Family RVing Magazine
  • FMCA.COM
  • CONTACT US
familyRVing
  • in this issue
  • tech
    • Tech talk e-newsletter archives
    • more tech talk
  • Digital editions
  • towable guides
  • Classifieds
  • contact
    • contact us
    • advertise with us
    • media room
  • FMCA

Family RVing Magazine

XM Satellite Radio

September 1, 2002

One hundred channels of coast-to-coast, static-free reception — how could an RVer ask for anything more?
By Jim Brightly
Technical Editor
August 2002

When I was growing up, one of the favorite pickup lines of the day was, “Where have you been all my life?” That old line came to mind recently after I had the opportunity to test a new type of radio service that promised crystal-clear sound quality anywhere in the contiguous United States. After giving this new technology a try, I found myself asking: “XM Satellite Radio, where have you been all my life?”

Imagine having 100 channels of your favorite music, sports programs, talk shows, and news at the touch of a button anywhere you happen to be in the contiguous United States. That’s what you get with satellite radio. With it you can say good-bye to issues related to reception and the need to scan local radio stations to find listening entertainment as you travel. XM Radio offers a variety of programs with superior digital-quality sound.

To check out this new technology, I first connected Sony’s “Plug and Play” XM receiver to my car stereo for a 30-mile drive from our home to Durango, Colorado. My wife and I live in a mountainous area of southwestern Colorado with notoriously poor radio reception. Normally the FM stations fade in and out on this drive, and receiving anything on the AM side is totally out of the question.

But what an incredible difference with XM Radio. Even to my tin ears, the music had CD clarity. And once I set the volume level, it stayed consistent throughout the trip — no fading, no sound swelling, and no static. Just beautiful sounds emanating from the speakers.

Fifty years ago, who would have thought anything like satellite radio was possible? Then, in October 1957, Russia launched the first satellite into outer space, opening a whole new part of the universe to technology. I don’t think even Arthur C. Clarke, author of the novel that became the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the man who is considered the father of the communications satellite, could have conceived of two geostationary satellites being used to broadcast entertainment for thousands of RVers, long-haul truckers, traveling salespeople, and others who enjoy listening to the radio.

A number of companies, including Alpine, Audiovox, Pioneer, and Sony, already are manufacturing XM-ready radios that can be installed in vehicles, as well as XM receivers that can be connected to an existing automotive radio to make it XM-capable. These units can be purchased at consumer electronics stores, in truck stops throughout the United States, and online. Several automobile manufacturers are making XM Radio available in their 2002 and 2003 models, and Fleetwood RV has become the first motorhome manufacturer to offer XM Radio, which will be an option on its 2003 American Coach line of motorhomes. For those who must know the current news and weather in the area they happen to be in, XM-ready radios and XM receivers connected to existing radios will still receive local AM and FM stations.

The only drawback I can see for those who give XM a try is that once you find a channel you like, it’s difficult to change the station. It’s like ordering the same meal at your favorite restaurant every time you go there. You’d like to try something new, but just can’t bring yourself to do so. That’s the way it was when I first started listening to XM Radio. I wanted to try some of the other channels, but the one I had on was so good, I couldn’t bring myself to change.

While outstanding reception and sound quality are important, XM’s real appeal is its programming variety. The channel guide includes 11 musical genres (Country, Hits, Rock, Classical, etc.) with a number of channels each. One of the categories, the Decades channels, immediately attracted my attention.

During the 1950s, when my wife and I were growing up in Southern California, everything was in flux, including the music. Swing was almost gone, and rock and roll was establishing its roots. As lovers listened to the music of Percy Faith, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin (with a little Jackie Gleason thrown in), we kids dialed in surfing songs, saxophone segues, guitar riffs, drum solos, and rock-and-roll artists from the East Coast. That’s the mix you’ll find on channel 5, along with knowledgeable disc jockeys, of which each channel has many.

We got married in the 1960s, so the music of that decade (channel 6) is very close to us. Channel 4 covers the Big Band era of the 1940s; channel 7 is devoted to the disco beat of the 1970s; channel 8 features songs from the 1980s; and channel 9 recalls the music of the 1990s.

As one moves up the dial, channel 10 is the first of six country stations, and the list goes on from there to include 71 music and 29 talk stations. The menu is so eclectic that anyone should be able to find something of interest. Some of the programming is reminiscent of early commercial-free FM radio broadcasts. At least 36 of the 100 channels available have no advertising, while others have a minimal amount of commercials.

XM’s programs are beamed from its broadcast center in Washington, D.C., to a pair of Boeing 702 satellites that maintain a constant orbit 22,000 miles above both the east and west coasts of the United States. The satellites then relay the programming back to individual XM receivers on Earth. XM’s coverage area includes the entire contiguous United States and approximately 200 miles into both Canada and Mexico.

XM’s static-free, coast-to-coast radio does come with a price: $9.99 per month plus a one-time activation fee. But for this low monthly cost, one theoretically could leave a campground near Disneyland (Anaheim, California) in one’s motorhome and pull into another campground near Disney World (Orlando, Florida) with the same channel still broadcasting beautifully over the sound system.

