OK guys/gals, where is it located? I followed the radio antenna down the passenger side pillar (had to be careful, air bag there). It connects under the passenger leg area to another antenna coming from the back of the car (presumably the satellite antenna). I couldn't find a lead going into the radio -from a distance tho- nor could I figure out where the XM tuner has been placed.

Thanks

jerij

On another thought, I didn't tear my radio completely out, but on top of the unit it says "Panasonic, made in China". Where did the other thread come up with the Pioneer stuff?

On another thought, I didn't tear my radio completely out, but on top of the unit it says "Panasonic, made in China". Where did the other thread come up with the Pioneer stuff?

Do you have the premium system? Maybe just the speakers are Pioneer? :confused: It does't matter, factory speakers are all crap. :( Thats why I'm replacing mine with Audiobahn. I wish it was nice where I live at this time of the year. Then I would have it done. :mad:

Yes, I've got the premium set-up. There was just some talk (on another forum now I realize) that the HU was Pioneer, therefore, the SIR-PNR1 satellite tuner would hook right up. (But I have my doubts about the validity of this.) I've got to find my XM tuner first, it could be located anwhere.

jerij

I read somewhere that the XM receiver is in the cargo compartment... check one of those panels on the sides. Let us know.

check one of those panels on the sides.

The removable ones for replacing your tail lamps? :confused: I know its not in there. Maybe its under the whole body panels but its not under the removable panels. ;) Maybe under the drivers side one where the amp and subwoofer are. :confused:

wonderful avatar howdy

Are you going to replace the XM with Sirus?

Yes.

jerij

I would love to know how that would work out. But what about the Radio? Would have to go with an aftermarket one. Isnt the stock one/6 in dash XM capible only for XM

According to my Sirius rep, they are working on making an adaptor that will work on GM XM-ready radios to convert it over to Sirius.

Directed Electronics is about to release a SIRGM1. It will interface with your GM radio. You will have to unhook the XM and replace it with the Sirius model. Per Crutchfield today, release date NOW is back to February.

jerij

Wow sounds good to me. I guess once you test it out and work out the kinks then I would do it since you allready started the project. Would the attenna in back of the car have to be replaced?

Different results with the antenna per XMFANRadio.com. I'll just have to look at the connections and see if the antenna interface will be "useable" and how the reception is.
Supposedly there is some differences with the frequencies, whatever, but some folks have posted on X that they were able to use the XM antenna during their switchover.

jerij

Sirius told me the same thing but they couldn't or wouldn't give me an ETA of the GM adapter. Did the person you spoke with tell you when we can expect it?

I used to be an XM customer and their content sucked. I'm so much happier with Sirius, especially their First Wave and Alternative Nation channels. In regards to Howard, love him or hate him, he's the best thing to happen to Sirius. Took Sirius from 600,000 subscribers at the time of his big announcement to 3.3 million subscribers by his first day on the air. I got lucky and made a small mint when I bought Sirius stock at $2 and change per share just before his announcement. Try and find anything Sirius at your local electronics shop and you'll have a hard time. If XM stock is at $28 a share with 6M subscribers, what do you think will happen to Sirius stock when they surpass that mark?

Another member talked about him making 500M on the Sirius deal but that money goes to all costs related to putting on his show (including everyone's salary) over the next five years and not directly in his pocket. He got his paycheck when he and his agent got 34M shares after bringing in almost 3 million subscribers. Do the math and you'll see they will make that 500 million his first year alone. And don't think for a minute that XM didn't try landing Howard.

I definitely agree about First Wave. Haven't found anything on XM to match it for content.

The latest I've heard about the SIRGM1 is "February". Not sure what the problem has been. It was slated originally for Nov-Dec but didn't make it.

Not a really big Stern fan, though. Sirius does, though, carry a lot of the NFL and NCAAB games, much to my liking.

BTW, I heard the XM tuner is in the "trunk" "hatch" area. Guess I could follow the antenna....

jerij

I definitely agree about First Wave. Haven't found anything on XM to match it for content.

The latest I've heard about the SIRGM1 is "February". Not sure what the problem has been. It was slated originally for Nov-Dec but didn't make it.

Not a really big Stern fan, though. Sirius does, though, carry a lot of the NFL and NCAAB games, much to my liking.

