Satellite Radio Companies

The introduction of satellite radio has been one of the biggest innovations in recent FM broadcasting history. This radio signal can be heard at a distances of thirty five thousand kilometers and beyond. That is more that twenty two miles with a clear reception, no static and more than one hundred stations to listen to. The inception of this concept was 1992 when the Federal Communications Commissions gave up the S band on the radio wave spectrum (2.3 GHz) to Digital Audio Radio Service. The companies that were initially given a license to broadcast on this spectrum were XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Currently, there are three satellite radio services broadcasting around the world: XM and Sirius in North America and WorldSpace in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The three satellite radio companies each have a different system for broadcasting their signals. This means that a customer would end up buying specific equipment depending on what company they subscribe to. There are three parts to a satellite radio system: the ground repeaters, the satellites and the radio receivers. The XM satellite radio has satellites that are geographically located above the equator at all times. To combat the issue of obstacles such as hills, bridges and buildings, the XM radio service has a network of repeaters. These are antennas that get the signal from the satellites and transmit it to the subscriber?s radio. The Sirrus radio service is set up a little differently. The satellites are elliptical in structure and they orbit the Earth. Because these satellites are on a higher level, the signal is usually clear and there is no need to have quite as many repeaters.

The satellite radio programmers are able to choose what music or program to fill air time. Many use CD?s or have musicians come in to perform live. This sound is transmitted via a digital format. The signal is encoded by the satellite and then sent to the repeater antennae. The repeater moves it along to the subscriber?s radio which decodes the signal and plays the sound. Satellite radio also utilizes digital compression which is a method of reducing a set amount of information into a bandwidth using complex algorithms. If you are a subscriber, you will have to purchase the correct equipment to get the signal.

The amount of people who subscribe to satellite radio has grown due to the improvements made to the technology. The appeal of the radio station has always been the fact that the radio doesn?t depend on advertising to pay the bills, therefore the programs available are commercial free.

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

What is satellite radio?

What is satellite radio?

Satellite radio is often considered one of the biggest improvements in broadcasting since the introduction of the FM band. Satellite radio is also called subscription radio or pay-radio because it is only available trough subscription to one of the satellite radio providing companies. Satellite radio follows a concept similar to cable television by providing a very wide range of programs which are not available in the traditional FM or AM format for a fee.

Satellite radio uses satellites to deliver radio programs to subscribers. The radio signal is broadcasted from Earth based stations to communicational satellites, which then redirect the signal to satellite radio receivers. The radio signal is broadcasted by communication satellites to a much larger area than traditional terrestrial radio antennas. For example, satellite radio is available al across the continental area of the United States. Satellite radio is available now in most parts of the world trough services provided by companies like WorldSpace (in Europe, Asia and Africa), Sirius and XM Radio (in North America). The radio signal you receive using satellite radio is digital, which means that it is always clear and static-free, which is one of the great advantages of satellite radio. Another great thing about satellite radio is that it is almost completely commercial-free.

To begin listening to satellite radio you will need the actual satellite radio (also known as tuner or receiver), a satellite radio antenna (which is often incorporated in the satellite radio) and a subscription to the service you choose. There are several types of satellite radio from which you can choose. One of them is the dedicated car or home radio, which play trough your car or home stereo. A second option is the plug-and-play radio, which can be used in your car, as well as in your home by paying a single subscription. Your third option is the portable radio, which has rechargeable battery, a built-in antenna and you can listen to it wherever you go using headphones. The radio signals offered by different satellite radio companies are proprietary, which means that you will need different hardware for receiving, decoding and playback, depending on your subscription. Each satellite radio receiver has its own serial number called Radio ID. When you get your subscription, you will also get an activation code for your receiver. Besides the actual radio programs, satellite radio transmits metadata that contains the name of the artist, the title of the song or program, as well as the name of the channel. This makes it easier for you to decide which channel to listen to and which program to choose.

Satellite radio services provide the subscriber with more than 100 programs that vary in content from rock and jazz to rap and classical music. But satellite radio's utility reaches far beyond listening to your favorite music without the interruption of those annoying commercials. Satellite radio also offers exclusive sports programs, cultural and educational shows, news and talk-shows. Some of the celebrities that have moved their shows from free radio to satellite radio include Howard Stern, Opie and Anthony, Bob Edwards and Martha Stewart. Unlike terrestrial radio, satellite radio is not affected by bad weather or even calamities.

At first, many people wondered why they should pay for radio if they can get it free. However, satellite radio attracts more and more people every year due to its great advantages: no commercials, extensive reach, theme programs and exceptional quality of sound.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. Her blogs are at http://free--downloads.blogspot.com and http://air--purifier.blogspot.com

Satellite Radio Antennas Are More Than Useful

What are satellite radio antennas and what are their uses? This is the question that many people ask themselves when they hear about satellite radio antennas. As you read this article you will get an idea on what a satellite radio antenna is. Also you will learn what are their uses, functions and a lot of great pointers on where to buy one, what types are there and how to take care of it.

