For the XM users out there: Do you have a static background noise? I just got it installed today, and while changing between stations, can hear a very distinct "noise" you can hear in the silence between station switches. It is still there in the background of the music, but not as easy to notice with the engine running. But just running on the battery it's VERY obvious. I'm going ot go back to the installer and have them double check everything, but this bothers me.

For the XM users out there: Do you have a static background noise? I just got it installed today, and while changing between stations, can hear a very distinct "noise" you can hear in the silence between station switches. It is still there in the background of the music, but not as easy to notice with the engine running. But just running on the battery it's VERY obvious. I'm going ot go back to the installer and have them double check everything, but this bothers me.

There should be zero noise between station switches. You did not say whether your unit has an FM modulator or whether it uses line level (RCA) inputs. In my experience, most of the noise complaints are from people using FM modulators as the input mode. - Lee

There should be zero noise between station switches. You did not say whether your unit has an FM modulator or whether it uses line level (RCA) inputs. In my experience, most of the noise complaints are from people using FM modulators as the input mode. - Lee

I have the FM modulator...where it connects directly to the antenna. I'm using it with the factory head unit. So you're saying that this is to be expected with that setup?

I have the FM modulator...where it connects directly to the antenna. I'm using it with the factory head unit. So you're saying that this is to be expected with that setup?
At some level, yes. I haven't heard yours, of course, and I can't say whether it is typical. Your dealer should be able to provide an evaluation if he is honest. Go here for the best in xm advice...

http://www.xmfan.com/index.php

best - Lee

For the XM users out there: Do you have a static background noise? I just got it installed today, and while changing between stations, can hear a very distinct "noise" you can hear in the silence between station switches. It is still there in the background of the music, but not as easy to notice with the engine running. But just running on the battery it's VERY obvious. I'm going ot go back to the installer and have them double check everything, but this bothers me.

I am running XM off my Pioneer Head-unit and Pioneer XM Tuner, no static noise, direct IP Bus connection, so the signal is digital. The sound is CD quality! I have a brother who installed a Delphi SkyFi and he hooked his up through an FM modulator, very impressed with his sound quality also.

At some level, yes. I haven't heard yours, of course, and I can't say whether it is typical. Your dealer should be able to provide an evaluation if he is honest. Go here for the best in xm advice...

http://www.xmfan.com/index.php

best - Lee

Thanks, I'll check out the link now. After driving for a little while, and listening to it, it's driving me bonkers. It's a constant hissing/static in the background. It doesn't appear to be related to the engine like grounding problems. This is simply static. At points in songs when it gets kind of quiet, it's glaringly obvious. On news/sports/talk stations only a deaf person could miss it.

Thanks, I'll check out the link now. After driving for a little while, and listening to it, it's driving me bonkers. It's a constant hissing/static in the background. It doesn't appear to be related to the engine like grounding problems. This is simply static. At points in songs when it gets kind of quiet, it's glaringly obvious. On news/sports/talk stations only a deaf person could miss it.
I have the exact same setup as you and also have the hissing. I only notice the hissing when I'm parked and listening to XM at a very low volume. It's not bad enough to bother me. As long as it doesn't do it while I'm driving, I'm happy.
Thanks to beemerphile for the XM link. Just bookmarked it.
I'm sure you'll find a fix for the hissing. BTW, enjoy the service.....I've had it two years and have been very happy with the variety.

I have the exact same setup as you and also have the hissing. I only notice the hissing when I'm parked and listening to XM at a very low volume. It's not bad enough to bother me. As long as it doesn't do it while I'm driving, I'm happy.
Thanks to beemerphile for the XM link. Just bookmarked it.
I'm sure you'll find a fix for the hissing. BTW, enjoy the service.....I've had it two years and have been very happy with the variety.

I'm sure I'll love the variety, because I hate the horrible local radio stations. They play 3 bad songs, then a bunch of commercials. I can rarely listen for more than 10 minutes at a time. You have 3 choices around here, with about 12 stations: pop, new country, or classic rock....and they all tend to play the same 8 songs over and over all day.

