I have the XM run in through the
aux input. It doesn't sound so great.

In my wife's VW I used an inline antena
thing (hooks up to physical antena, you set
the station on the device, then tune your
radio to that channel) to hook her XM into.

I don't want the FM modulator thing.

Is there an antena wire connection that I could use
such a thing to connect it up?

Sorry, I don't want the FM modulator that transmits over
the air. I just found out they also call the thing I
am asking about and FM modulator, but it is the hardwired kind.

Can such a thing be hooked up to the mini radio?
Do I need an antena wire adapter?
How hard is it to access the radio?

 

Another question.
I've been following the XM threads for a while, and
went back and reviewed some that I had missed.

Why is everyone so unhappy with the FM modulator
and so happy with the aux input?

I think my aux input sounds like poo compared to
the regular FM channels on the radio, or CD player.

 

In what way does it sound bad? The aux jack on my VW worked great, but I think I changed the volume out on the Roady. I did have engine noise on my Mazda which I got rid of using a ground loop isolator. Don't have my MINI yet (4 weeks, they say)

 

It is not a full sound is the best way to describe it.
I have the inputs/outputs turned all the way up.
it is absolutely clear though.

maybe i need a different wire.

I'm right on the verge of cancelling them anyway
(unhappy about a couple of things) so I might
just end the chase by cancelling.

 

If it's a volume issue it's probably the wire. The sound quality of XM is pretty shaky, many Mini owners have complained it's not nearly as good as HD radio. FYI an FM modulator hardwires into the antenna input on the headunit and sounds excellent (most CD changers use this input), an FM transmitter goes ou OTA and sounds crummy.

 

I just remembered that I once inadvertantly used a mono instead of stereo wire. Sounds stupid, but yes, I did it.

I love XM.
The Loft and MLB.

 

If the stereo wire has like (hard to describe)
two silver parts on the end like the headphones
do, I got the stereo wire.

Granted i did cut it and solder it back. I remember
red and white plus the ground.

I'm going to look into the FM modulator.
Like I said I put it in my wife's VW
and it sounds great.

My biggest complaint is that sonic radio
does not play on the weekends. The weekends
would be when we are most likely to go somewhere
as a tribe, or I would have an extended project
to work on.

I've decided to think about it over the weekend before
I cancel. It actually doesn't save much on our budget -
about $6 (family plan).

But I might just either go to the library for books on tape
or put the $6 toward audible downloads.

But for the times I listen to music I can tell you $6 is
not justified for the flat sound I get.

 

My XM roady sounds great. I'd try new wires if you broke connections and soldered anything. I'd also recommend the XM antenna and not tie into the sirius antenna.

 

I did use the XM antena (didnt know about the thing
under the seat).

I'll look for a new wire.

maybe the roady is also a better unit than the
sportster.

I wouldnt mind at all for the man to make the connection
box for where the cd changer is and put an HD radio
module in.

But I also see no reason to not run sonic theater on weekends
when its all prerecorded anyway. It makes no sense to me.

 

This is so annoying.

I do appreciate the advice.

I don't mean I'm annoyed at anyone here.

Get this. So far, I have yet to find a fuse that is
***always*** on.

I got that thing working. You shut the car off and
take the key out. The light DOES come on.

But after 30 mins, the power cuts off totally.

Comming up this weekend I am going to try every single fuse in
order. Which is a couple weekends I think considering even
if I jump out there each time has a 30 min wait.
I can't jump out there always on the second.

So it could actually take a couple weeks to try every fuse.

But I will let everyone know if I find a fuse that is always on.

I don't want to run a wire directly to the battery ha ha
since I am still under warrenty.

"oh so sowwy you put an led on the battery, voids warrenty"

 

As a not related side note.
I accidently went to the 1st gen
audio forum.
There is this guy that has spent 10 months
putting a stereo upgrade in, at the dealer.

It's a freakish read.

I don't mean freakish in a bad way I really
admire his determination.

 

I threw my Sportster away the day after I bought it and went back to my old Roady. Didn't like the user interface.

I've had my Roady in the Cooper since the drive home from the dealership. Since I figured out how to turn up the aux input volume on the car's head unit it's been perfect.

I did wire it to be powered off the CD changer plug behind the secret compartment, though, when I put in the DVD player so that I can listen to it when the radio is on and the car is not running. Very easy to do, highly recommended.

I too miss Sonic Theatre on the weekends, but 164 Old Time Radio is almost as good, and has fewer repeats throughout the day as well.

 

Well, it looks like the decision was made.

I'm dissatisfied with XM because
1. can't get the sound good in the mini,
2. lack of sonic radio on the weekend,
3. lack of talk programs over XM internet stream.

She's dissatisfied because of the price.
(she is the one that pays for it)

So, we'll be dropping it.

When they make that CD changer adapter
whatever it is called, we will add an HD
radio module in the rear fender.

I mean after they work the bugs out and assuming
frankly that somebody actually makes a thing.

 

MLB, The Loft, XMCafe, but mostly MLB.
Every baseball game.
Take a trip: listen to the same station the whole trip-try that with your HD radio.
Sonic radio? What the heck is that?

 

Sonic theater is like books on tape but
each show is about 30 mins.
(sorry forgot it was called sonic theater)

We are not a sports listening family.

The big deal is (to us) in regards to
taking a trip and listening to the
same station - our normal travel days
usually involve a sat or sun, or both.

Our favorite station does not play on
sat and sun. I might consider keeping it
if it were $10 for two cars. But not $20.
BTW, I have $20 its the principle of the thing -
paying full price for less than [what we consider]
full service.

It's a bit of a deal breaker.

And its a big deal because 2 times per year
we make a 15 hour one way trip.

We're planning to just go to the library and
get books on tape. well, 'tape' ha ha.

 

Should have been new thread, sorry.