 Sirius or XM ???????
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I stopped by Radio Shack in this plaza while my wife was food shopping and they had a nice display of Sirius radios on sale.
I like the fact that they have weather and traffic and a ton of music and sports channels to listen too.
I'm considering getting one for the GA rally, plus I like to listen to music when I ride.
I would think it would come in handy on our Iron Butt Ride to GA. just for weather and traffic reports.
Any inputs from those who have them what brand or model would be best for a bike?
Should I invest in helmet speakers or go with ear buds ?
Do you "hardwire" it in or run off the battery, or run it off the accessory plug ?
Where is a good spot to mount one ?
Thanks,
John
John 06 America Mulberry\Silver
"Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time"
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Adjunct
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.I have xm because they have baseball... I dont mount the reciever just pick a channel and drop it in tank bag or pocket...it also has a built in mp3 player that will store 50 hrs. of music and has about 12 hrs of battery so it dosent need antenna or power source... be aware that xm and sirius will be merging within the year so whatever receiver you have will become useless once that happens...you will love the programming that satt. radio gives you lots of good stuff
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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I have Sirius, I wanted Howard Stern and Football, to each his own........
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Soon to be a moot point as XM and Sirius will be merging late 2007 or early 2008.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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If the government allows the merger!
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Well...yeah  . I won't even try to predict what may happen there.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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I have Sirius-Gotta have Howard... Sirius and XM are merging anyway so it probably doesn't matter now.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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George in Easy Rider: "Oh, oh I've got a helmet! I got a beauty!"
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Well Sirius is out as I love baseball and they do not have baseball.
Where can you buy XM radios ?
In the tread someone mentioned that when and if they do merge the equipment you buy today will not work ?
John 06 America Mulberry\Silver
"Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time"
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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I got my last one at best buy 50 bucks after rebate... I dont think any current recievers would be compatable after a merger but they are fairly cheap and I would think they would have some sort of deal to upgrade if and when the merger takes place... check out the ones with the mp3 built in, real handy on the bike
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Check Pants
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I've had XM radio in my car & truck since just about day one. Couldn't live without it, as I drive over 50k/year all over the East Coast.
I bought my equipment from My Radio Store. They sponsor a lot of XM related websites and are great folks to get all things Satellite radio related.
I'm curious as to how this merger will work. I'd love to have NFL football.
This forum, XM 411 Forum, has some great XM related info including bike installs and pictures.
So far, I haven't had the inclination to add it to my bike but might someday.
Last edited by ssjones; 02/24/2007 10:16 AM.
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Target has some nice ones on clearance, so go and see if you are lucky enough to have a Target with the sale ones still in.
XM has better sound quality too.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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New Tires
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New Tires
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Thought I read on the Drudge Report that Sirrus & Xm were about to merg.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Thought I read on the Drudge Report that Sirrus & Xm were about to merg.
They may try but they will have to get it past the Feds. Something about 100% of the market and anti-trust legislation.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
So far, I haven't had the inclination to add it to my bike but might someday.
I bought the kit here: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail...lid_name=detail
I've haven't installed it yet but there doesn't seem to be much to it.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Quote:
So far, I haven't had the inclination to add it to my bike but might someday.
I bought the kit here: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail...lid_name=detail
I've haven't installed it yet but there doesn't seem to be much to it.
How are you planning on powering the XM? I assume you'll use headphones?
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Learned Hand
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I got an e-mail with a letter from the head of Sirius saying it's a deffinite with the merger. The best thing to do is go to the websites and check out the channel guides.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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it's great to see we have some baseball fans here.
cat
George in Easy Rider: "Oh, oh I've got a helmet! I got a beauty!"
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
I got an e-mail with a letter from the head of Sirius saying it's a deffinite with the merger. The best thing to do is go to the websites and check out the channel guides.
The one I got from XM said it's a "forward looking statement" that may substantially change by the time it happens.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Loquacious
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XM has the uncensored comedy chanel - worth the annual fee alone.
