Sirius About Hurricane Gustav
I admit it. I am obsessed with Hurricane Gustav. I clearly remember the destruction and the loss of life of a few years ago. The destruction was not just physical. Families were torn apart, uprooted and many were further victimized following the largest natural disaster in U.S. history. No matter what you may feel about an individuals choice to live there, children who had no choice died.
Yesterday, SiriusXM issued a press release that they had activated the emergency channels on both Sirius 184 and XM 247. I thought an act of this magnitude was important enough to warrant an immediate posting of the company’s press release, as the potential to perhaps not only help save lives but to ease the burden of those being evacuated existed.
As I jumped into my car tonight to head out to the store, I decided to tune my own receiver to Sirius 184 to see exactly how satellite radio might benefit people, including myself and my family, in the event of an emergency.
I expected to hear some generic news regarding the hurricane; it’s intensity, it’s path, etc. What I found was much, much more. Being broadcast are actual shelter locations such as schools by names and addresses as well as telephone numbers for those in need of evacuation assistance and local curfew information. Tips for not only riding out the storm but checklists of items to pack were also offered. Airport information was made available for Louisiana and Alabama as well. This information was given out for several states in the affected area, in a clear and precise manner.
Of course detailed weather information is being given along with broadcasts from government officials including interstate contraflow information by highway number. I know they have local radio stations there, yet the potential exists that those radio stations may be unable to broadcast very soon or that the evacuee’s will be out of range to pick up their signals.
I also heard a Sirius commercial. It seems that any and all radios have been activated, and Sirius is reaching out to those people to subscribe. I know that no channels work including channel 184 if the subscription has not been activated. The commercial tells me that SiriusXM has done the right thing by activating this channel on all radios, subscribed or not.
I imagined myself and my family being stuck in 14 hours of traffic as we fled for our lives and immediately realized the benefit that satellite radio provides in these situations. Chances are I would have checked up on the current situation when the family took a break at a rest stop, and we would have just listened to the commercial free music or comedy channels, just to keep upbeat. I’ve yet to see an iPod do any of this.
Position: Long SIRI
Being a victim of three direct hurricane hits here in S. Fl. I do not think there is any better way of receiving emergency information than from sat radio. When you lose power, you still have your vehicle that can receive radio. Back in ’04 and ’05 some local stations were down. No TV no electric. Unless you have a generator. I don’t believe there are any costs to broadcast to every available sat radio plus no costs to advertise the product.
Brandon did you read the SiriusXM exciting article in the Sunday Times? Maybe you could add to this and post it at seeking alpha (FOUND ARTICLE LINK from stockconsultant then click IV message board.
August 31, 2008
Wireless meets wi-fi on American radio waves
E-mail from America
Mark Harris in Seattle, new tech city
In a nation so devoted to television, radio has to shout pretty loudly to be heard. Drive out from any big city in America and the dial all too quickly shrinks to a choice of nothing but duelling banjos, Bible-thumping preachers and swathes of soft rock. Prime territory, you might think, for digital radio, which is capable of delivering dozens of niche stations over the same chunk of waveband occupied by a single analogue channel.
Four years ago, America duly backed a system called HD Radio that promised extra channels, crisper reception, text information and some smart extras such as “tagging” songs for later purchase at Apple’s iTunes online music shop.
So why today do only 1,750 out of the country’s 13,500 stations broadcast in HD Radio, with sales of new receivers running at less than 2% of traditional AM/FM sets? It’s partly that the old analogue system was never switched off. So rather than spend $100 (£54) on a new HD Radio receiver, listeners just ploughed on with analogue.
Another reason was that a new technology was overtaken by an even newer one. American listeners have been turning to subscription-based digital satellite radio, which is delivering hundreds of stations to suit all tastes and, unlike HD Radio, is doing it nationwide. Last month, regulators approved the merger of the country’s two satellite radio broadcasters, Sirius and XM, into a single company boasting more than 18m subscribers and offering packages of commercial-free music, intelligent talk channels and major sports events for around $17 (£9.20) a month.
