TSS-Radio Blog

If you are in the market for a new plug and play satellite radio, there are a few options to choose from. The real question you have to ask yourself is, “What additional functions do I want from my satellite radio?” There are several different radios that have many different functions to use that will help you enjoy your satellite radio more. Since no two radios are alike, though some do share the same functions, it is important to know what the radio is capable of doing so you can fully experience the power of your satellite radio. Here is a brief break-down of the newest 5 series radios out now and their functions.

For the heavy satellite radio listener that has to have all the bells and whistles, the Sportster 5 is ideal for you! With it’s full color customizable screen, personalized sports tracker, 30 presets and replay functions, it is the high end of all of the satellite radios. The Sportster 5’s sports tracker is a unique feature that will constantly scan the channels and will alert you when a team or car (NASCAR) you stored in memory is playing a game or running a race, or when there is a score update for a team. This feature is unique only to the Sportster radios and cannot be found on any other radio.

Now, for the moderate satellite radio user the Starmate 5 is an ideal route to go. Much like the Sportster 5 it also has 30 presets, S-Seek alerts for your favorite artists and replay functions. The Sirius replay function is highly sought after in satellite radios because it allows you to pause, rewind, and replay up to 44 minutes of content. Also, the Starmate 5 is the only radio that supports the new A La Carte programming package from Sirius.

And finally, for the easy going no fuss, no thrills user the Stratus 5 is a simple an easy route to go. The Stratus 5 only has 10 presets and even though a remote does not come with the kit, it does have the capability of being operated by a remote (T030R). Even though it is a simple no thrills radio it is still capable of receiving the full Sirius programming and can even be subscribed to the best of XM.

It is important to note that all of the 5 series plug and play radios come with a car kit.

Shopping for  new radio can sometimes be difficult, but hopefully this simple outline of the 5 series plug and play radios will give you an idea of what to look for and expect in a radio. if you have any questions concerning any of these radios or compatibility, please feel free to contact us.

TSS-Radio is now carrying a variety of iPhone and iPod accessories

iPods and iPhones are growing in popularity, this is undeniable. Since SIRIUSXM has announced the SIRIUSXM App for the iPhone we have been looking into several docking stations, cases and accessories for the iPhone and iPod, to keep out Satellite Radio fans equipped. We got stuck on a few products that we think are designed with such great quality and practicality that we are excited to bring these products to you.

Adding new products here at TSS-Radio is not an easy task.  We check each item thoroughly before approving for sale on our website and make sure the product page is as complete and thorough to include any information you may need about the item. When new products arrive we get very excited about them. We like to have new items and evolve as a business to meet the communitites needs. With the SIRIUSXM app now released we feel like these products beloe will help out not just iPhone/iPod users, but also iPhone/iPod users who love SIRIUSXM.

Griffin Streamline Sport Armband for iPhone 3G- This case for the iPhone 3G is the ultimate workout partner. With its one-piece design and integral screen cover, the Streamline protects your iPhone from scratches and dust. You also get unhindered access to touchscreen, ports and controls. The Streamline provides protection and safety, with a washable, adjustable band to fit any arm and a breathable, comfortable fit.

Speck iPhone 3G PixelSkin Case-Black-PixelSkin’s lightweight, form-fit helps protect your iPhone from bumps and scrapes, while the textured tile pattern provides a comfortable, tactile sensation in your hand and a no-slip grip. The case offers openings to all ports, controls and sensors for convenient accessibility. Works with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS only.

iPod Car Charger-Powers and charges your iPod in your vehicle with this iPower cigarette lighter power adapter. For all iPod models:iPod Classic, iPod Touch, iPhone and iPhone 3G.

Belkin Headphone Adapter for iPhone-The Belkin Headphone Adapter for iPhone allows you to connect any headset with a 3.5mm plug to your iPhone. Simply attach one end of the Adapter into the recessed audio jack of your iPhone, and the other into your existing headset.

3.5-POD iPod dock to 3.5 mm plug-The 3.5-POD will plug into any female 3.5mm auxiliary input jack of an OEM or aftermarket radio to play the audio from your iPod (dock connector) through the audio system while maintaining digital sound quality. Compatible iPods: G3, G4, Mini, Nano, Photo & Video NOTE:This item will not charge your iPod.

