Archive for May, 2007

How does satellite radio work? To understand how satellite radio works you must first understand how analog radio works. Analog radio works by broadcasting the radio frequency to local transmitters and then on to the listener. Satellite radio works similarly but instead of using stationary transmitters with limited range to broadcast their media to the people, they use mobile Satellites.

Satellites are equipment that orbit the earth and can pick up and transmit signals globally instead of just in a limited area. In the satellite radio category a satellite bounces the transmitted radio frequency off of the satellite and out to the millions of satellite radio listeners around the world. This has increased the satellite radio industry and has made satellite radio a staple media avenue in our everyday lives. Does this help you to understand the question of how does satellite radio work?

A user such as myself or you, who is interested in satellite radio purchases a satellite radio device whether it be stationary or portable, we purchase the desired satellite radio service from whichever service provider offers us the best variety of programming. Once the subscription to this service is established, the device is programmed into a database of devices that are allowed to receive specific radio transmissions from specific satellites. This entry into the database then sends a signal to the device to decrypt satellite frequencies, providing the user with audible satellite radio reception. This explains the question of how does satellite radio work?

Many service providers may use different marketing gimmicks to gain a customer base, claiming to have better coverage or what not. When it comes down to it, The only difference which could be considered is the limitations put on the satellite radio by the databases and what programs and filters any individual service provider may be using to limit the access their customers have to the satellite radio feed. Service providers may offer special features, or special programming which is solely controlled by their databases and the servers they use to transmit the satellite radio feed. You rarely hear of a service provider explaining to the customer the answer to the question of how does satellite radio work?

If a user fails to pay for their subscription to the satellite radio feed, just as with any utility nowadays, the service provider may then send a signal to the device, removing its rights to decrypt satellite radio transmissions. Many technologies in the past, prior to the radio technology have used satellites to widen the spectrum of their services, such as telecommunications such as cell phones. The principal of each service is relatively the same in the fact that a person uses a device such as a satellite radio, or cell phone, to request a transmission through a service providers database. If the subscription is paid for the transmission is allowed from the satellite to the user giving us satellite capable radio devices. I hope I have helped answer the question how does satellite radio work?

About the Author:

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.

Written By: Carl Walker

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A satellite radio or subscription radio (SR) is a digital radio that receives signals broadcast by communications satellite that covers a much wider geographical range than normal radio signals.

The satellite radios function anywhere there is line of sight between the antenna and the satellite, given there are no major obstructions, such as tunnels or buildings. SR audiences can follow a single channel regardless of location within a given range.

As the technology requires access to a commercial satellite for signal propagation, SR services are commercial business entities (not private parties), which offer a package of channels as part of their service –requiring a subscription from end users to access its channels.

The satellite radios use the 2.3GHz S band in North America, and generally shares the 1.4GHz L band with local Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) stations elsewhere. It is a type of direct broadcast satellite, and is strong enough that it requires no satellite dish to receive. Curvature of the Earth limits the reach of the signal, but due to the high orbit of the satellites, two or three are usually sufficient to provide coverage for an entire continent.

Presently, the main radio satellite service provider in Europe, Asia and Africa is WorldSpace. WorldSpace has its own satellites covering most of Europe, Asia and Africa.

XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio are the two radio satellite gains in the United States and entire North America. A monthly fee is charged for both services. Sirius offers a one time fee plan of nearly $500 valid for the lifetime of the equipment. These offer the news, weather, sports, and several music channels.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) commenced the Canada’s first satellite radio operations on November 1, 2004.

About the author:

About Author: The author is a writer for a Technology and Gadgets website http://www.nextforum.net You can even ask questions and find quick answers on forums for technology here http://forums.nextforum.net

Written By: Gagandeep Dhaliwal

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Satellite radio has been a godsend to people in remote locations, or even just those who travel long distances. In the past while on a long car trip, every hour or so you’d have to start fiddling with the radio, as the station you were listening to turned to static after up to an hour of fading in and out. Then just as you’d find a new one, it, too would go to static, and so it would go on. Now with the advent of satellite radio, that static and fiddling will be a thing of the past.

Conventional radio signals can only travel 30 or 40 miles from their source, so the further away you travel from the radio transmitter, the fainter and weaker these traditional signals will become. Satellite radio waves travel from space – 22,000 miles away, yet you will be able to travel across the country without having to change radio stations and quite possibly without having to endure endless commercials about things that you are not really interested in.

