Installation was very easy. I did it myself, and my antenna is on top of my roof near the front. The antenna cord is about 24 feet long, so there is plenty of extra cord if you are in a sedan like me. I ran my cord right under the weatherstripping on the front windsheild as was suggested at cruchfield.com, then through the door and around the door jam. The kit also includes one of those little tubes that you can fit around your cords, as you will have three: antenna, power and the cassette. All cords plug into the base.

I used the air vent base installation instructions (the kit also comes with dashboard mount and a swivel mount, but both can damage your car when you’re ready to remove the mounts). The only thing is that I wish it were a little more steady from side to side when I am pushing the buttons. It takes some playing around with to get just right.

The receiver itself has been pretty easy to use. I definitely recommend actually reading the instructions on how to use all of the different buttons. There are 30 memory buttons available. There is also a neat feature that will alert you to when your favorite artist or song is playing, and the alert will allow you to go straight to that channel if you so desire.

One downside is that only the buttons have a backlight. The labels above them do not have these lights. So, until I get to remember exactly where the “jump,” “memory” and “menu” buttons are, it’s going to be to difficult to use them in the dark.

There is also a 30 minute record/replay function on this receiver. However, anything you save is erased when the unit is turned off. The XM service has been phenomenal, and better than I expected. The one caveat of signal quality is how you get the signal from your XM receiver to play over your car stereo. If you use a direct line-in like i do, your signal will always be perfect. If you use the FM modulator (set your car radio to 88.5 FM and the XM receiver to broadcast on that channel) you’re in for a crapshoot. In downtown Chicago, there is so much interference that FM modulators for anything, satellite radio, iPods, anything–will not work. In fact, when most people complain that the XM or Sirius signal is lost, the receiver doesn’t lose the signal; the car radio can’t pick up the FM modulation signal. So if you can only use the FM modulator to get the signal from the XM receiver into your car radio, I would tell you to pass on getting satellite radio if you live in a dense metro area (NY, LA, Boston, Chicago, etc). Otherwise, I fully endorse this product, it is outstanding.
Product Features

* Large display shows channel number, channel name, artist name, song title, and channel category
* Plug-and-play connectivity works great with home kit, car kit, and boombox options
* Catch missed programs with the 30-minute pause and replay feature
* Delivers more than 150 high-quality, XM satellite radio stations
* Measures 4.7 x 2.9 x 1.3 inches (W x H x D)

Technical Details

* Model number: SA1016211B1
* Tuner type: XM satellite radio tuner
* Tuner memory: 30
* FM modulator: Built-in
* FM modulator frequency: 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9, 106.7, 106.9, 107.1, 107.3, 107.5, 107.7, 107.9 MHz
* Display: 5-line display
* Input/output (cradle): SMB input, 3.5-millimeter stereo mini jack, DC-in
* Power supply: Cigarette lighter power adapter
* Antenna type: Roof-mount antenna
* Cable length (antenna): 22.75 feet
* Cable length (cassette audio adapter): 44 feet
* Cable length (cigarette lighter adapter): 38 feet
* Remote control: Yes, IR
* Power supply (remote control): 2 x AAA batteries
* Dimensions (receiver): 4.65 x 2.91 x 1.26 inches / 118 x 74 x 32 millimeters (WxHxD)
* Dimensions (remote control): 1.58 x 4.65 x 0.87 inches / 40 x 118 x 22 millimeters (WxHxD)
* Dimensions (cradle): 4.8 x 3.7 x 1.6 inches (WxHxD)
* Dimenions (antenna): 1.4 x 1.7 x 0.5 inches (WxHxD)
* Weight (receiver): 5.2 ounces / 147 grams
* Weight (remote control): 1.60 ounces / 45 grams
* Warranty: 1 year
* In the Box: SA10101 XM satellite radio receiver, remote control, SA10102 vehicle kit (car cradle, antenna, mounting bracket, power adapter, cassette adapter)

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