RV and Satellite Radio

A satellite radio is an excellent companion for RV’ers. It used to be that when you were camping out in the boonies or traveling along I-80 through Nevada you couldn’t get radio reception. Not anymore! Now you can get all the radio programs you want for a small investment and a low monthly fee. There are currently two satellite radio companies you can use – XM™ or Sirius™. What you need. 1. A receiver. 2. An antenna. 3. A FM radio or a set of headphones. I purchased the XM Rodie ™ from Staples for $80.00 and it came with the automobile installation kit which includes a cradle, cigarette lighter power plug, and a magnetic antenna. I mounted the cradle on the dash and ran the antenna wire along the inside of my door frame weather stripping (easy) and the magnet attaches to the roof. I drilled two tiny holes and mounted the receiver cradle on the dash of the truck. You can play this through your FM radio or plug earphones into the cradle. I usually use the earphones. You can pass many a mile enjoying music, news, financial reports, NPR, comedy and whatever your heart desires.

Once we are set up at the RV park I pull the receiver off the cradle in the truck then put it into my XM boom box for indoors. The boom box is weather resistant and can be used outside as well as inside. I don’t know how it works, but the antenna is able to pick up satellite inside the RV. It has a remote control and has good sound quality. You may also use headphones with the boom box. I bought the boom box at WalMart for $80.00.

I pay $12.00 a month, but you must purchase a year in advance. If you sign up for more years the price gets cheaper – down to about $10.00 a month.

If you don’t want the boom box, you can purchase an indoor kit for around $50.00 and play it through your RV’s built in FM stereo system. It operates the same as in your automobile – by playing through an unused channel on your FM radio.

You can preprogram the XM radio to all your favorite stations. This makes it easy to change stations when you are driving. They also have holiday programming. From now until Christmas, we are listening to a variety of Christmas music – all without commercial interruption!

Only the music channels are free of commercials. The talk and news stations have commercials. One of my favorites for the RV lifestyle is the Weather Channel. This feature alone is worth the price of the system!!