Satellite Radio - Non-music programming

[florida_guy]

My company recently moved to a location much farther from my home. I used to have a 10 commute now it's about 40 minutes one way.

I find that music does not keep my mind off the tedious stop and go traffic and long lights that have become a part of my daily life. I have resorted to talk radio but it is really pretty sad.

I saw today that XM Satellite Radio has traffic and weather and talk and various other non-music programming. I am wondering how good it is.

Does anyone listen to this? Any opinions?

[nolan65]

My favorite station on XM is the old time radio shows. The traffic reports seems to lag way behind the AM traffic reports (at least here in DFW) but I love the Fox news channel and all the talk shows, (- Air America) In my job, I drive 500+ miles a day. I love my XM

[bcclements]

XM was built in to my 04 Accord.

There is a good variety of talk stations if you can stand all the commercials. ABC is my favorite.

As far as music is concerned, you can try something different. Lately I have been listening to Cinemagic (movie soundtracks), Audiovisions (spacey electronic music), and Real Jazz. You would be surprised what removing commercials from your life does.

If you drive a lot, it is worth every penny.

[jay]

I usually listen to the 70s channel, with a sprinkling of bluegrass or jazz. I di like the option of listening to college sports, but they're not on during regular commute times. Every now and then I'll bop over to a comedy channel during my commute.

And there's the Bob Edwards show in the morning, but with its start time, I'm already in the office.

Two years ago I was in the why pay for radio crowd. Now I have 4 subscriptions.

[tlaudio]

Xm is great!

Warning...you will get addicted to it!! Beware!!

Goto www.xmradio.com

and listen to the sample stations.....They only have some of the stations...not all.

TL

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by nolan65
My favorite station on XM is the old time radio shows. The traffic reports seems to lag way behind the AM traffic reports (at least here in DFW) but I love the Fox news channel and all the talk shows, (- Air America) In my job, I drive 500+ miles a day. I love my XM

I was afraid the traffic would not be up to par with local stations. Thanks for that info.

Is the Fox News Channel a audio feed of the television version or special for Radio? I saw on an ad the other day that they MSNBC as well.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by bcclements
XM was built in to my 04 Accord.

There is a good variety of talk stations if you can stand all the commercials. ABC is my favorite.

If you drive a lot, it is worth every penny.

That stinks about the comercials on the talk stations. I thought that was why you had to pay because that was the only way they make money.

I'm thinking to that this new toy will make me look forward to my commute instead of dreading it.

I will have to read some of the other threads to try to decide if I want XM or its competitor (don't remember the name) and what reciever I want to buy.

I'm wondering if I would be able to get reception inside my conrete work office.

Do you know of any particularly good threads that cover this kind of stuff?

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by jay

Two years ago I was in the why pay for radio crowd. Now I have 4 subscriptions.

Why do you need 4 subscriptions? I thought you could take it with you from car to home to beach.

I saw on their web site that they have story channels too but I imagine the timing would not work out with my commute and I'd be left in suspense.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by tlaudio
Xm is great!

Warning...you will get addicted to it!! Beware!!

Goto www.xmradio.com

and listen to the sample stations.....They only have some of the stations...not all.

TL

I've been there. I don't want to start the clock ticking though on the 3 day or 30 day trials to listen to the samples until after my busy holiday season so I can make maximum use of it.

[osteome]

From what I've noticed FOX News is the regular TV feed on the radio (they reference video clips). I have never bothered to put the TV and the XM "head-to-head" to compare, as We only use the unit in the vehicles.

Still love the variety of content and the wide array of choices. Not that we don't get enough of it already, but they have changed a few things to offer Christmas music dedicated cahannels for the season. Nice touch at any rate.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by osteome
From what I've noticed FOX News is the regular TV feed on the radio (they reference video clips).

Still love the variety of content and the wide array of choices. Not that we don't get enough of it already, but they have changed a few things to offer Christmas music dedicated cahannels for the season. Nice touch at any rate.

That's what I expected with the Fox channel.

I like those dedicated Christmas music stations. We have a nice one here locally that starts at Thanksgiving.

[jay]

Originally posted by florida_guy


Why do you need 4 subscriptions? I thought you could take it with you from car to home to beach.

...snip

Convenience. I have a Roady2 dedicated to the car, a MyFi for use in the gym, a SkyFi2 in the kitchen and for use with a boombox that I take to NASCAR races, and a SkyFi in my bedroom connected to the alarm radio.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by jay
Convenience. I have a Roady2 dedicated to the car, a MyFi for use in the gym, a SkyFi2 in the kitchen and for use with a boombox that I take to NASCAR races, and a SkyFi in my bedroom connected to the alarm radio.

And if you were going to do the less convienient thing of only one subscription what do you have to do to move the reception from one unit to the other?

[jay]

Originally posted by florida_guy

And if you were going to do the less convienient thing of only one subscription what do you have to do to move the reception from one unit to the other?

With the Roady2, unplug 3 wires, carry to next location, plug in three wires. That's provided you have a $39.99 plus tax home kit.

With the SkyFi, SkyFi2 or MyFi, pop it out of the cradle, carry to next location, pop it in cradle (such as from car to home). That's provided you have car and home kits, or a kit and a boombox. The MyFi comes with a car kit and a home kit, and only the SkyFi or SkyFi2 fit in the boombox model I have.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by jay
With the Roady2, unplug 3 wires, carry to next location, plug in three wires. That's provided you have a $39.99 plus tax home kit.

With the SkyFi,...

Thanks for the info. More involved than I would have expected.