Sirius XM Question

Dr Detroit

Feb 03, 2023

Today while I was in at Starbucks (go ahead, judge me) my radio flashed satellite signal lost switch to internet. Normal to lose satellite at this Starbucks for me. Happens in all my vehicles.

I know we have two options with Sirius. OTA through the antenna for most stations and using the built in modem for on-demand and other stations like live NFL games (please see other thread on modem issues. Nothing like it going out in the playoffs!).

Today was the first time I saw that you could get the normal stations via the modem as well (I hit the screen when it gave me the internet option in line and station came right back op).

Here’s my question - why have an antenna option at all now for Sirius? What am I missing? Remove the modem reliability in MY23 from the equation though. For those who don’t listen to local radio at all, I guess in theory you could remove your antenna?

2023 Badlands Sasquatch Lux 2.7 MIC in Cactus Grey - Found by luck on a dealer’s lot

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 03, 2023

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Feb 03, 2023

I would not. I get shoddy wifi service in my Bronco and my phone's hot spot isn't any better. Antenna is a must for me.

Bronco 4D FE #1267 A51

Bluestreak57, Last Ride Bronco

Feb 04, 2023

my problem with sirius xm if your not careful and say a billing issue happens and you dont recieve a notice. they will keep your account running and add fees. It happened to me I didnt notice an issue and racked up a $500 bill. I plan on sticking to normal radio, it'll save me about $25 a month. Oh I almost forgot when I switched from Softtop to Hardtop my xm signal seems to come in and out alot more.

Feb 04, 2023

When I had my 2020 escape and Sirius satellite on vehicle and the app on my phone I noticed it would always switch to the phone app and stay on the phone app.

Feb 04, 2023

FatbikerJo Bronco
When I had my 2020 escape and Sirius satellite on vehicle and the app on my phone I noticed it would always switch to the phone app and stay on the phone app.

You generally have more channels available on your phone than in your vehicle, but if you change the source on your sync audio screen, from your phone to Sirius, it will use the onboard modem.

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Feb 05, 2023

Eninty
Some people live where the cell don't shine.

Sync uses satellite. If you use your phone, only then do you need cell service… I keep Sirius so cross country travel is interruption free in terms of radio

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Feb 05, 2023

This thread is all over the place. Is the OP's original question "Do we need an antenna at all?" Everything else is just static. And yes, that's a metaphor.

Chris here. I drive a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch, Lux, a 2.7L V6, and an automatic transmission. It’s fun.

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Feb 05, 2023

BuckYeah
This thread is all over the place. Is the OP's original question "Do we need an antenna at all?" Everything else is just static. And yes, that's a metaphor.

If the question is whether one needs the antenna, I would use trial and error and see if I could get what I need without the OTA antenna… easy off/easy on

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

BuckYeah

Feb 05, 2023

BuckYeah
This thread is all over the place. Is the OP's original question "Do we need an antenna at all?" Everything else is just static. And yes, that's a metaphor.

Yep that was my question. Sorry not sure if I was clear. If Sirius can use the modem, maybe I could roll without it. I probably should just try it. My bad.

2023 Badlands Sasquatch Lux 2.7 MIC in Cactus Grey - Found by luck on a dealer’s lot

BuckYeah

Feb 05, 2023

Bluestreak57
If the question is whether one needs the antenna, I would use trial and error and see if I could get what I need without the OTA antenna… easy off/easy on

Agreed. Why don't we just unscrew our antenna masts and see what we hear? Or don't hear. 😆

Seriously though, it's a valid question, @Dr Detroit. I'm glad you asked.

I'm debating whether or not I want to continue the SiriusXM radio service beyond the 90-day trial. I already subscribe to Pandora (which is "owned" by SiriusXM), which I can stream from my cell phone via Apple Car Play. SiriusXM does have a gazillion channels (mostly crap) that feature disc-jockey interjections between tracks (which is what I HATE about commercial radio, apart from the annoying commercials). But, they also have sports and traffic alerts and other arguably valuable features, so I'm not sure I'll opt out of this particular "service." I'm not a fan of having dead switches in my vehicles. That is the only reason I'm even considering continuing this service post-trial period.