We also carry a variety of iPhone/iPod Vehicle Adapters including:

We have many more adapters to work with your vehicle, CLICK HERE to see our wide selection of iPod/iPhone Adapters

Also another exciting item we carry is the Grace Wireless Internet Radio with iPod Dock

Grace Wireless Internet Radio with iPod Dock- features two 3″ speakers, Pandora, Sirius Internet Radio, iPod Dock, input jack for your MP3 player. Over 15,00 internet radio stations of music, talk radio, podcast, personal in any room, without wires.

Features:

• iPod Dock
• Sign into Reciva.com to create and download a “My Stuff” folder to your radio allowing for easy access to all your favorite stations.
• Select stations by region, country, station, or by over 50 musical generes.
• Wirelessly stream your music library from your PC or MAC.
• No PC required.
• Up to 5 alarms can be set at a time.

We also have another tabletop docking station:

SIRIUS Soloist Universal Sound System-This multi-functional media dock from Directed Electronics features the most versatile, amplified dock with a patented NXT stereo sound panel. It can handle any Universal Plug and Play SIRIUS radio and All 30-pin iPod Models via simple interchangeable cradles. The Soloist delivers 20 watts of clear, dynamic sound from simply plugging in your SIRIUS Satellite Radio or iPod. The Soloist will allow you to enjoy your favorite SIRIUS programming or iPod in your home or office.

Sirius Satellite Radio has a variety of accessories that you can choose from to supplement your Plug and Play Receiver. One of those accessories is a Sirius Satellite Radio Plug and Play Boombox. These boomboxes are designed to dock your receiver and provide the ability to listen to your Sirius Receiver via the boombox’s built in speakers. Sirius Boomboxes have the ability to be powered in several different ways. The most popular way to power a Sirius boombox is the Boombox AC Adapter. This adapter is designed to plug into any standard home power outlet and connect to your boombox’s DC 12V power port in the back of the boombox. All new Sirius boomboxes come with a Home AC Adapter from the factory in the box.

Another popular way to power a Sirius boombox is via batteries. In most cases 8-D Cell batteries provide power to the boombox and plays your Sirius Receiver for a set amount of time. This does have its own obvious flaws, as the batteries can only last for a certain amount of time.

The last way to power your Sirius boombox is with the Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter. This adapter is essential for anyone who would like to use a Sirius Boombox in a vehicle. This adapter plugs right into the cigarette lighter of a vehicle and connects right to the DC12V power port on the back of the boombox.

The other key element to the Sirius boombox power adapter is that they can be damaged just like any other type of power adapter. These adapters must be replaced if they show signs of excessive wear, fraying or splintering. When a power cable is damaged and not replaced, there is a high risk of damaged to either the Sirius boombox or the Sirius receiver. When replacing these receivers be sure to shop from a trusted source and be sure that you can see a compatibility chart of some sort, that includes your boombox. If you do not see a compatiblity chart that references your boombox, when buying a Sirius boombox power adapter, you run the risk of either buying an incorrect part or damaging your Sirius boombox or Sirius receiver. “Universal” power adapters sold at many stores do not allow for proper connection or proper voltage to flow to the Sirius boombox, which could cause damage. When shopping for Sirius Boombox adapter be sure that you check for a compatiblity chart and confirm that you see your boombox listed.

Below is a compatiblity chart that includes many Sirius boomboxes. This is designed as a guide for you, to help find the proper adapter for your needs:

Boombox Model	Home AC Adapter	Cigarette Lighter Adapter
SIRIUS Universal Boombox SUBX2	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
SIRIUS Universal Boombox SUBX1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Stiletto 10/100 Boombox SLBB1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Stiletto Universal Boombox SLBB2	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Stiletto 10/100 Executive System SLEX1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Stiletto Universal Executive System SLEX2	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
SIRIUS S50 Executive System S50-EX1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 3A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter

For Older Style Boomboxes

Boombox Model	Home AC Adapter	Cigarette Lighter Adapter
SIRIUS Sportster SPB1 Boombox	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Streamer Replay Boombox STRB1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Starmate Replay Boomcube STB2	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Xact Portable Boombox XS025	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Audiovox Boombox SIR-BB1	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Audiovox Boombox SIR-BB3	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Xact Boombox XS075	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Xact Boombox XS097	SIRIUS Boombox AC Adapter 2.5A	Boombox Cigarette Lighter Adapter

Other Power Adapters:

SRH-550 Home AC Power Adapter

Soloist Home AC Power Adapter

If you have questions on which power adapter to use, feel free to give us a call 773-772-4340 or Email Josh

Hey guys! Check out this week’s podcast detailing events such as Taylor’s trip to the all star game, updated sirius news,a review of the Grace Wireless internet radio with Ipod dock and an interview with our own Josh about his trip to Showtime Audio in Chicago!

http://www.tss-radio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/tss-radio-podcast-709.mp3

Download the File Here

If you are like me you look at Google Maps more than a few times per month. It’s useful for various reasons like just getting around or piecing what neighborhood something is in.

Lately I found a website called Virtual Globetrotting and they have a plethora of images taken from Satellite Views or Google Street Views. It’s interesting to see landmarks or perhaps TV Filming locations or a business headquarters like these Companies – Headquarters. This site was the inspiration of a side project here at TSS-Radio. We wanted to paint our 6000 square foot roof with our logo. That way the next time Google Maps did a satellite shot our logo would appear.

It was easier said than done. Harper spearheaded the measurements and the direction of the project, and with Tish, Josh and Jimmy’s help formed the outline of our logo using masking tape on the roof. Matt, Taylor, Jimmy, and Josh all spent time priming and painting the logo. It took about 3 coats of paint and we are all proud of the accomplishment and the final product. So if you ever happen to fly above us on a commercial plane just keep an eye out for the giant TSS-Radio logo.

Taylor

With all the national news about the Sears Towers name change to Willis Tower I thought I’d take the opportunity to visit the re-named Skyscraper.

The new Willis Tower is conveniently located between TSS-Radio and the Downtown Post Office where much of our USPS Priority Mail goes. It’s a building I pass driving daily. The new Willis Tower has glass encasements on the 103rd floor observation deck. These were made to bring new attention to the Willis Tower and to lure new visitors in. They seem to be working since the Willis Tower was featured on the Yahoo homepage multiple times in the last couple of months. I happened to go to Willis Tower the day the building changed it’s name from the Sears Tower to Willis Tower. I was amazed to not find anything in the building that still said “Sears Tower.” Because I was there on that historic day the lines to get up and down were quite long. In all it took more than an hour and 15 minutes to get up to the 103rd floor. It cost about $15. If you wanted a fast pass and get up asap you could pay $30. At least in the line they have informative information about North Americas Tallest Skyscraper. That makes it bearable. But if you are impatient and claustrophobic I would suggest the trip at all.

One thing I liked about the updated information and presentation of the Willis Tower is it seemed more honest about where it stood in the Worlds standing. For a long time the Sears Tower fought and fought to hold on to the largest by some category and the new presentation doesn’t boast anything it’s not. In fact it even has a painting of the Burj Dubai next to it on one wall. The Burj Dubai is more than 1000 feet taller than the Willis Tower.

During the elevator ride up there is a Flat Screen TV displaying different world structures based on what floor the elevator was at currently. This was a nice touch made the ride up unique. Once at the 103rd Floor I took my time checking out the Chicago landscape and newly built Chicago Skyscrapers. Since I moved to Chicago nearly 4 years ago there has been 7 buildings over 50 stories tall built here. The skyline has changed quite a bit, especially with the new 96 floor Trump International Hotel & Tower. The 103rd floor was crowded and it’s tough to get in to a window spot to take pictures. There is only one side of the building where the glass enclosures exist which is on the west side of the building. As I approached them I noticed that they had no line or organization to walking in them, which seemed to work out well. In addition there is an employee and computer that will take pics of people inside the glass enclosures and be able to provide those pictures.

I walked out onto the glass enclosure and found the experience scarier than I had expected. I’m not generally scared of heights but natural instinct would tell you that walking onto the glass just isn’t a good idea. I could only walk out halfway. It felt secure but nervewracking at the same time.

I would suggest the trip to the top if you have an interest in it. I went on a busy, historic day and it couldn’t be any busier so the line to get up won’t likely be more than an hour. There is a line to get down as well and that seemed to be around 10 minutes.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and feel free to enjoy Willis Tower the next time you are in Chicago, IL.

Taylor