Why You Should Choose Satellite Radio from Sirius and XM

A satellite radio is a special radio that receives signals broadcast by satellite. This allows the listener to follow a single channel no matter where they are because the signal's reach is not limited by station power and curvature of the Earth. Satellite radio, also called digital radio, offers commercial and distortion free, CD quality music beamed to your car radio or home stereo from space.

We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car radios or home stereos, flipping between stations as we drive to and from work, on errands and around town. But when you travel too far away from the source station, the signal breaks up and fades into static. Most radio signals can only travel about 30 or 40 miles from their source. On long trips passing through different cities, you might have to change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in and out. Obviously, it's not much fun scanning through static trying to find something to listen to.

Imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles away, and then come through on your car radio or home stereo with complete clarity. You could drive from Anchorage, Alaska to Miami, Florida, without ever having to change the radio station! Not only would you ever hear static interfering with your favorite tunes, but the music would be interrupted by no commercials. Welcome to the world of satellite radio....commercial and distortion free listening from coast to coast!

Car manufacturers have installed satellite radio receivers in some of the latest model automobiles, and electronics companies have launched several models of portable satellite radio receivers. Satellite radio is also available for the home for commercial and distortion free listening enjoyment!

What are the two types of satellite radio?

In the United States, there are XM and Sirius.

XM is a service in the United States that provides digital programming directly from two satellites (nicknamed "Rock" and "Roll") in geostationary orbit above the equator, and a network of ground-based repeaters. It is based in Washington, DC.

XM's business model is to provide pay-for-service radio, with commercial-free music channels, analogous to the business model for premium cable television channels. They also provide other data services such as weather information for pilots and weather spotters. In addition, they transmit coded traffic information directly to navigation systems using TMC technology. Their service includes music channels, news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, premium channels, regional traffic and weather channels. The XM signal uses 12.5 MHz of the S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0 MHz. XM's competitor in the U.S. is Sirius.

Sirius is a (DARS) service in the United States that provides streams of music, sports, news and entertainment. The streams are broadcast from three satellites in an elliptical geosynchronous orbit above North America. Sirius is based in New York City. Its business model is to provide pay-for-service radio, free of commercials, analogous to the business model for cable television.

Sirius' spacecraft Sirius 1 through Sirius 4 was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral. The first three of the series were orbited in 2000 by Proton-K Block-DM3 launch vehicles. Sirius 4 is a ground spare, in storage at SS/Loral's facility in Palo Alto, California. Sirius was previously known as CD Radio. The dog in the Sirius logo is unofficially named "Mongo."

Reginald Sharp is a writer and the webmaster of Satellite Radio: Sirius & XM

Xm Satellite Radio Replacing Free Radio?

Remember the days when we thought paying for our TV service was ridiculous? ?Cable TV!?, our mothers would exclaim, ?Who has money to pay for their TV shows? It?s been free all these years; I don?t know why I would start paying for it now.?

But that was then and this is now. Today we pay for cable or satellite and consider it a necessity in our lives, not a luxury. Sure, we could stick with ?free? TV, but the reception would be bad, we?d only have 4-6 channels to choose from and there would be no CNN, no Food Network, and no ESPN. What would we do with ourselves?

So it seems a little reminder of those days when we hear people scoffing at the notion of paying for radio. ?I?ve gotten it free all these years,? you hear people exclaim. ?Why would I pay for radio??

Although satellite radio services have been around for a few years, its notoriety was spun into high gear when Howard Stern publicly made the jump from ?free? radio to a satellite service in early 2006. Now, everyone?s curious and many people are considering paying a bill every month for the privilege of listening to the radio.

Just like cable TV, there are many proprietary shows on satellite radio you just won?t hear if you don?t have a subscription. So you have to pony up to the extra bill bar?but what do you get for your extra dough?

Lots. Talk shows, music shows, entertainment, sports.

Some of the most talked about XM Satellite Radio shows are not music shows but talk shows. There are literally more than a dozen to choose from.