BTW, I heard the XM tuner is in the "trunk" "hatch" area. Guess I could follow the antenna....

jerij


I'll make sure I ask my Sirius Rep. next time he comes in. Just came into the shop yesterday too :(.

Sirius is notorious for pushing back release dates, though...they were supposed to release a portable unit in October...now it's due out in June 06 lol

it's very widely known that Sirius overpayed for Stern and now basically have only one quarter left to really see anything from the Stern "halo effect"...as most people will move on to something new in free radio and the "die hards" will have already bought their radios....also XM is a whole generation ahead of Sirius in terms of their chipsets and their products...

-wC

Of all the people I know who actually had the opportunity to choose between Sirius and XM, I only know one person who chose XM, because he had to have Major League Baseball. I know dozens more who picked Sirius. Once more car manufacturers offer Sirius as an option (especially GM), XM will become the Betamax of satellite radio. :D

it's very widely known that Sirius overpayed for Stern and now basically have only one quarter left to really see anything from the Stern "halo effect"...as most people will move on to something new in free radio and the "die hards" will have already bought their radios....also XM is a whole generation ahead of Sirius in terms of their chipsets and their products...

-wC

Doubt it. Millions of people didn't subscribe to listen to Howard for a week, to then cancel their subscriptions.

There's a reason why we haven't been able to stock ANY Sirius receivers over the past 2 months...while our XM supply is overflowing, and collecting dust...;)

XM may have 'more advanced' technology as you implied...but who's going to distribute it? Delphi- who filed Chapter 11 recently? Audiovox- who has horrible QC issues?

At least Sirius has Directed distributing their equipment :)

Doubt it. Millions of people didn't subscribe to listen to Howard for a week, to then cancel their subscriptions.

There's a reason why we haven't been able to stock ANY Sirius receivers over the past 2 months...while our XM supply is overflowing, and collecting dust...;)

XM may have 'more advanced' technology as you implied...but who's going to distribute it? Delphi- who filed Chapter 11 recently? Audiovox- who has horrible QC issues?

At least Sirius has Directed distributing their equipment :)


um I think you misunderstood me...what I meant is that all these adds will be realatively short term as in whatever adds they've had will likely be all that will result from stern moving there as in people who really want to hear stern will have already bought and activated by now...those that havent will just move on to something else(nobody in entertainment is worth paying a half billion dollars to, sorry it just doesnt add up mathematically)

and on a recent trip to Best Buy there were tons of sirius units sitting there while the Roady had a giant half empty floor display...Delphi(btw might wanna do a little research into what chapter 11 is as it's not OMG we're closing but rather a we need help restructuring) is focusing on the OEM side of equipment and not really any Consumer based stuff, btw the Delphi(roady, skyfi, and myfi) units are some of the best rated units out there for XM...Audiovox is universal crap but your arguement is not valid as they make units for Sirius and XM....

XM at CES recently announced XM 5.1, 3 portable units that save content and act as an mp3 player which interface with Napster(the two manufacturers of those units? Pioneer and Samsung), and a unit which is basically like a SIM card(a chip the size of a postage stamp that will let you switch devices on the fly and only have one subscription) and that they have over 6 million subscribers...

looking over Sirius' PR page...at CES they announced the playboy channel(something XM had years ago(not really all that great)) and the fact that they have 3.3 million subscribers...

manufacturers in sirius' corner include such "heavyweights" as XACT, JVC, and Jensen...

vs.

XM with Pioneer, Tao, Delphi, and Samsung...

the math is out there man look at it...they've overpayed for their content...

-wC

Well once we can convert the XM to Sirus i'm all up for it. Currently i'm happy with the stock look

um I think you misunderstood me...what I meant is that all these adds will be realatively short term as in whatever adds they've had will likely be all that will result from stern moving there as in people who really want to hear stern will have already bought and activated by now...those that havent will just move on to something else(nobody in entertainment is worth paying a half billion dollars to, sorry it just doesnt add up mathematically)

and on a recent trip to Best Buy there were tons of sirius units sitting there while the Roady had a giant half empty floor display...Delphi(btw might wanna do a little research into what chapter 11 is as it's not OMG we're closing but rather a we need help restructuring) is focusing on the OEM side of equipment and not really any Consumer based stuff, btw the Delphi(roady, skyfi, and myfi) units are some of the best rated units out there for XM...Audiovox is universal crap but your arguement is not valid as they make units for Sirius and XM....

