Satellite Radio For the Car – Your last option can be Better!

Since I run into this more frequently these days, I figured it might be a good thing to clear the air over what makes a good versus crappy RF Modulated Satellite Radio kit for your car.

If you’ve decided to get Satellite radio for your ride (either Sirius or XM) there are three ways you can have it in your vehicle. Your car offers this option as an add-on, you can select an after-market radio and add it there- or your last option would be to add an RF Modulated Satellite radio kit.

If the last option is the only one you are able to take, you’ve probably run across more than 20 different models and some confusion.

The prices can range from $39.00 to $200, so what’s the deal here?

XM Commander XM Satellite Radio Kit & Sirius Starbase Satellite Radio Kit

An RF Modulated Satellite Radio kit enables you to add this great service to your existing stereo system by utilizing an FM Frequency and transmitting over that frequency so your car’s radio can tune into it. Selecting your Sirius or XM channel is then done by accessing the remote display and keypad that generally gets mounted on your dashboard, inside a dash pocket or ashtray assembly.

After this simple explanation of how the technology works, it gets complicated- because your initial investment will dictate how good your kit will perform.

RF Satellite Radio Controller in Ashtray Assembly

The cheaper and lower quality (less-expensive isn’t a harsh enough term) models all have the same glaring problem, which is a lack of solid signal transfer.

Your typical $40-$100 model gets its Sirius or XM signal into your car’s radio by actually transmitting the modulated signal from its own antenna to your vehicle’s antenna over the air. While this may sound like a good idea, the reception and sound quality are TERRIBLE. (Plus, the little stick on antenna looks horrible!)

The BEST way to make an RF Modulated Satellite radio kit perform well is to “hard-wire“ the unit. This is achieved by having a unit where the RF Modulator actually plugs in-line with your car’s antenna through the antenna cable.
What you get is clearer sound quality with little if any FM noise.

In the end,

if you plan on making the investment for either Sirius or XM Satellite Radio, budget a few more dollars and you’ll get the enjoyment you expect.

Ask Chuck about Satellite Radio

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