Questions about satellite radio

[mrudman]

The previous thread about Sirius radio got me thinking that this might be a good birthday gift for dh.

He absolutely loves listening to music, but doesn't really like what's on the radio a lot of times these days.. is always making up his own variety cd's to play in the car.

So can anyone give me a brief overview on what satellite radio is, and what's required to get it?

I am really clueless on all this though, so simple terms would be best.

I did look up on Siriusxm.com, and saw where they have a listing of vehicles that support satellite radio? he has a 2006 Jeep Liberty which was on that list, so does that mean he would be able to get it through his already-installed radio? or would I need to buy something additional?

Thanks for any help!

 

[tlbwriter]

It's possible that his radio is already set up to receive Sirius, or that a Sirius receiver can plug into it. Otherwise, you can buy a separate receiver.

 

[sydneysmom]

Your best bet would be to take the Jeep someplace like Best Buy and let them look at it and see. We just got a Prius and had no clue what we needed .... they hooked us up and it was only like $70.00 for the radio / connection. (then my DH installed it) Then you have to call Sirius to get a subscription.

Just an FYI.... they're going to try to sell you some super expensive package. Don't do it. Tell them that you want the $25.00 for 6 months ....my sister got that rate and they tried selling me $ 187 for the year. Oh, heck no Sirius!! So I told them that they just gave my sister this rate, so he says, "oh, well we can give you that too". REALLY ??? Why didn't you offer that up to begin with ??

Anyway, we have one that's a Sirius (through my car.....it's pre-installed in the car) and one that's an XM radio (in the Prius) that we have separate. We LOOOOOOVE them. I was never a big believer, but after having them, I wouldn't get rid of them . (unless they charged me $187 for the year. )

 

[JB2K]

I did look up on Siriusxm.com, and saw where they have a listing of vehicles that support satellite radio? he has a 2006 Jeep Liberty which was on that list, so does that mean he would be able to get it through his already-installed radio? or would I need to buy something additional?

The easiest way to check is...

Take a look at the radio in the Jeep and push the button that changes bands (AM/FM) -- if it has a Sat Radio band, you should be able to easily identify it.

Make note of the Radio ID then get in touch with Sirius for service (since it was a Jeep, it is assumed to be a Siruis radio, since XM, for the most part, is in GM and Hyundai cars, only).

If you can't find a Sat Radio band, then go to Best Buy (or a reputable car stereo shop) and explore your options (you can normally get add-on equipment at a great price).

 

[mrudman]

Awesome, thanks for all the replies!

I'll have to check once dh gets home about whether it's set up to receive it already or not.. might be tough to get it away from him to go to Best Buy (if I want to keep it a surprise, lol).

But I'll see if it has a Satellite radio setting, and go from there.

If it does, do I just call Sirius and buy a contract then? And if I do that, is it available almost immediately? (trying to figure out when I should do this, since I'd want to have it activated as close to his birthday as possible).

Thanks again!

 

[disneyfreakk]

Something else you might want to check into is an adapter for his Ipod. I have no idea what that entails though as our Tahoe came with it. But my DH is REALLY into music and he listens to his Ipod more than his sat radio.

 

[barbeml]

Just be wary: they do everything they can to prevent you from canceling, to the point of disconnecting me as soon as I said I was calling to cancel. Then they kept calling to "update my information" (I said "I already canceled so you don't need my information"), kept sending bills then a phony collection company that they own. Months after I canceled, I had to pay more to "really" cancel. I googled and found many others had the same issues.

Never again for me.

 

[Kycha]

Just an FYI.... they're going to try to sell you some super expensive package. Don't do it. Tell them that you want the $25.00 for 6 months ....my sister got that rate and they tried selling me $ 187 for the year. Oh, heck no Sirius!! So I told them that they just gave my sister this rate, so he says, "oh, well we can give you that too". REALLY ??? Why didn't you offer that up to begin with ??

Could you go into more detail about this deal? It's only $25 for 6 months? After 6 months, can you renew again for the same rate? Do you call them to get this rate? Do you have the number? TIA!