Product reviews: Internet and DAB radios
Hybrid radios can receive thousands of internet stations as well as FM and in some cases digital. We listen to five of the best
Does this sound familiar? In the UK the BBC has long been championing DAB radio, but it’s had only a lukewarm reception. Now it looks as though the millions of pounds spent on DAB could have been wasted, caught between two new developments: the threat of the powerful new Sirius XM conglomerate turning its sights on Europe, and the rise of internet radio with thousands of stations catering for every possible interest – an offering that broadcast radio can’t hope to match.
By the way Great radio show best yet!
SiriusXM “Conglomerate” turning it’s sights on Europe???
WHa-WHa-WHAT?? 🙂
I Don’t know if that was just written by an ill informed writer or was just a case of wishful thinking…but I SURE do like the sound of that!! Lol.
Anyway…in regards to Brandon’s Gustav article…yeah…I was hooked on the news coverage too…FOR A BIT. But now that it looks like the storm is decreasing in intensity and will for the most part miss New Orleans directly….I’m becoming alittle disgusted with the media AND the government.
One can’t blame the media for covering the storm. On the one hand, they HAVE to. On the other hand, call me cynical, but you can almost see them SALIVATING at the prospect of death and destruction. ACTUALLY HOPING for it. And as news of the storms “decreasing” power became more clear(thanks to the internet)….you could almost FEEL their disappointment as they amped up their sensationalist coverage.
And you can’t blame the Republicans for canceling their convention speeches today…in light of what happened in Katrina…they HAD TO. But you also can’t help but think they are trying to use this as an election boost. The ironic thing is that the more they try…the MORE the memory of Katrina and their TOTAL failure to respond comes to mind.
And talk about IRONIC. Just last week Stuart Shepard, the leader of the Right Wing group “Focus On the Family” made a public plea that EVERYONE pray for RAIN of “BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS” the night of Obama’s speech at the Democratic convention. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....O4bceqHRMw
You couldn’t write it any funnier.
Anyway…thats my two cents. Peace out.
SiriusXM “Conglomerate” turning it’s sights on Europe???
WHa-WHa-WHAT?? 🙂
I Don’t know if that was just written by an ill informed writer or was just a case of wishful thinking…but I SURE do like the sound of that!! Lol.
Anyway…in regards to Brandon’s Gustav article…yeah…I was hooked on the news coverage too…FOR A BIT. But now that it looks like the storm is decreasing in intensity and will for the most part miss New Orleans directly….I’m becoming alittle disgusted with the media AND the government.
One can’t blame the media for covering the storm. On the one hand, they HAVE to. On the other hand, call me cynical, but you can almost see them SALIVATING at the prospect of death and destruction. ACTUALLY HOPING for it. And as news of the storms “decreasing” power became more clear(thanks to the internet)….you could almost FEEL their disappointment as they amped up their sensationalist coverage.
And you can’t blame the Republicans for canceling their convention speeches today…in light of what happened in Katrina…they HAD TO. But you also can’t help but think they are trying to use this as an election boost. The ironic thing is that the more they try…the MORE the memory of Katrina and their TOTAL failure to respond comes to mind.
And talk about IRONIC. Just last week Stuart Shepard, the leader of the Right Wing group “Focus On the Family” made a public plea that EVERYONE pray for RAIN of “BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS” the night of Obama’s speech at the Democratic convention. Just google it.
You couldn’t write it any funnier.
Anyway…thats my two cents. Peace out.
Two minor points on the article:
1. It says “I know that no channels work including channel 184 if the subscription has not been activated.”
Not true–channel 184 is always active on Sirius radios, whether there is an active subscription or not–this is obviously important for configuring an antenna before having Sirius send an activation signal to a new radio. And The Weather Channel has been blended in with the Sirius commercials on 184 since Sirius dropped its dedicated Weather Channel streams in 2005 (it had 4 of them) and renamed 184 “Sirius Weather & Emergency” (it used to be called just “Sirius Preview”).
