Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio XM Satelite radio?

I'm getting my new deck sometime this month. The new Alpine catalogue says it's XM ready. How do I get xm? Will I need one of those stupid bubble domes? Will I need to subscribe to get xm? I am really interested since there are no radio stations in this part of Saskabush. Anybody gots any info?


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The Honkeytonk Monkey
Jewel Green 96se MTX

I was looking at my new Crutchfield catalog and there was another HU that was satellite radio ready, a Sony maybe, anyway it said it was compatible when it was available so I am guessing it is not quite up and running. I know nothing of the satellite radio though.

Internet search for satellite radio maybe? I've never heard/read about it, just thinking out loud...

All the new excelon's (XX17 series) are XM ready.

The two types of satelite radio are XM and Sirius. They should be available mid to late summer. The radios are satelite radio ready. You still have to buy the tuner. There's no price I've found yet on those parts. The subscription should be about ten dollars a month. There are a couple of articles in the latest issue of Car Audio and Electronics. Each company (Sirius, XM) should have about 100 channels of music, talk, and news, one I've heard, will be DJ'd and the other will be uninterrupted blocks of music. I'm not sure which is which. So far I've seen Kenwood, Alpine, Pioneer, and Panasonic radios with satelite capability. I'm sure more are out there.

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Nick, Sprout2287@aol.com,
'99 Contour, Zetec, ATX (ugh), Metallic Blue:
Sidemarkers, clear corners, badgeless, custom mesh grille, interior neon lights, CEG stickers, ventvisors, Radar Detector, KKM, no rez, Straight pipe muffler, Focussport wires, Accel super EDIS coil, more to come, No back seat, Lots of Dynamat, Panasonic CQ-DF800U, Kicker equipment: 2 ZR 360's, 1 ZX460, 1 ZR240, 2 Solobaric L7 12's, 1 resolution 6.5" component set, 1 pair of impulse 5x7's; All wiring by Phoenix Gold; DEI Python 1000 ESP Alarm with remote windows

If everyone thinks this is useful and the $10-15 fee per month is worth it, I would look into buying there stock. Supposedly a lot of car manufactuers are looking to putting these in there vehicles.

I work in the same industry...

Here is the breakdown:

Sirus does not have a satellite in orbit yet so it will be at least a year before they start transmitting the signal or have any service to offer

XM just launched their satellite named "Rock" and is working properly. The following satellite, named "Roll" will be launched in the next couple of months.

It is important to note that two satellites will allow XM more bandwith that can transmit more stations, genres, etc.

XM has already shipped several HU's to stores across the country BUT they have not shipped any of the receiving units (antennas) so you can't get the programming yet.

XM has not released the cost for the monthly subscription but the estimate of around $10 a month is probably correct.

The benefit of this system is the availability of CD- quality music anywhere in the country. So even if you are in a rural area, you can get top quality reception.

The programming on XM will be a mix of commercial-free music, DJ'd formats and even talk radio. The channels will be grouped by genre and will also (depending on model) provide a listing of the artist, song title, record company and album name on the faceplate of the HU.

They have not announced what the dimensions of the receiving device (antenna) will be or how it will be installed.
As far as car manufacturers putting them into car, you are correct. Expect to see them in BMWs and MBs within the year and should be followed by Honda Toyota, GM and YES POSSIBLY FORD!

OK so I really feel like an industry geek now! I don't even work with this company!

If you have any more questions, I will try to answer them.

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Atlanta, GA
1999 Silver Frost 2.0 SE Zetec
K&N Filtercharger
Mintex Street Pads
BAT Rotors
Sony ES Mobile Xplod
Pioneer 3-way 6X8's all around
BAT Bright Whites
Fog light re-content
Painted Grill and Interior Accents

[This message has been edited by redhawk (edited April 11, 2001).]

Oh and Honkey, if you like the unit that is XM compatible and it isn't much more expensive, I would reccomend getting it so you can use it on long trips or where regular reception sucks.

The prototypes of antennas I have seen are mounted by a magnet and are easy to remove when not in use...

I thought Sirius already has all three of their satellites in orbit while XM still has to launch their last one of two.

All of Alpine's new swing decks are Xm. I'm getting the cda-7875 or, if I have enough, the 76.

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The Honkeytonk Monkey
Jewel Green 96se MTX