Installed SIR-GM1 today

[ricko2]

I installed the Sirius SIR-GM1 today, took out the stock XM module. Took about an hour, and had to use a little brute force and ignorance to make it fit, used the stock antenna with an adaptor that I found on ebay, and everything works perfectly. I took a bunch of pictures along the way if anyone want to see...

[grayghst]

I'd like to see them. I did this about a month ago and wouldn't mind seeing how others turned out. Getting the old XM receiver out was a pain in the a$$. But I like Sirius better, so it was worth it.

[ricko2]

I started with this:

 

 

Figured it would be easier to break the antenna connector than disconnect it properly( I'd recommend not breaking it!). Figured out how the blue clip on the bigger plug worked before I broke it...

 

 

Bent the lower bracket down and dropped the XM unit out the bottom...

 

 

Put some stick on pads on the SIR-GM1 to try to keep it from rattling. I HATE RATTLES!!!...

 

 

Used this antenna adaptor...

 

 

And shoved the Sirius unit up into the same place the XM came out of...

 

 

Looked like this...

 

 

Zip tied it in place, connected the wires (used some tape on the broken antenna connector)

powered it up, signed up for Sirius service, and away I went.

 

 

Had to adjust the bracket a little, the glove box wouldn't close any more.

Good luck all, its worth doing, especially if you like NASCAR!!!

[PaulR]

Thanks for the pictures and the writeup. I definitely prefer the Sirius service to what XM offers.

 

So you were able to use the stock XM antenna? Do you have a part number for the antenna adapter?

 

I was thinking about doing this myself, but the local shop said that you would have to use a new external antenna.

[ricko2]

Thanks for the pictures and the writeup. I definitely prefer the Sirius service to what XM offers.

 

So you were able to use the stock XM antenna? Do you have a part number for the antenna adapter?

 

I was thinking about doing this myself, but the local shop said that you would have to use a new external antenna.

 

I bought the adaptor off Ebay. Just search for SIR-GM1, you will find it. It was $24.95, and is custom made to fit. Probably costs the guy a dollar to make, but, oh well, I can't make it and it made the install easier, and you use the stock antenna.

 

I was also told that you had to use the Sirius antenna, but decided to give this a shot to see if it would work, and it works fine.

[PaulR]

Glad to hear it. Let us know if you run into any issues. I've still got 2+ months on the free XM trial and probably won't do anything before then.

 

Does Sirius give any price breaks like XM does...or are the quoted prices all they will do?

[Kania2k1]

Where did you put that? Under the passenger side dash? I was having a hard time finding somewhere to put mine. My truck did not come with the satelite radio, so I added it (SIR-ALP) when I got my alpine monitor. I ended up putting it under the cup holder in the center console, which I never knew you could just lift up! It looks like yours came with a bracket that held the XM piece, that would have been nice to have.

[ricko2]

Where did you put that? Under the passenger side dash? I was having a hard time finding somewhere to put mine. My truck did not come with the satelite radio, so I added it (SIR-ALP) when I got my alpine monitor. I ended up putting it under the cup holder in the center console, which I never knew you could just lift up! It looks like yours came with a bracket that held the XM piece, that would have been nice to have.

 

It is behind the glove box, to the passenger side. I have no idea what they put there if you don't have the XM. I would assume nothing, but who knows. You just open the glove box beyond the little stop and let it hang down.

[mrhooie]

they don't put anything. I have a 2006 Sierra and in Canada they dindn't offer XM so mine has nothing.

 

Contemplating putting in a GM1 though. I've installed 3 in friends trucks now and it looks like it comes with the

right cables to hook up to the back of the HU

[01 Suburban LS]

Where did you put that? Under the passenger side dash? I was having a hard time finding somewhere to put mine. My truck did not come with the satelite radio, so I added it (SIR-ALP) when I got my alpine monitor. I ended up putting it under the cup holder in the center console, which I never knew you could just lift up! It looks like yours came with a bracket that held the XM piece, that would have been nice to have.

 

 

I just added a Pioneer headunit and Sirius tuner in my moms 2002 Tahoe. I put the tuner module behind the passenger side airbag. In my 2001 Suburban I keep it in the glove box. I need easy access to it. Instead of paying for service for my Suburban and Saturn, I just move the tuner between the two. I have a dual din Kenwood in my Suburban and a flip screen Kenwood in the Saturn.

[bigolyt]

Im gonna get the new NAV head unit in my 06 Sierra Denali. Do you know if I will have to re-wire the SIRIUS tuner if I put the Head Unit in AFTER i put in the TUNER?

[Fyrcaptain]

It'll be interesting to see what happens when the merger goes through!

 

February 20, 2007

 

 

Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

 

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio to form the premier digital audio service.

 

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide consumers across the country with more and better premium radio programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

 

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by their car manufacturer.

 

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008. Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

 

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same. The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

 

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting listening experience in radio.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hugh Panero

CEO, XM Satellite Radio

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

This letter contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and cost savings and the timing thereof, future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and other statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of SIRIUS' and XM's management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of SIRIUS and XM. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

 

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statement: general business and economic conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely basis; the failure of SIRIUS and XM shareholders to approve the transaction; the failure to realize synergies and cost-savings from the transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; and operating costs and business disruption following the merger, including adverse effects on employee retention and on our business relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios, retailers, automakers and programming providers. Additional factors that could cause SIRIUS' and XM's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SIRIUS' and XM's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet site www.sec.gov The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and Sirius and XM disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

 

Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination involving SIRIUS and XM. In connection with the proposed transaction, SIRIUS plans to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of SIRIUS and XM plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction. The definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of SIRIUS and XM. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF SIRIUS AND XM ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

 

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by SIRIUS and XM through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Attention: Investor Relations or by directing a request to XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., 1500 Eckington Place, NE Washington, DC 20002, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

SIRIUS, XM and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding SIRIUS' directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2006, and its proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 21, 2006, and information regarding XM's directors and executive officers is available in XM's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006 and its proxy statement for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 25, 2006. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

 

Please note: this is not a promotional e-mail. As an XM subscriber, you will periodically receive service notices via e-mail. These service notices are intended to provide you with helpful information that will facilitate and enhance your XM listening experience.

[ricko2]

UPDATE: Reception wasn't the greatest, cut out under even a few trees. So, I tried the magnetic Sirius antenna that came with the SIR-GM1, reception is 10 times better. I would recommend, now, not using the XM antenna with the adaptor, but running thier antenna...

[PaulR]

Can you use the existing wiring as a pull, or do you have to mount it in a new location?

[ricko2]

 

 

Can you use the existing wiring as a pull, or do you have to mount it in a new location?

I suppose you could, I didn't, I ran the new wire, not too hard to do,