In my typical fashion, I have embraced another technology a few years behind the cutting edge. My newest toy is XM Satellite Radio. In short, it's VERY COOL and very much worth it. It fits my wide-ranging tastes in music and talk perfectly.
My first decision was XM vs. Sirius. At the same price, the only consideration was content, and the content of XM appeared to be better suited for me. I liked the music choices better, and the other content was more suited for me too, with the NHL, Fox News Channel, Fox News Talk, ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and NASCAR all available (although NASCAR switches exclusively to Sirius in 2007). It took me about 45 minutes into my free 3-day online trial to decide I wanted XM.
I bought the Delphi MyFi for my receiver. It's unique feature is portability, with an internal XM antenna to allow it to be worn on-the-go like a Walkman or iPod. It also came with all the accessories needed to use it in the home or car. It's a little bigger than an iPod but will still fit in the palm of one's hand.
Last evening, my Dad made a bracket for my Jeep to house the MyFi and either my scanner or iPod. It fits between the instrument cluster and the air vents and looks surprisingly non-ghetto given the fact it's made from the hood of a wrecked Lincoln. Once we get it painted to match the dashboard, it should look almost natural. The tiny XM antenna fits inconspicuously inside my Jeep's roof cargo basket, and the wire runs nearly undetected along a ridge in the dashboard to the receiver.
The first real trial of my new setup came this morning as I drove back to Toledo from Fort Wayne. The XM kept playing faithfully the entire trip, the signal never skipping a beat along its journey from 22,000 miles above the equator. Using the docking station, external antenna, and the MyFi's FM transmitter, the system sounds superb through my living room's surround sound.
I'll have some pictures later. I really couldn't be happier with my entire XM setup. Besides an occasional tune into the local AM talk station and my limited options at work, I think I'm done with AM and FM radio.
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2 comments:
You know, I've been termed "GADGET MAN" or "TSgt Gadget" for YEARS and YEARS now.
But for some reason, I've not really felt the need to pay to listen to the radio.
I really kind of pay, I guess...I am a BOB and TOM VIP subscriber, and I download their show to .mp3's and have an MP3 CD player in the car.
I guess it all depends on what you like and what you do. Between all the driving I do and my time upstairs at work, I spend a ton of time listening to the radio.
The biggest thing is radio in Toledo sucks (not surprising, given it's Toledo :-D). With XM, I have the choice of tons of talk shows I like, some top-notch music stations, and every NHL game played. It works like a charm in the tower, too! So, I love it. It's only $150 a year (plus $150 for the receiver and all it's accessories), so it's not too bad for all the choice it offers. I also get to stream all of the music channels over the 'net as part of my subscription.
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