I just want to let eveyone know that XM Radio works great with the Garmin audio in my SR20.
I have the Delphi portable XM receiver. This unit works with an optional “boom box” or an automotive adapter. I use the automotive adapter. Simply plug the power plug in to the accessory power receptacle (lighter) and then use a 3.5 mm male to male cable to connect the output of the Delphi unit to the Audio 1 input inside the center console.
The Delphi unit is so small (about 3"x4") that it fits nicely into the center console with lots of room to spare.
I really enjoy listening to “Atmospheres” while flying. As you know, the Audio 1 signal is soft muted whenever there is any radio or intercom activity. It’s really great.
Sorry if a post like this has been made in the past.
There has indeed been lots of info on the Delphi install on our Member’s Forum. Click here to view the substantial, illustrated thread on the subject of the XM radio installation. Great ideas for installing the antenna, too.
The audio output of the Delphi unit is fixed. That is, it doesn’t have a volume control. I adjusted the master volume on the Garmin unit for the Pilot until the music was at the listening level I desired. Then, I adjusted the volume on the Radios so that communication volumes were at a comfortable level.
Adjust the master volume for the pilot until the music is at the desired level.
Adjust the volume on each GNS430 until radio communications are at the desired listening level.
Mason: I recall that Gordon Feingold bought a 3.5 mm “headphone volume control” from Radio Shack and plugged it in line between the XM and the audio input jack and then fastened that control (a little thumbwheel) to the left side of the console with some Velcro. That will give you a little more control over the audio system, since the master volume for the pilot also controls the intercom volume. The Radio Shack volume control is cheap and the installation is just Velcro. Gordon posted some pictures of his set up a while ago. You can probably find them with the search button.
Actually, the volume IS adjustable, but as a menu accessed control. The volume is muted somewhat with the Radio Shack control. I used audio matching transformers to achieve the greatest volume, then control the volume with the Delphi menu control
FYI on Delphi antenna mounting. It doesn’t have to go behind the Avidyne, under the panel, with the magnets gouged out. I get full signal coverage on my XM Radio with the antenna inside the aircraft mounted under the rear luggage window, despite the “Don’t Do It” warnings from Delphi.
XM Radio is an absolutely magical component to have in the Cirrus on a long cross country. With Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkaries” at daybreak one can almost scent “the smell of napalm in the morning.” [:)]
Does anyone kow if wxworx has explored migrating to pocketpc? I love their system, but I don’t like the idea of having a laptop on my lap as I fly. I’d like something…mountable. Yes I know a lot of people like the AnywhereWX system…but I am hoping for the best of both worlds hehe.
Does anyone kow if wxworx has explored migrating to pocketpc? I love their system, but I don’t like the idea of having a laptop on my lap as I fly. I’d like something…mountable. Yes I know a lot of people like the AnywhereWX system…but I am hoping for the best of both worlds hehe.
NavAir makes a software package for PocketPCs that uses the WxWorx receiver. It apparently doesn’t support all the features of the full-PC version, but might be worth checking out. I’ve never seen it personally.
I just got of the phone with the people at Navair (www.airgator.com).
He said that this is the first version of their product, and that they are working adding the rest of the wx information that wxworx provides and that we can expect to see that within 1 mo to 6 weeks. Next on his list after that is terrain levels. Currently they are looking for reliable terrain level data vendors so that they can incorporate it.
They also had one other feature I liked…they offer a bluetooth GPS receiver. One less cord is good news, barring any reliability issues.
They will be at the AOPA convention in PA (Oct 30 to Nov 1st). By then I hope they will be able to demo a full wxworx port. If so, that is the way that I will go.
FYI on Delphi antenna mounting. It doesn’t have to go behind the Avidyne, under the panel, with the magnets gouged out.
Jeffrey,
Indeed it does not. Some prefer it under the glareshield, (I found that to be an easy and clean installation); others prefer it in the back. Whatever floats your boat!
You can easily toss it on the glareshield either to get started or if you don’t want to “install” it, but if you do REMOVE THE MAGNET by peeling off the foil-like stuff on the bottom… You don’t want the very powerful magnet inside the antenna to be anywhere near your magnetic compass (or the steel bracketry under the glareshield, that conceivably could become magnitized).