Dr Detroit

Feb 05, 2023

#10

BuckYeah
Agreed. Why don't we just unscrew our antenna masts and see what we hear? Or don't hear. 😆

Seriously though, it's a valid question, @Dr Detroit. I'm glad you asked.

I'm debating whether or not I want to continue the SiriusXM radio service beyond the 90-day trial. I already subscribe to Pandora (which is "owned" by SiriusXM), which I can stream from my cell phone via Apple Car Play. SiriusXM does have a gazillion channels (mostly crap) that feature disc-jockey interjections between tracks (which is what I HATE about commercial radio, apart from the annoying commercials). But, they also have sports and traffic alerts and other arguably valuable features, so I'm not sure I'll opt out of this particular "service." I'm not a fan of having dead switches in my vehicles. That is the only reason I'm even considering continuing this service post-trial period.

The FM antenna mast is not an XM antenna.

BuckYeah, Bluestreak57

Feb 05, 2023

#11

sportcoupe
The FM antenna mast is not an XM antenna.

Thank you @sportcoupe ! Saved me some experimenting time. I assumed (yeah I know) it was incorporated in there because no xm shark fin on the roof (because you can’t) or on the rear trunk etc. Where is it?

2023 Badlands Sasquatch Lux 2.7 MIC in Cactus Grey - Found by luck on a dealer’s lot

BuckYeah

Feb 05, 2023

#12

Dr Detroit
Thank you @sportcoupe ! Saved me some experimenting time. I assumed (yeah I know) it was incorporated in there because no xm shark fin on the roof (because you can’t) or on the rear trunk etc. Where is it?

It's on the roll bar in the back of your Bronco.
As soon as the signal drops from the antenna connection if the satellite signal is blocked by a building trees or even a mountain it'll click on the app and stay in the app.

BuckYeah, Bluestreak57

Feb 05, 2023

#13

BuckYeah
Agreed. Why don't we just unscrew our antenna masts and see what we hear? Or don't hear. 😆

Seriously though, it's a valid question, @Dr Detroit. I'm glad you asked.

I'm debating whether or not I want to continue the SiriusXM radio service beyond the 90-day trial. I already subscribe to Pandora (which is "owned" by SiriusXM), which I can stream from my cell phone via Apple Car Play. SiriusXM does have a gazillion channels (mostly crap) that feature disc-jockey interjections between tracks (which is what I HATE about commercial radio, apart from the annoying commercials). But, they also have sports and traffic alerts and other arguably valuable features, so I'm not sure I'll opt out of this particular "service." I'm not a fan of having dead switches in my vehicles. That is the only reason I'm even considering continuing this service post-trial period.

It’s hard to know what to do for music, especially now that you can get everything on your phone. I started using Sirius years ago (before pandora, Spotify, apple music, and the like, as I was traveling a lot across state on US2, and there are numerous dead spots for OTA radio and later, for cell service. Other than narrow mountain passes, Sirius always covers well and provides consistent programming, including seasonal channels galore.

That being said, I‘m at a point in life where I need to evaluate all my subscriptions to see what Im really using and what Im not… its amazing how quickly one can spend $100 on subscriptions one never uses and forgets about…

I’ve never used (much) Spotify, Pandora, and the like. I do use Apple Music, as I live in the apple ecosystem, but I enjoy being able to get my local stations on Sirius if I so choose.

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Eninty, BuckYeah

Feb 05, 2023

#14

Eninty
I have two vehicles that have Sirius capability (yes, most of my cars are old - lol). For the 2009 vehicle we kept a subscription for Sirius for probably 8 years. We used it to week-long road trip a lot, but finally stopped the subscription as our road tripping waned a bit. With the four open windows and huge sunroof, and it has and 33's the noise easily overcomes the radio volume and anyway, the open-air white noise is more relaxing than music; with my wife and I, we usually ride with the sound system off.

