XM Satellite Radio



             


Friday, February 29, 2008

Satellite Radio - It's Not Your Father's Sputnik

Ever wonder how this whole satellite radio thing works? I mean, it seems to be THE thing now. Many auto manufacturers are installing satellite radio receivers in their new automobiles, and there are home and portable models available through your favorite electronics outlet. But what is it? How does it work? Why should I pay for radio?

You pay for TV, don?t you?

Once, in those long gone days of yore, cable television operators offered us television, which we had happily been receiving for free through big tree-branchy things on our roofs, for a fee. Many people scoffed at the idea of paying for 30 channels when they received four or five, gratis. Well, just look at us now ? cable TV, satellite TV, 500 channels not quite filling us up. So let?s stop asking questions about why you should pay for satellite radio, and let?s find out how the dern thing works.

Well, how does the dern thing work?

Let?s start by looking at the type of radio you are used to. AM radio broadcasts at a frequency range from 535 kilohertz (kHz) to 1700 kilohertz (1.7 MHz). FM broadcasts between 88 MHz to 108 MHz. Without getting too technical, one hertz is basically one cycle per second. So FM radio waves transmitted at 88MHz are cycling 88 million times per second. This seems like a lot, but is actually relatively slow. Slower cycles require larger antennas to transmit and to receive them. Also, radio station antennas are stationary and earthbound, and are therefore limited in range. At higher cycles, smaller antennas suffice. Cell phones range from 824 MHz to 1990 MHz (1.99GHz), depending on the type of service; this is a much faster cycle, and therefore a smaller antenna is used. Satellite radio is broadcast at 2.3 GHz, so your car or portable receiver has no trouble picking up the signal. There have also been great advances in antenna technology, which provide us with a relatively small, flat antenna rather than a dish that would have to be constantly adjusted to point toward the satellite as we drove around town picking up kids from soccer practice.

All them numbers hertz my brain.

Let?s lay megahertz and gigahertz aside for a moment. In addition to those higher frequencies, satellite radio signals come from, you guessed it, satellites. These satellites are in a geosynchronous orbit, which is an orbit that keeps the satellite always above one location on the planet, making it stationary relative to the earth. The satellite receives a digital signal from the ground station and bounces it back to us. Because the signal is digital, it can be compressed and beamed out packed full of additional data (disguised as 0?s and 1?s), and received by any satellite radio receiver tuned to the signal. Satellite radio receivers can pick up the broadcast from anywhere in the coverage area (meaning the whole US) because the satellite is orbiting at about 22,200 miles (35,000 km) above the earth, which allows for a greater dispersion of the signal. It?s analogous to water flowing from a showerhead. An inch from the showerhead, the water is a relatively tight stream. At the other end of the shower, the water sprays all over the wall, and gets on the bathroom floor, causing your wife to yell angrily about the mess. Satellite radio beams work in much the same way. The radio signal is much more widely dispersed 22,000 miles from the satellite that sent the signal.

So with satellite radio, you can listen to the same station as you drive from New York City to Los Angeles, whereas traditional radio has a range of only about 30 to 40 miles. And thanks to repeaters, or signal boosters, placed in urban areas, you can receive generally uninterrupted signals even driving through cities with large buildings and thick bridges.

Hey, that?s kind of cool!

But wait! There?s much, much more! The digital signal can carry much larger packets of data, and satellite radios are equipped with chipsets, or processors, that can decode that data. So satellite radios not only play the music, but also decode and display information containing the song title, album, artist, and genre. Satellite radio owners can also choose from hundreds of stations, which allows for specialization, just like your cable or satellite TV. In the same manner that you can get the HBO Comedy Hits of the Brahman Caste of Nepal Channel, and Tasmanian Worm Wrestling on ESPN 127, you can receive niche music, comedy, news, and sports broadcasts on your satellite radio. Pick your genre: any decade since the 40?s, Rock, Country, Urban, Jazz, Blues, Dance, Latin, World Music (e.g. Chinese, Indian, African), Classical, Kids, and even news, sports, comedy, and talk. You can also tune in to any sub-genre of the above; for example, in the Rock category you can listen to soft, heavy, classic, deep cuts, acoustic, instrumental, and even unsigned acts.

Maybe I should get me one of them there satellite radios?

Now that you know how it works, you can listen for the sheer pleasure of it - without all those nagging technical questions churning in the back of your mind. Go get you one.

Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website Satellite Radio Galaxy, which answers the most common questions people have about Satellite Radio. Please visit us at http://www.satelliteradiogalaxy.com today.

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Satellite Radio: XM Radio or Sirius?

Satellite radio is the hottest trend in radio entertainment for your car, home, and office. The freedom from commercials and static is an exhilarating experience. No longer do you have listen to obnoxious jingles and hot air. No longer are you condemned to choose between dead air and Country & Western when traveling in rural areas.

Commercial-Free, Digital-Quality Sound

All of these problems are solved with satellite radio. And there is nothing else in the radio world that can compete with its digital quality sound. Satellite can provide uninterrupted listening pleasure anywhere in the world.

The only problem is deciding upon which satellite radio provider to choose. The top 2 contenders are Sirius and XM Radio. If you want satellite radio, you are immediately faced with the issue of how to choose between them.

