There is no real reason to buy a home kit at a price that is equal to the cost of the radio itself. (The full price, not the penny you paid for it. ) Here is what you can do:

Attach the dash mount to the car dock to stabilize it. The dock with the attached radio tends to fall over with out it.

You can buy a MP3 player stereo adapter cable at a dollar store to connect your Sirius radio to your stereo or amplified speaker system. The cable has a 1/8 inch stereo plug on one end and two RCA plugs on the other end. The satellite radio also drives a set of earbuds just fine. You can buy a set of earbuds with an inline volume control or use the audio level setting in the radios menu to adjust the volume.

The radio uses a power adapter with a rating of 5 volts at 1.5 amps. You can buy a wall wart AC adapter with a built in cigarette lighter socket that outputs 12 VDC and use the car adapter provided with the radio. I had a spare 5 volt adapter from a Tao/Delphi XmToGo home kit. That adapter has the correct voltage, polarity, and plug size that works fine with the Sirius Stratus 4.

The car antenna that is provided with the Stratus 4 will also work fine for home use. My antenna is attached outside on a piece of steel just outside my window. Be sure it has a full view of the sky. You can use any other antenna that is designed for XM or Sirius Radio if it has a coax plug.

As an existing customer I didn't think I could talk out of the activation fee by saying I want to try Sirius, so I just did this:

1. Login online to my account and apply the gift card -- immediately show balance on account
   
2. Call Sirius and ask for operator/agent (after entering your phone number to retrieve account)
   
3. Ask to activate radio for month to month
   
4. Get charged $15 + partial month based on $6.95 a month (was $19 in my case)
   
5. Leave about $11 or so left for another couple of months free (especially given the $4 FatCash)
   

So for free I got equipment, three months service and activation (as my second Sirius radio) with no contract. After three months I can always cancel and keep all the equipment as backup for my primary radio (antenna, dock and DC power cable are universal for all the new radios)

Activated it over the phone. The CS was super helpful. Got a Free month. No Activation fee and on Month to Month for 12.95

Going to go ahead and order a few more. These will make great gifts. Just need to remember to activate them before giving them and let the folks know I got them however many months for part of the gift!

Barb

Got mine set up over the phone. He would not waive the activation fee, but did credit $10 back to my account. So only $5 for activiation. Not too bad. I did not feel like pushing for more because he was very nice and helpful.

When I called to activate mine the CSR asked me if I wanted to prepay for 2 years. I told her "No i justed wanted to try it out for now and do the no activation fee, first month free deal that I was promised" (said it pretty much just like that). She didn't even questions me or ask me to clarify. She just said ok. Told me I was prepaid for 3 1/2 months of service (1st month free, no activation, 12.95 per month and $7 for the half month I guess) with my $30 dollar gift card and that I would have to call to cancel if I didn't want my credit card charged after my 3 1/2 months. NICE!!! So I got FREE RADIO, 3 1/2 Months of service all for 1 penny!!!!!

Thanks OP, pulled the trigger. Free Shipping still works as did the CashBack trick. Maybe I'll get lucky on the activation fee, but if not, no biggie.

IN FOR MY SECOND - WIFE WANTED ONE

THANKS AGAIN OP

abarger said:I just bought 2 more. I will activate them for 1 month each the cancel and then have 2 more base station setups for my RV & house!

but they won't work unless they are currently active when you go to use them - right ?

ahhhhh - I see pick up an extra dock / antennae and power cord for $0.01 (or +3.99 if fat cash works)

hmmmm... good idea, gonna have to get another one to do the same

mushmouth said:Wow,fast shipping.Great radio for the price.
How can I get a second radio sent to the same address?.My wife wants one now too.
Has anyone had a second radio sent to the same address after the 1 per house?.Just ordered a second one last night. First one shipped on 5/1. We shall see. If not, I will mail one to my work address.