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Satellite shows interfering with FM stations?
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| Satellite shows interfering with FM stations?
- Click HERE to go to the original thread with graphics
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| LIFAN12 |
Anybody have stories about hearing Howard or other Sirius programs on an FM tuner unintentionally?
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/article...tati
ons/
Satellite shows are interfering with some FM stations
By Clea Simon, Globe Correspondent | May 18, 2006
The majority of listeners who hear Howard Stern on Sirius Satellite Radio pay for the privilege. But a growing number who pick up shows from both XM and Sirius satellite services are getting Stern but would prefer not to. The occurrence of satellite ''bleed through" -- when regular FM programming is broken into by a satellite signal -- is small, but as the number of satellite subscribers increases, so does this radio interference problem.
This interference is neither a Stern prank nor promotion. It's an unintentional side effect of the services' cost-saving measures. Satellite radio requires special receivers to pick up its signal, and when these receivers are professionally installed, they do just that. However, to attract listeners who want a low-cost option, both XM and Sirius have licensed ''do it yourself" plug-in receivers that can be used in a car or with a home stereo. These plug-in receivers, known as FM modulators, usually contain small, low-power wireless transmitters.
Once they pick up the satellite signal, the FM modulators use these low-power transmitters to rebroadcast the satellite signal to the car or home stereo on a low-end FM frequency, such as 88.1 or 88.3. This makes it possible for the user to ''tune in" satellite on their regular radio. Unfortunately, as the number of these FM modulators grows, more and more outside radios pick up their signals as well. This low-power retransmitting is allowed by the FCC's so-called Part 15 rules and isn't supposed to interfere with licensed broadcasters. But according to both listeners and traditional broadcasters, the interference is there and growing.
''We have gotten numerous complaints," says William Kuhlman, chief engineer of MIT station WMBR-FM (88.1). Listeners trying to tune in to this small MIT-based station, he says, ''hear bits of Howard Stern bleeding through into our morning shows when they commute to work." The problem is national. The Vermont public radio system in particular is encountering difficulties with its new classical radio network, according to Scott Fybush, editor of the Rochester, N.Y.-based NorthEast Radio Watch. The network is carried by repeater stations across the state. But since the network uses the 88.1 frequency, at times the repeaters rebroadcast satellite shows, instead of the public radio content.
''It's a perfect storm of circumstances," says Fybush. ''Nobody anticipated when the Part 15 rules came about that there would be so many of these devices." Another problem, he says, is that many of these low-cost receivers are manufactured overseas where, without domestic oversight, they may not all be made to the legal specifications. ''Some engineers think they are putting out more [power] than Part 15 allows," says Fybush.
The FCC is looking into the problem and is investigating both XM and Sirius. One solution, suggests Kuhlman, would be to push the satellite signals further down the dial below most stations -- to 87.9 FM for example. But this may be too little, too late.
''The cat is very much out of the bag," says Fybush. ''All of these devices are out there. There are millions in cars and homes. You can't just turn around and say none of these are legal anymore."
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.
:director: :smash: :listen: :spank: :wireless: |
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| SteelRat |
| I wouldn't know, because I'm always listening to Howard through MY FM tuner. |
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| DryOatmeal |
| my mr. microphone was doing that back in the 70s |
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| jonvall |
| I've seen these stories...FUCK'EM! |
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| horstoothjacass |
| I've heard of it coming through on those low christian stations. It was on here the other day. I would love to see the look on their face when it bleeds through. :D |
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| DryOatmeal |
Quote: Originally posted by LIFAN12
''The cat is very much out of the bag," says Fybush. ''All of these devices are out there. There are millions in cars and homes. You can't just turn around and say none of these are legal anymore." |
i guess he doesn't know this out of control right wing government we have very well |
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| horstoothjacass |
| In the middle of the lords prayer and all the sudden blue iris is on the sybian. :bounce: |
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| Bronco Bob |
| I was playing with my first sirius unit...and while it was on in one car playing thru the radio on 88 point somthing....we turned on the radio in my friends car also in the driveway...tuned to 88. somthing...and it was playing thru his radio also...I suppose the fm modulator sends out a fairly strong signal....it was cool. |
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| h100+101 |
| one time when i was drivin around i put the fm transmitter on 92.3 and a couple of people turned their heads |
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| LIFAN12 |
Quote: Originally posted by SteelRat
I wouldn't know, because I'm always listening to Howard through MY FM tuner. |
Last weekend, I had already heard all of the Howard shows they were replaying, so I decided to listen to some music stations. All of a sudden, I start to hear Howard bleeding through on 89.3. So I turned off my Sirius unit, and continued to listen to Howard for about a mile. The car I think was transmitting was a good 60 to 70 feet behind me, and I continued to hear the Show even when another car went between us.
I also once turned off my Sirius when parking in the LIRR commuter lot, and again still heard the Show.
I get great pleasure in knowing that the closest station to 89.3 is real "holy roller" Christian station, and I am sure I am "spreading the word" of Howard to these good Christian people.
So some time, turn you Sirius receiver off, and see if you heat Howard or unexpected music. You may just be receiving legal Satellite Radio for free.
:wireless: :cel: :drunk: |
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| manny75586 |
they just had a story on Siriusbackstage.com about this. The FCC is starting to halt manufaturing on some units (XM units only so far) so they can investigate to see if the FM transmitters on the units exceeds legal limits. (smells like a corporate payoff as it is legal to have a 1 watt, unlicensed radio station that usual covers a 1 block radius and I know my Visor doesn't cover nearly that much ground)
Stay tuned... |
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| kali |
| when I got my Starmate installed in the house, I wanted to see how strong the FM signal was so i put on my walkman and walked outside. I could get a signal about 2 houses away and across the street. But that's about it. that certainly isn't going to be any sort of problem. except for about 2 or three of my neighbors. unless they love howard. in which case I'm charging them :) |
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| sulu_swallows |
Quote: Originally posted by DryOatmeal
my mr. microphone was doing that back in the 70s |
"Hey good looking, we'll be back to pick you up later." |
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| STLSteve |
Quote: Originally posted by kali
when I got my Starmate installed in the house, I wanted to see how strong the FM signal was so i put on my walkman and walked outside. I could get a signal about 2 houses away and across the street. But that's about it. that certainly isn't going to be any sort of problem. except for about 2 or three of my neighbors. unless they love howard. in which case I'm charging them :) |
Was that on one of the main stations in your area or a station that normally has static?
When I try to use a station that is even semi-powerful, I don't get shit. I think these stories are bullshit and just a backdoor way to fuck with Howard. |
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| LIFAN12 |
Quote: Originally posted by STLSteve
Was that on one of the main stations in your area or a station that normally has static?
When I try to use a station that is even semi-powerful, I don't get shit. I think these stories are bullshit and just a backdoor way to fuck with Howard. |
The problem is that the religious and pubic service stations at the low end of the spectrum are usually low power. So if you set your transmitter to a clear channel (no pun intended) in one area, then, when you travel 20 or 30 miles away, you may well cross into one of these low power stations, on or close to your chosen frequency.
You may then well bleed-through to those tuned to the low end broadcast station and, momentarily at least, be the strongest signal in a 50 to 75 foot radius. You will thus potentially be heard in dozens of cars and, if one of them stays close to your car for a while, ahead, behind or beside you, they will get unexpected free ride on the Sybian!!!
:dance: |
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