anyone have XM radio?

saldana · 04-19-2006, 11:17 PM

So i work in an office essentially all by myself for 7 hours a day, and i want to listen to the mets games, but my company's computer policy wont let me use mlb.com to listen to the streaming audio. (they wont let me post on this board either, but that is a little easier to get around)

i am planning to buy the new XM radio/mp3 player from Pioneer, its called the INNO, next week when it comes out, but before i drop the 400 bucks on it, i was wondering if anyone had any experience with the little portable satellite radios as far as reception inside a building. i should mention that inside my office, the only conventional radio stations that you can get are the ones that are broadcast from less than 10 miles away. is the building going to prevent me from getting reception?

Flasch186 · 04-19-2006, 11:18 PM

yes...IMO, you will have to run the receiver to a window facing a certain direction that I dont remember.

rjolley · 04-19-2006, 11:27 PM

They have to face south

saldana · 04-19-2006, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186

yes...IMO, you will have to run the receiver to a window facing a certain direction that I dont remember.

my office has no windows, so basically you are saying it isnt gonna work at all?!

Flasch186 · 04-19-2006, 11:38 PM

..as far as I know the satellite receiver has to have a "clear view of the [southern] sky."

saldana · 04-19-2006, 11:42 PM

then how do they work as stereo components inside a house?

MacroGuru · 04-19-2006, 11:44 PM

Not really, although it is helpful.

I have the Roady XT home and car kit, so I am able to take it in the car and run it at home. In the home, my antenna isn't facing south at all, and it gets great reception, however, I think it is due to the fact I have windows next to where it is it.

You might want to purchase the Roady as a test for the office, it's like $48 and you can see if it works there.

saldana · 04-19-2006, 11:44 PM

dola and what is the point of having a portable one then....this thing is the size of an ipod...what is the point of having something that small and portable if it only works outside

IwasHere · 04-20-2006, 02:17 AM

I have the XM2GO and love it. At home I have it hooked up to my stereo system, so I can either listen through speakers or slap on the wireless headphones and run all over my house. I also take it with me everywhere in my car. And, every night when I am sleeping I have it record 5 hours of new music I can play back while I am at the gym(Boneyard). I will never buy another CD or Song again.

BTW. My home antenna sits on a shelf in my house pointing directly at a wall facing south. No south Window for me.

Toddzilla · 04-20-2006, 06:23 AM

There is no point of having a portable unit if it only works in certain conditions, you got that right. Maybe there is some way you can trt-it-before-you-buy-it sorat thing and make sure you have reception where you work before buying.

However, you do get free access to XM Online when you buy a subscription, so in the office, if you're at a desk most of the day, then you can listen online - there are more channels online, too (Special X - w00t!).

Also, someone on FOFC works for an XM partner (Aor America?) and they have access to their online store which may have a nice discount available for you.

Bottom line, unless I wasn't 100% sure the Inno worked at work where I sat, I wouldn't buy it.

PS - Sirius doesn't even have a portable unit that can play live content - it has to be docked and content downloaded to the unit - so it isn't even a option for you unfortunately.

Ksyrup · 04-20-2006, 07:07 AM

They just added more channels this past Monday - and brought back Liquid Metal. I was so happy when I accidentally discovered this in the car yesterday that I forced my family to listen to a full song from some death metal band. The kids got a kick out of me describing the vocals as "cookie monster." I had my 6 year old half-believing CM's other job was singing in a metal band.

MikeVick7 · 04-20-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flasch186

..as far as I know the satellite receiver has to have a "clear view of the [southern] sky."

Isn't that a DirecTV thing?

I was given a portable XM radio unit as a xmas gift and had a 3-month subscription just to try it out and I took it took work with me and could barely pick up a thing.

panerd · 04-20-2006, 08:34 AM

I understand your complaint about what the purpose of a hand-held radio is, but what I am wondering is how exactly you thought you could receive satellite radio without aiming an antenna at a satellite.

Ramzavail · 04-20-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

There is no point of having a portable unit if it only works in certain conditions, you got that right. Maybe there is some way you can trt-it-before-you-buy-it sorat thing and make sure you have reception where you work before buying.

However, you do get free access to XM Online when you buy a subscription, so in the office, if you're at a desk most of the day, then you can listen online - there are more channels online, too (Special X - w00t!).

Also, someone on FOFC works for an XM partner (Aor America?) and they have access to their online store which may have a nice discount available for you.

Bottom line, unless I wasn't 100% sure the Inno worked at work where I sat, I wouldn't buy it.

PS - Sirius doesn't even have a portable unit that can play live content - it has to be docked and content downloaded to the unit - so it isn't even a option for you unfortunately.

XM Online does not have ANY MLB games that you can listen to, thats the only problem with that.