XM at CES recently announced XM 5.1, 3 portable units that save content and act as an mp3 player which interface with Napster(the two manufacturers of those units? Pioneer and Samsung), and a unit which is basically like a SIM card(a chip the size of a postage stamp that will let you switch devices on the fly and only have one subscription) and that they have over 6 million subscribers...

looking over Sirius' PR page...at CES they announced the playboy channel(something XM had years ago(not really all that great)) and the fact that they have 3.3 million subscribers...

manufacturers in sirius' corner include such "heavyweights" as XACT, JVC, and Jensen...

vs.

XM with Pioneer, Tao, Delphi, and Samsung...

the math is out there man look at it...they've overpayed for their content...

-wC

Pioneer distributes for Sirius as well :)

Funny...my ex-co-worker who is now working at Best Buy told us the same thing we've been telling everyone else...they've not had a Sirius unit in stock for over a month. The Sportster and Starmate have not been in stock anywhere we have inquired.

The Roady 2 has been sitting on our shelves for months. We have over 7,000 in our warehouse, none of which are moving. We got a call from the Regional XM Rep. and he asked if we can bundle them free with radio's because they aren't moving at all.

XM can come out with 5.1 for the 10-20% of users that have a compatable system...their content is still going to be inferior to Sirius'.

P.S.- I know what Chapter 11 is. Would you want your national product to be distributed through a company filing Chapter 11? I wouldn't....that's for sure.

...clipped...

P.S.- I know what Chapter 11 is. Would you want your national product to be distributed through a company filing Chapter 11? I wouldn't....that's for sure.

Had to laugh at this one, since GM's primary distribution contract for new autos is with Allied Automotive Group, part of Allied Holdings (they manage rail loading / unloading and operate the truck carriers), which is also in Chapter 11.

Maybe that explains why my new HHR is now 1-1/2 weeks overdue at the dealer.

Here is a twist. I fly for a living and have an iPod playing nonstop up front with me. Since buying the "MidLife Adjustment" I am intrigued by the XM. It is nice, but to have it Stuck in a vehicle that will have my rear in it for maybe 10 hours a month is hard for me to justify the subscription. But if I had a removable/portable unit I could take it with me on trips and use it at home it would be very worthwhile.

Has anyone had experience using a removable setup? Can the built in antenae be used?

I used an XM Roady for the last 4 months before installing my head unit and it works great...the stock antenna can't be used you'll get a small one about the size of a postage stamp and about a half inch thick just wired it in through the door and plugged the roady in through the aux in

-wC

I would like to switch to Sirius-not just because I have owned stock in them since they were called CD radio. They were actually the first satellite radio company, but they had a problem launching their satellite so XM beat them out.

I am disappointed in the rock music on XM. There is basically only 1 station, and one hard rock station. All the other stuff is new wave, etc. And the 60's station plays the same songs, most of which I dont remember from the 60's.

Does Sirius have better rock??? Nice classic stuff???

one rock station are you kidding me? try 14 of them..

http://www.xmradio.com/programming/neighborhood.jsp?hood=rock



-wC

XM is not bad but I feel Sirius blows them away, there are about 3 classic rock radio stations, some heavy and alternative stations, and Hair nation and first wave which plays great stuff from my highschool and college days in the 80s. I do like boneyard and music lab on xm though.

I think most of XM is alternative music. I like Top Tracks and Bone Yard. The other stuff is not my style. I will check out Big Tracks. But I prefer classic Heavy Metal and classic rock.

I also like XM's comedy stations, but I believe Sirius has that also.

I've been a Sirius subscriber since it hit the market. Was dissapointed that I couldn't get it in the HHR. I have the XM/Onstar premium system, but I'm hating XM :thumbsdow . So any ideas on when I will be able to convert this to Sirius? We were in circuit city today and they were clueless about a conversion (no shocker there). I figured there has to be a way. I'll livewith the XM for the 3 months because it's free. Sirius is suspending my account until I get a new unit.

And YES, First Wave! Love it! :thumb:

So I should consider upgrading the factory speakers? Are they 6.5's all around?

