Serious Question about Sirius Equipment Install

[Nemire12]

I have a lot of questions here and I appreciate any and all suggestions and/or comments.

I have an 07' DC with the 10 speaker, 6 disc changer, JBL system. The unit has the SAT button. I have heard people talking about plugging there satellite radio into the AUX, is that because they don't have the SAT function?

My owner's manual says that I need a seperate receiver for the satellite radio along with mounting an antenna. Is this correct? Why wouldn't the system be ready, shouldn't I just be able to call Sirius and give them an ID number and be ready to go? Their must be a proprietary equipment issue.

So after I install the receiver and antenna, get subscribed, how does the signal get to my system and speakers and where does the receiver get power, sounds like a lot of extra wires running around!!

In the perfect world I would think I should just have to hit the SAT button and control everything from the factory JBL unit with no external equipment, is this possible??

Thanks again for any direction on this.

[TexBiker]

The JBL system is "satellite ready" which means you can plug-in a satellite receiver (XM or Sirius) on the back of the JBL head unit, install the satellite antenna and use the dash/steering wheel controls to operate the system.

However, if you didn't order the XM or Sirius package with your truck, you'll need to purchase the receiver and fit kit separately and have them installed. At that point, you can call the satellite provider and get your unit activated. Then you can press the SAT button and listen to satellite broadcasts.

Or you can get a stand-alone satellite receiver and just plug it in the AUX port if you don't want to bother with the more complicated installation listed above.

Since my wife and I only listen to XM or iPod, it was worth it for us to have the receiver installed in our JBL systems. We mounted our antennas on roof above the 3rd brake light. Very clean and works great. The receiver and fit kit can be ordered from TRDSparks.com for about $275 and we paid $50 for a local stereo shop to install it for us. Took them less than an hour.

[Nemire12]

Thanks for the info, but I bought the truck used, how do I quickly check to see if the receiver and fit kit are installed or not?

[TexBiker]

Originally Posted by Nemire12

Thanks for the info, but I bought the truck used, how do I quickly check to see if the receiver and fit kit are installed or not?

Press the SAT button. If the receiver/fit kit are installed, you'll get a satellite broadcast or some sort of message that states "activation is required." You would probably have a satellite antenna somewhere on the truck, too. The factory install location for the antenna is on the dash, but it's far from ideal. Better to get it outside...preferably on the roof.

If you don't see any of these things, then it's a good bet that you don't have the receiver/kit installed.

[Nemire12]

Tex, I don't see an antenna anywhere and pressing the SAT button doesn't do anything so I guess I'll need to have all that installed, thanks for all your help!!