Eton E1 MINUS XM
 

Hello Everybody,

I just got my new (July) issue of MONITORING TIMES and there, on page
4, is an Eton ad featuring, among others, the new Eton E1
AM/FM/Shortwave/"Satellite Ready" Radio $500.

No mention of XM - nor is the XM logo on the picture of the receiver
itself.

I guess Eton went back to the drawing board; hence, the (further) delay
in shipment.

They've only been "designing" this radio for the past ten years! I
wonder if they'll ever get their act together on this model or if it
will be decided to make this another example of "vapor" radio.

If they ever do produce this model I think it would be better NOT to be
the "first kid on the block" to buy one unless you LIKE being a "guinea
pig." Let others have the initial "misfortunes."

This is a pity as it appears that Eton is the only manufacturer who is
truly supporting shortwave radio. I only wish they would incorporate
the latest circuitry, such as synchronous selectable sideband, dual
conversion, and multiple bandwidths, in all of their models - including
their lower-priced ones such as the E10 (sad that this model at its
price is only single conversion) - even if they have to pay a license
fee for certain of these features.

In any event, and especially for those who have already ordered the E1,
DON'T hold your breath while waiting!

Best,

Joe

They have a reputation for issuing multiple press releases announcing
some grand new product that takes for ever to appear. Unfortunately
the product was usually delayed and there was not always a followup
press release announcing the delay...only silence.

Is $500.00 less than the original estimated price?

Joe Analssandrini wrote:
Hello Everybody,

I just got my new (July) issue of MONITORING TIMES and there, on page
4, is an Eton ad featuring, among others, the new Eton E1
AM/FM/Shortwave/"Satellite Ready" Radio $500.

No mention of XM - nor is the XM logo on the picture of the receiver
itself.

Joe,

The ad says "satellite ready" because you have the option of purchasing
the external satellite antenna, and subscribing to the satellite
service. (See the Eton E1 at Universal Radio's website. It shows the
satellite antenna module as an option.) The antenna module is an option
since not everyone, including myself, cares about receiving satellite
radio.

To wish that Eton would include sideband selectable sync detection and
multiple bandwidths on their cheaper radios is like wishing that the
cheapest Lexus would include all the luxury features of the most
expensive Lexus. If Eton included the extra features on their cheaper
radios, it only makes sense the radios would cost more. It makes good
sense to offer several choices to the consumer. The more features you
want, the more you have to pay. Isn't that the way it happens with
everything else?

Joe A. wrote:

If they ever do produce this model I think it would be better NOT to
be
the "first kid on the block" to buy one unless you LIKE being a "guinea

pig." Let others have the initial "misfortunes."

Spoken like a prudent person. I would not buy a sample of the first
run of this radio even at $300.
I'd rather wait and see.

RK

Dear John,

$500.00 was the original announced price and that included an XM
antenna which is now evidently NOT included.

I was in a hurry when I made my original post and I forgot to mention
that apparently this radio STILL does not offer IBOC, the DAB's, or
DRM, thus making it, even before its release, a technological
"also-ran."

Best,

Joe

Dear Gary,

I'm afraid I disagree with you. Compare the features of the Eton E10
with those of the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. Both radios sell for approximately
the same price yet the Sony offers far more important features than
does the Eton and, due to these features, its performance is better.
Also the Sony, manufactured in Japan, is made to a far higher
construction standard than is the Eton.

Compare the Eton E10 or E100 with comparably-priced models from
Degen/Kaito. All of these models are made in China; why aren't their
features comparable at their respective prices?

No one expects an AOR AR7030 Plus for the price of a Grundig Mini
100PE, but Eton, which seems to support the shortwave hobby better than
any other company, should take into consideration the modern features
which make SW listening more rewarding and satisfying. If Degen/Kaito
can include dual bandwidths and dual conversion at $75.00 (or less),
why can't Eton? If Sony can include synchronous selectable sideband
circuitry AND dual conversion at $130, why can't Eton?