You will need the SIR-GM1, which currently isn't out yet. Supposedly by Fathers day. It's a direct replacement for the XM brain.

Thanks for the inifo- I'll keep my eye out for it.

So I should consider upgrading the factory speakers? Are they 6.5's all around?

Yes and yes. :D

Is there a receiver for the XM radio and did we ever find where it was hiding, or is it part of the Factory radio? Thought this was what the thread was about.:confused:

the reciever is located in the right side cargo wall over the fender well
as per my gm computer

all you should buy is the panasonic sirrus kit comes with the reciever , the docking kit to mount the reciever , the antenna, and remote
part number for the kit is

sirstrc1

the panasonic kit is plug and play no reprogramming needed 2 second job to instsall even a monkey could do it lol

all you should buy is the panasonic sirrus kit comes with the reciever , the docking kit to mount the reciever , the antenna, and remote
part number for the kit is

sirstrc1

So what your saying is... since the GM Stock radio is a Panasonic, we should only need to purchase the Sirius Panasonic reciever? SIRPAN1

I've been searching for the SIRGM1 and it's still not available. - Soon though (I even found the installation guide for the GM1). I just don't want to mess up the stock system and OnStar.

I just talked to Car Toys a local retailer today. They told me the SIR-GM1 should be here around June 24. He told me not to count on that date because they are usally three weeks behind. There chain will have about 250 units come in and more are scheduled for July 11th. I can't wait to get SIRIUS in my HHR.

Remove the right rear trim panel around the RIGHT SIDE CARGO WINDOW. The XM unit and the Onstar (?) unit are housed there. They are 2 seperate units attached to a metal framework mounting piece. The Onstar(?) unit has the AM/FM antenna hookup and the blue Onstar antenna hookup. The XM unit has the green antenna hookup.

I removed this panel this past weekend and spliced my Sirius Stamate's antenna into the XM unit. I connected it all together so the XM still works on the stock radio should I decide to sell the vehicle or activate it myself.

I have good terrestrial reception but am not as pleased with my satellite reception. I'm only getting 3 bars out of 8 and sometimes it drops out around hills, etc. Terrestrial, no problem. I was surprised though that in Memphis this weekend I couldn't find a repeater, like I have here in Nashville.

jerij

I wish my area had a Terrestial. Seems like only the big cities like San Diego, L.A. have them over here. But I get a good satellite signal. Only on some bridges do I lose my signal...

Ng

I removed this panel this past weekend and spliced my Sirius Stamate's antenna into the XM unit. I connected it all together so the XM still works on the stock radio should I decide to sell the vehicle or activate it myself.

jerij


Is it possible that the splicing is causing the bad reception? Do you try the unit before you spliced into the XM antenna?

Also, does anyone know if the new Sirius GM units that are coming out this month will require splicing or re-wiring of the XM antenna or can we use the XM antenna? I apologize in advance if this has already been asked :smile:

Is it possible that the splicing is causing the bad reception? Do you try the unit before you spliced into the XM antenna?

I believe I'm not able to get as good a connection as I need to carry the signal properly. As per other thread, I've ordered the SMB connectors to properly hook the antenna up correctly. UPS lost the package over the weekend and I didn't get to install them. It'll be a couple of weeks now before I'll have time to complete the project.

jerij

While we are on the topic, does anyone have any advice or suggestions where to mount my XM Roady2? I have it mounted next to the front cupholders, underneath the e-brake, which works fine EXCEPT WHEN THE E-BRAKE ISNT BEING USED (i.e. 99% of the time) :lol:

Did I mention I installed it when the e-brake was up? :roll:

While we are on the topic, does anyone have any advice or suggestions where to mount my XM Roady2? I have it mounted next to the front cupholders, underneath the e-brake, which works fine EXCEPT WHEN THE E-BRAKE ISNT BEING USED (i.e. 99% of the time) :lol:

Did I mention I installed it when the e-brake was up? :roll:

Not sure how big the Roady is, but there is room right next to the shifter...
http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR019.jpg
Ng

Not sure how big the Roady is, but there is room right next to the shifter...
http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/2/HHR019.jpg
Ng


I see you have a Sirius S-50. I, too, have an S-50. We shall somday do battle, to test the limits of our kung-fu... :D

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/5056/cimg1767small0st.jpg


Okay, weird caffiene-related rant over, now to the mounting locations. NG's location is great, and I've found no problems with a "soft-mount" directly adjacent to the head unit. Either way, running your wires will be quite simple, and easy to hide.

