xm radio reception on 08 ls
04-16-10, 05:52 AM
#17
The XM satellites are in geostationary orbits (about 22,000 miles altitude). Currently there are five of these satellites: XM1,2,3,4 and 5. XM1 and 2 are no longer in service but remain in backup. XM3 and 4 are currently active. The look angles from Dallas, TX for XM 3 are 50 degrees elevation and 159 degrees azimuth and the Dallas look angles for XM4 are 47 degrees elevation and 211 degrees azimuth - the farther North your location is the lower the elevation angle will be. So, you can see that XM4 is much farther West. The operators of these satellites switch between devices due to maintenance and operational considerations. Depending on your location terrestrial objects may interfere with the signal from one satellite and not interfere with the other so when they switch you may have the perception that there is a problem with your receiver especially in areas where there are lots of potential obstructions. XM5 was launched by a Russian rocket about eight months ago and is currently in orbital storage.
04-16-10, 06:26 AM
#18
Here is a good link to help you visualize where those magic radio signals come from. This is mostly about Sirius, which uses a different technology than XM - Sirius uses three satellites in elliptical orbit and XM uses two geostationary satellites. In the graphic it looks like the XM satellites are misidentified as XM1 and 2. The positions shown seem to be for XM3 and 4. The last paragraph in this link "XM Satellite Radio" gives a brief description of the XM system and some of the weaknesses.
http://www.dbstv.com/coverage/SiriusRadio
http://www.dbstv.com/coverage/SiriusRadio
04-17-10, 06:18 AM
#19
XM Radio
Recently I was on a trip from LA to Vegas. And my XM Radio went out. I pulled into a gas station and called XM. But it was closed already. Broke out my laptop. And went to the XM Refresh page. XM was back on in about 2 minutes.
www.xmradio.com/refresh/index.xmc
www.xmradio.com/refresh/index.xmc
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