Community Forums

vsheetz · 04-01-2017, 07:17 PM

Our coach has a JVC Radio system with support for Satellite Radio via an adapter and existing rooftop antenna. It also has navigation system that we don't use (clumsy user interface and outdated maps). Otherwise the radio and it's sound are ok.

Options for adding satellite radio

1)
Add adapter to existing radio
2)
Buy a newer radio with satellite capability
3)
Buy a standalone sat radio reciever and use the existing sat antenna connection with it
4)
Other?

Thoughts, experiences, suggestion? Thanks!

Ray,IN · 04-01-2017, 10:19 PM

A new radio would be the practical option, but if you have multiple vehicles with older radios, buying a standalone receiver would also be practical, make the wiring with quick connects so you may easily transfer the receiver between vehicles. This is my decision now, making up my mind which would be best for my situation.

RangeMaggotBob · 04-01-2017, 10:23 PM

I'm a little slow. You say your current radio sounds ok. You have satellite radio and a satellite antenna. You don't care about the nav system. What is it you're trying to do?

EDIT: Okay, I think I understand now. You're satellite ready but can't get it til you get the adapter. All three options are good!

vsheetz · 04-01-2017, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdst51

I'm a little slow. You say your current radio sounds ok. You have satellite radio and a satellite antenna. You don't care about the nav system. What is it you're trying to do?

EDIT: Okay, I think I understand now. You're satellite ready but can't get it til you get the adapter. All three options are good!

Correct. Seeking the pros and cons of how to implement sat radio.

miniceptor86 · 04-02-2017, 06:09 AM

Not sure how the "adapter" interfaces with the rv radio. I used a portable receiver that interfaced with the vehicle radio via the FM band on the radio. It was a major PITA. As you travelled the selected vacant FM frequency might become an broadcast frequency. Then you would have to go through the search process for a vacant frequency and change the sat radio to that frequency.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 04-02-2017, 06:25 AM

Most radios do not receive satellite by themselves, they use an adapter that plugs into the back of the radio.

Using a standalone SiriusXM receiver still needs to be plugged into the radio to use the speakers.

So if your current radio accepts a plugin adapter, that is probably your best choice.

MisterT · 04-02-2017, 06:35 AM

Our Sirius portable unit can be broadcast thru a vacant channel, but I also ran ours directly into our Vizio soundbar that we moved from the living room tv area and mounted under the front windshield cabinets, along with the bass box on the floor in front of the passenger seat.... much better sound while driving!

DrDaveMA · 04-02-2017, 06:48 AM

In December I added a SXM receiver to our coach. Crutchfield has one with a car mount and I ordered a boom box so I could move the receiver between the house and the coach. The boom box runs on both batteries and an AC adapter so I literally have satellite reception wherever I go. The coach has an antenna mounted on the roof so all I had to do was modify the connector and I was good to go, I now have the coach mounted antenna and 2 portable antennas, one I use for the boom box the other I will mount at the stick and brick once we get home. I connect the SXM receiver to the coach through the AUX input on the radio. Once I get some time I will power it directly from the ignition, until then it is via the cigarette lighter.

vsheetz · 04-02-2017, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the good inputs.

The sat adapter plugs into the back of the existing dash radio. Making for a clean installation.

The standalone sat radio can connect to the aux port on the dash radio and thus sound through the coaches speakers. Power comes from a 12v power port. So there are three exposed wires to deal with.

The point of being able to also use the standalone sat radio in the sticks and bricks is a good one, but not sure if we would really use it much this way.

DrDaveMA · 04-02-2017, 08:33 AM

Here are a few pictures of the temporary (until we get home to do it properly) installation. The boom box is sitting on top of a keyboard base (the silver part is not part of the box).