Posted on 05/01/2006 12:55:56 PM PDT by raccoonradio
he FCC on Friday would neither confirm nor deny that it is investigating reports of interference from some satellite radio receivers that are reportedly relaying their signals inadvertently to FM receivers in nearby automobiles.
An article in Friday's Baltimore Sun details how some motorists are accidentally picking up channels offered by Sirius and XM on their car radio. The incidents generally occur when the motorists are tuned to a station between 88.1 MHz and 89.9 FM — frequencies reserved for noncommercial, religious or educational stations. Aftermarket satellite receivers generally employ these lower FM frequencies, and the receivers use an analog FM modulator to send their signals through the car’s radio.
It appears the receivers’ power level for sending the signal may be higher than FCC regulations permit. In some cases, signals are reportedly being sent 50, 100 or even 1,000 feet beyond the originating vehicle. The signals then drown out stations listened to by passing motorists.
The arrival of Howard Stern at Sirius on Jan. 9 appears to have escalated the complaints: Anthony Brandon, President/GM of NPR affiliate WYPR/Baltimore, told the Sun he’s sent 60 listener complaint letters to the FCC. He said, "When Howard Stern went off terrestrial radio and on to satellite radio, it seems that is when we had the most complaints, due to the shocking material, in contrast to normal NPR programming."
NPR Chief Technology Officer Mike Starling told the Sun that NPR has been speaking to Sirius and XM about the issue, and "they've offered their full support to look into the problem." But the problem isn’t limited to satcasters: Starling said interference at the bottom of the FM dial can also come from any portable audio device if it uses a built-in or aftermarket FM modulator that enables it to play through a car's FM radio. R&R’s calls for comment to Sirius and XM were not returned.
Many of these mini FM transmitters only operate in the lower part of the FM band but some offer the chance to transmit on any frequency...
example of a mini FM tranmitter--takes a couple AAA batteries and can broadcast at 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7
also, the article talks about faulty satellite radios, but it also can be done via the mini FM transmitters.(I think some people have satellite radios with a built in way to broadcast on an FM frequency while others buy these mini-FM transmitters to do this--only it reacher more than just THEIR car! Sirius is probably upset, but people probably only hear "Howard" for a minute before the sat-radio-equipped car changes lanes and moves away.
oops, URL on article may have been changed...
http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2006_05_01/reportfcc.asp
Same thing can happen with XM satellite radios as well. I used to use the built-in FM modulator in my vehicle, but have since switched to a cassette adaptor.
I use Sirius satellite, i love the built in "transmitter" which i use all the time. I'm actually considering switching to " hardwire" to get a cleaner sound, i get "outside interference" from the so called "public " radio.
BTW I don't miss am/fm radio and their commercials and lame playlists. Satellite is the ticket with so many stations to listen from :)
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