XM Radio, First In The Sky

XM Radio established its presence first, and has a market share of 2 million listeners. XM has had the time to establish an excellent system of 68 commercial-free music channels with an incredible array of music. It also adds 33 channels of news, sports, talk shows, and entertainment to its programming mix. To top it off, XM has revolutionized the satellite radio world by providing 21 channels of up-to-date weather and traffic for most of the major metropolitan areas in the United States.

Sirius, Radio Innovator On Satellite TV

Sirius may be the comparative upstart, but it offers some advantages of its own. New contacts with DISH Network satellite television have given Sirius access to more than 10 million subscribers. It provides more than 120 channels if you add up all of the music, sports, information and entertainment.

For sports, Sirius is hard to beat. It broadcasts live games for professional football and hockey leagues, as well as many other sporting events. Sirius will also be the home of Howard Stern in 2006.

New Technology, New Listening Experience

So, whether you choose XM Radio for experience and staying power, or cast your vote for the innovations of Sirius, there's no reason to wait. Satellite radio is to broadcast radio as the VCR was to television. You can have it all -- without commercials! So what are you waiting for -- pick one.

Visit Sat Radio to learn more. Copyright 2005 Ron King. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Direct Connection - The Only Way for Many to Receive Satellite Radio Programming

Up until now, you may have been a little disappointed; only reading the information on cassette adaptors and FM modulators as possible ways of playing a Satellite radio in your vehicle. You may have wondered how Satellite radio could deliver pure digital bliss to your ears. This page should show you how that is possible!

Cassette adaptors and FM modulators are mainly intended for plug-and-play receivers. However, it is possible to connect these types of receivers, and others, using a direct connection to your vehicle?s stereo. This solely depends on whether your vehicle?s stereo system is capable or not.

As far as sound quality is concerned, a direct, or hardwired connection, is by far the best option to receive Satellite radio programming in your vehicle at close to cd quality.

A direct connection simply means using special cables, or hardwired adaptors, to connect your Satellite radio equipment (whatever device types they may be) to your vehicle?s stereo system.

A direct connection can be made only if the stereo has an auxiliary or AUX audio input. Normally found on the back of the vehicle?s stereo, the AUX input uses standard RCA or 3.5mm mini-jack audio cables for connecting additional audio devices. However, some stereos provide an AUX input on the front panel, making it convenient for playing portable audio devices such as iPods, CD, Minidisc and MP3 players.

If your stereo does not have an AUX input, all is not lost: many vehicle audio systems have a data port designed usually for an optional CD changer. Although not compatible for Satellite radios, this connection can also be used, even if the data port itself is already being utilised. For aftermarket and OEM factory fitted audio systems, a wide range of multi-purpose converters and interface cables are available, allowing Satellite radios and/or selected compatible audio devices to be connected to the vehicle?s current audio system.

The majority of Satellite radios require an RCA Y-adaptor cable (stereo RCA plugs to 3.5mm mini-jack) for a direct connection. Therefore, the most common use for multi-purpose converters and interface cables, is to simply convert the cd changer data port to an AUX input. However, some converters and interface cables supply power and/or audio to Satellite radio tuners that use a proprietary connection.

The Satellite radio is controlled using the cd changer capabilities on the vehicle?s stereo, or, for plug-and-play receivers, on the receiver itself or remote control.

The only possibility of interference using the direct-connect option, will be from ground loops, these are created when audio units of any kind are not properly grounded during installation and pick up noise from the alternator/charging system or engine. Devices such as ground loop isolators and in-line noise filters can be installed to help eliminate unwanted noises.

If sound quality is of the upmost importance to you, superior quality audio cables can be used to resist any corrosion and ensure a clear signal transfer without any electrical interference, which can distort audio signals.

As most of the installation, if not all of it, is carried out behind the vehicle?s dashboard and using specialist parts, it is recommended that a professional undertake the work.

For more information please visit: http://www.the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above link is included in its entirety.

Jonathan Dalton: admin@the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Satellite Radio Antenna - Choosing the Antenna That's Right for You

The Satellite radio antenna is one of three basic hardware components you?ll need to receive those digital audio streams from your favourite Satellite radio service provider.

Although both providers offer similar services and use similar technologies, the associated hardware, including the antenna, is designed to receive either XM or Sirius programming. We have read articles where listeners have interchanged antennas with some success but it is not recommended.

The antenna?s task is to pick up the signals transmitted from the Satellites and terrestrial repeaters scattered about the U.S., with a reliable receive performance. In order to achieve this, the antenna must have an unobstructed view (line-of-sight) of at least one orbiting satellite. In urban areas where buildings and terrain are likely to block the Satellite signal, the antenna picks up the signal broadcast from the terrestrial repeaters instead.

To ensure an uninterrupted Satellite radio service, both Sirius and XM provide recommendations for ideal antenna mounting locations. Furthermore, many home and plug-and-play Satellite radio units offer special antenna aiming screens within their menu options.

With a rapid advancement in Satellite radio antenna technology, XM and Sirius are able to offer their listeners a wide range of antennas, accessories and flexible installation options.

So the question: Which Satellite radio antenna do I need? Although taste can play a small part in choosing the right antenna, the decision largely depends on whether you want to listen to Satellite radio in your vehicle, on your boat, at home or indeed anywhere! One thing you can be sure of is that all Satellite radio antennas available today are neither too cumbersome, nor impose limitations on your vehicle, boat or home?s aesthetics.

