Cheap XM Radio at Home - How Do You Do It??

[Bhishdawg]

All,

I am trying to figure out how to get XM Radio inside my house for a low-cost. I already have an XM Subscription and am able to listen to the NHL Games in my car, but want something that would allow me to listen to it inside.

I know there are expensive XM/Sirius capable receivers that I could invest in - but are there other less expensive options? Can I simply purchase a small XM receiver (I think usually meant for a car) and then use a Home Kit to send the airwaves to a normal FM Radio? Are there inexpensive options for XM Receivers that have headphone inputs to which I could just plug my heads-phones in and listen to at night?

Please let me know you suggestions. The NHL Season starts today and I really want to be able to listen to the Penguins games inside as opposed to only while driving. Thanks

[heavylee]

Yes, I have an XM radio. It came with a home kit, which includes a dock that has a headphones jack on it. You can get a cable with a headphones plug on one end, and stereo RCA jacks on the other to plug in to any receiver that has an audio input (something like this cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2110497) but it doesn't need to be expensive). Then put the antenna of the home kit in a window with a southern exposure.

[Bhishdawg]

Yes, I have an XM radio. It came with a home kit, which includes a dock that has a headphones jack on it. You can get a cable with a headphones plug on one end, and stereo RCA jacks on the other to plug in to any receiver that has an audio input (something like this cable (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2110497) but it doesn't need to be expensive). Then put the antenna of the home kit in a window with a southern exposure.


Could I just plug my headphones directly into the home kit dock? I guess I would have to be sitting right next to the setup but that should be okay. Any recommendations for some cheap ideas to do this? I was looking at some of the Audiovox Express products.

[heavylee]

If you plug your headphones directly in to the dock, it's not gonna sound that good, but it'll probably work. You also may not have volume control. Bypassing your home receiver takes the amplifier out of the loop.

[Bhishdawg]

If you plug your headphones directly in to the dock, it's not gonna sound that good, but it'll probably work. You also may not have volume control. Bypassing your home receiver takes the amplifier out of the loop.

Okay. So if I did go with the conversion cord you recommended could I plug that into most stereo receivers or would it have to be some special sort of XM/Sirius compatible product? That is, could I just plug the RCAs into the AUX Inputs on my stereo (not a receiver/just an older Sony Shelf System).

[heavylee]

That is, could I just plug the RCAs into the AUX Inputs on my stereo (not a receiver/just an older Sony Shelf System).

Yes, any stereo/radio/receiver that has RCA inputs.

[OptionDollar]

I was on the phone with the XM customer service. He informed me that they are running a promotion that will allow one to get a radio unit for $9.99 - car unit or home unit.

[heavylee]

What radio is it?