Consider Air America Radio (on channel 167), which features chatter from such well-known mouths as those belonging to Al Franken, Jerry Springer and actress Janeane Garofalo. Largely a progressive station, this dial also features veteran radio host Mark Riley and commentator Alan Colmes.

For the right slant on things, take a listen to America Right (on channel 166). This program features shows from such luminary conservatives as G. Gordon Liddy, Peter Greenburg, Dr. Laura and Michael Medved.

If politics aren?t your bag, how about entertainment or humor? On XM Radio channel 162, you?ll find the E! channel. Yes, this is the same E! we pay for on cable and the format is generally the same. There?s the E! True Hollywood Story, E! news and celebrity profiles. Now you can get all your E! gossip and news while drinking Starbucks on your way to work. My, how the world has changed.

If you?re into sports, XM Radio delivers. There?s the Sporting News channel, the Nascar channel, the ESPN channel, and a wide variety of channels dedicated to various sports like baseball, football and even hockey. Though many channels feature talk and sports opinion, one of the big selling points for many sports fans is the live streaming games. In this case, you truly can take it with you.

Got kids in the car? Tune into Radio Disney or XM Kids, the winner of several parents? choice awards.

Amid all this talk, there is music on XM Radio. Lots and lots of music. There are alternative music channels, top 40 channels, channels for 60s music, 70s music, 80s music and 90s music. Interested in music from Sweden and Ireland? Check out channel 29, or U-Pop, dedicated to hits from around the world. Needs some romance in your life? Turn your dial to The Heart (XM channel 23), where you can enjoy Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion and the like.

Matt Barstow offers valuable tips and information about satellite radio, receivers, and subscriptions. Read his latest report answering the most popular questions about satellite radio.

The Freedom Of Portable Satellite Radio

As time goes by and technology grows and changes to suit the needs of people we have seen an increase in the need for portability in media. People are on the go and require more portability in their Radios. Science and Technology has grown with the demand of the people. This demand has bred Portable Satellite Radios.

Portable Satellite Radio allows a person to listen to various genres of music at any given time, on demand, via Satellite technology. Where once we had Cassette tape walkman devices, then Compact Disc walkman devices we now have the capability to take our music with us wherever we go without being limited to the radio stations in our local vicinity. This means there is no longer a boundary of radio signal that is limited to your town or city. Now you can hear feeds that take place all over the nation, without having to wait for it to be syndicated and picked up by your local radio station.

There are many different Portable Satellite Radio providers such as XM, Sirius Radio and many others. These services are fee based and provide users with a variety of different genres of music for a monthly service charge. This allows the Portable Satellite Radio user to be able to travel with his or her musical selections but not limit them to a play list of music that is made up of only a few songs.

Not only is there a wide variety of music on Portable Satellite Radio. There are also many other types of media such as the national news and Talk Radio. As the Portable Satellite Radio technologies took off shock jock Howard Stern made the switch from normal syndicate radio to Portable Satellite Radio. Many other radio personalities quickly followed suit.

The reason behind the boom of radio personalities making the switch from normal analog radio to Portable Satellite Radio is that it gave them the freedom from some of the FCC restrictions about freedom of speech. Unlike analog radio the FCC doesn?t control as strictly Portable Satellite Radio feeds. Portable Satellite Radio and the boom in the industry also gave radio personalities a broader fan-base. Exposing them to more people who typically may have not heard of them or had the opportunity to enjoy what they bring to the radio.

When looking for a Portable Satellite Radio service you must take into consideration coverage area as well as pricing. What kind of cost will you pay for the convenience of not being bound to limited music and services? Portable Satellite Radio gives you the convenience that is almost necessary in today?s fast paced world of technology and media.

Most audio equipment retailers now provide Portable Satellite Radio devices and services. For the most part these devices can be budget-friendly and the monthly service fees reasonable. If you are interested in expanding your musical tastes and are an on-the-go type of person, Portable Satellite Radio may be something you would be interested in.

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

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

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.