For more information please visit: http://www.the-satellite-radio-advisor.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the link above is included in its entirety.

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Why Many People Are Turning To Satellite Radio For Their Music

The two things people love the most about satellite radio are: quality and content. These two things are also the very things that encourage people to go out and buy a satellite radio. So what if it costs $300 for a satellite radio receiver, and another $13 per month for subscriptions. The benefits of satellite radio far out weigh the price!

High Audio Quality

Satellite radio quality is more than just the overall value of the product. It is also how clear, uninterrupted, and flawless the satellite signal is. Satellite radio provides all the radio you could possibly desire without messy static, and having to change the channel during a commute. The high analog-to-digital conversion means that you can listen to the radio without all that creepy hissing, dead air, and other frustrating audio interference.

The digital quality of satellite radio, in technical terms, is 128kb/s 44.1 kHz. For you technologically impaired and non-number minded folks, that means that when you listen to satellite radio it's like listening to a CD, only you don't have to mess with unwrapping it.

Almost Limitless Content

When digital television hit the market, people were scrambling over each other trying to get their hands on it. More of the same for satellite radio, but unlike its visual counterpart, satellite radio is commercial free. That means exactly what it sounds like; no one interrupts your listening pleasure to try and sell you acne cream or hypnosis.

Satellite radio content is more than just local radio stations pawning off what other people think is good music on you. With satellite radio you can listen to what makes you happy, what puts you in a good mood, what suits you as a person. You don't have to listen to Hip Hop, Country, or R&B if all you want to hear is Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Content is also where the two satellite radio companies are fighting for your favor. XM may offer more of what you want to hear than Sirius, and/or vice versa. Before subscribing you should take the time to find out which one would give you more content for your buck.

Satellite radio is playing dirty. Each company is fighting for the exclusive rights to broadcast certain programs and transmissions on their radio systems. Not only are they fighting for programs, but also people!

Satellite radio is making great strides for its customers. The companies know that if you are willing to pay the money for a receiver, and then pay a month subscription fee, they should be willing to give you the absolute best programming they can offer. So why tie yourself down to earthbound radio stations when you can reach for the stars with satellite radio?

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car and truck accessories at www.caraccessoriesetc.com

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Which Satellite Radio Company Should You Choose

XM and Sirius are the two companies in the U.S that offer quality satellite radio service. XM, the forerunner of satellite radio has 2 satellites, Rock and Roll, and has 2 satellite radio studios in Washington D.C. which reaches all of its 3,200,000 subscribers. Sirius Radio, XM's current competitor, has 3 satellites, studios in NY and has 1,100,000 subscribers.

There is no question about it; satellite radio is far superior to the landlocked radio stations. This new generation of radio, with its digital quality and unlimited content, makes AM/FM radio look ancient in comparison. Satellite radio has incredible advantages that regular radio stations can only hope to offer.

Satellite radio is completely commercial free. That means no annoying jingles, no listening interruptions, no stupid voice actors, and no one trying to sell you something you couldn't possibly need. Satellite radio offers you the ability to, not only listen to what you want, (Jazz, Country, Hip Hop, R&B, Classical, Do Wop, Dance, Electronica, Latin, Blues, House, Rock, Alternative, Contemporary, Christian, or Gospel), but you can also listen to it where you want. In your car, your house, your yacht, your tent, and even your bus ride downtown. You can listen to you local weather, traffic alerts, news, sports, and entertainment, or national weather, traffic, news, sports and entertainment. It's like being omnipresent and omniscient at once! Satellite radio is also completely uncensored. That means that you can listen to your favorite comic or rap without having to figure out it behind the bleeps.

The content is the only thing that sets satellite radio apart from its terrestrial buddy; it also has digital, CD quality sound. AM/FM radio cannot offer that without having to put up a transmitter every few miles. Your satellite receiver also has information on songs and artists right on the read out so you can best select what you want to listen to. It's all about your choice! Where, what, when, and how! Do you feel like a god yet?

Both XM and Sirius are amazing satellite radio providers, which one you choose to listen to will be up to you. Since they each offer such great programming, the choice will be difficult. There are 3 different types of receivers, depending on where you want to use it. The plug-and-play tuner is used primarily outdoors as long as the portable boom box can receive the satellite signal. There are also tuners made specifically for cars, and tuners made for use at home.

In the future, XM and Sirius radio will be offering satellite video. Look for this at the end of 2006.

Satellite radio prices start at $70 dollars, with an additional $12.95 per month. Be on the lookout for discounts and lifetime subscription offers.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car parts and accessories at www.caraccessoriesetc.com

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Is The Delphi XM Receiver The Best Satellite Radio On The Market

Become one of the thousands who have embraced the technology of satellite radio with the Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver. The smallest receiver currently obtainable, the Delphi XM Roady enhances the listener's music experience by providing an almost unlimited selection of programming to choose from.

With over 170 digital channels, listeners can check out commercial free music from country to classical and rock to reggae, the latest live concert events, up to date news stories from across the country, commentary on sporting events you can?t catch on television and more. It's easy to install and is compatible with auxiliary accessories including the Roady FM Modulator and a power adapter. Priced at $119.95 and ready for use in either your car or you home with your XM Satellite Radio service, there?s really no other choice for a premier listening experience other than the Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver.

The Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver comes complete with the following capabilities:

Plug and play technology. Use your receiver wherever you want to enjoy your satellite radio?in your car, in your home, or through other audio systems. It's convenient and easy to use wherever you prefer to enjoy various XM programming.

Search functionality. It's a snap to locate specific channels, utilize preset options or file music by category/style. You'll be able to find just what you?re looking for at the push of a button.

Color displays. Choose from red, green, light blue, orange, dark blue, pink and purple to customize your display to your preference. Add a fashionable face plate to your receiver to make it even more unique.

Small size. There's no radio, and antenna, smaller than this one currently available. The Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver's miniature size makes it portable in a way that surpasses all other devices readily accessible on the market.

Home audio available. Tune in to your favorite stations outside of your car with this optional feature. Enjoy listening to your XM favorites from the comfort of your own home if you so desire.

TuneSelect innovation. Save a playlist of your 15 favorite songs for easy listening, along with detailed information about each one.

The complete Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver kit comes with the receiver itself, a micro-antenna, three face plates to decorate your display, a car power and cassette adapter, mounting bracket and an instruction guide. Optional accessories that can be purchased separately include the home kit, Power/FM or FM only modulators that allow for listening on FM frequencies, and a dual RCA cable that makes it possible to listen to your XM radio through your stereo CD player. A great value for a great price. Be apart of the next generation of radio with the Delphi XM Roady Radio Receiver.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car accessories at www.caraccessoriesplus.com

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

How Satellite Radio Works And Why It Is So Popular

Radio broadcasting has grown volumes in the almost 15 years that have passed since the Untied States Federal Communications Commission made the S band (the 2.3 GH frequency) available for Digital Audio Radio Service. With an ability to broadcast with static free, high quality sound over a distance surpassing 20,000 miles, satellite radio is one of the most significant developments in the world of broadcasting since the launch of FM itself. Sirius, XM and WorldSpace, satellite radio companies, have capitalized on this technology and have brought it to the masses on a worldwide scale. But how it does satellite radio really work?

All satellite radio services have three things in common: the actual satellites, the ground repeaters, and the radio receivers. These components are used to broadcast the radio signal a customer hears after subscribing to a service. But each of these service providers (Sirius, XM and WorldSpace) utilizes a unique broadcasting system to deliver sound (radio signals) to the subscriber. For example, Sirius utilizes satellites that orbit the Earth in an oblong pattern. While this may seem irrelevant to the average listener, it's significant because Sirius' model makes it possible for satellites to reach higher in the sky and, thus, lose their signal less often than other providers do. XM, on the other hand, operates geostationary satellites that orbit the Earth in a synchronized pattern consistent with the planet's customary movements. Radio reception is attained and, to make it clearer, XM then uses a network of antennas that re-transmit the signal to avoid interruptions that have been known to occur near tall buildings, bridges or hills.

So know that we know how the radio signal itself is transmitted, when does the music get added to the mix? At the digital broadcast centers, where radio programmers are responsible for picking what song will be played when. These centers maintain music in both digital format and a CD format and often also have studio space where performers can be recorded and their sound transmitted, live. The extremely high quality sound that subscribers hear is made possible by a process called digital compression, a procedure in which algorithms (a set of rules developed to break down a problem, or process, into smaller, simpler steps) are used to squeeze as much sound as possible into the bandwidth available. Satellite radios are the only types of radios sophisticated enough to decode these signals, which is why a subscription is required and why you won't be able to access the same content through your everyday AM/FM dial. The exclusivity, quality of sound, popularity and commercial free features of satellite radio have all been key factors in making it possible for companies to offer satellite service at a reasonable price.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a iPod car accessories at www.caraccessoriesplus.com

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Going On A Long Trip - Satellite Radio Is A Must

If you are thinking of taking a car trip you absolutely must have a satellite radio for your vehicle. With a satellite radio you won't have to spend hours of your trip trying to find a new radio station. Instead, you will be able to keep the same station on during your whole trip.

Both of the major satellite systems offer hundreds of themed stations so if you like listening to sports or listening to kids music you will be able to find the right station for you. Sirius and XM Radio use separate radio frequencies to transmit their music throughout the country. No matter which service you choose you are sure to have uninterrupted music for your whole trip.

One problem that many people are having is that each service provider has specific programs that are only available to their subscribers. One offers baseball coverage while the other offers football coverage. One is more broadcasting based while the other is more programming based. Many customers liked aspects of both services and just could not decide on which one was best for them. For these customers Interoperable Technologies was started.

Interoperable Technologies is a joint venture between Sirius Radio and XM Radio. Their goal is to offer customers a new programming product that will combine all the best features of both services. Customers will have to pay a little bit more than the usual satellite radio price but the higher price is well worth it for individuals who really enjoy having satellite radio in their vehicle.

In their research Interoperable technologies has found many clients that are willing to pay a higher monthly fee to get both services. But customers are also a little leery about if this is every going to actually happen, because right now the whole thing is still in the developmental stage and no combined service is yet available to the general public.