The Bronco, once the top is removed next summer will be the same situation, too loud ambient road noise to appreciate any music, so I see no reason to have a Sirius subscription. Where I live, the Sirius signal path can get blocked by mountains and trees; there are no ground-based repeaters to fill in, and regardless RF just doesn't propagate well in the mountains. I daily the Bronco once a week a whole 11 miles and 17 minutes one way to my new office (down from 80 miles and 1 hr. 45 minutes) so I get maybe 2 songs in. LOL. Too much money to pay for 4 songs a week.

It's memory stick for me, which provides a direct signal path to the sound system without data loss for a higher bandwidth sound. No plans to upgrade the sound system either, waste of money.

I enjoy so much learning how different folks on this site adapt to their locales and needs. Thanks!

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Eninty, Dr Detroit

Feb 05, 2023

#15

Bluestreak57
I enjoy so much learning how different folks on this site adapt to their locales and needs. Thanks!

Amen, brother! You all reminded me of how spotty Sirius can be in the mountains. Not to mention how unreliable FM radio reception is. I used to get a little annoyed that it would cut out while I was jamming to a particularly catchy tune.

I will probably have to rely on my iPhone to provide music on my upcoming road trips. The idea of using a memory stick also has strong appeal, @Eninty. It would allow me to curate my favorite new music in one place. It's scary how "old" the music in my iPhone's music library has become! Whenever I listen to it, I ask, "WHY did I ever like this stuff?" LOL To its credit, Pandora does let you download "offline" versions of your favorite stations so you'll always have a sampling of your favorite music should your connection be lost.

And like others, I also enjoy NOT listening to anything but the car and the ambient sounds of the world going by. This was especially true with my last car, the Challenger.

Like you, it's time for me to reassess whether I need so many subscription-based services. That extra cash could be funneled into better things... like FUEL! ;)

Dr Detroit

Feb 05, 2023

#16

BuckYeah
Amen, brother! You all reminded me of how spotty Sirius can be in the mountains. Not to mention how unreliable FM radio reception is. I used to get a little annoyed that it would cut out while I was jamming to a particularly catchy tune.

I will probably have to rely on my iPhone to provide music on my upcoming road trips. The idea of using a memory stick also has strong appeal, @Eninty. It would allow me to curate my favorite new music in one place. It's scary how "old" the music in my iPhone's music library has become! Whenever I listen to it, I ask, "WHY did I ever like this stuff?" LOL To its credit, Pandora does let you download "offline" versions of your favorite stations so you'll always have a sampling of your favorite music should your connection be lost.

And like others, I also enjoy NOT listening to anything but the car and the ambient sounds of the world going by. This was especially true with my last car, the Challenger.

Like you, it's time for me to reassess whether I need so many subscription-based services. That extra cash could be funneled into better things... like FUEL! ;)

Or PPF… lol

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Feb 05, 2023

#17

Bluestreak57
Or PPF… lol

BUSTED! 😆

I stopped trying to figure out why I do anything anymore and just roll with it. More often than not, my decisions are sound. Budgeting for my choices is often an afterthought, however. LOL

Feb 05, 2023

#18

I may need to start a new thread titled what’s on your Bronco playlist after this post! 😂

Appreciate all the input. Good to know there is a separate Sirius antenna. Also good to know the on board modem operates as a back up if you lose antenna reception (if you’re on board modem has reception). Removing the mast antenna might be in my future or at least getting a smaller one knowing all of the above.

With CarPlay/Android Play becoming more and more a “norm” I’m going to need to relook at where I spend my $. Next year will be the real kicker depending on what contract the NFL signs for game broadcasts.

2023 Badlands Sasquatch Lux 2.7 MIC in Cactus Grey - Found by luck on a dealer’s lot

BuckYeah

Feb 05, 2023

#19

You're definitely on the right track, @Dr Detroit. I think it's in everyone's best interest to assess how their money is spent. There are so many options out there.

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