To: i-node who wrote (5384 ) 10/21/2006 9:30:09 PM From: pcstel Read Replies (1) | Respond to Yes, genius. You can hardly expect Mel to say, "Our reception sucks so we're launching another satellite in 2008". I provided a press release from Sirius explaining their reason for launching a fourth satellite (GEO, by the way) because their reception sucks. But if you go read the Sirius fanboards, it is pretty clear that reception issues are significant and more widespread than first believed. While XM has occasional complaints, they are simply not even close in sheer numbers (in spite of XM having more subscribers) nor in severity. In particular, Sirius is unable to deliver consistent reception within homes (often requiring an outdoor antenna to resolve, if it can be resolved at all) and the new "wearable" is virtually unusable without the external antenna, worse even than XM's first generation portables. Your claim that Sirius chose a "better" or more "cost-effective" satellite constellation reflects total and absolute ignorance of the subject matter. . Authority for three satellite system enhancements is requested by this modification application: (1) authority to increase the number of satellites from two to three, plus a ground spare; (2) authority to place three satellites into inclined and elliptical (non- geostationary) satellite orbits; and (3) authority to use the 4/6 GHz frequency band on a non- harmful interfering basis for telemetry, tracking and command ("TT&C"). We find that grant of Sirius' modification application will provide the public with an improved satellite DARS system that relies on FEWER TERRESTRIAL repeaters and offers more channels within the existing spectrum allocation. Once again, you're trying to change the subject because you have been shown to not have a clue what you're talking about.
