Mark S. Holden wrote:

John S. wrote:

I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.


On a portable, you'd probably have less frequent dropouts than in a car
because odds are you'll put it down in one spot while you listen.

Of course if you pick a spot that can't see the satellite, you'll have
to move or listen to something else.





Depending on the market, you may have local terrestrial
repeaters to fill in weak spots where satellite isn't visible to the
receiver. We have them in Chicago, so I rarely see dropouts even
with underpasses, and similar obstacles. Over the weekend I was on
the road where terrestrial repeaters were not available. Dropouts
were moe common than in the city.

Peter Maus wrote:
snip


Depending on the market, you may have local terrestrial repeaters to
fill in weak spots where satellite isn't visible to the receiver. We
have them in Chicago, so I rarely see dropouts even with underpasses,
and similar obstacles. Over the weekend I was on the road where
terrestrial repeaters were not available. Dropouts were moe common than
in the city.



Hi Peter

Nice to see you.

None of the areas I'm likely to spend much time in are apt to have
repeaters.

I haven't been able to find a signal strength map, but some areas get a
strong enough signal from the satellites to punch through a canopy of
trees. Rockland County NY is an example. Great place for HF too.

I'm somewhat surprised I haven't seen ads for "high performance" XM
antennas to reduce dropouts.

Mark S. Holden wrote:

Peter Maus wrote:
snip



Depending on the market, you may have local terrestrial repeaters
to fill in weak spots where satellite isn't visible to the receiver.
We have them in Chicago, so I rarely see dropouts even with
underpasses, and similar obstacles. Over the weekend I was on the road
where terrestrial repeaters were not available. Dropouts were moe
common than in the city.



Hi Peter

Nice to see you.


Thanks. And you.




None of the areas I'm likely to spend much time in are apt to have
repeaters.

I haven't been able to find a signal strength map, but some areas get a
strong enough signal from the satellites to punch through a canopy of
trees. Rockland County NY is an example. Great place for HF too.

I'm somewhat surprised I haven't seen ads for "high performance" XM
antennas to reduce dropouts.


They'd have to be larger. And more unsightly. Remember were
talking about a culture here that, in the main, prizes cosmetics
above everything else.

I've even heard complaints that the satellite antennae on cars
are too big, and too unsightly.