XM WX Satellite Weather

because of low (and getting lower) receiver and antenna costs (thanks to high-number production), relatively wide footprint extending hundreds of miles off of US coasts, high-speed data channels, relatively low monthly subscriptions (in the $30s) and, last but not least, the ability to combine great weather data with hundreds of music and news channels, XM WX is destined to become a must have on most pleasure crafts, fishing vessels etc. The software interface is pretty neat. It remains to be seen how easy the main purveyors of navigation software (Maptech, Nobletec etc.) will make it to overlay this wealth of WX info into their charting products. Check out one of their sources of numeric model-based weather forecasts.

8:14:47 AM    

Satellite Radio Edges Forward in Europe

Doubts persists about the viability of the XM or Sirius Sat Radio business models when applied to the European marketplace. However, the success of Satellite Radio in the US is keeping many in Europe watching. "French broadcast company TDF confirmed at an industry conference here that talks had begun between Alcatel and SES Global over a possible joint venture. "

The issue does not seem to faze WorldSpace, which has been positioning itself as a pan-European SR  for sometime (actually, with the planned addition of Latin America, it will have almost global coverage). It operates in the Ku-Band, and receivers are now in the $100-$200.

 

8:03:25 AM