2. Storm coverage on 184 isn’t new–Sirius has had the same level of detail on 184, including the exact addresses of storm shelters and sound bites from officials, during major storms over the past few years, including Rita and Katrina.
I agree with your main point that this is certainly in the public interest, and all the more so when you consider it’s actually possible to get this information (via 184) without even having to pay for a subscription!
Tesla…
Perhaps its specific to older radios, but I recall having a billing issue with Sirius when I got a new credit card when my wallet was lost. They shut off my service and the radio defaulted to channel 184. I received no signal except that it said to call 1-888-539-Sirius to activate.
I do have an older radio so….
Yes, but that’s because your radio was specifically deactivated by Sirius for a billing issue. I’m pointing out that 184 is normally on for all Sirius radios, including unactivated ones right out of the box. This has always been the case, and also applies to new radios too. (A strong signal is a prerequisite for receiving the activation signal–it has to come via the antenna; that’s why 184 is normally on on all radios, and why the Sirius CSRs first ask if you can hear 184 clearly before they send the activation signal.)
Gustav is now a category 1 storm…and yet the news channels are STILL trying to milk this for all it’s worth. Pathetic.
If I see one more news reporter in a raincoat standing in the wind while giving a report…I’m gonna unleash a category 5 on my tv!
I hope a stop sign flys off and decapitates one of them. That’d stop this stupid practice.
Seriously. Enough is enough. Pack up the gear and go home already. There is a war going, an election to cover, and our economy is in the crapper.
🙂
friggenreagen, are you serious? lack of response to katrina.. the real lack of response is credited to dem. gov. ray nagin.
Hey I’m no Ray Nagin fan. But the fact of the matter is Katrina was a National Disaster, and our Federal Government did NOTHING for nearly a week while we watched images of people DYING and PLEADING for help on CNN.
I remember seeing the images and not being able to stand it.
And WHERE was our President? Eating cake with John McCain.
He may have sat for 7 whole minutes after he got word of 9/11. But he waited a WHOLE friggin week while an Entire city lay under water.
Do you think the fact that they were mostly people of color had anything to do with it?? Hmmm??
It’s why I think it’s so prophetic that the Republican convention was delayed and that an African American Democrat is running.
I’m an Independent, but I’m SORRY…the Republicans had their turn. 8 years is enough. It’s time for a change. Not more of the SAME.
Peace. 🙂
friggen,the way i see it, a third party is way overdue, …..american tunnelvision.., you need to look past the main stream news for..news.
Hey holdon – get it straight. Nagin is the mayor of New Orleans, not the Governor of Louisiana. Kathleen Blanco was the Governor during Katrina and she’s out after all of the screw-ups.
This isn’t a dem or repub thing. The republican president we have put one of his republican buddies in charge of FEMA and look what happened.
Get your facts straight!
Change is inevitable. A viable third party candidate WILL emerge someday. But I think Obama, the first African American president is a step in the right direction.
And by the way…I don’t get my news from the mainstream media.
Peace.
right on, if your gonna make your decision based on race or gender then i’ll make mine on sahara for vp.
i do respect your views, its different views and debate that has made this country the greatest! just my opi.
…..speaking of news,lets hope mel&co. has some good this week!!
cheers!!
I’m going to make one political statement:
It is easy to point a finger at Bush over Katrina. The blame is squarely on the Mayor and Gov. of LA. It was their responsibility to protect the citizens of LA prior to Katrina hitting the area. They did not and therefore failed as leaders.
Gas prices have more than doubled and the economy has sank since the democrats took over congress in 2006.
I will take my chances with the republicans again.
Lol. Pardon me…if I beg to differ…but to blame the state of the country on a year and a half of the Dems winning back control of congress is laughable at best. I’m sorry.