I'm sure I'll love the variety, because I hate the horrible local radio stations. They play 3 bad songs, then a bunch of commercials. I can rarely listen for more than 10 minutes at a time. You have 3 choices around here, with about 12 stations: pop, new country, or classic rock....and they all tend to play the same 8 songs over and over all day.
LOL....yeah, you're right about the music cycle. It's the same several songs over and over again, mixed with commercials and talk. I don't miss free commercial radio.
What I like about XM, is that if I miss the DJ chatter (which I sometimes do), I go to LA's KISS (ch21 under HITS) and listen to that for a while. I love going to the different genre's and then having a good choice of channels under each.
Also, sometimes when I'm running late in the evening, coming home from the gym, I can listen to Bill O'Reilly on Fox...then when I get home...turn on the TV and finish watching his program. Is that cool, or what?:)
BTW, if your installer resolves your hissing issue, let us know what he/she did to fix it....I'm curious. Thanks.

BTW, if your installer resolves your hissing issue, let us know what he/she did to fix it....I'm curious. Thanks.

I'd like to take it back this afternoon, if I have time. The hissing is driving me crazy, it's way too obvious. I'd never be able to get used to it, or pretend it's not there. I'm basically going to tell them to fix it, or just uninstall it. I'll let you know what happens.

I'd like to take it back this afternoon, if I have time. The hissing is driving me crazy, it's way too obvious. I'd never be able to get used to it, or pretend it's not there. I'm basically going to tell them to fix it, or just uninstall it. I'll let you know what happens.


Just sounds like your unit is not "Grounded" properly! Make sure you tell them to check the ground connection.

Just sounds like your unit is not "Grounded" properly! Make sure you tell them to check the ground connection.

I went back and had them check it out. They agreed that it shouldn't sound like that. They checked all the connections and found nothing wrong. They moved the ground, and it may have toned it down a bit, but not enough. They were sold out of the unit I have, but are getting more in this week. They want to swap my FM modulator out for a new one to see if that is the problem.

I didn't have the static with my XM and FM Modulator, but the sound quality wasn't what I was expecting with the modulator.

Blitzsafe makes a converter that plugs into the back of the factory HU, and provides two RCA inputs that can be connected to the XM module. This works great. The connection on the back of the HU is for an external CD changer, and it is still active even with the internal CD changer (I have the JBL 6-disc head). You simply press the CD button a second time to get XM...

Regards,
Jeff

We don't have any with our Roady now.Initially we did have some indoors( a lot-a constant, annoying,harsh, background hmmm) when I just stuffed the "cassette adapter" into a boombox with the usual sort of front opening-loading door.The cassette apparently wasn't oriented to the pickup unit properly because the door wasn't shut flush-jammed open by the wire.I filed away at the door and made a hole for the wire so it would close flush,and now it is perfect.Maybe the installation is just fine,but the unit is defective,if they had one in stock,they could switch it out,but they already thought of that?Let us know,Charlie


I didn't have the static with my XM and FM Modulator, but the sound quality wasn't what I was expecting with the modulator.

Blitzsafe makes a converter that plugs into the back of the factory HU, and provides two RCA inputs that can be connected to the XM module. This works great. The connection on the back of the HU is for an external CD changer, and it is still active even with the internal CD changer (I have the JBL 6-disc head). You simply press the CD button a second time to get XM...

Regards,
Jeff

I read about the Blitzsafe converter somewhere else, but have no idea if the factory 6 disc head unit has the plug in the back for the seperate disc changer. Does anybody know if it does? I'd MUCH rather not have to use the FM modulator if there is an affordable option. The store is supposed to get more units in today or Thursday, and they'll switch mine out when they come in.

I read about the Blitzsafe converter somewhere else, but have no idea if the factory 6 disc head unit has the plug in the back for the seperate disc changer. Does anybody know if it does? I'd MUCH rather not have to use the FM modulator if there is an affordable option. The store is supposed to get more units in today or Thursday, and they'll switch mine out when they come in.

Mine is the 6-disc head unit as well (JBL), and has the connector. I think most of the units do - but you might want to pull the radio and check to be sure. It's very easy to do. The Blitzsafe install is a snap - just plug it in to the back of the radio.

Jeff

I'm going to make my decision soon. I'm taking the Tundra back in today to have them swap the XM Commander out for a new unit. They think it might just be bad hardware. But they do agree that it sounds bad, and isn't normal. If this doesn't work, I can either spend $109 on the Blitzsafe adaptor, or take it out and go back to Fm and CDs. I'm very seriously leaning towards making this a one week XM experiment, and getting my money back. I didn't plan on spending another $109 just to get clean sound from a product that claims "CD quality sound". In all honesty, none of my CDs sound this bad...even without the static. And that extra $100 would have gone towards nicer speakers. It still might, along with the $160 for the XM unit. So far I'm very unimpressed with XM.