Satellite Radio Receivers
Everything you need to know about types of radio receivers
A satellite radio signal can be received practically anywhere, but you’ll need specific satellite radio receivers. Both Sirius and XM satellite radio receivers are available for a number of locations and uses.
In the Comfort of Your Home
Today’s top audio equipment manufacturers are developing their home receivers to be “XM Ready”—meaning they have a dedicated channel just for satellite radio. This technology still requires a satellite tuner and a service subscription, but to have the program information show up on the displays of your home theatre is technology at its best.
On the Road
Car audio has taken one more step, with satellite radio car receivers allowing you to take commercial-free programming on the road. There are number of models available, from the basic LED screen with a ticker telling you the artist and song title, to the split-screen full-color display with album art.
After attaching a magnetic satellite antenna to the roof of your car, hide the wire in the weather stripping of your vehicle and plug it into the receiver on your dash. There is also a home-and-car kit, which includes an extra indoor antenna, so that you can simply plug your car receiver into your home theatre with audio jacks. Also, a number of manufacturers are now building cars with receivers standard so that only a subscription is required.
At Sea
Satellite radio technology has greatly improved the information boaters can get their hands on while on the water. The range of a satellite radio signal means that boaters can get up-to-the-minute information more than 200 miles offshore. After the installation of a marine antenna, boaters can pull up digital images of all sorts of weather data on their PDAs, marinized PCs or dedicated boat receivers. Plus, while all this pertinent information is at their fingertips, they can still listen to all their favorite digital radio channels.
On the Go
For those who like to bring music with them everywhere, portable receivers may be the ultimate option. Of course, you can listen to satellite channels in transit, but you can also save broadcasts to replay later, as well as upload your mp3 and movie files to bring with you. While dedicated mp3 players can hold any media, they will not broadcast live, something portable receivers can brag about. These receivers also double as home or car receivers with adapter kits, making the portable option the most adaptable type of radio receiver.
