Sirius halts production of some satellite radios
By Darren Murph 
posted July 24th 2006 8:15AM
posted July 24th 2006 8:15AM
Apparently someone should really investigate the FCC's approval process, because this marks the second mishap in 2006 that has forced a satellite radio company to halt production of some of its radios. Not too far behind XM's run-in with the law, Sirius is also facing scrutiny for their FM-transmitting devices. Apparently the emissions are too powerful for their own good (which might be a good thing, considering our Helix test unit's FM transmitter was unbelievably underpowered), and the excessive output is beyond the regulations they were originally approved for -- seems pretty straight forward. Although we aren't certain of the exact radios affected in this filing, Sirius seems confident that the devices in question fully comply with FCC regulations (that stamp of approval is valid, right?) and this scuffle won't require any major recalls or financial losses. Regardless of who dropped the ball here, the FCC is definitely making this a painful year to be a satellite radio provider.
The FCC has really hit the Satellite Radio (XM and Sirius) with this FM Transmitter issue now; It's even effecting their subscription rates. I wonder if it’s a FM Transmitter issue as much as the FCC doesn't have jurisdiction over their broadcasting and they are trying to make their lives difficult.
Any way it happens, the customer is who loses in the end. There are a lot of ticked off Satellite Radio customers who can't even send the signal a few feet as opposed to covering almost their whole house before. This has led several customers to look for an external FM Transmitter to get back the transmission distance, for example the Whole House FM Transmitter (http://www.wholehousefmtransmitter.com). It doesn’t make sense since the FCC states in one of their own bulletins that the approximate radius a FM Transmitter can go without needing a license is about 200 feet. Go here to read the bulletin by the FCC dated July 24, 1991 (http://www.wholehousefmtransmitter.com/FCC/fcc-part-15-low-powered-broadcasting.pdf). The only other thing I can think of being an issue with the FCC is because the FM Transmitter is internal.
this is insane. the fcc is trying to put a stop to satellite radio anyway they can. since they can not change the airwaves they will change the devices. scumbag bastards.
I am for this FCC finding...I listen to my iPod via the iMonster FM transmitter and it seems whenever I pass a Semi on the interstate I get bleed over on my radio...My iMonster is powerful enough when I dont get overtaken by the overpowered satellite transmitters. I dont need to hear thank honky tonk that the trucks listen to, thank you very much.
the radio themselves may be come insignificant if SAT can stream over a 3G connection soon. Sure, having it your car is nice, but computers in cars are becoming a realitiy as well. Data is everything, hardware is nothing! Well, it is, but I wanted to sound theatrical.
Anyway, is sirius and xm can put out some software for ppcs, palm and whatever else, that would rock.
Also, its possible through the browser if you have an account already with hardware - so whatever, havnt tried that out yet.
So how does it go? F* the FCC.
This doesn't surprise me. Once when I was driving home from work, another car's Sirius signal totally overpowered my XM receiver. I could listen to Stern as clear as day while folowing a car length behind this guy. When I took an exit, I could still pick it up for about a quarter mile.
I have XM on my treo700w, it was a $19 dollar download, works the same as the XM online from their website. Works really well with the verizon EVDO connection.
I frigging hate the Sirius/XM FM transmitters. They are always interfeering with my iTrip. Also, honestly, who will spend $9.99/mo for the radio.
Also the FCC is completely out of touch with reality.
TEG
This isn't the FCCs's fault. It falls squarely in the lap of Sirius. They failed to monitor the production coming out of their manufacturerers. Inorder to be allowed to sell the devices in the first place Sirius had to have the devices passing the FCC's tests at some point. It is then Sirius' responsibility to ensure that the hacked up prototype they tested with all its emisions fixes actually represents what they actually produce for sale. Sure we all like to moan about the FCC, but there are VERY good reasons for their madness.
Yeah Darkmimic,
The same has happened to me. I thought when Stern left the airwaves I heard the last of him but his show has cut into my XM over FM at least 5 different times. Actually, I wish XM had such a receiver available, my XM FM transmitter is never powerful enough.
There's a lot of Christian stations in my area in the high 80s on the radio dial.
I can imagine the shock on their face when driving along and a O&A or Stern signal overpowers their safe little christian station.
The quickest way to prevent this is to get a direct input setup like the Kenwood I have in my truck. FM transmitters suck.
WHY BUY AN S50 WHEN YOU COULD DO THIS!
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-siriuce.html
(Get Sirius LIVE and Portable on a WM5 Device).
This app is sweet! and guess what? As long as there is Cellular coverage with data (in a car, on a train, in a house, basement, attic, office, etc.), you should be good to go (since you are not limited to satellite or terrestrial repeater coverage)! Right now I'm running it on a test Cingy HTC 8525 that has (GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS). Cingy also has roaming agreements with just about every GSM carrier globally (meaning I can practically use it anywhere, I repeat, ANYWHERE)! So tell me again why I need an S50?
http://www.emulamer.com/SiriuCE.html
PS Now Sirius don’t get all paranoid and go Nerfing this freeware! All it does is allow web access to you content on a portable device (the same way you allow it on a PC). We’re watching you!!
It's getting hard to find a blank space on the dial to tune my Sirius to. I keep it tuned over the local Jeesus station.
I purchased a new 2007 Lexus RX350 less then a month ago, ordered the Sirius radio for it (had it in my last vehicle). Sirius was a MUST HAVE option for me, just like Nav, Leather, V6. When I went to pick the car up I was told the Sirius was on back-order and would be installed in July. I just got word from the dealer that Lexus has HALTED the Sirius radio for the RX. :-(
It's been tough going the last 3 weeks without Sirius - for me it's a must have and XM just can't match for me.
James
DarkMimic's got it right... the instigators are the Xtian right freaking out when driving down the interstate and getting Stern cross-bleed from nearby vehicles. There was actually a story picked up on MSNBC for this exact situation in late April. I finally got around to writing about it now over at www.deadlytango.com ... take a look if you're interested.
I had tried the FM transmitter route when my wife first got her first iPod. After playing around for a half an hour to find a consistent blank spot, I got the adapter from my old Sony Car CD player. So when it came time to hook up my Sirius Starmate, I bypassed the FM signal, plugged in the adapter, pushed the cassette end into the in-dash radio cassette player and was good to go. Perhaps both Sirius and WM will avoid the FCC's annoying and costly interference and add the cassette adapters to their car kits. I know it looks like an octopus coming out of the dash, but it works.
If you're wondering which Sirius receiver/transmitter has strong output, try tracking down an old Visor model. They've been discontinued, but I tried one out on my brothers ranch in New Mexico and the signal would reach hundreds of feet from the house. Satellite radio is welcomed in parts of the world where you only receive one FM station.