Ramzavail · 04-20-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panerd

I understand your complaint about what the purpose of a hand-held radio is, but what I am wondering is how exactly you thought you could receive satellite radio without aiming an antenna at a satellite.

I agree, and I wondered that myself.

ice4277 · 04-20-2006, 09:46 AM

A guy at my work had an XM ToGo, and it worked pretty well in the windowless warehouse where his office was. He didn't have an antenna outside, either, so, it may work.

Bee · 04-20-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice4277

A guy at my work had an XM ToGo, and it worked pretty well in the windowless warehouse where his office was. He didn't have an antenna outside, either, so, it may work.

Yep, I think it might work if you're on an outside wall. One of my techs has XM toGo and it worked in his old office which was along an outside wall without windows. The new office he doesn't get reception because we're deeper inside the building now.

saldana · 04-20-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzavail

I agree, and I wondered that myself.

does your cell phone work inside...mine does...its called signal penetration... xm advertises that their transmitters are the most powerful commercial transmitters ever, hence i interpreted that to mean they would have enough power to penetrate a building.

as far as sirius goes...this is all about the baseball for me, and my company wont allow any type of streaming audio to be played

i dont have any windows, or an outside wall, but my office is on the 2nd floor of a flat roofed building, and the roof is thin (when it rains you have to turn up the radio because its so loud)

saldana · 04-20-2006, 01:47 PM

dola, how about your wireless modem or your cordless phone in your house.

IwasHere · 04-21-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana

i dont have any windows, or an outside wall, but my office is on the 2nd floor of a flat roofed building, and the roof is thin (when it rains you have to turn up the radio because its so loud)

I have noticed that metal roofs are a death sentence for XM signals. If you have a standard flat roof with tar an asphalt you should be fine.

Remember this is a digital signal, you either get it or you don't.

Ramzavail · 04-21-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana

does your cell phone work inside...mine does...its called signal penetration... xm advertises that their transmitters are the most powerful commercial transmitters ever, hence i interpreted that to mean they would have enough power to penetrate a building.

as far as sirius goes...this is all about the baseball for me, and my company wont allow any type of streaming audio to be played

i dont have any windows, or an outside wall, but my office is on the 2nd floor of a flat roofed building, and the roof is thin (when it rains you have to turn up the radio because its so loud)

You are the one who is going to get penetrated if you spend $400 on a portable mp3/radio.

IwasHere · 04-21-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzavail

You are the one who is going to get penetrated if you spend $400 on a portable mp3/radio.

After the sale and a Rebate offer, I spent a $100.00 for my xm2go.

Aylmar · 04-21-2006, 02:14 PM

It also depends on the area where your office building is located. With Sirius, I listen to it at work all day because they have dropped a ton of terrestrial repeaters around here (Chicagoland) to compensate for the buildings and such obscuring motorists view of the sky. Inside my office building, I am listening to Sirius based totally off of my ability to pick up that repeated sat signal. Normal radio has trouble getting into this building and yet I get pretty much full signal from the repeater. Contrary to the commentary in this thread, listening to satellite radio may have nothing at all to do with whether you can actually point an antenna at the sky.

saldana · 04-21-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramzavail

You are the one who is going to get penetrated if you spend $400 on a portable mp3/radio.

i think that may be what that little antenna is for

saldana · 04-25-2006, 12:35 PM

just thought i'd update this and thank everyone for their advice and input...i went ahead and bought the simple little RoadyXT and the home kit, which comes with an antenna (total combined cost of less than 100 bucks), took it into my office and stared at the screen that said "No Signal". jerked around with the antenna for about an hour, and got all of no where. my office has no outside walls, no windows, and i was able to check and find out that it has a corrugated sheet metal roof...hence, the entire thing didnt work at all...i'll be returning it to the store tomorrow.

CraigSca · 04-25-2006, 12:59 PM

Isn't technology amazing?!

Seriously, sorry it didn't work out for you

.

MikeVick7 · 04-25-2006, 01:37 PM

Saldana, you really wanted that to work. Sorry to hear that it didn't. I know if I couldn't listen to sports radio at work I would go fricken nuts.

saldana · 04-25-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeVick7

Saldana, you really wanted that to work. Sorry to hear that it didn't. I know if I couldn't listen to sports radio at work I would go fricken nuts.

i'm half way there, especially since i am there alone.

Toddzilla · 04-25-2006, 02:58 PM

Sorry about that, amigo. You did the smart thing and took it for a test drive first - kudos. I guess if you want to listen to baseball, you will have to pony up the cash for MLB.com on-line audio.