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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Satellite Radio Makes Sense

Like cable television, Satellite radio is fast becoming a new genre of and unto itself. While not having to endure the same regulations as applied by the FCC in regards to free radio, the broadcasters of satellite radio, like cable television, have more options available to them and are able to offer a wider variety of programming as a direct result.

Satellite radio is the cable television of the radio broadcasting world. People can buy a satellite radio subscription in much the same manner that they would subscribe to cable television. The subscription includes various types of radio broadcasting not otherwise available to the listener. These usually include more adult-oriented radio broadcasting since the FCC does not regulate the industry in the same manner that they do for the free radio airwaves.

Since people are paying for the privilege of listening, and satellite radio is a buyer?s market, the wide selection of broadcast media that is available are regulated mostly by what the listeners want and what they are willing to pay for. While satellite radio may not be a viable alternative for everyone, it does offer more listening opportunities for those people who are willing to pay for it. Satellite radio subscriptions vary in cost, but all things being equal, the subscription fees are not at all unattractive when the broad spectrum of radio programming is compared to what limited choices are available without satellite radio.

There are also still some limitations in the availability of satellite radio. While these areas are in steady decline as satellite radio listeners increase in numbers, there are still voids in the market where it is not yet financially feasible to install satellite radio options. It is best to check for the availability of satellite radio before purchasing any satellite ready receivers.

Satellite radio receivers vary in all manner of shape, style and output range and are available to fit the needs of most any satellite radio listener. Deciding which one is best for any given use will require the purchaser to do a little research into satellite radio and what local options are available, then adjusted according to the personal preferences of the listener.

While the advent of Satellite radio technology is seen as a new path to freedom for some and a road to decline for others, the satellite radio of today looks like it is here to stay. If satellite radio is available in your area, it can be a worthy investment. Satellite radio really does offer many options not available to the regular radio listener.

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 radios are great in the outback!

 Satellite radio has quite literally been a god send to people who live or travel regularly in remote locations, or even for people who are required to travel long distances. Static-free reception can now be experienced and enjoyed by listeners who have a satellite radio even if they are
in the remotest of locations.

In the past if you were travelling for long periods, every hour or so you would have to start tweaking with the radio dial, as the radio station you were just listening to began to turn to static after it seemed to fade in and out for a while. You would then frantically try to locate a new radio station to listen to and just as you did, it too would turn static. This would go on until eventually there were no
decent stations left on the dial and then finally you would succumb to putting on a cassette or a CD or even turning off the entire stereo all together. But with the advent of satellite radio, static, tuning, fiddling and complete boredom will soon be a thing of the past.

The standard, more conventional radio signals are only able to travel around 30-40 miles from their original
transmitters so if you travel beyond this distance then the signal will eventually get weaker and weaker until you are no longer able to hear the transmission at all. However in a far greater development of technology, satellite radio waves travel from space (around 22,000 miles) meaning that you will be able to travel across the entire country without even having to change national radio stations because the frequency will be consistent and strong.

Automobile manufacturers have been installing satellite radio receivers as standard fittings for some years now, so
when the satellite radio transmission finally begins most drivers will be able to clearly access the signals and won't
experience any problems in utilizing the new technology. What a revolution!! Currently there are only three space-based radio broadcasters who are working on the
development of this technology. In 1997, the government agency the Federal Communications Commission gave licenses
worth around $80 million to these companies to experiment and deliver on the allocated radio band for digital satellite radio transmission.

These three satellite radio companies have conducted completely different research programs and as a result naturally are now offering different products to the market.
As a result there is more then likely going to be a 'VHS versus Beta' type battle between the companies as the
technology progresses. Two of the companies, XM Radio and Worldspace have made a formal agreement to share new
technological developments with the other party and to make every effort to work collaboratively to develop and design
further innovations in this expanding communications field. This partnership can only be a good thing for consumers,
particularly consumers who frequent remote locations on a regular basis and who need to communicate with the outside world when they do so.
Corbin Mathieson is the webmaster of
Ask Satellite which is a
premier source of information about Satellite. For more
information, go to: http://asksatellite.com