QuestionI JUST HOOKED UP MY SIRIUS RADIO,ACTIVATED IT FOR A YEAR,BUT SOUNDS LIKE STATIC MY REGULAR FM STATIONS ARE CLEAR SOUNDING,THE KIT CAME WITH AN ADDITIONAL FM ANTENNA,WAS I SUPPOSED TO HOOK IT UP AS WELL?
AnswerHi Bob,
Most Sirius radio kits come with an FM output extension wire, which is meant to be routed as close as possible to the factory AM/FM antenna. This sometimes helps improve the performance of the built-in FM transmitter, but it's still hit-or-miss, and prone to interference from local radio stations on the same frequency. The trouble is that the FCC forced Sirius and XM to reduce the power of their devices' built-in FM transmitters a few years ago; since then they've been fairly ineffective.
Your best option is to use a Sirius FM-direct adapter, FMDA25. This device connects directly to your factory radio's antenna input plug, and it works extremely well. However, it does require extra installation work, because you'll usually have to remove the factory radio to get to the antenna input on the rear. Also, many vehicles will require antenna adapters in addition to the FMDA25, so the cost can add up.
Another option is a cassette adapter, like the ones that were commonly used with portable CD players over a decade ago. However, this won't work unless your car has a working cassette player.
Hope this helps!
Brian
