Date:         Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:56:46 -0800
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Radio Rap...friday
Comments: To: WetWesties <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 First, to add to a recent thread about radios and wiring them in:  My Sony
unit, when wired into my vehicle battery...it would take the battery down
in about 5 days from a full charge/excellent battery.  A standard new NAPA
battery would simply not start the van after that time, without it being
run in the interim.   I added a toggle switch to kill the power to the
radio when it's not in use and all is good now.  I run another identical
coach (Aux) battery that runs my other camping and charging stuff...that is
wired through a big canister relay, and I also switched that relay so I can
totally  isolate the batteries when I  want.  I use a simple solar panel
with a lighter plug...no diodes...to keep my aux battery charged.  This
system works just fine for me.

  Now second:  Sirius Radio:  it's almost unusable, there are so many
commercials now.   I don't recall it being this way last winter, but now I
would estimate the actual content, the 'programming' counts for less than
about 20% of the air time...the rest is ads and promotions...It is a joke,
and the joke is on those of us who paid to subscribe to 'better than over
the air' programming.  Ha Ha!

 In order to listen to it without being driven mad by stupid ads, you must
sit with the remote in your hand and pause then fast forward through all
the ads, then you get about 25 seconds of what you are trying to
hear....then ads again.   The music channels are tolerable, but most have
limited play lists and repeat often.  Fox news?  Dunno about that one.

  So if you think you might pass some time listening to the Satellite radio
while driving or perhaps as you have your morning coffee.....I, for one,
have found that it's hardly worth turning it on anymore.....

  One of the good things about "Radio" is the premise that you can listen
to it while doing something else...Not so, Sirius....unless you enjoy
hearing about buying gold or backing up you data base, over and over, maybe
180 times per hour!  Ugg.  a thumbs down on Sirius now.