Just my thoughts.

Joe

It Eton really wants to support the shortwave hobby, they should
include a high quality tabletop receiver in their lineup and skip this
absurdly overpriced portable.

Steve

"Joe Analssandrini" wrote
If Degen/Kaito
can include dual bandwidths and dual conversion at $75.00 (or less),
why can't Eton?

Because the Chinese Communist Party subsidizes Degen/Kaito, and most State
Owned Enterprizes,
to undercut its primary competitors - Taiwan's Eton/Grundig & Sony.

Wasn't the Degen/Kaito you likly refer to sold for less than $50 on E-Bay?

If Sony can include synchronous selectable sideband
circuitry AND dual conversion at $130, why can't Eton?

The Sony 7600GR is a steal @$130.

Dear Steve,

Well said. I agree with you. While I admire Eton for its support of the
hobby (what other company actively promotes shortwave radios or even
markets them properly - just today I saw a large display of their SW
radio line at our local Circuit City, of all places!), I have less
patience with the radios themselves which do not offer the serious SW
listener what he/she wants/needs.

I feel that they can do better. And I believe they should. I would like
nothing better than to have another "irresistable" Eton product that I
would "have" to buy. (The last such product they offered was/is the
Grundig Satellit 800, which offers fantastic performance for its price.
I know. I own one.)

Best,

Joe

Dear "Boozer,"

Eton's products are in fact made in China, not Taiwan, by Tecsun, a
Chinese company.

There are several Degen/Kaitos selling for between $50 and $100 which
offer far more than Tecsun's (Eton's) radios both in terms of features
and performance.

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is indeed a "steal" at $130. It was even a
"steal" at $160, which is what I paid for all five - no kidding, that's
how many I own - of mine several years ago. And it is made in Japan! I
recommend that anyone seriously interested in shortwave radio buy one
of these "while the getting is good." Both Amazon and J&R Music World
have the ICF-SW7600GR at low prices. As a "first" radio, as a "travel"
radio, as an "only" radio, you just can't go wrong, in my opinion.

Eton/Tecsun COULD be competitive if it truly desired to do so. Sony,
though it makes the most technologically-advanced shortwave portable
radios on the market, evidently is no longer interested in shortwave
radio or the shortwave listener and hasn't been for some time. I really
wish Eton would become the "Sony" of the 21st century, at least as far
as shortwave radios are concerned.

I would love to be able to support this company by buying its products
but I'm afraid that its current lineup offers no incentive for me to do
so.

Best,

Joe

As I said in another thread about this radio, anybody who spends $500
to be a beta tester for Eton when this thing finally sees the light of
day is a certified whack-job.

I agree. And now you can throw the S350DL into the mix as well. At
$150, and single conversion at that, one would be better off with the
7600GR.

I'm beginning to wonder if the marketing department at Eton didn't just
walk out of a Dilbert cartoon.

"Joe Analssandrini" wrote

Eton's products are in fact made in China, not Taiwan, by Tecsun, a
Chinese company.


Eton outsources to Tecsun. Tecsun has the financial interest of the CCP.
The CCP owned enterprises often sell products at or under cost. That
is the advantage of a State Owned/Subsidized Enterprise (SO/SE). This fact
has nothing to do with
Eton/Grundig which simply has a contract with Tecsun to produce so many
widgits at such and such cost. Eton/Grundig and Tecsun are not the same
company.

There are several Degen/Kaitos selling for between $50 and $100 which
offer far more than Tecsun's (Eton's) radios both in terms of features
and performance.

Again, Tecsun is capable of doing so for the reason sited above. Unlike
Eton/Grundig and most "western" country enterprises, the CCP owned
enterprises
do not answer to shareholders or anyone else for that matter. The CCP is
violating numerous trade agreements with impunity. They get away with it
because
so many western corporations have huge investments in China where these
western
corporations seek CCP political favour to "get a piece of the action".
Meanwhile,
western factories move to China. In the not so distant future you will be
driving a car
manufatured in China. Detroit will be an automobile ghost town.