 

[fireflymedic]

So can anyone give me a brief overview on what satellite radio is,

I am really clueless on all this though, so simple terms would be best.


Thanks for any help!

yes I would like to know what is on it also, I like talk radio, Rush, and the like can you get that kind of stuff on it or just music?

 

[sydneysmom]

Could you go into more detail about this deal? It's only $25 for 6 months? After 6 months, can you renew again for the same rate? Do you call them to get this rate? Do you have the number? TIA!

I did... I just called them at 1-866-635-2349 and asked them how I would go about setting up my account. (you do have to have the radio already because it's going to ask you for the radio ID number or the ESN number. (from the car) when they gave me the package, I told them that my sister had renewed (which she did) at the $25 for 6 months. He pretended like he didn't know what I was talking about and I said, that's okay, I didn't need to get Sirius afterall. Amazingly, he found the deal. And I've renewed it with that same rate. (after calling them) It's worth it to kind of stick with it and get yourself a good deal.

 

[sydneysmom]

yes I would like to know what is on it also, I like talk radio, Rush, and the like can you get that kind of stuff on it or just music?

it's awesome !! you get music channels (the 70's and 80's channels are awesome), Disney channel, Martha Stewart Channel, FOX News channel...etc. we listen to Fox and Friends (exactly what is on tv is on Sirius at the time it's on tv) while we're driving to work.

if you go out to www.siriusxm.com you can get a channel listing....

 

[DisneyBill]

yes I would like to know what is on it also, I like talk radio, Rush, and the like can you get that kind of stuff on it or just music?

There are a number of talk radio shows, but Rush isn't one. Hannity, Mike Church, Wilkow are. They discontinued Bill Bennett about a year ago.

Take a look on sirius.com, you'll see their just updated (5-4) channel listing. You have to drill a little further for program details.

 

[Kycha]

I did... I just called them at 1-866-635-2349 and asked them how I would go about setting up my account. (you do have to have the radio already because it's going to ask you for the radio ID number or the ESN number. (from the car) when they gave me the package, I told them that my sister had renewed (which she did) at the $25 for 6 months. He pretended like he didn't know what I was talking about and I said, that's okay, I didn't need to get Sirius afterall. Amazingly, he found the deal. And I've renewed it with that same rate. (after calling them) It's worth it to kind of stick with it and get yourself a good deal.

Thanks for all the info! DH and I had Sirius about 5 years ago and we both loved it. Maybe I can use the old receivers, if I can find them. If not, I'm sure I can find a deal on them. For $25/6 months, it is worth it to us!

 

[wdw_girl_18]

I did... I just called them at 1-866-635-2349 and asked them how I would go about setting up my account. (you do have to have the radio already because it's going to ask you for the radio ID number or the ESN number. (from the car) when they gave me the package, I told them that my sister had renewed (which she did) at the $25 for 6 months. He pretended like he didn't know what I was talking about and I said, that's okay, I didn't need to get Sirius afterall. Amazingly, he found the deal. And I've renewed it with that same rate. (after calling them) It's worth it to kind of stick with it and get yourself a good deal.

When did you get the 6 for $25? I called a few days ago to renew and I had several different people tell me that they ended that promotion (I had gotten 5 for $25 for the last couple of years). I called a whole bunch of times to see what different deals I would get. I ended up getting 6 for $35 when I called to cancel ( )

OP- Sirius/xm ends up being really expensive, only because its so addictive! Now that I have it in my car, I would never be able to get rid of it. So be prepared for that!

 

[JB2K]

yes I would like to know what is on it also, I like talk radio, Rush, and the like can you get that kind of stuff on it or just music?

Sat Radio does carry many of the national syndicated talk radio programs you hear elsewhere.

That is, except for Limbaugh's show -- the only reason he doesn't have a presence, there is because of his syndication deal with radio, particularly, AM stations (as, like him or not, he is often-credited as the single personality who saved AM radio from extinction).