Satellite radio is the deal.

We may be the only dual XM and Sirius household in America, but given the state of crud on “free” radio, it was the only way to go.

A couple years ago the only thing that would retro-fit into my wife’s Saab was a Sirius deal — which is absolutely required in order to do battle with 485 traffic. (Thank you very much, NC DOT.)

And in December, the ridiculously competent and functional Honda Pilot which replaced a seven year-old Ford [Breaking] Windstar came with factory XM.

I cannot remember the last time I’ve listened to local FM radio. But Sirius and XM are not the same. I find Sirius to have much more personality and more surprising playlists than the more predictable XM fare.

Oh, and at home, we spring for a