Satellite radio is a great new way of listening to music and enjoying the variety of channels that are available anywhere in the country. You are no longer confined to the local radio channels; instead you can browse music stations based on their themes. By browsing this way you can find the exact type of music to fit any mood you are in.

You don't have to be taking a road trip to enjoy satellite radio stations. Anyone who has a vehicle will find that these radio services are a great way to get the most out of their radios, no matter what kind of trip they are taking. Even driving to the grocery store is more fun with a satellite radio system in your vehicle.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car parts and accessories at www.caraccessoriesplus.com

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

How Satellite Radio Gives You Nearly Limitless Choices

Satellite radio is a great product for anyone who does not like one specific type of music. With satellite radio you can choose from hundreds of stations and never get bored with your options. You can listen to rock, dance, reggae, and jazz. If you are interested in sporting events you will find a variety of different sports covered through the two major satellite radio companies.

If you own a satellite radio you do not have to worry about changing radio stations every couple hundred miles like you would have to do with a regular radio station. With a satellite system you can listen to your favorite music while traveling from one side of the United States all the way over to the other side.

A big plus to using satellite radio is all the extras you get with each song. As you listen you will see song titles and the artist's names scroll across your receiver. This is great for all of us that can never remember the name of a song, even though we have heard it several dozen times.

In the past radio hosts and musicians were censored by the radio stations that played their songs or talk shows. But with satellite radio censorship is no longer an issue. Because the programming is very descriptively separated into categories, only people who want to listen to a station will tune into that station. This provides a great way for individuals that enjoy free thinking talk shows and musicians an uninterrupted way of supporting their favorite stars.

Many people argue that they do not want to pay for music when they can listen to it for free over the regular radio stations. But are our regular radio stations really free? Is wasting 15 minutes of your time listening to commercials really a good way to spend your time. Most of us don't think about all the time we waste on commercials during our daily commute into work. With satellite radio you don't have to be bothered with commercials, instead you can listen to your favorite channel uninterrupted for your entire journey.

Satellite radio does require a minimal monthly fee, but this fee is extremely understandable when you consider all the extras that are included in the satellite radio systems. Subscribers are even going to soon be able to see videos using their satellite systems.

Satellite radio is a vastly expanding business that will only grow in the years to come. You don't have to worry about satellite radio being some kind of fad that is going to go away. Satellite radio is here to stay so you should definitely consider giving it a try.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car accessories at www.caraccessoriesplus.com

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Friday, February 8, 2008

Some Of The Facts You Should Know About Satellite Radio

Here are a few FAQs about everyone's favorite radio service.

Question #1: Can you give us an overview of what satellite radio is? Who provides satellite radio service?

Answer: Satellite radio is a subscription based radio service. It has far more programs and music than the traditional radio does, and it is available internationally by WorldSpace and stateside by Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.

Question #2: Are there any advantages to having satellite radio?

Answer: The genres, styles, and eras of music you can choose from is almost limitless. Getting the programming you want, (weather, traffic, talk radio, news, and entertainment), without the annoyance of commercials. Satellite radio is broadcast into your car, RV, yacht, sauna, or home by use of a digital signal that completely eradicates that entire mind frying static. Once you purchase the equipment and properly install it, you will be supplied with a complete list of programming and channels right on the receiver. Local traffic and weather are available, provided by Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.

Question #3: Are there any disadvantages to having satellite radio?

Answer: If you don't live in the continental United States, you cannot receive the satellite signal. This includes Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. Territories.

Question #4: What do XM and Sirius Radio provide?

Answer: -XM: 150 channels, 2 NASCAR racing channels, Major League Baseball, Professional Golf Association, ACC, Big Ten, and PAC-10 football and basketball coverage. You can have all of this awesome stuff for only $12.95 a month.

-Sirius: 120 Channels, Live National Hockey League, National Football League, National Basketball Association, English Premier League Soccer, and college sports game coverage. You can get all of this great programming for only $12.95 a month.

Question #5: How do I go about installing a satellite radio?

Answer: There are a few things you will need before installing a satellite radio. First of all, you will need an antenna powerful enough to pick up the radio signal and deliver it to your receiver. Secondly, you will need a satellite radio tuner so that you can actually get the signal from the antenna. There are 3 basic types of satellite radio tuners: Plug and play, which can be used on the go in a specially designed boom box, or car, the Universal tuner, which is most commonly used in the car, and then there is the home satellite radio tuner, which hooks directly into the receiver. Thirdly, you will require a satellite radio receiver which allows you to select the channels. Lastly, you absolutely need to purchase a satellite radio subscription from either XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Radio.

Question #6: How do I get the best satellite quality sound in my car?

Answer: In order to get the great sound you deserve from your satellite radio you should do 1 of 3 things:

a.Install an in-dash receiver with a built-in tuner. b.Install a satellite radio ready receiver and connect it to an external satellite radio tuner. c.Install a plug-and-play radio satellite radio tuner by connecting it directly to your vehicle?s stereo auxiliary input.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a iPod car accessories at www.caraccessoriesetc.com

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Thursday, February 7, 2008

What Are The Features Of Satellite Radio?

The best thing about the satellite radio is that you get about seventy channels of music, commercial free. The consumers keep the radio on air not commercials and the range of channels varies from opera to rap, from blues to dance music and much more.

