Imagine driving from Los Angeles to the Canadian border without ever having to change the radio station. Imagine listening to CD-quality sound anywhere, anytime you want, whether it's in midtown Manhattan, on a farm in Iowa, or on a North Carolina beach. All this is going to be possible through satellite radio. But you have to be serious. If you just like to listen to CDs or tapes, if you enjoy listening to local radio wherever you go, or if you don't particularly care whether or not you can receive national broadcasts, satellite radio probably doesn't have much to offer. But if you're a real audio enthusiast, enjoy being plugged-in to national news and sports information, or just hate having to re-tune the receiver, then satellite radio is for you.

As is the case with any new technology it's good to do your homework before jumping in. As we mentioned previously, the satellites are provided by Loral and Hughes. The digital audio technology is provided by Lucent and Alcatel. We'll provide more information about how these systems work as it becomes available. If what XM has accomplished so far is any indication, the sound should be CD-quality. They unveiled the largest digital broadcasting center in the United States on September 13, 2000. It's located in Washington D.C. They're also prepared to demonstrate their first prototype satellite radio. In addition, they've demonstrated their digital chipset, manufactured by STMicroelectronics. To demonstrate further the capabilities of their technology, XM also uplinked digital music to a KU-band satellite and beamed it back to a prototype radio in a moving vehicle. The satellite part of their operation will soon be handled by "XM Rock" and "XM Roll", two geosynchronous orbiters.

The equipment used to receive the signal is another matter. Although all satellite radio receivers should be capable of reproducing sound in accordance with the system specifications there may be differences among the vendors. Both automobile and home units should be available, with portable models following shortly after the systems go on-line. Unless you're planning to buy a new car from Daimler-Chrysler (Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler products), BMW, or Ford, you'll have to purchase an aftermarket unit from Motorola, Clarion, Audiovox, Alpine, Mitsubishi, Delphi, which is demonstrating its mobile multimedia products at the 2002 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, or Jensen, which recently announced an upcoming lineup of Sirius-enabled car audio equipment. Satellite receivers by Delphi were shown at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. They were installed in two Cadillac models and are offered as optional equipment on the Seville and DeVille models. Tweeter Home Entertainment recently announced that it plans to begin selling Alpine satellite receivers in Dallas and San Diego in time for XM's debut in those markets in September. The units will sell for around $300. Although we don't know for certain, it's likely that Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sharp will manufacture car, home and portable systems. Kenwood recently shipped the first of its Sirius-ready radios to retailers. Not to be outdone, XM has announced an agreement with General Motors to hide their monthly fee in the finance charges paid to GMAC for all vehicles purchased with XM-ready satellite radio receivers. Most systems should be capable of receiving standard AM and FM broadcasts as well as KU-band satellite signals.

Sirius recently announced that BMW would offer their service to new car buyers early in 2002. Their radios will be made available in select 3, 5, and X5 series vehicles. PR Newswire reported that a recent JD Power survey showed BMW owners as among the most likely early adopters of satellite radios. RUsirius.com has noticed that BMW owners also seemed to be among the first to adopt cell phones and GPS receivers.

So now that you've purchased your satellite radio receiver and signed-up for service, what programming do you select? Both Sirius Satellite Radio and XM promise to feature a broad range of programming including jazz, country, classical, and rock. Both are also expected to offer news, sports, and financial reports. But beyond that, little can be said about them because neither is on the air yet. Check-in with this site periodically to see what kind of progress each satellite broadcasting system is making prior to going on the air.