One example is the textile industry. This past January textile quotas from
China
had been dropped in the EU and USA. There was a flood of imports of very
cheaply priced textiles. FYI: Clothes in China are incredibly cheap and the
quality
has improved. A decent designer T-shirt can be purchased for $1US (yes, one
dollar).
Even Thailand, India and other textile producing countries are suffering
from the CCP's
dumping tactics.

This is also happening in other areas of production. Soon this hardline
Communist
dictatorial country will be able to not only produce but also design
advanced electronics
micro-chips which will rival those designed in Japan. Japan designs and
produces the most
advanced micro-chips in the world of which the U.S. military is a very good
customer.
If the Japanese can not sell its micro-chips due to price under cutting by
the Communist
subsidized enterprises, the Japanese companies will simply have to leave the
business.
In whcih case where will the U.S. military go shopping?

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is indeed a "steal" at $130. It was even a
"steal" at $160, which is what I paid for all five - no kidding, that's
how many I own - of mine several years ago. And it is made in Japan! I
recommend that anyone seriously interested in shortwave radio buy one
of these "while the getting is good." Both Amazon and J&R Music World
have the ICF-SW7600GR at low prices. As a "first" radio, as a "travel"
radio, as an "only" radio, you just can't go wrong, in my opinion.

Eton/Tecsun COULD be competitive if it truly desired to do so.

You are confused - Eton/Grundig is NOT = Tecsun!

Yes of course, Eton/Grundig can compete if the democratic and free Taiwan
government chooses to subsidize them and Eton decides to sell at or below
cost.

Sony,
though it makes the most technologically-advanced shortwave portable
radios on the market, evidently is no longer interested in shortwave
radio or the shortwave listener and hasn't been for some time. I really
wish Eton would become the "Sony" of the 21st century, at least as far
as shortwave radios are concerned.

You are witnessing the result of what I have stated above.


I would love to be able to support this company by buying its products
but I'm afraid that its current lineup offers no incentive for me to do
so.

That is EXACTLY what the CCP wants to accomplish.
It may happen that the next time you go to fuel your SUV the gas station
will be selling fuel owned
by a CCP oil company.

The CCP is using a Wal-Mart economic model on steroids on a grand global
scale.
The CCP controls the Horizontal (Yuan currency valuation) and the Vertical
(SO/SE production).

Meanwhile, the Chinese people suffer under the most brutal Communist regime.

On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 11:18:35 -0500, "Boozer"
wrote:


"Joe Analssandrini" wrote

Eton's products are in fact made in China, not Taiwan, by Tecsun, a
Chinese company.


Eton outsources to Tecsun. Tecsun has the financial interest of the CCP.
The CCP owned enterprises often sell products at or under cost. That
is the advantage of a State Owned/Subsidized Enterprise (SO/SE). This fact
has nothing to do with
Eton/Grundig which simply has a contract with Tecsun to produce so many
widgits at such and such cost. Eton/Grundig and Tecsun are not the same
company.

Eton/Tecsun COULD be competitive if it truly desired to do so.

You are confused - Eton/Grundig is NOT = Tecsun!

Yes, but the Eton & Grundig radios are merely rebadged Tecsuns with no
additional and in most cases, fewer features. Eton isn't designing
radios, it isn't manufacturing, it is buying standard Tecsun product
and slapping a new label on it.

"Not your business" wrote

You are confused - Eton/Grundig is NOT = Tecsun!

Yes, but the Eton & Grundig radios are merely rebadged Tecsuns with no
additional and in most cases, fewer features. Eton isn't designing
radios, it isn't manufacturing, it is buying standard Tecsun product
and slapping a new label on it.

I believe this is a fairly recent phenomenon.
Is that true for all of Etons current offerings?
Which Tecsun radios are rebadged under Eton?
Is the latest and greatest E1 a Tecsun product?

ALL of them!



