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I also had one on my wife's car and it does the same thing. I thought I had a defective part but I replaced it and had the same result. After purchasing this, I decided to upgrade my stereo to a unit that had an auxilary input which solved the problem. This is an improvement over the weak signal that is broadcast out of the sattelite radio to be received by your FM radio. After the easy installation of this device, the signal will not fade in and out anymore but there is a static sound that is very noticeable mainly on talk radio stations.
Note that I say "adapters" (plural) because, if you DO have a non-standard antenna input, you will need 2 adapters: 1 to mate the Audivox plug to your non-standard car stereo antenna input, and another to mate the antenna wire that used to plug into your car stereo but now needs to plug into the Audiovox adapter. On your XM radio, you will still have to select a specific FM channel for reception of XM music, but you won't get any static even if you select a strong local FM channel. My car, which has a Blaupunkt radio, required "Volkswagen style" adapters. The FM channel is only blocked out when the XM radio is turned on.
If you are installing an XM radio in your car and thinking about utilizing the XM radio's ability to broadcast music to a specific channel on your car stereo - FORGET ABOUT IT. The Audiovox unit goes between your car stereo and the end of your existing antenna wire. All these do is change the shape of the plugs that connect to the car radio and antenna. Just assume you will NOT be doing it that way, and buy one of these instead.
Check to see if your car stereo has a non-standard antenna input that will require inexpensive adapters. So, you will need a standard-to-nonstandard adapter + a nonstandard-to-standard adapter. This unit doesn't require any external power hookup, won't require you to string thin fragile wires from the front of your car to the back, is fairly small and easy to install, and sends wonderful, static-free sound to your car stereo. And, if you turn your XM radio off, you will be able listen to the FM channel normally.
For example, in my car I had to remove my console mounted cup holder, gear shift trim panel, console trim, and finally the radio. The XMFM1 adapter works as advertised. Unless you are adept at removing your radio and possibly some of the associated instrument panels and some of the center console (if applicable), it IS a "professional" installation job.
My GM product had a motorola connection for the antenna which is smaller than the standard "OEM" type; the size on this unit. It works by transmitting a signal on the FM frequency at an unused location.
If you want to listen to something other than XM turning off or unplugging the XM receiver restores your radio to preinstalled functionality. I haven't travelled far enough out of my area to determine if it will be necessary to change the channel much but in my 50 mile area I haven't had to touch it and am quite pleased with it.
Although the package is quick to point out "professional installation recommended" It is really an easy install as compared to the typical antenna for XM. The sound quality with this unit is excellent.
So unless you have an auxillary connection to your radio, this is the best way to get XM into your audio system. The "need to knows" include how to remove your radio(you have to get behind it), the wiring diagram for your car's radio so you can tap into power and ground and the type of antenna connection your vehicle has.
This required the purchase of some adapters which can be found rather inexpensively on eBay but unless you don't mine putting things back while you wait get all of your parts together before you begin.
Couldn't ask for anything else. Right price, right service, fast speed and good product.
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