If you’re not sure that satellite radio is for you, check it out for yourself. If you have Internet access, click on www.xmradio.com. On the first page, you will find a small “Listen Now” icon in the upper-right-hand corner. Click on the icon and you can sample the types of music and programming available on many of the channels. If you’re like me, it won’t take long before you’re hooked on XM Radio.

Sony’s Plug And Play XM Radio

Sony’s Plug and Play XM receiver allows you to adapt your existing motorhome and automobile radios, or home stereo, to receive XM Radio for as low as $299. You can even plug a pair of powered speakers directly into the back of the receiver.

The Sony Satellite Radio Receiver for Car package includes everything you need to get XM radio in your vehicle — the receiver, a cassette adapter, a remote control, an antenna, a power cord, and the necessary wiring. Once your XM Radio service is activated, you simply insert the cassette adapter into your vehicle’s cassette tape player and you’ll be able to enjoy 100 channels of clear XM Radio. What makes this practical is that it can be moved from your motorhome to other vehicles, as long as they have radios with cassette players. During my test, I listened to it in a pickup truck, a Jeep, and a motorhome and received an excellent signal in all three vehicles. In addition, with an optional “docking station,” you can receive XM in both your coach and your stationary home using the same portable receiver.

If your vehicle’s radio doesn’t have a cassette player, don’t worry. Sony also offers a hardware package that allows it to be custom-installed directly to the back of your current radio. The receiver still can be disconnected from the installed wiring and moved from one vehicle to another.

The only problem with this portable unit, as I can determine, is deciding where to mount the magnet-based antenna on a motorhome. On type B or type C motorhomes with metal hoods, the antenna can be attached to the hood of the vehicle. On motorhomes with rubber roofs or fiberglass end caps, however, finding a spot to place the antenna may prove difficult. The easiest solution may be to screw a small metal plate (either galvanized or stainless steel) to the roof and seal the screw holes with silicone. When using the radio, simply affix the antenna to the plate, route the wiring to the receiver, and you’re ready to listen.

previous post
RV News & Notes: July 2002
next post
RV News & Notes: September 2002

You may also like

Places Where Women Made History

November 1, 2002

Towed Vehicle Driving Impressions: 2002 Ford Explorer

May 1, 2002

Technical Inquiries: January 2002

February 1, 2002

On A Roll

March 1, 2002

Plants With Strange Feeding Habits

July 1, 2002

Go Ahead “” Tell A Friend

October 1, 2002

Take Time To Take Care

December 1, 2002

Discover Hutchinson: Kansas’ “Space City”

August 1, 2002

Are You Familiar With These Member Benefits?

August 1, 2002

Where The Bison Roam

August 1, 2002




Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube

FMCA on Social Media

  • Let
  • Reflecting on our 2020...⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit #memories #newyear #reflection #2020 #reflect
  • "Winter! Some love it, some hate it. Winter is a time when there is a stillness in the air but there is also a dryness which can lead to issues with our immune system. Couple that with shorter days, lack of sunlight (which can lead to low energy levels), layers of clothing to keep our skin from absorbing the nutrients of Vitamin D from the sun (crucial for maintaining a strong immune system), and lack of proper hydration due to not feeling thirsty (caused by to cooler temps and less perspiration); ALL of this can lead to our immune systems
  • Volunteering is a great way to spend your time during retirement or over long summer or winter breaks. It provides you with a means of staying active, meeting new people, and feeling productive all while giving back to a cause that you choose! For an inside look at what volunteer life is like as a retired RVer, check out our latest FMCAdventure blog - The Benefits of Volunteering as an RVer. Tap the link in our bio to read it now!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit #rvblogger
  • "We were stranded along a narrow road near Bryce Canyon, Utah. The location was not a good place for cellular service, but I was able to contact Roadside Rescue and arrange for a tow after driving our towed vehicle to the town of Bryce. I had to speak with several people at Roadside Rescue, but each person I spoke with was respectful and courteous. The tow was set up and our rig taken to a place that promptly took care of the repair and we were back on the road in 24 hours."⁠ ⁠ Michael & Lynn Noonan (F448134)⁠ ⁠
  • #throwbackthursday to the sixth FMCA convention, way back in July, 1969. The convention took place at the Traverse City Civic Center in Traverse City, Michigan and featured RV displays, seminars, vendors, and lots of entertainment. ⁠ ⁠ Fast forward 52 years and 96 conventions to today. We are getting ready for FMCA
  • Do you have a campground that you find yourself returning to year after year? What do you love about it so much? ⁠ ⁠ With FMCA, you can save on overnight stays at HUNDREDS of different campgrounds across North America. Tap the link in our bio to learn about the different campgrounds where you can save money, just for being an FMCA member!⁠ ⁠ - @natehitstheroad⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit
  • Hit ♥️ if you think campfires in the morning don
  • There are only 3 days left before the early-bird deadline for FMCA

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Tech Talk: FMCA To The Rescue!

  • Livin’ The Life: January 2021

  • A Fun-Size Book Library

banner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2017 - FamilyRvingMag. All Right Reserved.


Back To Top

FMCA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FMCA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.

If you already have a membership with us, sign in now to get full access!

Join Now Sign In