XM Sat Radio for your carputer - Page 5

Skraggy_uk · 08-08-2003, 04:17 PM

You guys get the BBC Radio 1 station over there?

GPSFelix · 09-07-2003, 08:19 PM

So has anyone heard anything about including controsl in ME for this? Guess I just want to bump this back up so it gets more attention

EBJUSTIN · 09-14-2003, 11:22 PM

If you are setting up XM radio for the first time, you may want to use XM promotional code: GM112XDLR

http://www.gm.com/beyond_automotive/...ex_current.htm
This will get your first 3 months free and free activation...new GM car not required!

EBJUSTIN · 09-30-2003, 02:35 PM

Well I took the plunge and ordered the XMPCR, it should come in tomorrow. Does anyone use Windows users interface other than the one that comes with the XMPCR? I looked at xmfan.com but most apps are for mac or linux

foreal429 · 10-02-2003, 08:46 PM

I am thinking about buying one of these but am concerned about reception. This thing is made to sit on a desk. Does it pick up the signal will when you are driving around? I know a few of you have purchased it so please let me know if you have any problems with that signal when you are driving around.

frodobaggins · 10-02-2003, 09:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by foreal429

I am thinking about buying one of these but am concerned about reception. This thing is made to sit on a desk. Does it pick up the signal will when you are driving around? I know a few of you have purchased it so please let me know if you have any problems with that signal when you are driving around.

You can change the antenna to a car one if you have problems

AlphaFox · 10-03-2003, 01:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by grunar

Each XM unit has a code. You have to call them once you get it all hooked up to an antenna and have them activate it in thier system. Then you leave it on for a little while and it picks up the activation signal from the satalite and you are all set.

to cancel the service, you also have to do this - leave the radio on so it receives the calcellation code. they broadcast the codes infrequently due to limited bandwith, so if the radio was off for a while.... I will leave the rest up to you to figure out what would happen.

gork · 10-14-2003, 11:29 PM

If any of you folks are following this thread and don't check updates regularly, I have stareted work on an in-car friendly frontend for the radio. My post about it is here along with the download links and instructions for the test release. I'd appreciate some feedback.

EBJUSTIN · 10-15-2003, 09:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

If any of you folks are following this thread and don't check updates regularly, I have stareted work on an in-car friendly frontend for the radio. My post about it is here along with the download links and instructions for the test release. I'd appreciate some feedback.

Gork, this is exactly what I have been looking for..nice job! I'll download and try it out after work.

foreal429 · 10-15-2003, 10:01 AM

I got mine this week. I love it. The signal is great in the car with the antenna that comes with the radio. The antenna is indoor/outdoor so you could put it outside the car if you wanted.

stevewm · 10-19-2003, 05:21 AM

Just some general XM and PCR information....

ANTENNAS:

The antenna that comes with the PCR is known as the Delphi Home Antenna. Its a directional antenna (well about 40°). While it does seem to work well in the car, you will get far more dropouts than you would with a car antenna.

For car use it is best to use a omni-directional antenna such as this one: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/xmfanstore/blxmmianxm.html Its slightly smaller than a book of matches with a magnetic base for mounting. The cable is extremely thin so it can be easily run under door trims, seals, etc... to get outside of the car. And like all car antennas they are designed to use your car's roof. Some do put them on the dash or in the rear window, but for absolute best performance they should be put on your roof.

There are 2 types of antennas. Single lead and dual lead. Dual lead antennas put the satellite and terrestrial repeater signals down 2 different wires and connectors. Single lead antennas put both signals down a single wire and connector. Dual lead antennas are being phased out in favor of single lead, only old XM hardware will use dual lead.

All single lead antennas can be used with ANY single lead XM receiver.

Single lead antennas CANNOT be used with a dual lead receiver. However a splitter/adapter will be available soon from Terk that allows you to do so.

Dual lead antennas CAN be used with single lead receivers, use the green (satellite) colored connector on the antenna. However with this setup you will get next to no terrestrial repeater signal, only satellite. If you use the yellow/tan connector you will get only terrestrial signal and very little satellite.

The XMPCR:

The PCR is a bare XM module with a Serial to USB converter chip attached. It is the SAME receiver module used all current receivers. XM puts their entire receiver in to a single module, receiver manufacturers just take a bare module and add their own interface to it. The protocol used to communicate with the PCR is actually the bare protocol used by all XM modules! A guy on XMFan has already made his own control front end with a microprocessor and LCD display. He did this by tapping the serial com pins on the XM module inside the PCR. See this thread: http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=9759

A full listing of all alternative XMPCR software is listed here: http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=7459

If you haven't went to http://www.xmfan.com yet do so now. The XM PCR protocol was completely reverse engineered just a week after the PCR came out. This thread: http://www.xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=6870 contains a list of all known commands.

MeanGT · 10-19-2003, 07:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevewm

Just some general XM and PCR information.....

Thanks for the info!

gork · 10-19-2003, 11:49 AM

Actually, that protocol thread is not entirely complete, and it's hard to understand. A better one is here: http://www.gamillah.net/unleashpcr/protocol.htm

It's the one I used when I started coding my project. It was very helpful. I found some small errors in it, and I'm sending the guy a new version of the sheet soon.

JonEQuest · 12-20-2003, 12:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Zip-Lock

Kind of like Tivo for radio. I like the idea.

I have TiVo, it is like a religion for me, I LOVE my TiVo, it is the best device since the TV itself