"whiskybarrel" wrote in message
...
"Not your business" wrote

You are confused - Eton/Grundig is NOT = Tecsun!

Yes, but the Eton & Grundig radios are merely rebadged Tecsuns with no
additional and in most cases, fewer features. Eton isn't designing
radios, it isn't manufacturing, it is buying standard Tecsun product
and slapping a new label on it.

I believe this is a fairly recent phenomenon.
Is that true for all of Etons current offerings?
Which Tecsun radios are rebadged under Eton?
Is the latest and greatest E1 a Tecsun product?

"Boozer" wrote in message
...

"Joe Analssandrini" wrote

Eton's products are in fact made in China, not Taiwan, by Tecsun, a
Chinese company.


Eton outsources to Tecsun. Tecsun has the financial interest of the CCP.
The CCP owned enterprises often sell products at or under cost. That
is the advantage of a State Owned/Subsidized Enterprise (SO/SE). This
fact
has nothing to do with
Eton/Grundig which simply has a contract with Tecsun to produce so many
widgits at such and such cost. Eton/Grundig and Tecsun are not the same
company.

There are several Degen/Kaitos selling for between $50 and $100 which
offer far more than Tecsun's (Eton's) radios both in terms of features
and performance.

Again, Tecsun is capable of doing so for the reason sited above. Unlike
Eton/Grundig and most "western" country enterprises, the CCP owned
enterprises
do not answer to shareholders or anyone else for that matter. The CCP is
violating numerous trade agreements with impunity. They get away with it
because
so many western corporations have huge investments in China where these
western
corporations seek CCP political favour to "get a piece of the action".
Meanwhile,
western factories move to China. In the not so distant future you will be
driving a car
manufatured in China. Detroit will be an automobile ghost town.

One example is the textile industry. This past January textile quotas
from
China
had been dropped in the EU and USA. There was a flood of imports of very
cheaply priced textiles. FYI: Clothes in China are incredibly cheap and
the
quality
has improved. A decent designer T-shirt can be purchased for $1US (yes,
one
dollar).
Even Thailand, India and other textile producing countries are suffering
from the CCP's
dumping tactics.

This is also happening in other areas of production. Soon this hardline
Communist
dictatorial country will be able to not only produce but also design
advanced electronics
micro-chips which will rival those designed in Japan. Japan designs and
produces the most
advanced micro-chips in the world of which the U.S. military is a very
good
customer.
If the Japanese can not sell its micro-chips due to price under cutting by
the Communist
subsidized enterprises, the Japanese companies will simply have to leave
the
business.
In whcih case where will the U.S. military go shopping?

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is indeed a "steal" at $130. It was even a
"steal" at $160, which is what I paid for all five - no kidding, that's
how many I own - of mine several years ago. And it is made in Japan! I
recommend that anyone seriously interested in shortwave radio buy one
of these "while the getting is good." Both Amazon and J&R Music World
have the ICF-SW7600GR at low prices. As a "first" radio, as a "travel"
radio, as an "only" radio, you just can't go wrong, in my opinion.

Eton/Tecsun COULD be competitive if it truly desired to do so.

You are confused - Eton/Grundig is NOT = Tecsun!

Yes of course, Eton/Grundig can compete if the democratic and free Taiwan
government chooses to subsidize them and Eton decides to sell at or below
cost.

Sony,
though it makes the most technologically-advanced shortwave portable
radios on the market, evidently is no longer interested in shortwave
radio or the shortwave listener and hasn't been for some time. I really
wish Eton would become the "Sony" of the 21st century, at least as far
as shortwave radios are concerned.

You are witnessing the result of what I have stated above.


I would love to be able to support this company by buying its products
but I'm afraid that its current lineup offers no incentive for me to do
so.

That is EXACTLY what the CCP wants to accomplish.
It may happen that the next time you go to fuel your SUV the gas station
will be selling fuel owned
by a CCP oil company.

