Got my Sirius Satelite hooked up today

[was98strat]

Got the Sirius Satelite radio connected today, It's a sportster R. Got it all hooked up to the center of the dash on the windshield (using the included suction cup base). It's a pretty good quality unit, but when I fired it up and got it subsribed (I have a free year as part of an incentive from Mazda) only to discover it's 97% american content!!!! Toatlly useless. The only local programming I can see on the channel guide is CBC (who listens to CBC anyway!!) man I'm glad this was a freebe! I'd be pissed if I was paying for this!

(pissed)

 

[jandree22]

Well, you must remember that SIRIUS was born and raised in New York City

Sirius was originally intended to be USDM only, but they later found that their signal spreads far enough into Canada and decided to offer subscriptions there too.

I'm sorry to hear you don't like it. I personally LOVE it and couldn't go without it, but then again I don't listen to any talk/news channels... I just stick to the music (eekdance)

 

[ntron1]

Got the Sirius Satelite radio connected today, It's a sportster R. Got it all hooked up to the center of the dash on the windshield (using the included suction cup base). It's a pretty good quality unit, but when I fired it up and got it subsribed (I have a free year as part of an incentive from Mazda) only to discover it's 97% american content!!!! Toatlly useless. The only local programming I can see on the channel guide is CBC (who listens to CBC anyway!!) man I'm glad this was a freebe! I'd be pissed if I was paying for this!

(pissed)

Why didn't you get the Canadian version?

 

[was98strat]

Why didn't you get the Canadian version?

I did! Sirus Canada is basically CBC (french and English!) and neill young! with a bunch of American filler. The only Channel I found that I like so far is "Radio Margaritaville!!

Oh well It's free for the net 364 days!! Then I'm turning it off!

PS just discovered that Sirus Canada is a partnership between CBC and Sirus US. Guess that explains why they are the only Can Con!!

 

[was98strat]

Well, you must remember that SIRIUS was born and raised in New York City

Sirius was originally intended to be USDM only, but they later found that their signal spreads far enough into Canada and decided to offer subscriptions there too.

I'm sorry to hear you don't like it. I personally LOVE it and couldn't go without it, but then again I don't listen to any talk/news channels... I just stick to the music (eekdance)

Understood, Sirus made a big deal when they launched about how much Canadian Content and how they customized they content for the Canadian Market! Gotta love Marketing!!!!

I guess From my POV I haven't heard anything that I'd be willing to pay $15 a month to listen to!

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Was98.... I love my Sirus as I'm an older fart who loves to listen to those speciality channels such as only 70's or 80's music. When my son jumps in he has his favorite channels also.

Its music and its international at that not canadian all the time nor americain....ya know even french music to boot.

Its free enjoy the ride and music....

 

[jandree22]

Understood, Sirus made a big deal when they launched about how much Canadian Content and how they customized they content for the Canadian Market! Gotta love Marketing!!!!

Ah, ic... that explains what you mean. I can understand your frustration. I guess if I were in your shoes and listened to more talk/news, I definately see where you're coming from.

Oh well, it's freebie anyways

 

[fam]

What do you expect, of course its all american. You are on the american continent. You eat at mcdonalds and goto walmarts, you guys are american. Some canadian argue to the death they are not, but unless you are one of the frenchies over there (my apologies if you are), youre more american than hawaii and alaska. Just accept it and enjoy it.

 

[fam]

Oh, and to throw in a compliment, the canucks are cleaner and dont litter (i hate littering to no end) and per capita like mazda better than the states so its not all that bad. I know many O canadians down here that moved here for health care.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Hey Fam

As a retired CANADIAN soldier I never had an AMERICAIN flag on my shoulder......

I AM CANADIAN (canada)

BTW my wife and kids are also french so where you making a point?

 

[jandree22]

^^^ This line of discussion is headed straight for, well, let's just not go there.

Fam is a proud American and Zoom is a proud Canadian. God Bless both countries because they both kick ass. Just accept that and let it go.
(usa) --> (friday) <-- (canada)

 

[martman]

^^^ This line of discussion is headed straight for, well, let's just not go there.

Fam is a proud American and Zoom is a proud Canadian. God Bless both countries because they both kick ass. Just accept that and let it go.
(usa) --> (friday) <-- (canada)

Hear, hear!!! Thank you Jandree for taking control of this discussion. Please, all, let's keep this forum as clean and constructive as we can. Let's try not to offend each other, but tather continue to contribute in a constructive manner on how we ALL could continue and enhancing a common interest. . .the Mazda 5.

 

[fam]

Read what I was saying, you live on the american continent, you are american. People living in europe=european. Just compare how different european countries are in their culture and language and you see why a canadian complaining of american content on the radio is somewhat humerous to me, unless of course, you want to listen to nickleback 24/7.

 

[was98strat]

Another day with Satelite radio. (Or another day watching the "acquiring signal" message instead of listening to radio) I'm trying to give it a chance. The Kids stations are loved by my 2 year old (when we can get them!!) Spent over half the time looking at that stupid message!

Granted I have the antenna sitting on the dash not on the roof. Shouldn't make that much difference I would have thought. I've found a few channels that are not bad, just wish the reception was better! It's really bad! I'm in the Toronto area so I'm further south than some US cities!

AND there are some major differences between Canadians and Americans but I won't go any further than to say there is a reason some american backpackers sew Canadian flags to their packs instead of US flags!!!

