XM Radio

[Robert Speta]

I just picked one up and was curios if anyone else has used it during a chase. If so is there any channels that you may suggest?

[J Kinkaid]

You can call and get service for $77 a year :)


Channels 47,48 and 54 are great for those long chases

[Jay McCoy]

It is a savior on those long trips. The same stations no matter where you are. No more scanning every 30 minutes for new stations.

Ofcourse what channels depends on your taste of music but they have it all plus news, talk radio and sports. One of my favs is the comedy channel.

best $8 a month I spend. If you pay for the year up front its even cheaper.

[Robert Speta]

Thanks J and Jay, ya I got the service now just curios if theres any good channels that follow weather. I guess since its national though probaly be way to general.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Jason Boggs]

You have the XM emergency alert channel on 247 and the wx channel on 125. As stated, the channels are too general to be used for vital wx information.

[John Wetter]

Interesting this is brought up as the DOJ just said they wouldn't get in the way of Sirius buying XM... Looks like they will be one.

-John

[Robert Speta]

I'v heard of that as well John, It dosent really bother me since also I hear that all XM users will notice little differance. There contracts will stay the same and they can use the same radios. So its allright if thats the case.

[John Wetter]

Well, the plans that they've posted with their DoJ filing don't change... Call me pessimistic, but I'd be surprised if they stay that way for very long.

-John

[Mikey Gribble]

I like channel 54 (Lucy) for music.
On the way home from chases I like to listen to standup comedy some times. I think the standup comedy channels are 150-154. I like 150 the best. If the channel ID has an XL (I think those are the letters) next to it then that station is uncensored. I personally like the swearing with my standup. 150 is uncensored.
If you haven't had a chance to experience XM before I highly recomend it. It is great on long chases.

[J Kinkaid]

This might be a great time to get a lifetime sub to sirus before they merge for $399

[Robert Speta]

Mikey my fav channels are those two as well. Thats awesome, 150 is nice cuase its uncensored and lucy is great! Alternative rock from the 90s. Good stuff.

For now I'm going to use it and it will definatly be a good help over a chase. I know that much is for sure.

[Steve Miller OK]

I am one of those guys who trade SIRI quite regularly and make money off the fact that they have been in a "situation" for a while. In some of the releases put out during the merger attempts it was announced that when they become one, there will be a merger of the stations and subscribers will select the stations they want to use. Monthly fees will be based on the amount of channels you want to choose.
Not 100% that it will go down this way but that's what they submitted as a plan.

For those of you who have XM (mobile threatnet), you can access the XM internet audio as part of your package. I have been listening to XM at my computer and as a two vehicle Sirius subscriber, I have to say I like XM more for one simple reason - fewer commercials. Sirius, even though they boast not having commercials, they still talk between songs and run promos for other stations. If I'm PAYING for music, that's all I want. XM is much better about that.

[David Dildine]

I was pleased sift through this thread and all the positive comments regarding satellite radio. I've been working on-air at XM for about a year now. The building/workplace is vibrant and full of talent and life. I don't know much of Sirus, but XM's got something for everyone - with minimal to NO commercial interruption, as Steve just said.

Here's a suggestion for anyone who's into ambiance: after a chase, as the storm is washing out in the distance, tune to XM channel 77 (Audio Visions) and zone out to the lightning show in front of you.

Or, for long drives hit up channel 84 (Chill) and mellow out.

In regards to traffic and weather, the WEEKDAY reporters are awesome. They know their stuff; they've worked in the business for decades and I have a lot of respect for them. The weekend and overnight crew slacks all the time and some simply don't know anything about weather and traffic. It's very frustrating to work alongside these people. Channel 247 is terribly understaffed. I've taken it upon myself to do live tornado coverage so far this year during the four outbreaks we've had thus far because it's something I care about, but in general the channel consistently fails its main objective: to "alert" people. I wish there was more I could do with it but it's not in my hands. The quality of the channel all depends on person producing for the day. I usually cringe when I tune in during the weekend run.

Outside the dim side of T&W, XM's a great asset for a storm chaser or someone who spends a long time on the road. Better than AM and better than FM... XM.

[Chris Carlson]

For those interested, XM and Sirius merged today...

[Greg Stumpf]

Or, for long drives hit up channel 84 (Chill) and mellow out.
This is my current favorite channel. However, I wish they would bring back Channel 51 to the airwaves (prog rock and jam). Any chance of this with the new merger?

In regards to traffic and weather, the WEEKDAY reporters are awesome. They know their stuff; they've worked in the business for decades and I have a lot of respect for them. The weekend and overnight crew slacks all the time and some simply don't know anything about weather and traffic.
XM's traffic channels leave a lot to be desired. I've only had the chance to sample and use the Dallas-Fort Worth channel (4 or 5 times), but the update rate is horrible, and the information is rarely up-to-date. For example, last Friday, I drove all the way through FTW on I-35W, and the traffic report never updated in over 45 minutes. In the mean time, I was stuck in stop-and-go from I-30 north to about 2 miles north of I-820, and this was never mentioned on XM. Meanwhile, I was following the traffic jam info on my cell phone via Google Maps, watching it update frequently (every 1-5 minutes) and its information was spot on.

[Patrick Martin]

For those interested, XM and Sirius merged today...

The actual merger did not take place, but the Department of Justice approval which was announced certainly paves the way for the merger to be completed very soon once the FCC finishes it's review.

I purchased a 3yr subscription when I purchased my car back in 05 and will re-up for another long term subscription when the time comes. I'm partial to channels 49, 46, and 26. Also love the MLB coverage. Being able to listen to live Red Sox games on the way home from work sure helps pass the time sitting in traffic.