Another great feature of this radio is the absence of static. From East coast to West Coast and all over the US, you will get a clear signal where ever you are.

In addition, if you have just heard a song and you want to know the name of it, simply look at the receiver display. It will tell you the name, the artist, what channel you are listening to, and what program it is.

Satellite radio is completely free from censors. Howard Stern can put a program on air as is, without interference. You can hear music like hip hop without any interruptions.

The radio service provides local weather and traffic conditions. In big cities, there are more detailed forecasts. In addition, if there is a national crisis, unlike regular radio stations that go blank, satellite radio will be able to provide information. You may listen to the radio on your computer.

Most people mistakenly think regular radio is free, but it isn?t. You are forced to listen to sections of annoying commercials in exchange for music. With a satellite radio subscription, of about thirteen dollars, you get a clear reception, you get channels of music you can listen to no matter where you are and you can listen to exactly what you want.

This is perfect for a person who travels throughout the US. You don?t have to worry about static and you don?t have to fiddle around with the radio every time you leave a specific area. Soon XM and Sirrus will provide the same service for Video Channels. Their subscribers would be able to enjoy great quality, a clear reception and commercial and censor free viewing.

Jason Allen is a staff writer at Wireless Times and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Entertainment Digest.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Learn Satellite Radio

Satellite radio is actually composed of two Boeing HS 702 satellites orbiting our atmosphere and aptly named "Rock" and "Roll". One is located at approximately 85 degrees west longitude and the other at 115 degrees west longitude. Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) is about 22,223 miles (35,764 km) above Earth, and is the type of orbit most commonly used for communications satellites. The first satellite to up, "Rock," was placed in orbit on March 18, 2001. "Roll" followed with it's launch on May 8. Satellite radio has a third HS-702 satellite on the ground ready to be launched in case one of the two orbiting satellites break down or fail.

Satellite radio's station on earth transmits a signal to its two GEO Satellites, which bounce signals back down to the ground. The radio receivers are programmed to receive and unscramble the digital data signal, which contains up to 100 channels of digital audio. In addition to the encoded sound, the signal contains additional information about the broadcast. The artist, song title and category of music are all displayed on the radio. In urban areas, where buildings can block out the satellite's signal, broadcasting equipment is supplemented by ground transmitters.

Each receiver contains a unique manufacturer's chipset. Satellite radio began delivering chipsets to its manufacturing partners in late September or early October of 2000. The chipset consists of two custom integrated circuits designed by STMicroelectronics. Satellite has partnered with Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, Delphi Delco, Sony and Motorola to manufacture satellite capable car radios. Each radio receiver uses a tiny, car-phone-sized antenna to receive the digital signal. GM has invested about 100 million dollars in digital satellite radio, and Honda has also created a contract to use these same radios in its cars. General Motors first began installing satellite radio receivers in specific models in late 2000 and early 2001.

For approximately twelve dollars per month, subscribers can listen to crystal clear digital sound. For this small price, music aficionados receive up to 100 channels of music, talk and news. They can also listen online via streaming audio service with over 70 channels. Most of the stations received are commercial-free, with none of the channels having more than seven minutes of ads per hour. Satellite advertisers include USA Today, BBC, CNN/Sports Illustrated and The Weather Channel. The service is clean & clear and more of what the surveyed population asked for. The future of satellite radio is clearly bright.

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    Tuesday, February 5, 2008

    Satellite radio costs

    Everybody has heard about satellites. But how many people heard about satellite radios? Satellite radio is a subscription radio service. It's somehow identical to cable television, with the difference that it provides a wider range of stations not available on a standard AM / FM radio. There are many questions to be answered about satellite radios like "How does satellite radios work?", "What kind of equipment should I purchase?" etc. but in this article I will try to answer a question that first pops up in everybody's mind: "HOW MUCH DOES SATELLITE RADIO COST"? This is a tricky question because the cost of a satellite radio is divided in two: installation (or activation) costs and the monthly subscription fee.

    Activation costs

    Activation costs refers to the amount of money that are to be spent on a XM or Sirius Satellite Radio to start the service. Although you can find many promotions that allows you to save up money, the activation costs vary, being able to make the activation by phone or by World Wide Web. To be more precise, if you activate your satellite by phone, you will pay $15.00 if you choose Sirius Satellite or $14.99 by choosing XM and, as for WWW activation, the cost of goods is somehow lower: $5 with Sirius or $9.99 with XM. As for the monthly subscription costs we will discuss this below, but, before that, I must say that recent media campaigns are dramatically dropping the prices for installation and activation, both on Sirius or XM, in some cases even offering free activation.

