No Static At All
If anything is guaranteed on cross-country road trips, it's that the selection of radio stations ranges from poor to deplorable, and the reception sounds no better than an electric razor beside a microphone.
Until now, that is.
Just as cable and satellite TV revolutionized television viewing in years past, now satellite radio is poised to change the way we spin the dial. XM Radio is the first to offer crystal clear satellite radio stations from sea to shining sea.
Say "Goodbye, y'all" to small-town country stations that litter the airwaves between large towns. Say "Adios!" to the many Spanish-speaking stations that drift over from Mexico. And say "It's about time!" to 100 nearly commercial-free stations that you can listen to no matter where you are in the US (except in a tunnel).
XM Radio is a new service that, for $9.95 monthly and a small one-time start-up fee, delivers the goods like no other radio can. Every genre and sub-genre of music has its own station; 70 of the 100 stations are dedicated to tunes. The remaining channels feature comedy, talk radio, and even the audio track of some of cable and satellite-TV's most popular stations, like CNN, Headline News, and Fox News.
Imagine that...you can listen to Bill O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" while speeding down the road. Or, if you need to pull over to catch a few Zs, tune in CSPAN and let them nail your eyelids shut.
We recently drove non-stop from Amarillo to Tampa, and put XM Radio to the test. It was among the best 24 hour road trips we've ever taken. The music and reception were great, and the novelty of it all had not worn off one bit by the time we hit the tropical air of Florida.
But before you can hear XM Radio, you must buy the receiver. There are a number of units available, including manufacturers such as Pioneer and Sony. We purchased and tested the Sony DRN-XM01R. At $399.95, it's a little pricey, but considering that you're driving down the road and catching signals from overhead satellites, suddenly the price pales compared to the technology. (Go to SonyStyle.com and search on "XM" for complete product specs.)
Professional installation is a must, so add another $70 or so. The unit comes with everything needed, including the small shark-fin antenna that is mounted with adhesive to the vehicle's roof. Unfortunately, the wire to the antenna has to be fed back inside the vehicle, but other than that minor flaw, the set-up is pretty straightforward.
The radio's docking station mounts to the dashboard with adhesive; two quick-release buttons allow users to remove the radio from its docking station to avert theft. Using RF modulation, the unit "broadcasts" on one of a few selected FM frequencies. Turn on and tune in the vehicle's FM radio to the correct frequency, turn on the XM, and begin enjoying the music.
The range of musical styles covered on XM's programming is impressive. If I'm in a Kentucky state of mind, there's a bluegrass station. If I'm waxing nostalgic, I can reminisce at the 70s station. If I want to listen to edgy alternative music, there's "Ethel," XM Channel 34. There's blues, the best contemporary Christian music you'll never hear in church, and everything from Glenn Miller to Marilyn Manson.
Want to know the artist and song title? Hit the button on the right side, and all the info that radio announcers never say will be on your digital screen. I had no idea that song was by P.O.D.
Broadcast radio should be so good. And so clear. And available so far and wide.
But it doesn't stop there. For another $150, I can buy a home docking station and antenna kit that allows me to use the same radio and service at home. Sony also has separate home units at about $600.
Will people accept paying $10 per month for something that has always been free? I don't see why not, considering that there are over 67 million cable TV households in the US. Does this mean that the new kid in town is going to seriously compete with the broadcast stations? You bet.
If the open road is your playground, nothing beats XM. My 12-disc CD changer was a great addition at one time, but it only holds 12 hours of music. The XM has enough music and other programming to keep my pedal to the metal for a long time.
Enough to get us back to Amarillo, at least.
©2001 R. Nicholas Gerlich
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