I believe XM & Sirius have to get through a monopoly hearing first, so it should take a while before the two might appear as one.
This guy will take $45 (plus $5) for an XM Delphi Roady II
http://cgi.ebay.com/XM-SATELLITE-RADIO-R...1QQcmdZViewItem
I'm not familiar with the latest XM radio, aka the Sportcaster. It may be much better than the Roady II.
Also, you can get short wired XM antennas here
http://www.myradiostore.com/antennas-cables/for-roady/
I run the XM and a radar detector into one of these
http://www.tesseractcorp.com/
It shuts down the other audio feeds for a second when the radar signal hit it. Tesseract certainly isn't the only game in town for headphone amps though.
Then into some Etymotic Research ear plugs.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll...ntrypage=search
They block out the road & wind noise very well.
The ER 6i models have better bass response than the Er 6 models.
These work well as low budget handle bar stands
http://www.panaviseonline.com/search.php?category=41&search=*
The XM mount glues right on to one side, and fit up the other with 1" stainless u bolts
For power I took two cig lighter splitters and wired them right into the battery.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Quote:
it's great to see we have some baseball fans here. cat
Grew up with Mays, McCovey, Marichel back in the 90's. My great Aunt would facetiously keep box scores of the original Milwaukee Braves listening to the radio. Missoula picked up a minor league (Arizona) team a few years ago, it's in my plans to ride in and watch a game this summer 
Back to radio, I picked up a Sirius receiver last fall, I like it, especially living in a place like this.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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For all you XM people, you do realize that you have commercials on many of your music channels, this is completely unacceptable. Sirius is commercial free music, once you have that, you can't go back to commercials.
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Member
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I prefer Sirius. They have a Stiletto 100 (which I want!).... it is portable-like the size of an iPod, with own battery, no antenna to mount or wiring to power, holds MP3's, and even will automatically stream from any available WiFi source, which is great for home or hot spots.
Andy
04 Speedmaster
and missing my '70 TR6R
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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I can't do earphones. I'd have to have speakers, but have not come across a reaonsably priced set that doesn't look goofy. These are kind of interesting, but not at $500 plus the player. Rumbler Speakers Kuryakyn also makes a similar set at about the same cost. Guess I'll keep listening to my Specialty Spares until something comes along.
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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No commercials on any of the XM music channels I listen to. The talk shows have some.
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Loquacious
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SIRIUS, nuf said!!!!! 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Learned Hand
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Some XM have breaks, most do not.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Sirius has no commercials on any music
nuf said!!!!
haha
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Quote:
Sirius has no commercials on any music
nuf said!!!!
haha
I still say the XM music quality is far greater than you can get with a Sirius unit. I listen to music 90% of the time, that was the deciding factor for me. Well, that and Ron & Fez.
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Sound quality on XM is superior, hands down. The commercials are on, perhaps 10 channels, if that many, and they are flakel channels anyway. Most have no breaks and are great, plus baseball is on XM, and that is great!
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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How do you know sound quality is better? I suppose your ear is the final say so right, I have listened to both and I personally cannot discern any difference in sound quality, maybe a sophisticated instrument could, and even then I doubt there is a meaningful difference. In your opinion the music channels with commercials are flaky, what if that happens to be your favorite genre?? then you have to suffer through commercials when you are paying for the privelage. Football, Basketball, Nascar, Hockey, Howard Stern, against Baseball? and of course the rumored better sound quality, haha. It doesn't matter if they merge, the two companies have spent Billions for 13 million listeners, it was a heavy price to pay, I hope they can survive.............
Triumph Scrambler Diablo Red & Silver (2014), Arrow Exhaust, FI remapped with TTP #4, 16 tooth sprocket, Triumph Gel Solo seat & Rack, Progressive 440 1" lowered Shocks, SAI & O2 Removal, Airbox Restrictor Plate removed.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Quote:
Sound quality on XM is superior, hands down. The commercials are on, perhaps 10 channels, if that many, and they are flakel channels anyway. Most have no breaks and are great, plus baseball is on XM, and that is great!