    Typical costs for a car dedicated installation

    If you want to install a satellite radio into your car you are to consider buying a new satellite-ready car stereo if you don't have one. Although many local dealers offer built-in car satellite radio, there is still the problem of having a satellite radio receiver. And these, as you may notice, cost money. It is possible though to use the existing car stereo that does not support satellite radio. How? There are two known ways of connecting the receiver to the available non-satellite radio car stereo. First, by using the radio inputs (usually the CD) and installing a control unit for tuning up the satellite radio streams. The second method consists in installing a satellite radio receiver, which broadcasts the satellite radio signal on a FM frequency. The place where you can install the receiver depends: under the seat, in your trunk, etc. taking care of connecting the receiver to the satellite radio antenna mounted on the car's exterior. So, there will be a minimum cost of $350.00 and a maximum of $600, like below:

    Receiver $75 - $125 Radio $125 - $250 Antenna $60.00 Labor $80.00 Activation $10

    Costs for a dedicated home installation

    If you choose this option, that means you will have to install a dedicated stereo receiver unit, which in some cases is similar to regular AM / FM receivers. As an additional cost, you will have to buy an antenna, which can be found at a price of $60. Here is a short review of the approximate price of installing a dedicated stereo receiver unit:

    Receiver $150 - $300 Antenna $60 Activation $10

    Costs for a Portable Unit

    Portable units gives you the ease of using you brand new satellite radio wherever you want, but, in every room you will have to own a home kit (antennas, output cables and power supplies). The price for this option is around $400.

    Receiver $120 Home kit $140 Boombox x2 $100 Activation $10

    Subscription costs

    As for the subscription costs, it depends if you own a Sirius or XM Satellite Radio. Subscription costs for a Sirius Satellite Radio are paid monthly where the charge is $12.95, with a low adjustment is you subscribe to a year or two. The highest number of Sirius radios that can be activated are three for $6.99 each per month. Business subscriptions are $24.99 per month. Another interesting thing is that for $499.99, Sirius is offering a life time subscription. On the other hand, if you have a XM Satellite Radio, you will have to pay a monthly charge of $9.99. Still, some channels are to be paid separately, like Playboy Radio, which costs an additional $2.99 per month. Commercial and Business Subscriptions cost $24.99 per month.

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    Monday, February 4, 2008

    Acura and XM: The First to Offer Complimentary Satellite Radio Program


    Acura together with XM Satellite Radio, a leader in satellite radio satellite with over 7 million subscribers, will be offering a the very first complimentary satellite radio service program for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles.

    "Acura's CPO program will introduce XM Satellite Radio to a new and growing category of customers," said Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM Satellite Radio. "XM's reach will now extend to Acura's pre-owned customers who seek the same high performance standards and quality as they have come to expect with a brand new Acura."

    The complimentary service will be delivered for a period of 3 months. Said complimentary service, which will start this coming fall, will be given on CPO Acura models with factory-installed XM Satellite Radio. These models include Acura RL, TL, TSX and MDX. Aside from that, each CPO Acura will not be responsible to pay the activation fee. All Acura CPO vehicles are also given a certified limited warranty of 12 months/12,000 miles as well as a 7-year/100,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

    "Whether they choose to invest in a new or Acura Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, our customers get an ownership experience that is second to none," said Dan Crowe, Automobile Remarketing Manager for Acura. "With the expansion of XM Satellite Radio to our entire 2007 new model line, it's only fitting that we also offer the nation's leading satellite radio service to our Certified Pre-Owned customers."

    On the other hand, the automaker inspects, certifies and remarkets over 35,000 previously-owned vehicles per year, one-third of which features the standard XM Satellite Radio. According to the automaker said figure will expand over time because XM Satellite Radio will be integrated to other Acura vehicles.

    Aside from Acura, XM Satellite Radio is also a partner of other big names in the automotive world. In fact, its service is also integrated in the vehicles of General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Porsche, Hyundai, Subaru and Suzuki.
    Kenneth McKinley is a 35-year old marketing specialist of voparts.com, a leading Volvo parts dealer in the country today. Working in the car parts industry for a long time now and being a car enthusiast himself gives him a wealth of knowledge on anything automotive.

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    Saturday, February 2, 2008

    Outrageous Stiletto 100 personal portable satellite radio stimulates the fight to break free of terrestrial radio

    What follows in a review of xm and sirius satellite radio blog postings from http://www.jasonciment.com/sirius_satelliteradio_xm/ that have been written mostly about the new Sirius Stiletto 100 portable personal satellite radio just recently launched in Octover 2006. This article covers the history of satellite radios and the evolution of both XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio so that consumers can make more informed decisions.

    The History Of Portable Satellite Radios

    The gestation of Satellite radio goes back to 1992. The history of portable satellite radios is short compared to what is now known as terrestrial radio, but it has rapidly changed the face of what used to be called the world of "transistor" radios. There are 2 premiere satellite radio services, XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and they provide a fantastic variety of channels of private label programming and compete for customers who have not identified themselves that they are candidates for satellite radio.

    With the arrival of Howard Stern and his gang of shock jock cohorts, the momentous increase in popularity has stunned many in the radio industry to the point where they have invented this concept of Free FM to set terrestrial apart from the non-free subscription based satellite radio options. And to further promote this new form of radio listening, manufacturers have worked night and day to invent new, smaller and more easily portable satellite radios. The end result is that industry veterans of the old AM/FM spectrum worry about the future of traditional broadcast radio.

    The History of Satellite Radio

    The history of satellite radio as stated goes back to 1992, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned a portion of the spectrum devoted to nationwide distribution of digital radio service to satellite transmission companies. SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio paid tens of millions of dollars from public funding ventures to obtain licenses awarded to them by the FCC. There were other applicants who didn't make the final cut by the way.

