Sirius Radio FM Transmitter Optimization

Redwoodman

Active SatelliteGuys Member
Original poster
Jan 14, 2006
19
0
Northern California
I just received an email from Sirius telling me I have to "optimize" the FM Transmitters on my Starmate receivers. One of the options is a professionally installed FM direct adapter. Is anyone familiar with or pursued this option?

G
 
I recommend the "direct connect" approach. I have XM and I did this on my Ford Windstar and my wife's PT Cruiser.

One major advantage is that I have never had to change the FM station when traveling. I have driven from Augusta, Maine to Miami, FL and I never changed the FM staion that was used as the transmission frequency, even when going through Baltimore which has a station at that frequency; I used 88.1.

Best of Luck,
Bob
 
I bought a kit from Crutchfield.com to direct connect my Sirius tuner to my car radio. The antenna relay essentially has 2 inputs, one for the normal antenna and the second is from the Sirius tuner. It has one output that goes in the back of the radio where you remove the am/fm antenna. When you turn on the Sirius receiver it switches from the am/fm antenna to the Sirius tuner. I recommend it highly. It beats the heck out of the FM transmitter built into the unit.
 
Thanks for the info.

From your descriptions, it sounds like this approach could be used with any radio without the need for an auxillary input. I was concerned because I have a Dodge Pickup and I've been told there are no auxillary inputs.
 
I bought a kit from Crutchfield.com to direct connect my Sirius tuner to my car radio. The antenna relay essentially has 2 inputs, one for the normal antenna and the second is from the Sirius tuner. It has one output that goes in the back of the radio where you remove the am/fm antenna. When you turn on the Sirius receiver it switches from the am/fm antenna to the Sirius tuner. I recommend it highly. It beats the heck out of the FM transmitter built into the unit.

This is the Sirius FMDA25 (Sirius FM Direct Wired Adapter)

Amazon.com: Sirius Wired FM Relay Retail Package: Electronics
 
I have one of those installed in my truck and it has an issue, where I can't listen to AM / FM in my turck unless I turn my sirius radio on and off again.

Once it does this then I can listen to AM/FM fine.

Its an annoying bug. :)
 
I storngly recomend an fm direct adapter especially if you dont want to change channels while driving.. Just dont buy it at best buy or circuit city because they cahrge up the butt for one. Get one at radio shack for 20.00 bucks.
 
I got the same email for one of my XACT recivers. Here is the email

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Dear Robert Nemitz:[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Your SIRIUS radio contains an FM transmitter that allows it to operate wirelessly through your car FM radio. We have determined that the output of this transmitter exceeds the limits established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As a result, the unit may interfere with the performance of radios operating in areas adjacent to your radio. There are no health or safety concerns associated with this issue.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If you listen to your SIRIUS radio wirelessly through your vehicle's FM radio, then please review the solutions listed below and select the one that works best for you. SIRIUS will provide you the best solution at no cost.[/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If you use your SIRIUS radio only when docked in a boombox, or directly connected to your car radio or home stereo using audio cables or a cassette tape adapter, then no interference can occur and no further action is required, provided you have turned off your FM transmitter. To turn off the FM transmitter, first press the MENU button. Use the channel up/down buttons to highlight “FM Transmitter” and push the SELECT button. Use the channel up/down buttons to highlight the "FM On/Off" menu item and then press the SELECT button. Use the up/down buttons to highlight "FM Off" and press the SELECT button. To exit the "FM On/Off" menu, press the MENU button. Use the same procedure to turn off the FM transmitter if you use Solution 1 or Solution 2 below..[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Solution 1 - Direct Wired Audio Connection: If your vehicle radio has a “LINE IN” or “AUX IN” jack, you can use a stereo cable to connect directly to your SIRIUS radio. This solution is the easiest to install and provides the best audio performance. Many newer vehicles provide the required audio input jack. It will normally be found on or near the front faceplate of your vehicle’s radio.[/FONT]
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Solution 2 - Cassette Tape Adapter
: If your vehicle has a cassette tape player, you can use a cassette adapter that allows you to play your SIRIUS radio through the cassette portion of your vehicle radio. The adapter slips into your vehicle radio as easily as a cassette tape and provides better performance than a wireless connection.
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Solution 3 - FM Extender Cable Kit: An FM extender cable will provide a special transmitter antenna that allows you to obtain the best audio performance through your vehicle’s FM radio. This solution is easy to self-install, but does require that an easy-to-hide wire be run in your vehicle so the transmitter antenna can be placed in close proximity to your vehicle’s radio antenna. Using this FM Extender Cable Kit, you will continue to use your SIRIUS radio exactly the same way as you do currently.
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Solution 4 - FM Direct Adapter with Professional Installation: An FM Direct Adapter provides a wired connection between your SIRIUS radio and your vehicle’s radio. You will continue to listen to your SIRIUS radio through the FM tuner of your car radio, but the FM Direct Adapter eliminates the outside static and interference you sometimes experience when using a wireless FM connection. This solution usually requires professional installation. We will provide a certificate redeemable for installation at an installation center in your area.[/FONT]
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Please go to www.sirius.com/optimize and select the solution that works best for you. If you have any questions, please call 1-(877) 635-5130. Detailed instructions will be included with your solution.
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]You will improve the performance of your SIRIUS radio and reduce the potential for interfering with adjacent radios if you properly tune your FM transmitter. Please see the FM Transmitter Set-Up Tips below for more information.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]We are sorry for this inconvenience. We are confident these solutions will allow you to continue to enjoy the great music, news, sports and entertainment that only SIRIUS Satellite Radio can offer with no impact on your radio’s performance.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Sincerely,[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO[/FONT]

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FM Transmitter Set-Up Tips
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]To tune your FM transmitter turn off your SIRIUS radio and tune through the FM channels on your vehicle’s radio to locate an FM channel (except 87.7/87.9) that is not broadcasting in your area. If you use an FM channel that is being used by a local broadcaster, it will interfere with the performance of your SIRIUS radio. Once you have located an FM channel that is not being used for broadcasting in your area, save it as a preset on your vehicle radio. This will become your SIRIUS preset. If you’re not sure which FM channels are not being used in your home or travel cities, you can go to www.sirius.com/fmchannel and search for an FM channel based on zip code. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Turn on your SIRIUS radio. In the SETTINGS or MENU on your SIRIUS radio, locate the “FM Frequency” adjustments. Set the channel number on your SIRIUS radio to match the SIRIUS preset on your vehicle radio. Refer to your user guide for detailed instructions on how to do this. The FM transmitter in your SIRIUS radio is automatically set to FM channel 88.1. This may not be the best channel in your area. [/FONT]
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If you regularly travel between cities with different active FM channels, you may need to find channels that are not broadcasting in each city. Several SIRIUS radio models can store multiple FM transmitter channels, so you can easily switch to the best FM channel for each city. Refer to the user guide for your SIRIUS radio for details on this feature. You will also want to set the FM channels that are not broadcasting in each city as presets on your vehicle radio.
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As a SIRIUS subscriber, you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will facilitate and enhance your SIRIUS listening experience. [/FONT]
 
I'm considering the FM Direct Adapter option, but have a couple questions:

1. Does anyone know the value of the certificate provided by Sirius?

2. Has anyone priced what it would cost to have this adapter installed?
 

XM sending out email addressing FCC interference issues for older models.

OEM XM Radio on Sirius Account?

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