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Syrius radio unit from previous owner

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by glwood6, Jan 31, 2010.

  1. Jan 31, 2010 at 1:53 PM
    #1
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Albuquerque, NM
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    This unit was in the truck when I bought it two weeks ago...does anyone have one of these? I can get it to go on, but not sure how to operate it. There were no instructions, or owner's manual in the glove box, so I am clueless.

    I know you have to have a subscription to pick up any satellite broadcasts, but I am curious as to how it is supposed to work with the factory radio...

    I would actually like to trade this unit for an aftermarket AM/FM/CD stereo that would work in my friend's 95 Corolla. Their CD stereo got ripped off the other night, and I need an inexpensive replacement unit to put in before they get back in town...

    Oops...forgot the photos...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It is mounted in the A/C vent to the right of the steering wheel, and blocks the vent...there is an external round antenna mounted just above the windshield on the cab roof.
     
  2. Jan 31, 2010 at 2:26 PM
    #2
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.
    that radio works one of two ways. it can transmit a FM frequency to the radio over the airwaves. you just have to set the transmit FM channel in sync with the radio. OR...the op installed a FM antenna adaptor. this adaptor plugs in "in-line" at the antenna cable, and "trumps" whatever radio channel you are playing..and will play whatever is broadcasting off the sirius unit.

    i have never seen that unit. older ones transmit great to FM, but the FCC called foul a few years ago, and figured the transmit signal was too powerful, and made the new units pretty much worthless without the antenna adaptor.
     
  3. Jan 31, 2010 at 2:30 PM
    #3
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!

    Is there a display on the Sirius unit that shows what FM channel it is broadcasting to, if that is the setup?
     
  4. Jan 31, 2010 at 2:33 PM
    #4
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.
    mash that big ol button in the middle of the four arrow things. i think that puts you to channel select.

    keep in mind, if you live where there are radio stations crammed in between 87 to 107, you are SOL.
     
  5. Jan 31, 2010 at 2:34 PM
    #5
    dman597

    dman597 Well-Known Member

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    With that setup it looks like it is connected to the head unit.It may opperate as a cd changer or sat
     
  6. Jan 31, 2010 at 2:59 PM
    #6
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It seems to be the type that broadcasts to an FM station. When I push the 'menu' button on the Sirius unit, it says 'FM Preset 1 - 88.1' , and seems to override the FM radio at that point if the unit is on. Could not find how to change that setting, though. There is no local FM station on 88.1, so that would be ok, if I decide to get a sat. radio subscription.
     
  7. Jan 31, 2010 at 3:00 PM
    #7
    doodle_cakes

    doodle_cakes Well-Known Member

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    I have the same unit, I think its called the sportster something or other. There should be a manual online for it. Just play around with the buttons and it won't take long to be able to navigate through it; there's only a few buttons after all.
     
  8. Jan 31, 2010 at 3:12 PM
    #8
    Rocketball

    Rocketball If The World Didn't Suck, We'd All Fall Off

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    Yep, it's a Sportster 5. I have the same one and it's nice unit. They currently retail for about $170.

    You should contact Sirius customer support to see if this unit can be used. There a unit number on the back that they will need to know, so have the unit handy when you call.

    Many times people leave hardware behind because their account is delinquant and the service is turned off by the provider.

    My son is going thru this issue with a Directv HD DVR he bought from someone. Directv will not reacivate the DVR because the previous owner owes them money.
     
  9. Jan 31, 2010 at 4:26 PM
    #9
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you both.

    Do you have it mounted the same way? I'm not real big on it blocking the A/C vent, would like to know how it removes, and would like to see what other mounting options there are.
     
