between the roll bar and the bikini top. I used the bikini top straps to keep it tight and on top. (Note: I keep my bikini top on under my soft top for better sound insulation... I have the Bestop Supertop which uses the same windshield channel as the bikini.) I ran the antenna wire under the roll bar padding down to the driver side roll bar/floor joint. I used velcro straps to bunch up the excess and attach it to the bottom of the driver's seat (off of the floor.)

I mounted the receiver under the driver's seat (which I don't move very often unlike my passenger seat) using zip ties and ran the IP-bus/Power wires out and along the rocker to the dash. I used zip ties to keep the wires in place under the dash. I connected the ground wire to one of the seat slider floor bolts. I then connected the IP-bus wire to my head unit and ran the hot lead to the fuse panel.

Turned on the ignition, and there was the Preview channel. Life is good.

Thanks for all of the replies and ideas!!!! :D :D :D :cool:

[Reggie87]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Big_Vincent:
How bad are the commercials in XM? I have read complaints in the circuit city site about XM advertises itself. I just wanted to hear first hand if they are like regular radio commercials or just a short ad? Thanks
I'm an installer at Circuit City, and i listen to it all day every day. The commercials aren't that bad. It gets people upset because they think they are paying for "Commercial FREE Radio" and they truely aren't. They aren't long... somtimes you will hear them say.. "tune in to this station for this show.." but its mostly a break from about an hour of music. Its not inbetween every song like FM radio is today.

[skiandclimb]

I have an XM ready head unit. How much is the subsricption? I have been thinking baout this lately, but my head unit also plays MP3 CD's, so what I have done is burn a few CDs with my own personal playlists. One disc= hours of commercial free listening.

Is XM worth it???

-Ski

[TJinVA]

Originally posted by skiandclimb:
I have an XM ready head unit. How much is the subsricption? I have been thinking baout this lately, but my head unit also plays MP3 CD's, so what I have done is burn a few CDs with my own personal playlists. One disc= hours of commercial free listening.

Is XM worth it???

-Ski So far I have enjoyed it. It's $9.95/month and I think they have plans where you can pay in advance for like a year and save... the good news is that I have heard a lot of songs that I hadn't heard in years and the playlists are huge. Lots of great channels to pick from and news, etc.