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using Sirius/XM satellite radio in Europe

using Sirius/XM satellite radio in Europe

Old Apr 2, 2009, 8:51 am
  #1  
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using Sirius/XM satellite radio in Europe

Does anyone have experience trying Sirius (or XM) in Europe?

I want to take mine to France if there is any chance it may work.



Thanks!
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 8:51 am
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Originally Posted by bukzin
Does anyone have experience trying Sirius (or XM) in Europe?

I want to take mine to France if there is any chance it may work.



Thanks!
There is a chance it will work, but that chance is zero
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 8:59 am
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You don't have be an expert in space technology to understand that it won't work over here (although it would of course help ).
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 9:06 am
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Here's a link to an unofficial Sirius satellite coverage map that shows the limits of its coverage. The XM map should be similar.
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 9:41 am
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Wow...so friendly.

The XM/Sirius system depend on satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit over the USA. Their coverage doesn't reach to other areas on the globe.
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 10:00 am
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real coverage

So, looks like no Europe with US sat. radios.



I called Sirius and also asked them about Mexico
and was told "signal gets approx. 200 miles south of
US border."

From the map you posted it looks like the coverage is much better
than that.

I have gotten an excellent signal an hour south of Cancun
which of course, is much more than 200 miles.
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 10:38 am
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The satellite portion won't work, but you can listen online.
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Old Apr 2, 2009, 11:44 am
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Sorry about my earlier post. What I sometimes do in a car and on a road with good 3G/HSDPA coverage is to listen to internet radio over my mobile phone. Not recommended without a local GSM card and unlimited data transfer, though.
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Old Jun 4, 2010, 2:18 pm
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Originally Posted by ScottC
The satellite portion won't work, but you can listen online.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


That is not correct. My Sat. radio works perfectly in
Playa del Carmen which is maybe 1000 miles south
of US border.

The Sirius folks may not promote or like it, but it
works.
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Old Jun 4, 2010, 2:22 pm
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get the online service, they'll actually give it to you for a month (or three months for free), or get the annual plan at 77$, then add it for a year for 25$. Either way, then you can listed on the iphone, android, blackberry, etc.
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Old Jun 4, 2010, 2:58 pm
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Originally Posted by bukzin
Does anyone have experience trying Sirius (or XM) in Europe?

I want to take mine to France if there is any chance it may work.



Thanks!
I found this interesting coverage map:

http://www.ses-sirius.com/services/coverage-areas/

I also found this company:

http://www.1worldspace.com/#

I took my XM INNO to Canada and was told it would not work. It worked fine. What they meant was that "legally" I had to use the Canadian service to listen in Canada because of licensing issues. I listened to the US feed. I needed a good southern pointing position for the weak INNO antenna, but no problem, even out at sea on the cruise ship.

If the Sirius satellite is in range, you MAY be able to hook up. I did not research the XM system.

If it is like Canada, what they mean is that you can not take a US radio into Canada and get the Canadian service. The US service comes in loud and clear.

I read about some Canadians that bought US XM service but they were canceled as they could not provide a good US address for communication. I can not find that old info. Worked fine as long as XM thought they were in US.

So if you have a small unit like the INNO, take it with you, it just might work, but it may not. You might want to pack an external antenna for better reception.

Added info: In my research I found that the Sirius satellite are not geosynchronous and in fact orbit over Europe and swap off as they go over the US. What I mean from the above is that if they are continuously broadcasting and are not turned off over Europe and have a continuous uplink they may work. You almost certainly will not be able to use the European systems that share the satellite without a subscription.

Last edited by InkUnderNails; Jun 4, 2010 at 3:04 pm Reason: Added info
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Old Jun 4, 2010, 3:55 pm
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Originally Posted by InkUnderNails
I found this interesting coverage map:

http://www.ses-sirius.com/services/coverage-areas/

I also found this company:

http://www.1worldspace.com/#

I took my XM INNO to Canada and was told it would not work. It worked fine. What they meant was that "legally" I had to use the Canadian service to listen in Canada because of licensing issues. I listened to the US feed. I needed a good southern pointing position for the weak INNO antenna, but no problem, even out at sea on the cruise ship.

If the Sirius satellite is in range, you MAY be able to hook up. I did not research the XM system.

If it is like Canada, what they mean is that you can not take a US radio into Canada and get the Canadian service. The US service comes in loud and clear.

I read about some Canadians that bought US XM service but they were canceled as they could not provide a good US address for communication. I can not find that old info. Worked fine as long as XM thought they were in US.

So if you have a small unit like the INNO, take it with you, it just might work, but it may not. You might want to pack an external antenna for better reception.

Added info: In my research I found that the Sirius satellite are not geosynchronous and in fact orbit over Europe and swap off as they go over the US. What I mean from the above is that if they are continuously broadcasting and are not turned off over Europe and have a continuous uplink they may work. You almost certainly will not be able to use the European systems that share the satellite without a subscription.
Worldspace is bankrupt though although some of it has just been bought and the number of channels has dropped dramatically from a few years ago.

Last edited by Jimmie76; Jun 4, 2010 at 4:21 pm
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Old Jun 5, 2010, 5:27 pm
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Originally Posted by bukzin
That is not correct. My Sat. radio works perfectly in
Playa del Carmen which is maybe 1000 miles south
of US border.
CUN is only ~200 miles south of Key West.
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Old Jun 5, 2010, 7:53 pm
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Originally Posted by user1
CUN is only ~200 miles south of Key West.
Thanks for the reminder. Guess that means its close enough
for the sat signal to make it.

Those of us flying down from California feel like we
are flying 3000 miles to get to Cancun!
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Old Jun 6, 2010, 3:02 pm
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Originally Posted by bukzin
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


That is not correct. My Sat. radio works perfectly in
Playa del Carmen which is maybe 1000 miles south
of US border.

The Sirius folks may not promote or like it, but it
works.
The title of the thread is "will it work in Europe" - so my post was indeed correct. I have no idea how this thread turned into questions about Mexico.

You asked "will it work in Europe" - I said no - then you said I am wrong, it does work in Mexico.

Notice why I may be a tad confused?
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