AirAmerica will no longer be on Sirius

[Larry Weil]

At 03:32 PM 4/15/2005, rogerkirk wrote:

>This points up the real handicap that Satellite Radio labors under:
>Each station has a different radio.  As long as they continue that,
>IMHO they won't get the traction they need.  Probably end up being
>another VHS/Betamax contest where only one format wins.  It also
>discourages others from enetering the field.  A radio that received
>both XM & Sirius (as well as other future services) would help push
>the format forward.  Of course, I might as well wish for world peace
>while I'm at it.  It will be interesting to see what the "free market" 
>does with this in the next 10 years.  WI-MAX just might make it obsolete.

You make a good point here, although I think you meant system when you used 
the word station.  Not only that, car manufacturers are starting to offer 
radios that are pre-equipped for sat reception, but only for the system 
they choose (or pays them the most money!).  Thus, if the purchaser of that 
car wants the other system, and doesn't want to use an add on tuner with a 
low-fidelity FM modulator, it's necessary to replace the radio with an 
aftermarket unit, if that's even possible due to the car having an 
integrated stereo.

It's kinda like if Ford only offered AM, and Chevy only offered FM.

I believe you are correct, it's still early in the game, and time will tell 
what happens next.


Larry Weil
Lake Wobegone, NH