Sattelite Radio Question

[PGiannetto]

I have a 2003 Ram with the CD & Cassette player. I read I can get hooked up with sattelite radio thru my stock system. I can order the parts thru Mopar. My question is: which part do I order? They have 2 kits. Do I need both or what? Thanks!

 

[jzaremski]

For the satellite radio, you'll need the receiver and an antenna. I can't answer your question without knowing what the difference is between the two kits.

 

[dkok]

Your factory radio is set up to provide display for satellite radio so you won't end up with an additional display screen like the after market stuff. I think when they ordered my stuff it was 2 items, the receiver (which will be hidden under dash) and an install kit which includes antenna etc.

 

[catoiler]

Buy it !!It is the best thing i have done to date. haven't used FM in the two months I'v had it,great on trips keeps the station all the way.

 

[amsoilman]

These are the kits you will need for the installation of the MOPAR Satelite system.



82206488AA Receiver.

82208116 Install Kit



I paid $247. 50 for mine, and I LOVE it! Was easily installed, took about 1 1/2 hours to install, and activate.





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[DIESELMAN]

I know they can't activate users in Canada, but how is the reception, and does it work in Alaska?

 

[PGiannetto]

Thanks for the responses. How is Siruis sattelite compared to XM sattelite radio?

 

[Blakers]

Which original radio do you have to have for the add ons to work?

 

[dkok]

Blakers,



According to the Dodge accessories book for 03, it is implied that all of the factory radios are ready for the addition of the satellite receiver and will read out the satellite information without an additional screen.

 

[jzaremski]

How is Siruis sattelite compared to XM sattelite radio?

In terms of sound quality, I think XM is quite a bit better. Channel selection is similar, but Sirius carries NPR which is important to many people. Sirius also has more ad-free channels, but the ads I heard on XM channels were so few and brief that I think it's a wash.

 

[PGiannetto]

What is "NPR"??

And I have the stock radio that has cassette & Cd player.

 

[dkok]

"NPR" is National Public Radio... Taxpayer funded and pretty Liberal

 

[Task125]

Those of you with the sirus,did you drill a hole in the roof like the directions tell you to:--)

 

[brickerd]

Yes, I drilled the hole in the roof. That has to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. At least I thought it would be. When I was finished it was one of those things that got chaulked up to why did I worry about that? Basically following the directions it really wasn't bad (after the fact).



2 thing to watch out for. 1st, I ended up mounting the recevier in a different location then the directions mention. The normal location is just to much of a pain to get to. The other thing to watch for is the seal for the rear brake light. I put mine back together and didn't notice anything different until I went to FL in March and got into some warm weather (i. e. rain). The seal for it dind't seal properly when I put it back together and it leaked some. Wasn't a difficult fix, just a pain.



Good luck with the install, but it's not as bad you one may think.



I love my Sat Radio

 

[coonrod70]

I didn't realize it was so easy to retro a satellite system in the new trucks!! My question is this; Will XM radio work also or is it only for the Sirius system?

 

[brickerd]

Yes, it's really not bad for anyone with normal mechanical ability. Another thing I just thought about that you have to be careful of is the connection to the sat antenna. It's fiber, so you have to be extra careful.



As far as service, I'm pretty sure that it's only Sirius, not XM.



There is one odd thing that happens to me every once-in-a-awhile that I'll mention. It's rare but sometimes when I get in the truck and start it all I'll get is static. It's getting a signal since when it's not it tells you that and is silent, so it's odd. Then most times when I start the truck the next time it's fine. Sometime I can turn it off, wait a minute, and then turn it back on it's fine; sometimes it takes a little longer. I hope I'm not cursing myself, but this hasn't happened for some time and is rare. Has anyone else had this happen? Is this a sat radio thing or just me?

 

[Fireman]

NPR National Peoples Radio



Fireman

 

[SilverFox]

I've had my satellite radio longer than I've had my truck so today I unpacked the 2 boxes that it came in and didn't find any installation instructions. Normally I'm not a do-it-yourselfer on these trucks except oil, grease, and filters but I had such encouragement and help from you guys on installing the navigation radio that I thought I'd try installing the satellite radio.



My situation is a little different. I haul a 14 foot boat on top of my A. R. E. cover and the bow comes all the way forward to the top of the windshield. I checked with a couple of installers today and they confirmed that the antenna would not work under the boat which it would be if I install it in the usual place on top of the cab. (I did receive the template for the antenna position. )



The only place that I can see that the antenna will have a clear view of the satellite is on the hood. I selected a spot a few inches forward of the bottom of the windshield. That location has a kind of stiffening channel on the underside of the hood that would provide some insulation from engine heat. Can anyone think of any reason why this would be an unsatisfactory location for the antenna?



My other problem is where do you mount the box that plugs into the navigation radio and can I make a mistake on plugging the cord into the navigation radio? I assume there is only one receptacle in the navigation radio that the plug from the satellite radio will fit?



Sure would like to hear comments and suggestions on how best to proceed.



Hank

 

[brickerd]

I know that there are other sat antenna's out there. I looked at Best Buy, Cuit City, etc. while I was waiting on mine to come in. I don't know if there interchangable or not, but it would be worth a try. I would be worried about using the normal roof mounted unit in another location; at least worried about the looks and the seal around it. I know that they made window mounted units, glue-able units, etc.

 

[CityRam]

Sat Ant Location

I have had mine since last September and have it mounted inside on the dashboard between the 2 wiper blades and never had a problem, and never gets snow or rain on it either!!