Cars, with satellite radios, have been coming for many years now. But as the service takes off many more drivers will be making use of the new technology and be grateful for the flexibility it provides. At present there are only three space-based radio broadcasters, but many more are in the pipeline, as the Federal Communications Commission sanctioned a sum of $80 million to give licenses to companies to make use of the specified radio band for digital satellite radio transmission.

These three different satellite companies have done research and development in different areas and this has led to the offering of different services by them. No doubt the VHS Vs Beta type of battle would continue to intensify in the time to come as the technology progresses. Only time and sponsorship would decide who the winner of this battle would be. But whatever happens, it would only be good news for travelers as more and more companies are waiting to join this exciting field.

Two of the companies, XM Radio and Worldspace, already have an agreement with each other to share new technological developments and to continue to work together to create further innovations in this expanding field. This can only be good for consumers, particularly those who frequent remote locations on a regular basis.

About The Author

Distanza Betrachtung is the owner and operator of Rob Satellite, Inc., a leading Internet portal for satellite information. For more satellite information and resources, be sure to visit: http://www.robsatellite.com.

Written By: Distanza Betrachtung

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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 wont 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.

About the Author:

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.

Written By: Carl Walker

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Satellite Radio 411

Imagine you are traveling across country. You have already epleted your CD supply and the battery on you ipod has long since died. Being in the middle of Nowhere, USA, you cannot even find a decent radio station. What can you do in this situation? Will you be victim to utter boredom on this long, dusty road?

Thanks to satellite radio, you can enjoy your favorite music stations, commercial free, with perfect clarity from California to Connecticut and every long, dusty road in between. Normal radio stations have an average range of a 30 40 mile radius from their source. Satellite radio is able to broadcast its signal over 2200 miles away with no static interference and little to no advertisements. It also comes in many forms including at-home devices and portable players much like Apple’s ipod. The most popular being a radio which installs right into your car.

Satellite radio works through a control station sending a transmission to an orbiting satellite. The satellite then bounces the signal back down to radio receivers on earth, such as portable device or a car radio. What’s different about satellite radio from your ordinary ground stations is that you get up to 100 channels with digital sound as well as information on the screen indicating the song, artist and genre.

Satellite radio usually charges monthly payments for its service. Only a couple of companies actually provide satellite radio service so this will make shopping for the right package much easier. Various packages are available to fit your needs as well as your budget.

Briana is an original content writer for http://www.youseekit.com which features original articles on a variety of topics.
To see the original article, go to http://www.youseekit.com/satellite_radio/htm.

Copyright Briana Liebmann – http://www.youseekit.com

Written By: Briana Liebmann

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Satellite Radio

For a long time now, satellite radio has been helping people in remote locations who could not otherwise pick up a signal. If you are traveling a long distance or going somewhere that is very remote, satellite may be the only option for you.

You know that in the past when you were traveling, you would have to constantly change the stations to keep up with the signal as you travel. If you have ever traveled without a CD or cassette player, you know very well how frustrating it can be to try to keep up with tuning the radio. But satellite now gets rid of that problem for you.

Regular radio signals are only able to travel about 30-40 miles past their transmitters. Once you have passed this point, the signal will get weaker and weaker and you will hear static until eventually, the signal disappears completely. But technology has come a long way and now with satellite radio, you can hear clearly since the waves are coming from a satellite from space. You will be able to hear your favorite music station wherever you go. If you are listening to national radio stations, you can hear no matter where in the country you go.

You may not know it but for many years now automobile manufacturers have been installing satellite receivers in their cars. This is great because soon satellite radio may be the common thing and you want your car to be equipped with it. Its truly amazing that radio transmissions have advanced so far. The FCC has given about $80 million worth of licenses to companies that are experimenting with radio and digital satellite radio transmission.

There are three main satellite radio companies that are using this money to conduct research programs that are different from each other but that are all bringing great products to the market. There is a type of VHS versus Beta battle going on between these companies. XM Radio and Worldspace are two of the companies and they have made a formal agreement to share any new technological advancements with each other. This partnership is a great thing for consumers because you get the best thing on the market. They are also coming up with the best ways for people to communicate outside the country when they need to.

About the Author: Corbin Mathieson is the owner of Ask Satellite which is a premier source of information about Satellite. For more information, go to: http://asksatellite.com

Written By: Corbin Mathieson

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