Successful Launch and deployment of SXM-7

[AntiMoz]

SpaceX successfully launched the SXM-7 satellite for SiriusXM aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite will replace the XM-3 satellite in SiriusXM’s fleet providing satellite radio programming to consumers across North America.

Launch video:

 

[Jimbo]

Well, That was Interesting !

 

[Jimbo]

Too bad I can't get better coverage from SXM here on Earth.

 

[Tampa8]

Except thick trees I can say good coverage in New England, even better in Florida. My antenna is on the dash in Florida. With our Cell plan we actually could and at times do use the Echo Mobile device with the app if we want even in the car.

I had planned to take a ride over to see the launch but never got to it.

 

[tobsandmags]

I’ve lost track of what SiriusXM’s approach has been for satellites....elliptical orbit (old Sirius system) or geosynchronous (XM system). Which is this one? The blog posting said this was more powerful. Will we see improved coverage in the northern reaches of the US where trees are thick?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[navychop]

I believe, to date, they are maintaining both

Maybe not the best choice, but hey- they’re paid to make such decisions. I suspect they have their reasons

Lot of radios out there for each. You’d think they would have consolidated on one, years ago, and gave a ten year or so sunset warning.

 

[Jimbo]

In my case, I'm in a '16 Ford F-150 ...
I just lose signal (Acquiring signal message on radio) I will drop out any time, it use to be certain intersections, but now it seems to be a bit different, its before 1 intersection, or crossing a bridge on the expressway or waiting at a light in a busy intersection, or just about any time I go more than a mile from home.

I have my bill coming up and am going to tell them, if they expect me to contiue service with them, they need to fix this issue.

I have been using thier service since '08 , I have talked to the dealer and they checked and said there are no service bulletins on file.

At this point I don't really want to drop off my truck for a day or two for them to say, "we couldn't find any thing wrong".

 

[TRG]

I’ve lost track of what SiriusXM’s approach has been for satellites....elliptical orbit (old Sirius system) or geosynchronous (XM system). Which is this one? The blog posting said this was more powerful. Will we see improved coverage in the northern reaches of the US where trees are thick?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

From the OP. "This satellite will replace the XM-3 satellite." So, geosynchronous (XM system). Located at position 85.1w.

SatStar.net - CONUS L Beam

 

[Howard Simmons]

Too bad I can't get better coverage from SXM here on Earth.

The only time I have problems with my home XM Delphi is when some one next door uses their microwave. Cuts it right off. (Live in a apt.)

 

[Jimbo]

The only time I have problems with my home XM Delphi is when some one next door uses their microwave. Cuts it right off. (Live in a apt.)

I don't know if my issue is Cell or Microwave or just what, but its very frustrating ...
I doubt that calling in to them would help, you usually can't understand them and if they are not in the US, how are they going to know if its fixed, stop on over ?

 

[AntiMoz]

Maxar, the spacecraft’s manufacturer, confirmed the satellite was healthy following launch Sunday.

Maxar said the satellite extended its power-generating solar arrays shortly after arriving in space. Ground teams at Maxar also established contact with the satellite as expected.

“Next, SXM 7 will begin firing its thrusters to commence its journey to its final geostationary orbit,” Maxar said.

The maneuvers will boost SXM 7 toward an operational perch in geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 kilometers). In that orbit, the spacecraft will orbit Earth at the same rate the planet rotates, giving SXM 7 a fixed view of the Americas 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

SXM-8 is scheduled for launch later in 2021.

 

[Rangers484]

Will this more powerful and new satellite improve the bit rate and sound quality of the music channels?

 

[PasTypique]

I just purchased a new vehicle that comes with a preview of SXM (three months). I was so surprised to see that Utopia (a dance music channel) was available. I thought that this was only available online. The channel number is in the 300's, which also made me wonder why my car radio receives it.

Does an additional satellite give SXM more bandwidth or is the bandwidth fixed?

 

[TheKrell]

Does an additional satellite give SXM more bandwidth or is the bandwidth fixed?

I believe it is fixed. More channels mean more compression.

 

[Jimbo]

I just purchased a new vehicle that comes with a preview of SXM (three months). I was so surprised to see that Utopia (a dance music channel) was available. I thought that this was only available online. The channel number is in the 300's, which also made me wonder why my car radio receives it.

Does an additional satellite give SXM more bandwidth or is the bandwidth fixed?

You are a fortunate one, my SiriusXm radio in the Truck must Not be new enough (although you'd think, seeing its a '16 ..
I'd like to get the channels in the 300's as I'd like to listen to the College Football channels ... I think they are in like the 360-380's area ... I get nothing in the 300's at all.

 

[TheKrell]

You are a fortunate one, my SiriusXm radio in the Truck must Not be new enough (although you'd think, seeing its a '16 ..
I'd like to get the channels in the 300's as I'd like to listen to the College Football channels

I have a Chrysler 300 with a "SiriusXM" radio too, and it doesn't get channels in the 300 range either. As I understand it, there are very few radios that can handle both Sirius and XM technology. My 300 has a Sirius radio in it. Who manufactured your truck?

 

[david_jr]

I thought I read somewhere in the last couple of years that the XM platform would ultimately win out. If they launched a new XM satellite would seem to back that up. I have had both and would give the edge to XM but not by much. Had a 2014 Toyota Rav4 had the worst reception of any vehicle with SiriusXM I have driven. Dealer insisted there was nothing wrong with it. Moved on to 2019 Honda Pilot, still get the occasional dropout here and there usually in the same locations. Live in the mountains and lots of trees to block the signal around here. Usually steep hill with a cliff on the south side will always block it. There is a 6 mile downhill grade eastbound on the Mass Pike I-90 that goes from Blandford, MA through Russell to Westfield, MA and you can keep the signal most of the way down until near the bottom before the Woronoco Bridge where the runaway truck ramp is, and the south side of the road is a steep cliff, the XM signal always goes out there.

 

[Howard Simmons]

I thought I read somewhere in the last couple of years that the XM platform would ultimately win out. If they launched a new XM satellite would seem to back that up. I have had both and would give the edge to XM but not by much. Had a 2014 Toyota Rav4 had the worst reception of any vehicle with SiriusXM I have driven. Dealer insisted there was nothing wrong with it. Moved on to 2019 Honda Pilot, still get the occasional dropout here and there usually in the same locations. Live in the mountains and lots of trees to block the signal around here. Usually steep hill with a cliff on the south side will always block it. There is a 6 mile downhill grade eastbound on the Mass Pike I-90 that goes from Blandford, MA through Russell to Westfield, MA and you can keep the signal most of the way down until near the bottom before the Woronoco Bridge where the runaway truck ramp is, and the south side of the road is a steep cliff, the XM signal always goes out there.

If that was the case then why did Sirius buy out XM in 2007?

 

[navychop]

How did K-Mart “buy” Sears?

 

[TheKrell]

Sears was the biggest catalog retailer on earth for decades. IIRC, at one time, you could even buy a pre-fab house from them! Why didn't Sears become Amazon before Amazon ever existed? I guess the Sears Catalog disappeared before Lampert's buyout. But still, he continued the demolition/bleeding of a great company, and he is one of my least favorite persons.