I just put in Sirius satellite radio - yippie!!

[Bene505]

We already had a "Sirius Ready" radio that needed another receiver hooked to it. I bought the receiver and eagerly headed to the boat to hook it up, thinking that there might be an installation snag. Within 5 minutes of going online to pay my $12.95/month for the everything package, I was listening to channel 31, the Margaritaville channel.

My wife is really looking forward to listening to it, so we are both psyched.

I still have to get a better antenna. The dashboard antenna just barely picks up the signal from inside the boat - through the headliner and deck above. Does anyone have an antenna recommendation for picking up the signal through the deck? Or should I run an antenna outside to the dinghy davits?

Does anyone have a favorite channel?

[tommays]

They make a marine antenna that will stand up to saltwater

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Bene505

Does anyone have a favorite channel?

Howard 100 and Howard 101, of course.

I also listen to The Underground Garage and Lithium for great music.

[tonybinTX]

I installed the Terk XM5 antenna for my XM radio - I found a good deal on ebay. (30 bucks) It works great. We sail on an inland lake with lots of cliffs - have yet to loose a signal with it mounted on the stern rail.

I'm 91.5% sure the antennas are interchangeable XM <--> Sirius.

[drgamble]

I have access between the top of one of my cabinet liners and the deck and was able to slide the antenna in there (same access area to get to backing plates) and secured it w/3M velcro. It has no problem picking up the signal through the layer of fiberglass unless you're sitting right over it. I looked at the marine mount as an alternative but like to keep the deck and cockpit as clutter free as possible. I've also heard people have success in installing it under their seahood. Just a thought.

Channel 51 in the mornings - Coffeehuse - mostly acoustic, mellow stuff by great artists.

Channel 45 during the day - The Spectrum

And I always tune into a Red Sox game when they're playing...

[capttb]

I've had a Terk Ant. for about 5 years and it's holding up well, my friend installed his in the same place and his wife made the cool Sunbrella antenna cozy for me.

[Bene505]

Very nice antenna cozy. I'm curious what's under it though, no freudian slip intended.

And where was that shot taken? Nice fog and hills and draggin-the-dink shot.

[Bene505]

drganble,

What antenna so you use that goes through all that. The SIR-CL1 (made for magnet mount on a car) has a patchy signal.

I have a similar setup. The radio is on a shelf that is right below the deck. There's enough room for the antenna right there, and I wouldn't have to get an outdoor antenna, run the cables and mount it to (and clutter) the davits.

Regards

Originally Posted by drgamble

I have access between the top of one of my cabinet liners and the deck and was able to slide the antenna in there (same access area to get to backing plates) and secured it w/3M velcro. It has no problem picking up the signal through the layer of fiberglass unless you're sitting right over it. I looked at the marine mount as an alternative but like to keep the deck and cockpit as clutter free as possible. I've also heard people have success in installing it under their seahood. Just a thought.

Channel 51 in the mornings - Coffeehuse - mostly acoustic, mellow stuff by great artists.

Channel 45 during the day - The Spectrum

And I always tune into a Red Sox game when they're playing...

[drgamble]

Originally Posted by Bene505

drganble,

What antenna so you use that goes through all that. The SIR-CL1 (made for magnet mount on a car) has a patchy signal.

I have a similar setup. The radio is on a shelf that is right below the deck. There's enough room for the antenna right there, and I wouldn't have to get an outdoor antenna, run the cables and mount it to (and clutter) the davits.

Regards

I have the Express RC unit but I'm nearly positive in contains the same car-made antenna - originally I had it inside the cabin on a starboard shelf/cabinet, and reception would be sketchy - very hit and miss. I would then toss it outside one of my hatches and loop it around a hand hold - great reception but hardly attractive. My yard had mentioned people having success mounting it in their seahood so it gave me an idea - I found an access point in the ceiling of one of my cabinets to the mounting area near one of my starboard winches and I tried mounting it in that space and have since had no problems with reception at all. It is just the deck fiberglass between the antenna and the sky and no problems. I would just suggest trying and experimenting with different nooks and cranny's on the boat and you may be able to forgo the mounting/wiring of the external antenna.

[Donnie631]

20 Octaine when i am alone
116 Kids place when the kids are with me