Plus IRL Racing!!!!! (crickets chirping....)
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Quote:
How do you know sound quality is better? I suppose your ear is the final say so right, I have listened to both and I personally cannot discern any difference in sound quality, maybe a sophisticated instrument could, and even then I doubt there is a meaningful difference. In your opinion the music channels with commercials are flaky, what if that happens to be your favorite genre?? then you have to suffer through commercials when you are paying for the privelage. Football, Basketball, Nascar, Hockey, Howard Stern, against Baseball? and of course the rumored better sound quality, haha. It doesn't matter if they merge, the two companies have spent Billions for 13 million listeners, it was a heavy price to pay, I hope they can survive.............
Yeah, sort of glad I didn't do a lifetime, or yearly subscription. I actually did a shoot-out in my car with my XM and my daughters Sirius. I use the FM modulator. The Sirius seemed a little more flat (maybe that's compressed?). If I had only one, to be honest, unlikely I wouldn't think it sounded fine.
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Using the FM modulator is going to give you poorer quality sound than a direct hookup anyway. Just a limitation of what sound frequencies can be picked up by radio.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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I bought the cable to connect to my OEM Honda in-dash changer. Even with a GLI, it still had some serious hiss. The darn cable was $100, so I returned it. The FM modulator has worked pretty well. I mounted the unit the dash-cubby of my Accord. I'm kind of proud of the install - no visible wires, etc. I just shut the door on the cubby and hopefully no break-in... The antenna is inside the rear window, beside the 3rd brake light, as stealthy as I could get. 
Al
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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Actually, I have compared the sound, so yes IT IS DIFFERENT and BETTER. I guess its pretty obvious you didnt bother to shop and compare, of course, maybe your ears cant notice the difference.
You better figure that if the deal gets approval, Sirius will ad the ads too, who walks from easy money. Get ready, Freddy.
Last edited by HeneryHawk; 02/25/2007 11:27 PM.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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No matter what, Satellite radio is hands down better then conventional radio. The selection is far superior. I'm in my van for most of the day and catching up on the news(CNN) or listening to Howard or the rock classics station helps the day along.
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 Re: Sirius or XM ???????
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06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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I would bet $1000 in a blind test you couldn't tell the difference! And you know if you buy the real receiver with Sirius built in, you don't use an FM modulator, even if it is slightly better which I doubt, XM's programming is
inferior, which explains why Sirius subscriptions have outpaced XM's lately. But this is a stupid debate, as Matt said Satellite (any flavor) is better than conventional.
And by the way I did shop and compare and the programming made all the difference. Seems like you are pretty passionate about this, you must be an XM stockholder, I don't own either.
Last edited by canyonwlf7; 02/26/2007 8:35 AM.
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Loquacious
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Yep I remember when TV was free...then came cable with promises of commercial free (because after all we ARE paying to have it) superior programing....well now I got 100 plus chanels of not much on ...but I get PLEANTY of commercials and still get the pleasure of paying big $$$ for the privilage...I view Sat radio as the same thing Promises of commercial free have (obviously) gone by the way side and yet you get to pay to have it...and you have buy the equipment too....if I want commercials I have a good sterio in my truck, car, and home...if I don't I have Cd's, vinal, tape, and MP3's...all of which play EXACTLY what I want to hear!!...because I program them...just me but I'm too cheap to pay the extra price...And I know there IS programing that you CAN'T get anywhere else...Howard Stern, and so on...but frankly I predict it will go the way of cable...then you'll just be paying for regular comercial broadcasts littered with comercials and the price will continue to go up and so on amd so on...pretty soon it will be a $40.00 per month charge to hear "40 min of commercial free music"..."More commercial free music than any other station" blahh blahh blahh
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