  10. Jan 31, 2010 at 5:26 PM
    #10
    OH-MAN

    OH-MAN Well-Known Member

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  11. Jan 31, 2010 at 6:33 PM
    #11
    news8000

    news8000 Active Member

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    I have a Sirius receiver that I got with a car kit that suction mounts just above my dash. The antenna sits on the front of my dash with no signal problems (I had it snaked outside before but it inevitably succumbed to our nasty Manitoba winters - wire snapped - had to replace). The cig lighter adapter is a minor PITA with the cable exposed on the dash.
    I used to use the FM on the stereo to pick up the sat but found the sound quality pretty bad. Passing vehicles with sat radio would mess up my signal momentarily too. I found a IPod/MP3 adapter with stereo mini input that is designed for the Tacoma stock stereo, and you just switch to CD changer to pick it up. MUCH better sounding than the FM. I got the Metra iPod to 05' - 06' Toyota Adapter for about $45. It's also handy if someone wants to plug in their ipod or mp3 player into the truck stereo....

    Neil
     
  12. Jan 31, 2010 at 7:32 PM
    #12
    BUZZ5

    BUZZ5 Well-Known Member

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    This is mine, it works great. I am connected to the FM2 @ 89.5 I think is the station. If you don't have a subscription all you will pick up is the promotional channel.
    DSC02472_2eb15b198a870464430fe471baf50275ad16088e.jpg
     
  13. Jan 31, 2010 at 9:12 PM
    #13
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Which one is the promotional station, just so I can hear what this thing sounds like?
     
  14. Jan 31, 2010 at 10:21 PM
    #14
    BUZZ5

    BUZZ5 Well-Known Member

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    Try channel 1 & if that's not it push the down arrow once. If you still don't get anything you either don't have an antenna connected or you're tuned to the wrong FM channel. Last resort; take it to a Best Buy or a stereo shop to see how it is wired up.
     
  15. Feb 1, 2010 at 10:10 AM
    #15
    Rocketball

    Rocketball If The World Didn't Suck, We'd All Fall Off

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    No, mine is mounted with a bracket made for the second gen Tacoma. It does not block anything. I got it from Crutchfield.
     
  16. Feb 1, 2010 at 2:36 PM
    #16
    jimker55

    jimker55 Well-Known Member

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    I am not sure if you have this figured out yet, but by the looks of it you should be receiving at least the promotional channel which should default as the channel if there is no service. if you always see the message "aquiring signal" then the antenna isn't hooked up.
    I have mine set up through an FM modulator which used 88.5 and its hard wired into the stereo.
    I think you should activate it, it worth it.

    I also ran a Ipod connection to the center console using the same connection as the Sirius.

    DSC09085.jpg
    DSC09086.jpg
     
  17. Feb 2, 2010 at 1:14 PM
    #17
    Rocketball

    Rocketball If The World Didn't Suck, We'd All Fall Off

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    Not neccessarily so.

    Low signal strength will cause the "aquiring signal" message. If there is no antenna, you should get a meesage that reads "no antenna detected". I know this because my micro magnetic antenna just crapped out on me a few weeks ago, and I got the "no antenna detected" message.
     
  18. Feb 4, 2010 at 10:59 PM
    #18
    glwood6

    glwood6 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Latest update:

    After reading through the online manual, I tried it out, and the thing works fine! I don't know how long the subscription is for the previous owner had, but I guess I'll use it until it runs out, then see about re-activating then...I do want to remount it somewhere else, though, that thing sitting where it is screams 'STEAL ME!!'
     
  19. Feb 5, 2010 at 6:08 AM
    #19
    OH-MAN

    OH-MAN Well-Known Member

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    The sportster will lift straight up off the mount so you can take it out of the truck when you are not using it.

    The vent mount is kind of flimsy so be carefull when you pull up on the unit.
    Hold the base to steady it and protect the vent from breaking when you remove the unit from the base.

    I am sure if you contact sirius and give them the S/N on the sportster they can set up an account and let you know how long till it runs out.
    They may have some decent new member packages to offer .
    Good luck.
    I really like the varity and music selections they offer compared to the canned local radio crap we have to choose from around Phx. area.
     

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