Satellite Radio - greater variety; clearer sound; better coverage; all at a minimal cost

Tech-Guide Home

Technically known as Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS), Satellite Radio is a digital radio delivered direct to your receiver in your car, work, and home from a satellite orbiting above the Earth. Most radio signals can only travel about 30 or 40 miles from their source, but satellite radio promise crystal-clear music transmitted from thousands of miles into space. It can broadcast its signal from more than 22,000 miles away with with complete clarity.
 

How It come About

The history of satellite radio begins in 1992 when the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based DARS. The FCC granted licenses to Sirius Satellite Radio (previously known as CD Radio) and XM Satellite Radio (previously known as American Mobile Radio) in 1997 to use space in the S-band for digital satellite transmission.
 

How does It Works

Just subscribe to satellite radio you will get an extra band on your home or car radio. You will need to pay a monthly fee for the subscription. A special antenna will receives the signals from the satellites, very much similar to a satellite dish receives signals for satellite television viewing. You will then enjoy access to a range of channels, giving you incredible choice over what you listen to whether you are in the home or travelling in your car.
 

How to get Started

You need 4 things to get satellite radio:

• A satellite radio antenna
  The antenna is use to picks up the satellite signal. Antennas are included in car and home kits, and come with portable boomboxes. Antennas must be purchased separately for in-dash receivers, home component tuners, and external satellite radio tuners.
   

• A satellite radio tuner
  A satellite radio tuner to transmit the satellite signal from the antenna to the receiver. The tuner sends the satellite radio programming to one of many available FM frequencies on your existing home, business, portable, mobile or marine AM/FM radio.
   

• A satellite radio receiver
  A satellite radio receiver for selecting channels and categories, and displaying artist, channel, and song information are located. Receivers are built-in to plug-and-play tuners, home component-style tuners, and (obviously) car stereos with a built-in satellite radio tuner.
   

• A subscription
  A satellite radio subscription to either XM or SIRIUS must be activated in order to receive programming.

Advantages of Satellite Radio

• With satellite radio, you can enjoy digital-quality music, news, sports and entertainment from virtually anywhere.

• Satellite radio is free from commercials and FCC restrictions — which means you can enjoy a wider selection of programming without censoring or commercial interruptions.

• With satellite radio, you get a display of channel, artist and song title information.

• satellite radio broadcasts are available from coast to coast — which means you don't have to change your station presets when you drive from one place to another.