How good are those satelite radios in the air?

[spudskier]

ya... good point

Supposedly in March a new XM radio is supposed to come out that is about the size of an MP3 player, does all the stuff the current portables do and also hold mp3s. If this is true, I'm buying a new radio, but I admittedly already have an account with XM and LOVE it. Keeps me sane in all the driving I do (10,000 miles in the last 3 months) and the biggest seller for me is being an O&A fan plus the comedy channels with 24 hrs of stand up

 

[ACT700]

Can't speak for XM, but my handheld GPS can't see thru heated windows.

What do you mean? The antenna won't get a signal?

I have a Garmin 195, and it does fine with the heated windows.

 

[av8rbama]

What do you mean? The antenna won't get a signal?

I have a Garmin 195, and it does fine with the heated windows.

I've used my XM in a B200. We didn't have the windshield heaters on though.

Oh, and I've used it with a 210 that has a hotplate. No problems there either. Also used it in the soup, no problems. Maybe I'm just lucky!

Here's a pic of my setup.

 

[mtrv]

I was under the assumption that the monthly fee was the price you pay to get away from those annoying commercials that free radio has.
I listen to FM talk radio all day long, and yes-my peni$ is long enough, no-I don't want to lease an automobile, I haven't been in a car wreck and I don't need an attorney...blablabla, every 9 minutes.
It's disheartning that commercials are showing up on sat radio.

With a hundred and twenty channels or so, the commercial time is with those direct feeds from nationwide talkshows, etc, where fill time is required.

There are many music channels such as the 1940's to 90's, where the only commercial might be a period commercial, such as a smoking or beer commercial from the 1960's, which is interesting to listen too, anyway.

The real advantage of Satellite, is the ability to drive or fly hundreds of miles across the U.S. with a constant signal and no loosing a fading station, as with AM/FM.

 

[Diesel]

XM202 at 490. Plus also in an older style king air with the thick heated winshield. Old time hocky style with thick elements.

XM is a godsend. I play monster rain every day.

My buddy Steve from Yellowstone says it's the best thing he's ever used. He has a boat out in Modesto with the XMWX and he said he really loves the weather.

 

[ACT700]

When the price of subscription finally drops, and when they'll be more flexible with the amount of receivers...then I think I'll spring for one.

 

[Sim Sweat]

XM is a godsend.

Absolutely friggin' right! Never a problem, never a hiccup, and it's on the FO's checklist: Cruise checks complete, XM on.

 

[Weasil]

I fly the CRJ701 and I have a XM Portable (not the delphi.. the new one from panasonic). It works in the back while dead heading if I hold it up to the window, it works in the cockpit on the ground (seems to be picking up a terrestrial boost signal.. not the satellite) and it never works in the cockpit while flying. don't know why. I've even tried bringing the large home antenna and setting it up in the cockpit window. I do know that our windows are not only heated but also they contain a layer of metallic film that is designed to block out radiation and may be blocking the signal. I wish it did work though.
At least the portable one works when I'm in the hotel van or sitting in the gym and it does have that record function.

 

[spudskier]

P.S. New unit on sale for XM, sweet ass that also plays MP3s... might wait for the price to come down

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E43518/sr=8-2/qid=1140646186/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-5983410-3454549?_encoding=UTF8

 

[Hadhafang]

I don't know about the entertainment option of XM, but the weather option is really good. The flight school where I instruct bought two Cessna 172's with the G-1000, and they paid for the weather subscription. It is incredible to be able to pull up METARs and TAFs for airports by just moving a pointer around a screen. I'm happy with that feature of XM so far.