In order for you to listen and watch your programs you need a satellite radio antenna. This allows the module that you are using to communicate with its home base; the home base includes all of the programs and it allows you to choose what you would like to view. This all sounds like something out of a sci fi movie, but it is not. Your television, radio, even your computer has a satellite radio antenna.

Now that you know what satellite radio antennas are here are some of their main functions and uses. When you turn on your satellite in order for you to watch any of your programs on it the main thing needed is the satellite radio antenna. It allows the base (your PSP) to communicate with the main base of the whole entire system. This gives you the ability to either listen to your music or watch your programs, which ever you may choose.

Many people wonder where they can buy satellite radio antennas. You may buy one in your local hardware store. There is no specific company you should purchase your antenna from because different companies make different types of these mechanisms.

The different types usually go based on the use of the satellite radio antennas. You may be buying it for your car, bike, and stereo system or maybe even just for your house. They all have the same functions and every company that makes them to does their best to suit you and all of your needs.

The best way you can take care of you satellite radio antenna is to keep it out of water, as we all know electricity and water are not what we could call the greatest of friends. Also, these should be kept out of the reach of any young children; if yours is already inside of something you should make sure that it stays in there but if not any young child can swallow it and cause much harm. If this does happen please alert the police department as quickly as you can.

Now that you know what satellite radio antennas are, their functions, where to buy one and how to care for it you are ready to buy your own. Always keep in mind that depending on what size and type of a satellite radio antenna will vary in its price range. If you buy something for cheap it won?t last too long but you did not spend that much money on it, but if you buy something expensive it will last longer even if you did spend that extra hundred dollars on it.

http://satellite-radio-hq.com/
Satellite Radio HQ talks about the history of satellite radio, the equipment you'll need, the satellite radio channels you can receive and much more.

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.

Is A Portable Satellite Radio For You? - Why You Should Consider A Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver

f you have ever been frustrated by too many commercials on the radio or losing a station?s signal as you drive out of range, then a portable Sirius satellite radio may be just what you need. When you have a Sirius satellite radio receiver you can listen to whatever you want wherever you go.

A portable Sirius satellite receiver allows you to select from over 125 channels of music, news, sports and special programming ? all commercial-free. There is a Sirius satellite receiver to meet the needs of everyone, whether you want one for your home, your office, your car, your boat, or your RV. By far the easiest and quickest to install is a Sirius Plug and Play portable satellite radio, such as:

? Starmate? A compact satellite receiver with 30 channel presets, a wireless remote control, a complete car kit, and optional home kit

? Starmate Replay ST2 ? All of the features of the Starmate satellite radio in an ultra-compact design, plus the ability to pause, rewind and replay up to 44 minutes of content; also has an alert function to let you know when a favorite artist or song is playing on another channel

? Sirius Sportster ? A specially designed satellite receiver for the sports enthusiast, with alerts and notifications when your favorite team is playing on Sirius; listen to play by play of games plus the latest scores; optional car kit, portable home kit, and boombox

? Sportster Replay ? all of the features of the Sirius Sportster, plus the ability to pause, rewind and replay up to 44 minutes of content; car kit is included.

What is Satellite Radio?

Satellite radio is the latest advance in technology that lets you listen to your favorite radio station no matter where you go. This is possible thanks to a system of satellites that delivers the signals, rather than traditional land-based transmitters that are limited by geography and power levels. The ease of delivery and large number of available channels means providers such as Sirius can program each channel very specifically to suit listeners? tastes.

What are the Advantages of Sirius Satellite Receivers?

There are many advantages to portable satellite radios, such as:

? Over 125 channels to choose from

? No lost or fading signals when driving long distance

? No commercials

? Specific, special interest programming

? Exclusive specials and programming

? Crystal clear signals

? Wide variety of satellite radio receivers to choose from

What are the Disadvantages of Satellite Radios?

As with anything, there are some disadvantages to portable satellite receivers, such as:

? The need to purchase a special satellite radio receiver

? Some installation required

? Monthly subscription fee

Why Choose a Portable Sirius Satellite Receiver?

Sirius satellite radio offers listeners an amazing array of channels and choices, including music, news, talk, and special interest programming. Sirius is home to exclusive programs and features, including celebrity hosts, live concerts and listener call-in shows. Sirius subscribers can listen online as well, just by logging into Sirius.com, and Sprint PCS customers can listen to a selection of channels on their Vision Multimedia phone.

Julie-Ann Amos is a successful writer for http://www.1st-dish-tv.net, a consumer guide to free Dish Network satellite TV systems. She has contributed numerous articles on portable XM and Sirius satellite radio receivers. Copyright 2006 http://www.1st-Dish-TV.net