Antenna for factory radio ?

[ArmyChief]

Sitting in my hotel room, planning my initial budget for mods/upgrades. Got me thinking about the factory radio and the antenna. Where do they route and what kind do they use? How well does it work?

On my old boat, I used a combiner to mix the radio and VHF into one and used the VHF antenna. Anyone doing that and did you see a benefit ?

As always, thanks!

 

[Jim Robeson]

I don't use the radio much, usually use whatever is on my phone. Mine has an antenna that I can take out from under the helm and lay out across the windshield. Works pretty well.

 

[ArmyChief]

I use XM mostly..just curious.

I LOVE this device. Allows me to move from boat, to rental car, to my self-made power tool radio..

http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-XSN1V1-Satellite-Receiver-instant/dp/B004EUM2LW

 

[Jim Robeson]

Okay, this may be a stupid question but if you have a subscription to XM radio can you use that on this too??

 

[Jim Robeson]

And THANK YOU for your service to our country!!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You can transfer your current xm subscription to any radio for a fee but you can't have it on multiple radios at once.

XM did have a summer time special for your boat. Basically, you only had and paid for 4 months of service a year. Not sure if they still offer this.

 

[ArmyChief]

@Jim Robeson , the SNAP IS a XM/Sirrus radio. It's AWESOME. I keep a subscription on it and just move it from vehicle/boat..when I need it. I fly with it and use it on rental cars. It has a FM modulator to transmit audio or direct cable output.

I used it last year for our Bahama trip...was REALLY nice having commercial free (somewhat) music out there!

 

[skbishop90]

The radio in your boat should be XM ready.

 

[ArmyChief]

Sure it is, but that means ANOTHER subscription LOCKED to that device. Using my SNAP, I pay ONE fee and can take it WHEREVER I go .

I even added a 12 VDC regulator & cigar outlet to my Rigid 18VDC radio and use my Snap when out camping or at the beach

 

[veedubtek]

I dropped XM years ago (way before the merger), and kinda just listened a bit every time I'd get a new car and it had a trial. Well, when I picked up the Ram a couple months ago, it came with a free year all access, so I started streaming it at work all day too. I think I'm hooked on it again. I'm probably gonna pay for the boat this year and maybe look into one of those SNAP devices after the free trial in my truck runs out next year. As of right now, I'm paying for Spotify, Pandora, Google music, and the boat XM soon... Might be time to reevaluate my music choices, heh.

 

[ArmyChief]

@veedubtek , I think you should get the snap NOW, use it in the truck and then take it in the boat when you go out. Will save you two subscriptions! . Based on your reply...it looks like you pay more than some for music . For streaming, I like the I heart radio app!

BTW, the SNAP unit is discontinued, so once suppliers run out..that's it

 

[veedubtek]

Yeah, but I have a free year in the truck. I imagine that it's tied to the trucks radio ID?

 

[ArmyChief]

@veedubtek, yes it is.