Entertainment while boondocking, specifically radio.

[Staying Put]

I was wondering if anyone uses satellite radio while out in the boonies or shortwave radio which would be interesting as well?

 

[highdesertranger]

I have thought about satellite but have never had the mad money to go for it.  so I use an am/fm, shortwave.  the internet really hit the shortwave stations hard.  not as many as there used to be.  however the radio also receives am/fm and does this quite well.  keeps me entertained.  around sunset am comes in real strong.  another plus is it's a real energy miser.  highdesertranger

 

[Staying Put]

I'd imagine there would be some good bounce from distant AM stations at night.&nbsp; I remember that from when I was a kid in the early 60s before FM took off.&nbsp; I'd want to use the radio more for talk and information rather than music.&nbsp; By "talk and information" I mean the type you'd get from NPR.<br><br>When I bought my car new 6 years ago it came with a satellite radio and 3 free months.&nbsp; I never paid for it because although there were lots of stations, actually too many for me to keep track of, not many had much I wanted to listen to and I have 3 local NPR stations to choose from.&nbsp; One of them has a "chapter a day" program that would be great to listen to out in the boonies.&nbsp; I've never gotten too old to enjoy listening to a book read to me like when I was in grade school.

 

[kycat1]

I have had a lifetime subscription to XM for years. Also have a shortwave/am/fm radio. Both have their place. AM for local news and weather. XM for, well, as i enjoy Jazz, i can tune into Watercolors 24 hours a day if i want. Also i enjoy Bluegrass, there it is. Anytime. As i luv my Kentucky Wildcat's basketball, EVERY game is there. Ever have one of those nights ya just cannot sleep? That's when i break out the shortwave. Ranger has a point about the batteries. The AM and shortwave radio's are easy on batteries. XM is a battery eater. BIG TIME. But, IMHO, worth it. If i had to choose just one, 10 times out of 10, XM.<br>Those are my thoughts, probally not for all tho. Good luck

 

[Staying Put]

I didn't realize that XM radio is a battery eater.&nbsp; Does that mean that when I listened in my car that it was sucking more juice than FM or AM?&nbsp; <br><br>I can see how satellite radio would be great if you are a sports fan since they cover nearly every sport and team.&nbsp; Also I can see how it is good at playing niche musical preferences.&nbsp; It's certainly nice to have these available for listening when you're out of Dodge.

 

[kycat1]

When i had bought the XM, (B4 the merge with sirus) i had bought a boombox for when i am outside. Never did notice the drain on the battery in the truck tho. Or van. The boombox i had got runs on 12v/120/or batteries. If ya do go with the XM, look online for a antenna. The mouse type that comes with the radio i ok most of the time. In the long run, a really good antenna will pay for itself.&nbsp; Sort of keep a eye out online at the XM web site, quiet often, one can buy the whole package at a discount.&nbsp; Started to say enchallada, was not sure of the spellin so i did not use it. By the by, if ya live in the Northwest where you get thru Oregon, would have one ya could have for nothing. XM radio only.

 

[TxGypsy]

I also have a lifetime subscription to satellite radio. &nbsp;I expect it to work everywhere. &nbsp;If it worked on the side of a mountain in dense jungle in southern Mexico....it will work anywhere! &nbsp;I'm looking for a new car kit to be installed in my new camper van. &nbsp;<br><br>I don't watch TV, so this is where I get my news. &nbsp;I love talk radio! &nbsp;I enjoy listening to Rock stations when I need to do something like housework and need motivation. &nbsp;One of these days I'll actually go through all the stations and see what all is there.

 

[offroad]

I pay year to year for my XM radio.&nbsp; its worth it to my on long five hour drives.&nbsp; or while out in the boondocks. &nbsp;

 

[yesican]

Does XM radio have talk stations?

 

[kycat1]

Sure do. What ever you want, good, bad, or right down the between.&nbsp; Then there is road kill.... Or, howard what's his name

 

[Ziggy Moon]

Does XM still have the <span id="post_message_1278226902">lifetime subscriptions? How much does it cost?<br></span>

 

[offroad]

Ziggy - no lifetime available.&nbsp; it was linked to the specific radio at the time.&nbsp; suppose you can find someone with a radio and lifetime, and buy the radio from them.&nbsp; good luck on that, as you would need to trust that it is a valid deal.

 

[highdesertranger]

I think npr is available everywhere on any radio.&nbsp; they have&nbsp;very strong stations everywhere.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Staying Put]

Here in Wisconsin I can easily get 3 NPR stations--one locally, one from Minnesota, and one that comes from Madison but broadcasts locally on a different frequency.&nbsp; It makes it easy to dodge their money begging.&nbsp; I've heard that in northern Wisconsin though it is hard to get a listenable signal in places.&nbsp; I don't know what it might be like in other boonies.

 

[Scar]

I'm way too picky about my tunes and can't stand most radio stations, so I say : IPOD.&nbsp;

 

[gypsy97]

Last year I got NPR loud and clear from the UP of Michigan, through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and most of the way across North Dakota.&nbsp; That's the best FM radio I've ever picked up outside a big city.

 

[greybeard23]

I am at the RTR outside Flagstaff and getting at least two NPR stations.&nbsp; Also I am picking up 15 stations on a home made TV antenna that cost less than $3.00 to make.<br><br>But nature has enough things that we can do to entertain ourselves without the madness of society being broadcast in.

 

[gymrat]

On top of Grand Mesa just east of Grand Junction Co the only thing i could pick up was NPR, now i have XM listen to cnbc, cnn, fox all sorts of music.

 

[Guest]

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[VanLifeCrisis]

I rock pandora on my phone all the time.&nbsp; Makes working on the van much more tolerable.