FM radio reception

See if your channels stream on the internet.

    "I’ll try a powered antenna,"

You'll also amplify noise. 

You didn't mention whether the Sirius is working properly. If so and the issue is just FM the unit may be in need of servicing. I state this because I own an MR88 and it's currently in for service at Audio Classics for a bad connector. I have an outdoor combination Sirius/FM antenna which ideal for the MR88. It's an AFXSM-6 obtained through Satellite Radio Superstore. If you shoot me a contact at flairhead78@yahoo I'll share pics. -Scott

Scott, 

I don’t use Sirius but this unit has very little hours on it. I don’t suspect it has any type of electrical issue. Some stations come in just fine, but most do not. I am rooghly 30/50 miles from the stations I’m trying to pick up. I have other FM receivers, and for the most part, they don’t pick up the signals all that well either.  

sladetroityer 

I am rooghly 30/50 miles from the stations I’m trying to pick up ...

You are definitely in the fringe reception area at 50 miles out. FM reception is basically limited to "line-of-sight," which is dictated in part by the curvature of the earth. But what broadcasters call HAAT (antenna Height Above Average Terrain) is also major factor so - depending on the radio station’s facilities - these stations may well be receivable in your location. Your odds of good reception improve if you can increase gain by using a directional antenna and increase its height.

As for so-called "HD radio," consider that in the US, it’s limited to just a tenth of the power of the analog signal. (There may be some slight exceptions to this, but it’s generally accurate.) So the contour of the HD reception area is much smaller than for the analog signal.