I see you have a Sirius S-50. I, too, have an S-50. We shall somday do battle, to test the limits of our kung-fu... :D

How people can function without an S-50 is beyond me :cool:
You know what they say...Once you go S-50, you never go back :D

Ng

I got the Sirius brain and replaced the XM. It's in stock at onlinecarstereo.com and I had it next day. It was a pain to get to but it is behind rear right panel cover in the cargo compartment. I took some pics and will post them later. I was able to remove the XM brain without having to remove the seat belt so it can be done in case anyone is wondering.

Here is the problem that I hope someone can help me with. Once you remove the XM brain, the head unit no longer recognizes the satellite. I panicked and thought I did something wrong and tried hooking up the XM unit but that wasn't recognized by the head unit either. It just goes from am to fm to am to fm when you press the band button and all the XM presets turned into AM stations. I didn't notice at first because it sounded like the same crappy programming that XM has :lol:

I'm going to surf the net and check the owner's manual but if no luck, I'll call GM in the morning. I'll post an answer to my own question if I find anything.

I got the Sirius brain and replaced the XM. It's in stock at onlinecarstereo.com and I had it next day. It was a pain to get to but it is behind rear right panel cover in the cargo compartment. I took some pics and will post them later. I was able to remove the XM brain without having to remove the seat belt so it can be done in case anyone is wondering.


Hmmm....
Did you get a chance to look at this before you started?

http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2595

As far as the GM unit no longer recognizing the XM unit once it was replaced, I have no idea.

jerij

I hadn't seen that. Saves me from having to post my pics. It still would have been a pain for me since I didn't have the correct torx tool to remove the seat belt.

As I write this, my car's at the dealer. I had to take it in because my front cigarette lighter adapter went out and the service techs are kind enough to try and figure it out. I'm sure they know exactly what needs to be done but since I replaced the XM unit, they can't tell people how it's done.

I spent most of the day today calling around trying to find someone that knew anything. The unit is so new, no one knows what I'm talking about, including Sirius. They don't even know who manufactures the SIR-GM1 for them. Someone at a car stereo installation store did say it sounds like the head unit just needs to be "initialized" for satellite radio since it is a satellite-ready head unit. Of course they want me to bring it in so I can pay them to push the right buttons to do the re-initialization if that's even the case.

If the service techs at the dealership fix it, I'll try and get out of them what they did and spread the word.

-NEW TO XM-

I am a bit confused.

I have the mid-level six speaker stereo system.

What do I need to add to make it receive XM radio? Since it did not come factory installed?

It is stated to be 'XM READY'?

--David

I hadn't seen that. Saves me from having to post my pics. It still would have been a pain for me since I didn't have the correct torx tool to remove the seat belt.

As I write this, my car's at the dealer. I had to take it in because my front cigarette lighter adapter went out and the service techs are kind enough to try and figure it out. I'm sure they know exactly what needs to be done but since I replaced the XM unit, they can't tell people how it's done.

I spent most of the day today calling around trying to find someone that knew anything. The unit is so new, no one knows what I'm talking about, including Sirius. They don't even know who manufactures the SIR-GM1 for them. Someone at a car stereo installation store did say it sounds like the head unit just needs to be "initialized" for satellite radio since it is a satellite-ready head unit. Of course they want me to bring it in so I can pay them to push the right buttons to do the re-initialization if that's even the case.

If the service techs at the dealership fix it, I'll try and get out of them what they did and spread the word.


I didn't have the right size Torx either, but was able to get a matching hex to fit and work and not strip. Be careful!

About the SIRGM1, I can't believe its available! That thing has been on "delay" for what seems like forever. I've even abandoned waiting for them and went ahead and sorta "hardwired" part of my Sirius Starmate Replay into the car plus I got a half off deal with XM for a year, so now I have both in the car.

