This is the first time I've seen this in print, although I've seen rumours (some of
which I'd started myself) relating to Canada's adopting rules for satellite radio
broadcasting (e.g. Sirius and XM).

From the CBC website:

If licensed by the CRTC, the CBC-Standard-Sirius application will immediately offer
Canadian subscribers across the country approximately 100 digital audio channels,
including more than 60 music, information, sports and other channels from the three
partners. A number of CBC/Radio-Canada stations will also be added to the Sirius
lineup in the U.S., which already includes offerings from BBC World, National Public
Radio and Public Radio International.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/nationa...dio040708.html

With the use of the word "immediately", it appears that Sirius will be using the same
birds for Canadian operation. Doesn't surprise me. But as I say, this is the first
time I've seen it in print.
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On 10 Jul 2004 04:09:48 GMT, "Bob Haberkost"
wrote:

This is the first time I've seen this in print, although I've seen rumours (some of
which I'd started myself) relating to Canada's adopting rules for satellite radio
broadcasting (e.g. Sirius and XM).

Its amazing the footprint for Sirius satellite radio. It covers all
the lower 48 US states, Mexico, a good chunk of the western Carribean,
almost all of Canada (except extreme North) and even a good portion of
Central America.

They have three satellites orbiting in a figure-8 pattern.

http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/htmen...lliteradio.pdf

I wonder if they'll sell service in other countries as well?

Dave

On 15 Jul 2004 03:37:05 GMT, Diamond Dave
wrote:

They have three satellites orbiting in a figure-8 pattern.

According to my engineering friends at SIRIUS and the big satellite
display just off the lobby shows only two satellites in use at any one
time. One is rotated out to recharge.

So, effectively, both services have two operating satellites. In
heavily wooded areas of New England overhanging trees block the signal
from both services. I suspect the same is true in the Pacific
Northwest where you're often driving in tree-formed tunnels.

Rich

"Rich Wood" wrote in message
...
On 15 Jul 2004 03:37:05 GMT, Diamond Dave
wrote:

They have three satellites orbiting in a figure-8 pattern.

According to my engineering friends at SIRIUS and the big satellite
display just off the lobby shows only two satellites in use at any one
time. One is rotated out to recharge.

So, effectively, both services have two operating satellites. In
heavily wooded areas of New England overhanging trees block the signal
from both services. I suspect the same is true in the Pacific
Northwest where you're often driving in tree-formed tunnels.

Rich


Actually, Rich, I'm glad you brought this up again, since I wanted to comment on your
observations made a while ago. I finally had my Sirius radio (and the car it was in)
far away from its local haunts (back-and-forth to work), as my son and I took a trip
to the Downington/West Chester area to see his new choice of University (yeah, I
know...too much information). What I found was, more or less, the same issues you
have...on local roads, where tree coverage is thick and low, I'd get occasional
drop-outs. It never was an issue on major thoroughfares, since brush and trees are
cleared higher and further away from the road. And, since we'd been listening to the
same station for over 250 miles from our origin, I'll take the occasional drop-out
over having it gone entirely long before had it been conventional radio.

But on our way back, I was astounded to find that (as opposed to complete absence in
the tunnels on the turnpike) I had coverage after travelling only half-way through
the Squirrel Hill tunnels in Pittsburgh. Clearly Sirius must have a terrestrial
repeater here, most likely on the downtown side of the tunnel, as I can't explain how
this could be any other way, but I really hadn't expected that Sirius had gotten
around to attending to Pittsburgh just yet. I know that this doesn't address the
outlying areas such as where you are, but clearly the terrestrial links will be
dealing quite adequately with this issue in metropolitan areas.

And thanks for explaining how Sirius' satellite use works. This also means that,
were one of the birds to fail, they could probably continue operations relatively
unaffected, although clearly more delicately balanced between operational use and
keeping the birds in a position to do so.
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There must always be the appearance of lawfulness....especially when the law's being
broken.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
For direct replies, take out the contents between the hyphens. -Really!-