 

[jandree22]

(Or another day watching the "acquiring signal" message instead of listening to radio).....Granted I have the antenna sitting on the dash not on the roof. Shouldn't make that much difference I would have thought.

May have thought wrong... it's worth the time to wire it out to your roof. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm 90% sure you'll see a significant improvement in reception if you put it on the roof. I used to be an active member of the SiriusBackstage.com forum, and it was general knowledge that reception will suffer if your antenna's anywhere but the roof.

Also, do you live in a heavily forested area? I've noticed that while driving through the these areas that I'll have flawless reception in the winter and hit-or-miss reception in the summer. This is generally only in very thick woods, though.

And once again I'll emphasize, please knock it off with this American/Canadian thing. Us American's have pissed off enough countries in this world already, no use provoking one of the few friends we have left. Fam, just as strongly as you and I hold American pride, I'm sure they hold their OWN CANADIAN pride. National pride is a very cherished item... it's ignorant to belittle others because they express it. Canadians are Canadians, they're not run by Washington DC.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

was98

I have the Sat installed on the dash on my 5 (sports Sirus unit). I use the 89.1 FM frequency If I recall and it is just fine here in ottawa.

As for you in TO your dash should be ok but because of tall buildings(if any) you may have to use the roof. If its not any building height issue then you have a defective antenna which I have changed out 5 of them already.... yup a defective antenna.

If you contact your dealer they may exchange. If not SIRUS will send you a replacement as it is under warrenty. Ensure your unit is placed firmly in the car window support unit or you will get crappy reception....JMO

 

[bearymore]

was98

I have the Sat installed on the dash on my 5 (sports Sirus unit). I use the 89.1 FM frequency If I recall and it is just fine here in ottawa.....JMO

Interesting. Did you get Sirius from the dealer? We have a Touring and got Mazda's version of Sirius. The receiver is hidden behind the glove box where the Nav system's DVD is and the antenna is on the roof and is almost invisible. The unit plays as an integral part of the sound system. You push the SAT button on the built in stereo to get satellite. You can program in 3 bands of stations and the information appears on the regular display. The presets are available just like the radio presets and can be accessed through the little buttons on the steering wheel and through the stereo unit. You can browse the channels using the radio tuning knob. We had a separate Sirius unit on our last car which played through the FM radio. This built-in is sooooo much better.

The unit was installed by the dealer after we purchased the car, but it was sold as a factory accessory. It is listed on the Mazdausa site at http://accessories.mazdausa.com/com...selectedMajorCategoryId=11503&vehicleCode=MZ5

 

[was98strat]

Interesting. Did you get Sirius from the dealer? We have a Touring and got Mazda's version of Sirius. The receiver is hidden behind the glove box where the Nav system's DVD is and the antenna is on the roof and is almost invisible. The unit plays as an integral part of the sound system. You push the SAT button on the built in stereo to get satellite. You can program in 3 bands of stations and the information appears on the regular display. The presets are available just like the radio presets and can be accessed through the little buttons on the steering wheel and through the stereo unit. You can browse the channels using the radio tuning knob. We had a separate Sirius unit on our last car which played through the FM radio. This built-in is sooooo much better.

The unit was installed by the dealer after we purchased the car, but it was sold as a factory accessory. It is listed on the Mazdausa site at http://accessories.mazdausa.com/com...selectedMajorCategoryId=11503&vehicleCode=MZ5

I got my Sirius from the dealer, It was part of a promotion they were running until the end of April. It's not integrated (I'm glad it's not!!) They were giving away Sportster R's. My radio spends more time acquiring the signal than anything else. Though I have to admit it was working better when I first got it. But I can't find anything on it that I want to listen to. Right now I just go through the channels to see if anything is on and then usually turn it off!!

 

[martman]

Another day with Satelite radio. (Or another day watching the "acquiring signal" message instead of listening to radio) I'm trying to give it a chance. The Kids stations are loved by my 2 year old (when we can get them!!) Spent over half the time looking at that stupid message!

Granted I have the antenna sitting on the dash not on the roof. Shouldn't make that much difference I would have thought. I've found a few channels that are not bad, just wish the reception was better! It's really bad! I'm in the Toronto area so I'm further south than some US cities!

AND there are some major differences between Canadians and Americans but I won't go any further than to say there is a reason some american backpackers sew Canadian flags to their packs instead of US flags!!!

was98strat, you ought to really try moving your antenna to the roof. I used to have my antenna sitting on my dash, and maybe 25% of the time I was getting the acquiring signal message. Since I moved the antenna, I have had no drop outs whatsoever. BTW, I live in Vancouver. Don't know if that makes a diff in reception. IMO, it shouldn't.

 

[bearymore]

I got my Sirius from the dealer, It was part of a promotion they were running until the end of April. It's not integrated (I'm glad it's not!!) They were giving away Sportster R's. My radio spends more time acquiring the signal than anything else. Though I have to admit it was working better when I first got it. But I can't find anything on it that I want to listen to. Right now I just go through the channels to see if anything is on and then usually turn it off!!

I'm curious as to why you prefer it not to be integrated. When we had our standalone, we'd repeatedly have to change the FM frequency as we traversed the area. Different parts of the Los Angeles basin would have stations in range of each of the frequencies available, so it would require constant changes. On drives to northern California, in parts of the Central Valley we would get actual FM stations on all 4 of our frequency choices, so the satellite became useless. We don't have this problem with the integrated receiver.