Figure someone might be interested in this:

I'm an XM radio junkie.. and am always watching for good deals on XM hardware. With the release of the new XM Inno portables, the last generation portables are now really cheap.

Found that you can get the Pioneer Airware portable for $59 now from this place:

http://www.myradiostore.us/portable/pioneer-xm-airware-lite.html



* Airware XM Satellite Radio Receiver with built-in antenna*
* Standard Battery
* Home AC Power supply/charger

Plays live XM on the go, or records up to 5 hours of XM programming for later listening (in areas where you cant get a signal). 5 hour battery life. Sleep and Alarm clock, etc.

I ordered one. Going to cancel one of my older units and move this one into its place. I've got enough XM radio accessories now that this lite version will work great.

Does XM have the line-of-sight type of broadcasting signal? If so, how do their portable units operate indoors?

Here in phoenix, XM also has a land based repeater up on south mountan in addition to the satellite signal. XM works the same way inside the big tunnel on I10. If you can get the repeater signal, it works just like any radio would. A lot of people can get the the satellite signals indoors as well. The signal from the satellites is much better than Sirius.

I ordered an auxiliary antenna along with this receiver, so I'll see how it works. I needed something to use in my office. If I cant pick up the repeater signal, I'll just run the antenna wire 15ft over to the window and it should be ok.

I ordered one of the full kits. $119.99. Car kit, home kit, and portable kit. Just gotta get it activated once it gets here.

Pioneer has a warning about the batteries supplied with the AirWare posted on its website here.

Worth checking out if you have one.

I've got a question for the XM radio people.

My friend had the sirus radio in his car with the FM modulator. I didn't like it because it was static like. The station came in fine it just sounded like crap, no bass, it sounded like clock radio. I have a full audio system in my truck. I would only consider buying it if it was close to CD quality music. So how is it for quality?

The best classic rock station in town changed their style of music to like phil collins and light soft rock garbage.

I'm suffering, I feel like busting out and getting a ton of CD's. But, I like many types of music and CD's cost alot of money.

I spend at least 2 hours or more of my day in my truck so music is a must.

I really just want crankable high sound quality music without commercials.

You will loose quality with the FM modulator.

Your best bet is to buy an actual hard wire kit for your radio. I have an Alpine head unit, and was able to pick up a kit for it... It sounds sweet, very good quality. Only problem, is I let my subscription run out,

This is a hard wire kit?

http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=301

Something more like this:
http://www.xmradio.com/xmdirect/index.jsp

Go to your car audio store, and tell em what kind of head unit you have, and if it is satellite ready, this will work.

My mom uses the FM modulator in her truck and I think it sounds pretty good. I haven't noticed any problems with it like static or poor sound. In my truck however I have my XM wired directly into my head unit using that box SandBag posted. I like it because you dont see any of it and you dont have wires running around infront of your dash going from your antenna to your reciever, from your cigarett lighter to your reciever, and from your tape deck(if you use that option) to the reciever. In my opinion the only good thing about not having it wired directly is you can move it from vehicle to vehicle. If your head unit is XM ready then get that box sandbag posted. But keep an eye on them cuz sometimes you can catch them with a realy good deal. I bought mine right after this past christmas and it was only like $30 or something.