Satellite radio

[PamNY]

I've just lost the terrestrial signal on my XM radio. For years I haven't even used the antenna. Now I can't get a terrestrial signal at all and I'm having to use the antenna to pick up a satellite signal.

I've found some references to a repeater shutdown required by the FCC ( but no specifics on which repeaters or the date).

Anyone know anything about this? I called Sirius XM customer service and got nowhere. I'm going to give it a day or so before escalating with them. If it's gone, it's gone, but they should at least tell me.

Pam

[Pedal Wench]

I still have contacts with XM - I'll see if I can find out something for ya!

[Tuckervill]

I have an XM radio in my car, but I don't know what you're talking about. It worked fine today.

Karen

[Pedal Wench]

I found this: http://xmfan.com/viewtopic.php?t=103751

The repeaters are for areas that would have problems with the satellite signals - congested cities, where the tall buildings will block the signals from (XM's) the southern-orbiting satellites. (XM's satellites are geostationary above the equator, approximately in line with Dallas and Atlanta, while Sirius's do a big figure-8 above the northern hemisphere.)

So, in your car, especially in rural areas, you're just listening to the signal straight from the birds. In cities, you could be listening to either the terrestrial repeaters, or the satellites.

The FCC has required that some of them shut down because their signal was too powerful and interfered with surrounding frequency bands. And, it appears that they've started that shut-down procedure. I'll find out more on Monday for y'all.

[PamNY]

Thanks a lot! I am so attached to my XM.

Pam

[Tuckervill]

Ooooohhhh.

My radio works FINE in the south, but when I get up to Vermont and Oregon, a big tree can block the signal. Many parts of Vermont I couldn't get a signal at all. No signal along the Columbia River, either.

I'll bet there aren't too many repeaters where I was driving.

Karen