04-19-2006, 11:18 PM	#2
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	yes...IMO, you will have to run the receiver to a window facing a certain direction that I dont remember. __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

04-19-2006, 11:38 PM	#5
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	..as far as I know the satellite receiver has to have a "clear view of the [southern] sky." __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

04-19-2006, 11:44 PM	#7
MacroGuru Coordinator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Utah	Not really, although it is helpful. I have the Roady XT home and car kit, so I am able to take it in the car and run it at home. In the home, my antenna isn't facing south at all, and it gets great reception, however, I think it is due to the fact I have windows next to where it is it. You might want to purchase the Roady as a test for the office, it's like $48 and you can see if it works there. __________________ "forgetting what is in the past, I strive for the future"

04-20-2006, 07:07 AM	#11
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	They just added more channels this past Monday - and brought back Liquid Metal. I was so happy when I accidentally discovered this in the car yesterday that I forced my family to listen to a full song from some death metal band. The kids got a kick out of me describing the vocals as "cookie monster." I had my 6 year old half-believing CM's other job was singing in a metal band. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 04-20-2006 at 07:07 AM.

04-21-2006, 02:14 PM	#23
Aylmar High School Varsity Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles	It also depends on the area where your office building is located. With Sirius, I listen to it at work all day because they have dropped a ton of terrestrial repeaters around here (Chicagoland) to compensate for the buildings and such obscuring motorists view of the sky. Inside my office building, I am listening to Sirius based totally off of my ability to pick up that repeated sat signal. Normal radio has trouble getting into this building and yet I get pretty much full signal from the repeater. Contrary to the commentary in this thread, listening to satellite radio may have nothing at all to do with whether you can actually point an antenna at the sky. __________________ "At its best, football is still football, an amalgam of thought and violence, chess with broken bones and shredded ligaments." -- Dave Kindred

04-19-2006, 11:27 PM	#3
rjolley College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Roseville, CA	They have to face south

04-19-2006, 11:42 PM	#6
saldana Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bethlehem, Pa	then how do they work as stereo components inside a house?

04-20-2006, 02:17 AM	#9
IwasHere Banned Join Date: Sep 2004	I have the XM2GO and love it. At home I have it hooked up to my stereo system, so I can either listen through speakers or slap on the wireless headphones and run all over my house. I also take it with me everywhere in my car. And, every night when I am sleeping I have it record 5 hours of new music I can play back while I am at the gym(Boneyard). I will never buy another CD or Song again. BTW. My home antenna sits on a shelf in my house pointing directly at a wall facing south. No south Window for me.

04-20-2006, 06:23 AM	#10
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	There is no point of having a portable unit if it only works in certain conditions, you got that right. Maybe there is some way you can trt-it-before-you-buy-it sorat thing and make sure you have reception where you work before buying. However, you do get free access to XM Online when you buy a subscription, so in the office, if you're at a desk most of the day, then you can listen online - there are more channels online, too (Special X - w00t!). Also, someone on FOFC works for an XM partner (Aor America?) and they have access to their online store which may have a nice discount available for you. Bottom line, unless I wasn't 100% sure the Inno worked at work where I sat, I wouldn't buy it. PS - Sirius doesn't even have a portable unit that can play live content - it has to be docked and content downloaded to the unit - so it isn't even a option for you unfortunately.

04-20-2006, 08:34 AM	#13
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	I understand your complaint about what the purpose of a hand-held radio is, but what I am wondering is how exactly you thought you could receive satellite radio without aiming an antenna at a satellite.

04-20-2006, 09:46 AM	#16
ice4277 Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkley, MI: The Hotbed of FOFC!	A guy at my work had an XM ToGo, and it worked pretty well in the windowless warehouse where his office was. He didn't have an antenna outside, either, so, it may work.

04-20-2006, 01:47 PM	#19
saldana Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bethlehem, Pa	dola, how about your wireless modem or your cordless phone in your house.

04-25-2006, 12:35 PM	#25
saldana Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bethlehem, Pa	just thought i'd update this and thank everyone for their advice and input...i went ahead and bought the simple little RoadyXT and the home kit, which comes with an antenna (total combined cost of less than 100 bucks), took it into my office and stared at the screen that said "No Signal". jerked around with the antenna for about an hour, and got all of no where. my office has no outside walls, no windows, and i was able to check and find out that it has a corrugated sheet metal roof...hence, the entire thing didnt work at all...i'll be returning it to the store tomorrow.

04-25-2006, 12:59 PM	#26
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	Isn't technology amazing?! Seriously, sorry it didn't work out for you . __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

04-25-2006, 01:37 PM	#27
MikeVick7 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ron, Mexico	Saldana, you really wanted that to work. Sorry to hear that it didn't. I know if I couldn't listen to sports radio at work I would go fricken nuts. __________________ Hattrick - Seattle Reign (224367)

04-25-2006, 02:58 PM	#29
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	Sorry about that, amigo. You did the smart thing and took it for a test drive first - kudos. I guess if you want to listen to baseball, you will have to pony up the cash for MLB.com on-line audio.

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