SiriusXM S-band Reception

[Old2New]

The question is, "how is it possible to receive SiriusXM radio S-band geosynchronous satellite signal without dish and LNB"? Apparently, SiriusXM receivers utilize short wire omnidirectional antenna, and it seems S-band signal strength would be inadequate.

The SiriusXM marketing info says their receivers combine three separate signals, two identical S-band signals from neighboring satellites but with one delayed by 4 seconds from the other, and a third signal from terrestrial repeaters that are fed by a separate Ku-band satellite (AMC-6), received by Ku-band dishes, and rebroadcast locally across N America.

The Wikipedia "Sirius Satellite Radio" article, perhaps written by SiriusXM marketing, mentions a complex chip set of up to six ASICs.

My suspicion is this is largely BS, and all the SiriusXM receivers are only receiving the terrestrial repeater broadcast.

 

[harshness]

SiriusXM has repeaters only in some of the larger metropolitan areas. There are entire regions that aren't covered. Here's an older map (2010?):

SiriusXM has reportedly shut down more than a few (if not all) of these repeaters since 2010.

They obviously can't be serving Bozeman or Peoria from a repeater. More than a few of the repeaters were located in tunnels and existed only to serve the interior of those tunnels.

If they can draw five or more GPS satellites into a wristwatch, they can certainly grab a couple with a much larger SARS antenna.

SiriusXM operates in a relatively low frequency band (S-band) that is 1.97-2.69GHz which gives it pretty bulletproof atmospheric penetration in addition to the entire satellite platform (SSL-1300S) powering only one transponder. This frequency band is not far above that of GPS that runs around 1.2-1.6GHz.

Don't let the fact that you can't get your head around something lead you to believe that it can't possibly be happening.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I use to have a SiriusXM repeater on top of my building but it was shut down a few years ago.

On the older radios you use to be able to go in and see the satellite signal levels. They are definitely coming off of satellite.

 

[Old2New]

SiriusXM has repeaters only in some of the larger metropolitan areas. There are entire regions that aren't covered. Here's an older map (2010?):
View attachment 181640
SiriusXM has reportedly shut down more than a few (if not all) of these repeaters since 2010.

They obviously can't be serving Bozeman or Peoria from a repeater. More than a few of the repeaters were located in tunnels and existed only to serve the interior of those tunnels.

If they can draw five or more GPS satellites into a wristwatch, they can certainly grab a couple with a much larger SARS antenna.

SiriusXM operates in a relatively low frequency band (S-band) that is 1.97-2.69GHz which gives it pretty bulletproof atmospheric penetration in addition to the entire satellite platform (SSL-1300S) powering only one transponder. This frequency band is not far above that of GPS that runs around 1.2-1.6GHz.

Don't let the fact that you can't get your head around something lead you to believe that it can't possibly be happening.

Thank you. The explanation that the entire SSL-1300 platform power of ~10KW is powering only a single transponder answers my question.