Satellite Radio Service for Rural America

A satellite radio service is ideal for news and entertainment during those long hours in the pickup and tractor cab if you live in rural regions where regular radio reception is limited. This technology is now feasible because of the satellites orbiting directly above the United States and beaming the radio signal back to relay stations. Much like a global positioning system signal, the signal can occasionally be obstructed by tall buildings and canyon walls, but it’s rare. And certainly not a problem in farm country. Now Satellite radio service is available to even the most remote ranches and mountain cabins. 

To completely cover the US, Xmradio uses two satellites and 1,000 ground-based repeaters, or mini radio towers, in 70 major metropolitan areas to receive and bounce the signal of 130 channels to your locale or anywhere coast to coast. The clear digital signal from the satellite radio service eliminates static, fuzz and background noise on music channels ranging from bluegrass, country and western, oldies, rap, blues, rock, reggae and opera.

The other satellite radio service provider, Sirius Satellite Radio, uses three satellites in orbit and fewer repeaters but also delivers over 130 channels of music, weather, news and entertainment. In addition to the music channels, you will also find programming dedicated to news and talk radio, including the standards such as the BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, ESPN, The Weather Channel and several comedy channels.

Many automobile and truck manufacturers offer satellite radio service as a factory-installed option on new models. If you’d like to install satellite radio to your present car, it is similar to putting in a conventional car stereo. The main difference is that a small antenna mounted on the roof or rear window, either magnetically or with adhesive. A cable runs from the antenna to a small receiver that can be hidden under a seat or in the trunk. Then another cable runs from the receiver to the car radio. You should expect the cost of the hardware and installation to be quite reasonable. Just think how great it will sound in your tractor cab.

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