EVERY major bill that would have helped Bush VETOED.
If you want to play Russian roulette and take your chances with the Republicans again…be my guest. Its a free country and I support your right to feel the way you do.
But I for one am GLAD Barack Obama is going to win in November. Contrary to the polls that Fox news likes to float….Obama is going to win…and he is going to win HUGE.
Sorry to burst your bubble…but it’s going to be a landslide. I may not be sure of whats going to happen with Sirius…LOL….but I’d bet the farm I am right about this.
And with alittle luck the Dems will win control of the Senate too.
Bill Clinton didn’t even have that…and he left office with a trillion dollar surplus.
The unfortunate news is that Obama is going to be left with the biggest mess ANY incoming president has ever had to face. It’s going to be a HUGE challenge to turn things around. And I am sure the Republicans will say any and all bad news after January will be Obamas fault. Just like they blame the last 2 years on the Dems in congress. And the last 8 years on Clinton.
Ok…I’m gonna get off my soap box. Lol. It’s all good. Peace love and happiness to all! 🙂
more taxes, big government, big spending(bush guilty also),trial lawers,fcc…obama..etc…its all the same.
Frigginregan, nothing wrong with a soap box, always makes for a good debate. lol.
1st, Obama is Dem and historically dems win close elections not landslides. As for a Fox poll and CNN Poll, throw those out. Obama is leading in the polls but the Republicans have not even played any of their cards. I think you have this one backwards with regards to the tally in Nov. 2nd, Palin…wow what a resume and how sneaky to choose a woman. If you don’t believe the disgruntaled Hillary voters will vote gender, you don’t live with a woman. 3rd, Electoral College…if the dems don’t take Mich, Ohio, and PA or it might be FL, they can’t win. I hate to bring in the race card, because I am color blind literally and fugitively, but have you ever been to OHIO…Cleveland and Cini dems…everywhere else crazy, heavily armed nut jobs….get where I am going? Not voting for African American. Ultimately, woman will vote gender over race. Can Obama win Mich; I have no knowledge about Mich other than they have a Militia or two. No nut jobs there? This country is loaded with nut jobs and I might be one of them but I surely was not one of the 48 million people who voted for Al Gore. Come on Al Gore…you got to be nuts to pull a lever for that guy. The big spending Republicans might not lead better but they sure do campaign better…anyone remember Rove and the swift boat vets that sank Kerry’s ship. I am conservative republican with liberal social views but I understand my party. They are clever…Hockey mom, NRA, Ice fishing, 5 kids, one in the army and heading to Iraq, come on, be reasonable this lovely lady just about locks this one up for Republicans. Man they are sneaky.
Bush and Cheney will go down as one of the worst president/vice president combinations in history.
And I liked many things Bush did for us as a country early on. He had an opportunity to do alot of good but squandered it away with all of the “axis of evil” b.s.
Blaming things on Democrats is just an ignorant way of looking at things. Out of touch with reality my friend.
Did the 3-2 FCC decision say anything about the Dems, two no votes. 3 yes votes from the Reps. Clearly not a monopoly but obvious pandering to constituents….that makes me sick. Long live SiriXM
you may call it ignorant but i blame both the dems. & republicans. both parties are controled buy corp. amer. .., big money..spec. int. ..ray charles can see that… i pray for a 3rd party…….
and by the way , my opi…i think carter has won the worst of awards.
Bush and Cheney fliped two countries and freed 50 millon poeple. Worst ever? Remember Carter, anyone, Bueller, anyone. Governer Palin, who I think has an 80% approval rating, could run circles around GW in a debate. It would be like my allumni this weekend in Happy Valley, just a little bit out matched. PSU 66, Coastal Carolina University 10! Talk about the difference between 1A-1AA.
Its time for a third party this duopoly in Washington has gone on for too long.
amen,ben.
