How do I tell if I have a XM capable radio

[Slingshot_05]

Hi. I am trying to figure out if I have the ability to subscribe to any satellite radio service with my headunit, a UC6 with UQA.

Thanks!

[Donnysan]

Originally Posted by Slingshot_05

Hi. I am trying to figure out if I have the ability to subscribe to any satellite radio service with my headunit, a UC6 with UQA.

Thanks!

If you have the Bose premium sound system (most SSR's do), then you will be able to install an Audiovox (Terk) XMDGMK kit, which plugs right into the OEM head unit and provides XM radio service through the OEM head unit.

The XMDGMK is best bought online, Amazon.com has it for $139 with free shipping. Installation costs $50-$100 depending on installer. You may want to pay a little more and have the installer also supply the kit, since they may warrantee the entire installation.

I did this, and when my XMDGMK went south about three weeks ago, they replaced it with a unit on hand (the XM Direct unit was bad) and my only cost was labor, or $50. The XMDGMK carries a three year warrantee against defects, and also covers up to $1,000 in any incidental repairs that may need to be done in the event the unit damages something else on your truck. If I had supplied the kit, I would have had to return it to Audiovox for repair or replacement, then have them reinstall it, which would have been extremely inconvenient and cost me more in labor.

Do a search, you'll see several owners who have installed this unit themselves and would be happy to give you installation tips if you want to tackle it yourself.

My installation:

[Dick]

I don't see anything different from the stock radio unit in the dash. Could you elaborate on the human control interface? Also where is the receiving antenna?

Dick

[Mike in AZ]

Dick,

The controls are accomplished digitally through the SSR head unit. You will have AM, FM1, FM2, XM1 and XM2 on your band button after installation. Each of the two bands will have 6 presets, just like the FM bands and is stored in the main computer memory with all the other radio and seat settings. Steering wheel controls work normally too.

I used an XMDGMK-100. The little magnetic antenna is under the plastic upper dash panel, just aft of the windsheild on a lovely little steel brace that is resident there. Almost like it was made for it. This is the same place that others have used.

Regards,

Mike

[Ghostrider]

I don't see a DashMat there??

Haha!

GR

[Mike in AZ]

The XM reception is greatly enhanced with the installation of one of GR's dashmats. The soft surface acts as an RF attracion device.

On the serious side.... The dashmat does act as a bit of an insulator and will reduce the solar thermals that transfer through the upper dash panel. This will help reduce the "cooking" of the XM receiver you install..... no joke.

Regards,

Mike

[SS My R]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

The XM reception is greatly enhanced with the installation of one of GR's dash-mats. The soft surface acts as an RF attraction device.

On the serious side.... The dashmat does act as a bit of an insulator and will reduce the solar thermals that transfer through the upper dash panel. This will help reduce the "cooking" of the XM receiver you install..... no joke.

Regards,

Mike

Had mine in for about four months. Does it really help cut down the heat through the upper dash? Then if I do shoud it be black or dark gray? Then if I do should it be fuzzy or velour? Then if I do should I use credit card or debit card or check? You guys are always helping me spend my money once again. I'm still trying my damnedest to keep from buying a second SSR.

[Mike in AZ]

[Diggs]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

Dick,

The controls are accomplished digitally through the SSR head unit. You will have AM, FM1, FM2, XM1 and XM2 on your band button after installation. Each of the two bands will have 6 presets, just like the FM bands and is stored in the main computer memory with all the other radio and seat settings. Steering wheel controls work normally too.

I used an XMDGMK-100. The little magnetic antenna is under the plastic upper dash panel, just aft of the windsheild on a lovely little steel brace that is resident there. Almost like it was made for it. This is the same place that others have used.

Regards,

Mike

I installed the XMDGMK-100 kit also. I tried the "under the dash panel" mount and was not happy with the results. When we were heading south-east we had reception drop outs galore. I moved the antenna outside to the header above the rear view mirror and have yet to get any drop outs. The SSR gets XM in the garage and my 06 Intimidator SS can't even do that!!!

Diggs

[n29we]

[Slingshot_05]

Thank you for all the info

Is there a Sirius model available, or is XM the only game in town?

[Mike in AZ]

Sirius can be done too, but is not compatible with the radio controls. You either have to use the FM modulator option or plug in through an auxiliary input. Both of these options will leave you with an additional piece of radio equipment in the cockpit.... somewhere. Other people have done it in a number of creative ways....

my 2 cents,

Mike

[Ricochet]

Can someone please furnish a picture as to where the antenna mounts? Im having all sorts of reception problems with my MiFi units antenna location. This may help me, I think the metal base might act as a ground. I could not find any metal t attach it to.
Thank You.

[big-daddy]

Is this the same as the model you're talking about?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1083710277061

[Diggs]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Can someone please furnish a picture as to where the antenna mounts? Im having all sorts of reception problems with my MiFi units antenna location. This may help me, I think the metal base might act as a ground. I could not find any metal t attach it to.
Thank You.

This picture was taken before the XM install but I marked where it is now. The wire tucks neatly under the weather stripping and only requires a tork t15 at the corner to get it underneath.



Diggs

P.S. big-daddy: That kit is only part of what you need. You need the whole kit with the interface for the GM factory radios.

[Ricochet]

WoW,..So the antenna is Hidden? Its under that header panel? You still get a good signal? I cant get a good signal with my antenna double face taped to the back edge of the waterfall fully exposed to the sky.

[Diggs]

...the antenna was hidden under the dash panel but our reception sucked. It is now on the outside where I marked in the picture.

Diggs

[Donnysan]

Here is the link to Amazon.com, which matches the lowest price I've found, plus it qualifies for free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

Now, be advised that the XMDGM100 model number is an older designation. The kit, at least the newest kit, is model XMDGMK. They are, essentially, the same but the newer units will carry the XMDGMK model number. My old unit, which failed recently, was an XMDGM100 and it was replaced by an XMDGMK.

Here is a link to the Audiovox/Terk site with the latest info:

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/s...5006&langId=-1

And here is an Ebay link to the XMDGMK

http://cgi.ebay.com/TERK-XM-RADIO-DI...QQcmdZViewItem

[Donnysan]

I have no personal experience with this, but it should work just like the XMDGMK:

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/si...usconnect.html

And here is a PDF of the installation and owners manual. It looks like the unit has not hit the market as yet.

http://www.abtelectronics.com/images...sirgm1_ins.pdf

Also, browsing the installation instructions, it isn't as easy an install as the XM unit, and the antenna is huge, comparatively.

[drtaz]

Are the 2004 models also XM capable? I have the premium Bose system.

[JeffDBFl]

Yes there can. I had it installed in my 2003. It can be installed in any of them as long as you have the 6 CD unit.