But, by all means, let us know how to re-initialize the GM headunit if you can find out. It will probably require a special computer interface from GM, but then again, maybe not.

jerij

Alright everyone. I give up. The service techs at the dealership don't know how to do it either and wanted to charge me for tearing my car apart trying figure it out. They said since it's an aftermarket part, it's not covered under the warranty. Knowing that I'll get a survey for the service, and that's what they depend on to get paid, they agreed not to charge me.

I called my local Al and Ed's Autosound to ask them about having them install it and they said they would run into the same problem. When they install something like that, they then refer them back to the dealer because only GM knows how to re-initialize the head units.

I don't see Sirius selling a unit that no one knows how to install and get working. There's got to be some other answers out there.

-NEW TO XM-

I am a bit confused.

I have the mid-level six speaker stereo system.

What do I need to add to make it receive XM radio? Since it did not come factory installed?

It is stated to be 'XM READY'?

--David
I don't know anything about XM Radio, so perhaps their FAQ page might provide you with some answers. It deals with the term XM Ready and how to activate. The link to their FAQ page is HERE (http://www.xmradio.com/faq/index.jsp). :thumb:

U2_Fan,
What Sirius unit were you trying to install?

jerij

U2_Fan,
What Sirius unit were you trying to install?

jerij


I'm trying to install the SIR-GM1. As I said, I've pretty much given up. It's installed but with no way to get the stock head unit to recognize it has satellite. I was thinking about putting the XM unit back in, take it to the dealer and tell them that the XM isn't working anymore, forcing them to get the head unit to recognize satellite again. Once they get the XM going again, I was thinking about disconnecting the battery, installing the SIR-GM1 and hopefully when I reconnect the battery, the head unit will be none the wiser that I've disconnected the XM causing it to stop recognising the head unit. Any thoughts on this method?

I'm just really frusterated since this model was designed specifically for GM's but GM nor Sirius is willing to assist in getting the thing to work.

I just found out today that the SIR-GM1 does not work in the HHR,Colbalt or New Pontiac's. It's a different harness system GM has put out in the newer cars. I'm bummed and so was the dealer he was looking for some sales. The SIR-GM1 works on 99% of the new GM car And trucks. Direct Electronics manufactures the unit and didn't know when they would have one that works.

Now I will have to put my after market unit in. Plus after buying all the new harnesses I need, it will at least double the cost.

This is one problem that sucks when you buy a brand new car.

Well, that DOES suck! After waiting all this time for that da*n SIRGM1 unit and to find out it doesn't work in the HHR. I'd be pissed too.

There is always the possibilty that PIE or Soundgate may come out with something eventually that will improve/fix the interface.

Like I said previously, I had given up on getting the SIRGM1 due to delays and went ahead with a Starmate Replay unit. I'm very pleased with the unit but there's nothing like an integrated system that something like a functional SIRGM1 would provide.

jerij

I just found out today that the SIR-GM1 does not work in the HHR,Colbalt or New Pontiac's. It's a different harness system GM has put out in the newer cars. I'm bummed and so was the dealer he was looking for some sales. The SIR-GM1 works on 99% of the new GM car And trucks. Direct Electronics manufactures the unit and didn't know when they would have one that works.

Now I will have to put my after market unit in. Plus after buying all the new harnesses I need, it will at least double the cost.

This is one problem that sucks when you buy a brand new car.

That is perhaps the worst news I've heard. Would anyone like to buy a brand new, NEVER USED SIR-GM1 :-)

XM still sucks. I guess I'll finally hardwire my Starmate then.

I just found out today that the SIR-GM1 does not work in the HHR,Colbalt or New Pontiac's. It's a different harness system GM has put out in the newer cars. I'm bummed and so was the dealer he was looking for some sales. The SIR-GM1 works on 99% of the new GM car And trucks. Direct Electronics manufactures the unit and didn't know when they would have one that works.

Now I will have to put my after market unit in. Plus after buying all the new harnesses I need, it will at least double the cost.

This is one problem that sucks when you buy a brand new car.
I found the compatability sheet (http://www.sirius.com/pdf/manuals/SIR-GM1_Compatibility_Chart.pdf) on the Sirius website and the Chevy HHR is NOT listed!:( What a bummer!!!! :barf:

Lay the glove box open by pushing in the tabs, presto there it is, MIke

Lay the glove box open by pushing in the tabs, presto there it is, MIke


Huh??

jerij

My HHR does not have the xm but can be added were can I get it for my car