FM modulator does the trick

[Humann]

I put an FM Modulator Relay in my car last night and it has made all the difference in the world. No more staticky interference from FM stations on or adjacent to the frequency where I'm trying to listen to Sirius. Just for kicks, I tuned my Sportster4 to the frequency of the broadcast FM station to which I most often listen and it blocked the station completely. Turn the Sportster off, and the broadcast station is back.

Also, it may just be my imagination, but the overall sound quality seems to have been improved. The traditional wireless setup sounded very muddy and compressed, while the wired modulator connection sounds like it's including more of the audible spectrum. It's still not what I'd consider CD quality, but it's certainly a vast improvement. I can now crank up the volume without cringing.

As far as I'm concerned, if your car stereo doesn't have an audio line-in connection, the FM modulator is a must-have accessory.

[superstar221]

Agreed. FM modulator is a must. The modulator cuts off the antenna's reception of terrestrial radio signals when the Sirius unit is turned on, thus totally eliminating interference. The best twenty bucks you can spend!

[jsteel77]

Just wondering when I got my unit installed at best buy (for 71.00), does that usually include a fm modulator? Or is that something I have to purchase seperately? The way they installed my radio, it automatically comes on when I start my truck up, but I get a lot of static pretty much any station I turn to. Its getting really frustrating!! I wouldnt know what a FM modulator is if it bit me in the ... so I have no idea one is included or not!! Thanks!!

[superstar221]

Installation will not include the modulator unless you paid extra for it. It's around 20 clams. Here's a picture of what it looks like.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/SIRIUS-FM-Direct-Audio-Relay-FMDA25/sem/rpsm/oid/164589/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It's real easy to install if you know where your antenna plugs into your vehicle's deck radio. Go to the best buy web site and enter your vehicle info and it will tell you if you need any extra adapters (for example, most dodge/chrysler vehicles require TWO separate adapters).

[jsteel77]

Thanks for the info!! I'm going to bring my truck back in tomorrow and see what they can do...
Also, Does the plug and play receiver have to be on the same side of my truck as my trucks antenna? Not sure if that will make a difference on my reception I a getting. (both my sirius radio and its magnetic antenna are on the drivers side of the truck, while my trucks own antenna is on the front passenger side)

[superstar221]

Will make no difference if you have the modulator installed.

[fred924]

My FM modulator on my Sirius Sportster works pretty good, you can actually hear it anywhere in my house and even outside. I can get a good signal about 100 feet from my house in any direction before it fades away.

[sparker]

i used a fm extender and it fix all of the problems i was having

[Trubtrescott]

I got a Sportster 4 installed at the Future Shop (Ottawa, Canada) last week and I am finding that the sound quality is not as good as the regular FM radio stations that I used to listen to. Is this the kind of problem that an FM modulator might fix? I find that the resonance and tone of the sound is not the same with satellite. I also find that I have to turn up the volume a lot louder than I ever had to with commerical FM to hear at the same volume. For example, with commerical FM I would listen on a volume setting of 7 or 8. With the satellite, I have to turn it up to 14 or 15. I have already adjusted the volume on the Sportster via menu to its maximum setting. I'm not getting static or anything that some previous posts have said were fixed with a modulator.

Could this be a problem with the installation, or is this a textbook case for a modulator? It would be good to know as I plan on having a car kit installed in my summer car when it comes out of storage in April and if a modulator is necessary, I will just get it at the beginning and get it over with.

Thanks for any help.

[superstar221]

Modulator will help with the overall quality. The sportster 4's wireless transmission power is much lower than previous models due to FCC crackdowns. I would recommend a wired setup with it. If you would have an older model Sportster it probably wouldn't be an issue. PM me if you want a quick set up guide to the mod install.

[Trubtrescott]

Thanks. Today I experienced all kinds of static, and uncontrolled switching to other stations randomly for the first time. I made an appointment to take it back to the Future Shop (where the install was done) and will have a modulator installed. (I'm a helpless female, so I have to rely on someone else to do this for me!) But thanks for the offer to assist with instructions. I'm going back on Feb. 05 and will post back and let you know what the verdict was.

[julieblue]

I have similar problems with the Stiletto 10, is there any mod avaiable to increase it's output. If not does anyone know were i can buy the SIRIUS FM Direct Audio Relay in Ontario.

Thanks....

[Humann]

Humann's simple instructions for installing the FM Modulator Relay

This procedure will work with most vehicles. Your mileage will vary.

Degree of difficulty: minimal

Tools required: probably just a Phillips screw driver, maybe a large flat blade screw driver as well

Time required: maybe 15 minutes

Step 1: Do your homework--determine if your car's radio uses a standard antenna plug or whether you'll need a set of adapters. Most late model GM, Volkswagen, and Nissan vehicles will require an adapter. Others may also.

Step 2: Carefully examine the plastic fascia surrounding your vehicle's radio to determine how it attaches to the dashboard. There may be a couple of screws securing it at the bottom and they may be hidden by the ashtray. Remove these screws, if necessary. Depending on how the dash is designed, you may also need to remove one or more additional pieces of trim.

Step 3: Carefully lift the fascia away from the dashboard. Start lifting at the bottom. You may need to gently pry it up with a flat blade screw driver in order to get a finger hold on the edge. The fascia will probably flex a bit as you're pulling it away from the dash. Don't worry, just move your fingers up a bit to minimize the flexing, and keep pulling firmly, but don't jerk it. The fascia will release after a moment.

Step 4: The radios on most modern vehicles are held in with a couple of screws in the front (the exact number will vary). Just unscrew these and pull the radio out of the dash. The cables in the back of the radio will probably allow you to pull it just barely out of the dash, but you should have enough room to reach around the back of the radio. That's all you need.

Step 5: Locate the antenna lead on the back of the radio. It'll be a big, round coaxial cable, separate from the main wiring harness. Unplug the antenna lead from the back of the radio.

Step 6: Plug the antenna lead into the FM Modulator Relay (this may require an adapter) and then plug the relay into the back of the radio (this may also require an adapter).

Step 7: Tuck the relay into the dash so it won't interfere with the positioning of the radio, then push the radio back into the dash and screw it into place.

Step 8: Make sure the wire that attaches to your Sirius receiver to the relay is still accessible and pull just enough of the wire out to reach the receiver.

Step 9: Replace the fascia on the dash by lining its spring clips up with the slots and pressing it firmly until it snaps into place. Make sure the antenna lead for your Sirius receiver is sticking out at a convenient yet unobtrusive spot and replace any screws and trim pieces.

Step 10: Plug the small antenna lead into the appropriate socket on the back of your Sirius receiver. Tune the receiver and your car radio to the same frequency and start enjoying your Sirius radio static free!