XM Radio Installation Requirements

Greetings -

What special equipement is needed to install an XM reciever into a blazer with the factory CD/AM/FM radio with tone control....vintage 1999 ?

Do I / Should I replace the radio with an updated version, THEN install XM or can it be hooked up to my existing system ?

I do NOT have a cassette deck just a single CD...

Thanks for your help...

T

im not 100% but when i looked into xm/sirus, i beleve you have to get an aftermarket cd player thats compatable, unless it says "xm ready" on yours, its not capable of taking the signel, you also need an antenna and receiver, roughly 200 usd if im not mistaken, thats if you have the aftermarket cd player and your xm player already, if not then your looken more then that

You do not have to have an aftermarket CD player, all you need is to get an XM or Sirius addon unit that has an FM Modulator. Most of the available addon units now come with this modulator built-in, which transmits the signal on an FM channel of your choice and will play with any factory or aftermarket FM radio.

However, for the best possible sound, an aftermarket head unit iwth XM or Sirius capability along with a matching XM or Sirius tuner is the way to go. You will definitely spend much more money going this route, but the sound quality will be close to CD quality, whereas with the modulator the quality to will range from regular FM sound to very good FM sound, depending on the vehicle, the unit, and installation.

Companies that produce the XM and Sirius units have gotten better about selling the components together now, and in turn the prices have dropped a bit. I personally feel that satellite radio is well worth it, I have Sirius unit (aftermarket Clarion deck and Sirius tuner) and now I never listen to FM and rarely listen to CDs.

My line of work is auto electronics installation, particularly audio, video, and alarm/keyless systems, and we do quite a bit of satellite radio sales and installation. Both XM and Sirius are gaining a huge following.

If you are set on XM, I would suggest either the Delphi SkyFi II unit or the XM Commander. The SkyFi II is a portable unit that can be used in a vehicle, home, or a special boom box - if you want flexibility, this is a good unit to go with and it does have a built-in wireless FM modulator. The XM Commander is a permanent vehicle unit - if you do not plan to take it out of the Blazer this is definitely the way to go. The Commander has a much smaller display unit (easier to locate in the vehicle, less clutter) and a wired-in FM modulator that goes in line with your radio antenna. The wired modulator also tends to produce higher sound quality than the wireless type.

all u need is a fm modulator it puts out a signal that is picked up by ur radio its wat i got

Most of the FM transmitters will work, but not reccomended if you can direct connect the unit to the headunit. If you go to www.crutcfield.com you can get the GM aux input adapters. The sound quality is much much better than the fm transmitters... Here's a pic of one... Then simply use a 1/8th stereo mini to dual rca cable (about 5 bux) to connect your xm unit... (or switch to sirius...:P)

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/469/x469GM10AUX-f.jpeg

You do not have to have an aftermarket CD player, all you need is to get an XM or Sirius addon unit that has an FM Modulator. Most of the available addon units now come with this modulator built-in, which transmits the signal on an FM channel of your choice and will play with any factory or aftermarket FM radio.

However, for the best possible sound, an aftermarket head unit iwth XM or Sirius capability along with a matching XM or Sirius tuner is the way to go. You will definitely spend much more money going this route, but the sound quality will be close to CD quality, whereas with the modulator the quality to will range from regular FM sound to very good FM sound, depending on the vehicle, the unit, and installation.

Companies that produce the XM and Sirius units have gotten better about selling the components together now, and in turn the prices have dropped a bit. I personally feel that satellite radio is well worth it, I have Sirius unit (aftermarket Clarion deck and Sirius tuner) and now I never listen to FM and rarely listen to CDs.

My line of work is auto electronics installation, particularly audio, video, and alarm/keyless systems, and we do quite a bit of satellite radio sales and installation. Both XM and Sirius are gaining a huge following.

If you are set on XM, I would suggest either the Delphi SkyFi II unit or the XM Commander. The SkyFi II is a portable unit that can be used in a vehicle, home, or a special boom box - if you want flexibility, this is a good unit to go with and it does have a built-in wireless FM modulator. The XM Commander is a permanent vehicle unit - if you do not plan to take it out of the Blazer this is definitely the way to go. The Commander has a much smaller display unit (easier to locate in the vehicle, less clutter) and a wired-in FM modulator that goes in line with your radio antenna. The wired modulator also tends to produce higher sound quality than the wireless type.

Great information .... I have a couple of questions from your experiences...

1.) Using the stock AM/FM/CD that comes with a 99 blazer where do you place the anntenna ? Dash ? Outside....?? I preferr to get the best reception I can but don't want to punch holes in blazer.

2.) What is better in your opinion/experience XM or Sirus ?

3.) Do I need to subscribe to anything or just plug and go ?

4.) Do you recommend RCA cables for better reception ?

5.) Do I simply install the modulator to my existing antenna and discard the xm antenna or do I need the xm antenna ?

6.) Do you install with a special connector specific to the blazer or do I splice/connect into existing wiring...

7.) Have you done many Blazers ? Where do they typically locate the XM commander...Just curious......

1: The antennae has a magnetic base. Since sat-rad is based on line of site (unless repeaters are close by) it needs to go on the roof. You can put it on your dash but it won't be as good

2: Sirius :)

3: You need to subscribe to what ever service you purchase.

4: Use the above pie adapter. FOGET ABOUT THE FM TRANSMITTER

5: You need the XM antennae. You need to keep your regular anteanner for terrestrial radio. They will only work for what they were designed for

6: See the adapter above. As for power it will come with a lighter power adapter

I bolted my sirius PNP unit to my center console on a gooseneck, here is a pic...

http://www.pghconsulting.net/teal/in2.jpg

1.) Using the stock AM/FM/CD that comes with a 99 blazer where do you place the anntenna ? Dash ? Outside....?? I preferr to get the best reception I can but don't want to punch holes in blazer.

Definitely outside, best places are either on the back roof over the rear hatch or over the front window. No need to drill any holes either way.

2.) What is better in your opinion/experience XM or Sirus ?

I prefer Sirius, personally.

3.) Do I need to subscribe to anything or just plug and go ?

Both have a subscription fee.

4.) Do you recommend RCA cables for better reception ?

Yes - not necessarily reception, but sound quality. You won't get the same quality with an FM Modulator.

5.) Do I simply install the modulator to my existing antenna and discard the xm antenna or do I need the xm antenna ?

No, the AM/FM antennae is a completely different type of antennae. The FM Modulator takes that signal from the XM or Sirius tuner and broadcasts that as an FM signal.

6.) Do you install with a special connector specific to the blazer or do I splice/connect into existing wiring...

You can use a lighter adapter but we don't install things that way. We splice into an unseen power source. If you don't have much installation experience you might be better off with the lighter adaper though.

Keep in mind that Delphi SkyFi SM units use 6 volts rather than 12 volts, and the 6 volt adapter has to be integrated if you splice it in.

7.) Have you done many Blazers ? Where do they typically locate the XM commander...Just curious......

I don't know of many Commanders we've done in Blazers, most of them are either SkyFi or Sirius protable units we've done in those. We usually locate them on the console in Blazers.

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Confused yet?