Tried a search but not a lot of related posts in the Audio section.

I got used to XM in my other car, so I am wanting it in my truck. I want to do a portable docking unit, so I can use it in the house or other vehicles.

Anyone got experience with portable XM in a vehicle? I am looking at this one: XM XpressRCi Dock & Play satellite radio at Crutchfield Outlet

Antenna mounting Use roof mounted antenna with magnet doesn't seem to have good feedback, plus I worry about it scratching paint.

 

I ran a similar set up in my '67 for a few years I had Sirius. Mounted the dock mount on the dash, ran the power under dash, put small mag mount antenna on roof next to my Lil Wil CB antenna. Ran both cables down back of cab, between bed and inside truck.

I had already put an updated stereo in the truck(in stock location), so it tuned in just fine. If I was doing it again(willing to pay to listen to radio), I'd just get a radio with it built in. That way you don't have to deal with tuning your radio to receive signal from Sirius tuner. As you travel, signal will vary and you'll get bleed through on your radio. NO matter what frequency you chose, there will be a radio station somewhere cutting in.

I did enjoy it, but again got tired of paying for it. I also found that those small antenna don't last forever. Usually get a year or so before it starts loosing signal constantly. Buy a new one and back to good. I think the factory installed ones are a better quality. Not that I was really worried, but never really noticed any paint damage on the roof. It's a very small piece and doesn't take much to hold it on.

 

Dotcentral, I used the "felt" side of velcro with the adhesive on the antenna base to protect the paint on my 67 XL.
Kenny

 

I built my own portable Sirius Radio Thing-a-mi-jig for my car.
It's set up to unplug from cig lighter and move to another car and plug back into sig lighter.

I have a stratus 6 with built in radio tuner so that helps.

No pics of it now but here is what I did
Amazon had a 10" flexible window mount Amazon.com: ARKON SR053 SatRadio Mount 14-Inch Windshield Suction Mount (CM043STL + AP012 + AP020): GPS & Navigation
I also got a cheap Srius/XM antenna Amazon.com: Belkin F5X004 Auto Antenna for XM: Car Electronics

Stuck mount to center of window down near the dash.
I mount the vehicle kit that came with the stratus 6 to the end of the 10" mount.
I took a piece of metal, bent it at a 90 degree and fastened it (I used silicone gasket maker) to the window mount end.
Let the magnet on the antenna hold the antenna to the metal piece and adjusted the antenna to point up out the windshield.
Taped antenna wire to 10" mount shaft and plugged into car kit.
Plugged power to car kit and into cig lighter.
Tune radio to Stratus 6 tuner channel

Wala - portable Sirius/XM radio for cost of Sat Radio (free + subscription), mount ($12ish) and antenna ($12ish). I only got the new Antenna because the Sirius antenna is so big and I found the smaller XM one for cheap.

I do get spotty reception when trees overhang the road but it could just be the angle I have the antenna set at. I have Sirius in my Ranger that is Factory built in and loose reception in most of the same spots also.

I will try and get a pic up. Probably will not be until Monday or Tuesday.

 

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful.

I am wanting a portable Sat radio so I can switch between cars and use it in the home.

 

Only 6 months late.

Here is a photo of the portable unit I built.



The antenna angle here is not ideal but works great in the house on the vertical windows and also in the '72 with it's almost vertical windshield.