The CCP is using a Wal-Mart economic model on steroids on a grand global
scale.
The CCP controls the Horizontal (Yuan currency valuation) and the Vertical
(SO/SE production).

Meanwhile, the Chinese people suffer under the most brutal Communist
regime.



Hi Boozer,

you seem to be spot on about these things since I have witnessed them first
hand . And now China does want to buy out Unocal. Like one Senator said,
"Would China allow the U.S. to buy out one of it's major companies"?

We all know the answer to that question don't we? The CCP must be laughing
at how easy this all is. They are laughing at the people they are paying off
knowing that one day they will take it all back. What fools they must think
we are and they would be right. Corrupt greedy fools.

Doesn't the U.S. see the future of their future limited vendors for
sensitive military needs? If they do and allow it to happen, it boils down
to money, bribes and corruption in our gov't. The sad part is these people
think they will keep on going on with their greedy practices until they wake
up to find out their world and themselves are now controlled by a foreign
gov't and country.

It's very frustrating and sad that the U.S.A is falling from grace and is
now mainly a service orientated financial economy. How are they going to
use that to control their side of the world?

It's hard to sit back and watch it just move from the way it used to be to
the way it is now.

The US citizens are slowly losing all their rights as seen by the supreme
courts last ruling of allowing PRIVATE interests to take your real estate
away from you. I still can't believe this. HOW, how in the United States of
America, can the HIGHEST LAW IN THE LAND say this is "OK"????

For PRIVATE INTERESTS?I just can't believe it. IF they do not overule this,
and it becomes law, I thing a wise move might be selling your real estate
while you still have control of it and leaving the country.

Cause if the Supreme law of the land says this is OK to do to the citizens
of this country, I no longer feel I'm living in a free state. And, if the
people will not do anything about it and fight it, then I don't think we
need to stay around and go down with a bunch of sheep.

This is so scary to me you have just can't imagine. Also, to be able to
check public and retail records to see what books you buy and take out from
the library is just freightening. This is a dictatorship. This reminds me of
how the nazi's operated and gained control.

What is happening to privacy in this country that soldiers gave their lives
for?
So it all meant NOTHING which means this world means nothing now. Seems to
me I won't be suprised to see forced laws and rules on us individually. Our
country is straying farther and farther from the constitution.

See how they marched in the streets of the Ukraine recently. Why them and
not us? If nothing happens to overturn this ruling, they must be putting
something in the water, food or air. Cause I can't imagine logical thinking
Americans doing nothing about it. We shall see. We shall see if Congress and
the Senate are not outraged by this. If they aren't we know the fix is in
deep.

Lucky

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.

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.

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.

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections before
paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

John S. wrote:

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections before

paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

You were not a "cooperative user" (to use a term coined during the
development
of early mobile satellite systems. Your experience would have been
radically different
if you had had a clear line of sight to the satellite(s).

RK

Good grief. I had no idea people have to worry about line of sight with
satellite radio. That is a *major* turn off.

Steve

rkhalona wrote:
John S. wrote:

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections before

paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

You were not a "cooperative user" (to use a term coined during the
development
of early mobile satellite systems. Your experience would have been
radically different
if you had had a clear line of sight to the satellite(s).

RK

Well, yes I can be "not cooperative" and even downright cranky when an
over-hyped improvement doesn't work as advertised. Satellite radio
seems to suffer from the same shortcomings that satellite phones
suffered. Once users actually have to work with the new radio (or
phone) then the shortcomings become clear. For those of us with access
to a reasonable number of FM & AM radio stations satellite radio is
largely a redundant and expensive toy. I suppose it could be useful
out on a flat and relatively treeless open road, but so would a folder
of good cd's.

"rkhalona" wrote in message
oups.com...
John S. wrote:

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that
we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections
before

paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

You were not a "cooperative user" (to use a term coined during the
development
of early mobile satellite systems. Your experience would have been
radically different
if you had had a clear line of sight to the satellite(s).

