It looks like satellite radio is here to stay. With the availability of
equipment and the benefits the service has to offer, it seems more and
more people are choosing to use satellite radio. If you are wondering
how satellite radio works, read on.
Satellite radio offers you commercial free radio. No more static, no
more interrupted broadcasts; just hour after hour of uninterrupted
music. And you won’t lose your favorite radio station as you cross the
state. But you will have to pay for all this convenience.
Your dependable traditional radio won’t work for satellite radio, so
you’ll need to purchase a new radio and you will need to have it
installed (unless you are purchase a portable system). The price of the
new radio varies depending on the model you choose. You’ll also need to
pay an activation fee and a monthly fee.
Think of satellite radio as an extension of cable. For your monthly fee
you’ll get edgier and less censored programming, innovative
programming, more channels, and specialty channels. As an added
convenience, while you’re listening to the music you’ll see the name of
the song and the artist name displayed which means no more confusion
about whose song is playing.
Back in 1992 the FCC allocated the 2.3 GHz or S band for nationwide
broadcasting of satellite based DARS. Four companies applied for
licensing and two were granted licenses. The two that were granted
licenses were Sirius and XM. Both already had satellites in orbit.
They operate by beaming their programming to their satellite, which
then transmits the signal to the ground. Your satellite radio then
picks up the channel you have selected to listen to.
For listeners that live in urban areas satellite signals can become
interrupted, so the satellite providers also beam the signal to ground
repeaters to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Sirius was the first to offer commercial free programming on its music
channels, but both Siruis and XM now have commercial free programming.
Both are competitively priced. Currently, XM offers over 160 commercial
free channels. Sirius has over 125 commercial free channels.
The special programming that Siruis and XM carry is the deciding factor
of which service to choose for many people. Sirius carries NFL football
games; XM carries college games. XM carries NASCAR races; Siruis has a
Playboy channel. Sirius carries Howard Stern; XM carries Oprah.
Satellite radio is no longer the radio of the future. It’s the radio of
today, and is being chosen over traditional radio programming by more
and more people every day.
