How to Use a Satellite Radio Car Kit in Your Home

Many of the more affordable satellite radio units from XM and Sirius can be mounted on your car's windshield or dashboard and plugged into the car's lighter. But what happens when you want to jam out at home or listen to the game while doing dishes? You don't to buy a separate satellite radio receiver and subscription just because your car doesn't fit in your living room!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A portable satellite radio designed for automobile use
• A 110-volt AC standard outlet to 12v DC lighter plug converter (available at most Radio Shacks, Wal-Mart or Best Buy)

1. If you plan to use your portable satellite unit both in your car and indoors, find a way to mount the receiver and the satellite antenna in a way that they can be easily removed. I suggest simply putting the receiver on the dashboard and running the antenna cord through the crack in the front door and slapping the magnetic antenna right on your car's hood. Closing your car door shouldn't cut the cord.

2. Find a spot to use your satellite unit indoors that will give you similar easy access to the outdoors, as you'll need to place the antenna somewhere on an overhang, window sill or other location that provides a clear line of site to the sky. I put my unit on a window sill, cut a tiny hole in the screen just big enough for the cord to run through and place the receiver outside on the roof of my patio.

3. When purchasing your standard outlet to lighter plug converter, bring your satellite radio to the store with you. Be sure the radio's power source fits into the converter before heading home.

4. Simply plug the converter into the wall, plug the radio power source into the converter, place the antenna as in step 2 and turn on the radio.

5. Tune your home stereo, boombox or walkman to the pre-selected frequency that your satellite radio is transmitting on and jam!

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to place the stereo or boombox that you use to listen to the satellite radio as close to the radio unit as possible.
• Wireless internet routers and other electronic devices may interfere with your radio's transmission. Try to choose a room far away from those devices.
• Don't place anything flammable on or near your radio unit - they can get very hot!