Yes, but the clear line of sight becomes an issue
in the big cities and in areas with lots of trees. I
personally have DirecTV, and I'm lucky in that the
tree near to the dish is a honeylocust, so that the
signal from the birds can penetrate the dappled
shade of the honeylocust. Others I know who
wanted to make use of DirecTV had to forego it
because obtaining a clear view of the southern
sky meant they'd have to cut their trees down.
Satellite radio, it seems, looks like it might suffer
from similar (but different) limitations.

--Mike L.

Here's a link for those interested in some of the technical details of
satellite radio

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q1715285B

This info is almost three years old, but it will give you some basic
information about how the system
works, including an early link budget for XM's system. You will notice
that in some areas (places like large cities, tunnels, etc) repeaters
are used
to ensure coverage. In addition, most satellite systems of this type
have *some* link margin to allow
for reasonable in-building penetration loss, which is a function of
location, construction materials, frequency
of operation, etc.

RK

On 28 Jun 2005 09:22:17 -0700, "John S." wrote:



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.

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections before
paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

Sirius generally works better than XM in cars away from repeaters.

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 11:23:37 -0400, "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.

Actually untrue. In major cities, XM has repeaters in the city proper
because all sat based services have problems with urban canyons.

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.

matt weber wrote:
On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 11:23:37 -0400, "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.


Actually untrue. In major cities, XM has repeaters in the city proper
because all sat based services have problems with urban canyons.


It is true if you're in an area that isn't served by a repeater.

In my neck of the woods, trees are more likely to be a problem than
buildings.

My wife loves the XM radio in her car. If it was in my car I'd be
trying to figure out how to improve the signal to avoid the dropouts.

Interestingly I was in Asheville, NC this weekend and experienced
dropouts in a city not known for high rises. And of course when out in
the hilly countryside reception on the XM receiver was disappearing
like a kid playing hand 'n seek. And all the while good old FM was
steady and I enjoyed bluegrass on an NPR station about 40 miles outside
of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

So far I'm not impressed with and an not sold on the value of
subscription satellite radio when standard FM and AM offer a wide range
of programming with stable reception.

Mark S. Holden wrote:
matt weber wrote:

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 11:23:37 -0400, "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.



Actually untrue. In major cities, XM has repeaters in the city proper
because all sat based services have problems with urban canyons.


It is true if you're in an area that isn't served by a repeater.

In my neck of the woods, trees are more likely to be a problem than
buildings.


Yeah, trees are a big problem at the house. Worse than the
canyons in the city.



My wife loves the XM radio in her car. If it was in my car I'd be
trying to figure out how to improve the signal to avoid the dropouts.



One of the guys at the airport has Sirius in his R-44. Patched
into the intercom, he can to tunes but gets a priority overide when
ATC needs his attention. Makes a lot more sense than the cassette
player in the Bonanza.

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.

Peter Maus wrote:
snip

One of the guys at the airport has Sirius in his R-44. Patched into
the intercom, he can to tunes but gets a priority overide when ATC needs
his attention. Makes a lot more sense than the cassette player in the
Bonanza.



Aircraft are probably the ideal vehicles for sat radio.

Odds are if trees or buildings are between you and the satellite, a
signal dropout will be the least of your worries.

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.

Mark S. Holden wrote:

Peter Maus wrote:
snip


One of the guys at the airport has Sirius in his R-44. Patched into
the intercom, he can to tunes but gets a priority overide when ATC
needs his attention. Makes a lot more sense than the cassette player
in the Bonanza.



Aircraft are probably the ideal vehicles for sat radio.

Odds are if trees or buildings are between you and the satellite, a
signal dropout will be the least of your worries.



LOL! Talk about your pucker factors.

"Mark S. Holden" wrote:

My wife loves the XM radio in her car. If it was in my car I'd be
trying to figure out how to improve the signal to avoid the dropouts.


You would have to do it like the earth stations for tracking deep
space satellites. You use a diversity system built with two or more
receivers and a combiner.

--
Former professional electron wrangler.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida