I have been told by my Audi dealership that a retrofit for my existing factory radio which will allow a satellite connection is going to be ready in 30 to 45 days from Audi. I have an 04 A8 with a production number after 10,000. Has anyone heard the same thing?

the problem. The problem is the left side of the trunk is already wired for a sat. radio. ..problem is there are 2 antennae cables. The current sat. radios have only 1 antennae cable. Problem? antennae must go on the outside of the car. .. won't work from inside the car...couldn't not imagine the sight of a large, ugly, black antennae stuck to the exterior of my trunk lid. Second problem- the "brain" of the current radios are different as well. That means a FM Modulator would have to be installed under the dash somewhere or the Sat. would have to go through the FM electronics and the sound quality would be no different then the AM or FM radio now. Third problem- where would you place the radio controls on the dash? Now, it could be AOA has come up with a new radio that would eliminate the need for a modulator. And, perhaps they have solved the need for a Sat. radio controller; it should have worked through the MMI. But how are they solving the antennae problem? Would be interested in any further info. you develop on this issue so please post.

I am going to mention this again, in case that you missed my last post on this same topic.

You are certainly correct about the '04 A8L being pre-wired for a satellite converter. Pull off the cover near your NAV CD reader and you'll see the wiring (fiber-optic) and the brackets. It is actually being tested at this point. (I have a VERY reliable source who is doing this and who has seen the shipping boxes for these converters.) These converter modules will mate up with the exitsing wiring in the '04 A8L and will use the pre-existing antenna in the "shark fin".

Mr. Ricco, you are correc t if you are stating that any commercially avialable (right now being made) converters would have a difficult, if not impossible time matching with that pre-wiring. The units from Delphi, Sony, and Pioneer look for a different type of antenna, so you'd need to mount an extra antenna on the car, and yes, you'd need the little tuner module, too. So this is only an issue if you want a satellite converter TODAY.

The converter that Audi will supply, for about $400, will be a plug-in, and even better, you'll use the MMI screen o read stations, and preview music. I even have some info that seems to state the it may be a "user-installable" part, but I can't promise that.

Please be careful, Mr. Ricco, not to break the hearts of those waiting for satellite radio. Be patient, everyone, it is coming, hopefully sooner than later.

P.S.- Even though it is "vaporware" at present, I was able to "pre-order" one of these converter modules from Claire Auto Parts. They actually have a stock number for these converters.

I barely understand AM radio so I may have missed something in your explanation. If I have this right, AOA is coming out with the electronics to integrate the Sat. with the current MMI and the application is simple. That makes sense. But what are they doing with the antennae issue? If one could receive Sat. signal through the prewired and existing roof mod, fine.If not, isn't there still a problem unless I have Leroy hold an old TV antennae out the window?

And... it is under that shark fin, I've been told. (Probably why they made it so big.)

I also understand that there is a cheese compartment under that shark fin, too !!!

L. quarter panel section of trunk consists of 2 cable leads. So, are you saying the new radio only has to use 1 of them?

don't, I can't even begin to imagine the problems that may arise.

And, I don't think that is unusual. The Pioneer XM converter in my daughter's Lexus also has a double antenna input and the trunk mounted Terk satellite antenna that is recommended for that converter has two leads as well.