Sneaky? Desperate is more like it. I do agree with you tho…the Republicans are master campaigners. They use soundbites and fear like no other and with the help of FOX news, they can repeat those soundbites over and over until their opponent is painted any color they want.
But heres the the thing, the Dems LET the Republicans DEFINE them. At least thats what Gore and Kerry did. They didn’t fight back…and the Republicans were able to swift boat and flip flop them.
Unlike Bill Clinton who FOUGHT back. And that is why the Republicans HATE Clinton. They had to go after his SEX life…and even THEN couldn’t make people hate Clinton.
Obama is like Clinton. Did you see his speech last Thursday? Trust me, the Republicans are scared.
But I think the Republicans picked Sarah Palin last minute because of Hillary and Bill Clinton’s speeches. They were counting on a divided Democrat Party, and when they realized that wasn’t going to happen…THATS when they pulled out all the stops with Palin.
You think it wasn’t rushed? McCain only had met her ONCE! There was no time to properly vet her, and thats why the thing with the state trooper…and her 17 year old daughter’s pregnancy came as such a surprise.
You’re right. It was a gutsy move on their part. I’m a super Liberal, and even I like Palin’s story. But a good story doesn’t a good president make. And lets face it. McCain is 72 and has had two bouts with cancer which literally makes Palin a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world.
I’m sorry…I think you underestimate women, and the American people at large when you say they are going to rally around this choice. Sure, it’ll energize the Republican base, because lets face it, McCain ain’t exactly conservative. So yeah, THOSE women will vote for her.
But I DO live with a woman. I was raised by a house full of women. And if you think that the majority of women are going to go McCain because he chose a woman…I think it’s YOU my friend who don’t know women very well.
Hell. Many of the most Liberal women I know weren’t even voting for Hillary…And she was for everything THEY were for!
Palin is AGAINST everything they are for. And I guarantee you they won’t vote GENDER over RACE.
You are right however that alot of middle America won’t vote for a Obama simply because he is a Black Man.
BUT….Bush has the lowest approval ratings of any president in history for a reason, and as much as McCain has been billed as a “Maverick” he does represent more of the same in MANY American eyes.
That is why the Palin move was a desperation move. And I think the majority of America SEES thru that.
People KNOW Obama. They KNOW Biden. They DO NOT KNOW Palin. And two months is not enough time to gain America’s trust. Not in these dangerous times we live in. Not with the economy in the shape its in.
The VP debates on October 2nd are going to be historic for sure. But Biden with his 36 years of foreign affairs experience is going to make Palin look like the hockey mom she is. I’m sorry. It’s just the truth. McCain should have picked Kay Bailey Hutchinson if he wanted a woman on the ticket.
Lets revisit this debate again in November after the election and see which one of us was right. 🙂
And i wouldn’t be TOO impressed with Palin’s “80%” approval rating being bandied about.
Gee. I WONDER who floated THAT number to their friends at Fox news?
Lol. Seriously. 80% of WHAT? The most SPARSELY populated state in the country?
Again, I’m sorry. She may be personable. But to brag that she’d “Wipe the Floor” with Bush in a debate…isn’t the most ringing endorsement. LOL. I mean come on.
Biden is going to wipe the floor with her and not even break a sweat. No matter how personable she is. Just watch.
The Republicans are gambling that the hot headed Biden is going to look like a bully in America’s eyes. But it won’t work. You think the Dems under Obama’s party aren’t preparing for this?
Again…I stand by my prediction that the Dems win and win BIG in November.
At this point, the ONLY…and I mean ONLY thing that may help McCain, is if there was another terrorist attack on American soil.
So then the Republican’s can play the FEAR card like they did in 2004. But again…I don’t even think THAT would work anymore. Obama is too smart to let that happen. He won’t role over like Kerry did.
Anyway…THIS IS FUN! I love politics. Like my dad always said, it’s the BEST theatre in town.
See ya in Novem-bah!