Hey yall. After some serious consideration (and having worn a hole through the remote flipping radio stations) I've decided to get XM radio. I've got an Alpine CDA-9807 head unit that is XM ready. What do I need to buy to get XM radio working on my truck. I know I got to buy that dorky looking antenna (I'm gonna hate having that but oh well) but what else. Will I have to buy a tuner of some sort? What kind of cost am I looking at here? I'm not going to go with sirius. Can I install this myself (I'm very stereo inclined). Thanks for the help yall.

 

You'll need a TUAT20XM Alpine XM receiver. Its fairly small (mine is mounted behind rear seat ). I think it runs 200 plus- check on Ebay also. The antenna is about the size of a cassette tape and is magnetic. Our trucks are high enough, you will barely see it. If you get XM you won't be sorry- the sound quality is awesome.

 

I've got a buddy of mine who's got it and it's awesome. I'm not worried about the antenna being seen. How hard is it to hook up? I've installed everything in my truck (head unit, speakers, several subs and amps, CB's, lights, you name it) so I'm pretty electrically inclined. Where should I mount the antenna? Is there a special place it needs to go so it picks up the best signal? I'm guessing you just run the wire through the third brake light and go from there. Thanks for the help man.

 

the anntenna just plugs into the receiver . mine is located under the drivers seat (I went with sirus) they are really nice on long trips, never lose your station except when you are under a metal roof .car wash, pole barn garage ect.

 

You should have no problem at all hooking it up- My antenna is on the roof and I ran the wire through the third brake light then put a bit of silicone around the wire. Piece o cake

 

Where should I mount the antenna on the roof of the truck? Towards the back? How far back? I'm guessing centered side to side. Is there a difference between sirius and XM? I'm still really open to decisions here. I figure since I'm spending the money, I might as well do it right the first time so I don't end up saying, I wish I had done it this way instead of that.

 

I can tell you from experience if you haul a cabover camper the antenna doesn't work on top of the truck's roof.

 

I centered mine and put it about six inches forward of the back edge- it's hard to tell it's there. Really, anywhere on the roof will do- that's where you'll get the best signal.
Never tried sirius- xm rocks tho!!

 

I don't haul anything. Maybe a four wheeler trailer or dirt. That's about it.