    Despite winning the rare license to broadcast via satellite on this new spectrum, both companies had to overcome the first obstacle to success - which until this most recent release of the long awaited Stiletto 100 Portable Satellite Radio - getting manufacturers to produce consumer-friendly portable satellite radios to receive the signal. Even if they could start delivering satellite radio signals immediately, it was like the tree in the forest - no one could actually hear the signal. Additionally, because terrestrial radio was and still is free all over the world for the most part, the question which had to be addressed was how much if anything would people pay to receive the signal. Would a one time payment for the hardware suffice or could these 2 soon to be behemoths, produce steady cash flow with subscription based models of payment. Essentially what still remains to be answered is if consumers would be willing to pay for new hardware and then pay a monthly subscription fee for radio service or would there be a more efficient and adoptable option.

    Overcoming Obstacles - Satellite Radio Launches

    XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio went crazy marketing their new service in a crossing the chasm sort of way and they set out to transform their licenses into a real business by quickly introducing fairly bulky portable satellite radios and at least some enticing satellite radio programming. To attract new customers they struggled to offer adaptable hardware components that could be used in a variety of locations - home, work, and especially the car, where most radio listening still occurs.

    Working with electronics manufacturers like Sanyo, Panasonic, JVC and Kenwood they started developing new components. The results included portable satellite radios, receivers, and "plug and play" components for nearly every consumer application. Manufacturers built satellite radio receivers for cars, homes, offices, trucks, RVs, boats, and even airplanes.

    On the programming side, XM and SIRUS starting signing wacky distribution deals for lots of millions of dollars all in the aim of putting together an assortment of niche programming channels that would have something to offer consumers with nearly any musical taste. Each station was programmed to appeal to a specific type of listener, and most were commercial-free. We re talking about Elvis, Reggae, Martha Stewart, Howard Stern and more. Programming originated primarily from New York, but also from other locations, plus XM and SIRIUS entered into collaborative agreements that would allow popular musicians, entertainers, personalities and others to perform live from the originating locations.

    Dealing with resistance to a monthly fee, though, required a broader array of marketing, public relations, and strategies to communicate the benefits and advantages of portable satellite radios. XM and SIRIUS knew that the key to their success would lie in convincing consumers of the value they would receive while making the hardware widely available and affordable.

    Sirius Satellite Radio vs XM Satellite Radio

    Since most listening to the radio happens in the car even to this day, the companies got smart and started signing deals with car manufacturers for examples so they could get the device in the front of the end user in the easiest and most direct manner. They collaborated with car and truck manufacturers to make portable satellite radios standard on many high-end luxury vehicles, and an affordable option on most other mid-range vehicles. This trend has now found its way to lower end models since costs have come down and even lower end users want access to this new form of programming. For most of these consumers, the cost of a monthly subscription could now not be prohibitive and by making it easy for them to access their services, XM and SIRIUS could entice consumers to try it out and start spreading the word about its value.

    Portable satellite radios were also placed in boats and RVs, and standard receivers were heavily marketed for use in homes and businesses. The first leap in market penetration came late in 2004 with the introduction of the first handheld version of XM Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio receivers. These devices were designed to appeal to people who wanted access to satellite radio services while running and walking from place to place in locations other than their cars, trucks, homes or offices. Problem is that the Sirius device was not truly a portable device getting a live feed until now with its latest release of the Stiletto 100 portable personal satellite radio.

    Another important component of spreading the word and gaining market traction was establishing partnerships and marketing agreements with electronics retailers such as Circuit City, Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, and other well-known names. Working closely with retailers, XM and SIRIUS have greatly increased their presence with consumers and sales have steadily increased.

    Will Consumers Really Pay for Satellite Radio or is Free FM enough?

    There are a host of reasons to pay for satellite radio. Here are a few benefits you get with a paid monthly subscription to satellite radio:

    More exclusive channel choices (up to 150) Clear, crisp digital signal (when you have a clear line of sight unfortunately) Signal available with no fading when driving long distances (ie. keep the same station throughout the trip) Niche music stations to suit any musical taste (listen to DEVO all day long - ha ha) Commercial-free (kind of) for music channels Live audio streaming of sporting events like NBA, NFL, MLB ... Weather and traffic information for up to date stats Assortment of sports, talk, and news stations (just another way of saying, Howard Stern 24/7)

    What to Expect in Satellite Radio:

    Satellite radio service is still a minor player and mostly it is inevitable that these 2 companies will continue to invent and deliver new technology and even more features. XM Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio will have to devote resources to such innovations if they are to attract enough subscribers to become profitable. I would expect to see smaller devices, with better recording features and larger display screens and eventually long battery life.

    Jason Ciment is a former attorney and CPA who has launched a number of Internet web sites and now runs www.WebCart.net - a longtime provider of web site platforms for content and eCommerce oriented web sites. He owned the original IBM PC and considers himself ahead of the curve when he can afford it and loves helping people "go online" professionally and personally. He frequently writes on Internet related and technology oriented topics such as satellite radio and other new gadgets, affiliate marketing and shopping cart software and content management system platforms.

    Jason Ciment is a former attorney and CPA who has launched web sites and now runs www.WebCart.net - a platform for content and shopping cart eCommerce oriented web sites. He owned the original IBM PC and considers himself ahead of the curve when he can afford it. He writes about satellite radio, shopping cart software and content management system platforms.

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