satellite radio

[cfos]

Thanks for your post -- do you happen to have a pic of the antenna (by the a-pillar)? Or is it already in the picture and I just don't see it?

[Perfectlap]

The antenna is the small mouse looking thing in this pic.
probably why my reception isn't terrific. I'll have to look for a stronger antenna

[cfos]

Ah.. I see it. I have a small magnetic mouse antenna with my XM. I was able to mount it on the back roof of my PT Crusier and the reception is very good. I think I'll have to play around with it when my Box arrives and see what I get. Thanks again for posting the pic. I've wondered why Porsche hasn't made any offers of have satellite radios. I wonder if they feel that the antennas would mar the lines of their cars...? I dunno.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by cfos

... I've wondered why Porsche hasn't made any offers of have satellite radios. I wonder if they feel that the antennas would mar the lines of their cars...? I dunno.

Hi,

I suspect that Porsche is like most of the rest of the World, which hasn't readily accepted Satellite Radio.

To date, companies like Sirius and XM have fallen tremendously short of their forecasts of service subscribers.

There have been some technical challenges - it requires line-of-sight - so no good in tunnels, some bridges and overpasses or in some instances, between tall buildings. And it can have poor reception in the Rain or Snow or even Solar Flare events.

Also, people just don't seem to want to get another Cable Bill for their Car radios. This has caused the once hailed Commercial-Free medium to start adding some commercial content just to meet costs (which isn't happening - the companies are losing Millions).

Add to this that download capable mediums, such as Ipod have greatly impacted the Satellite Radio preferred demographic.

Personally, I wouldn't invest heavily in Satellite Radio. I suspect it's going to end up being one of those good ideas which never really caught on.

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

[cfos]

MNB,

Interesting reply. Since I installed the mouse-like antenna on the back of my other car, reception has been quite good. You do make a point about many car companies taking the wait-n-see approach and that may well be valid. Though my downtown doesn't have many tall buildings, I do live in the mountains and there are times I lose reception. Of course, I just take the unit inside and play everything through the stereo where reception is always on the mark. The second gen XM radios also allow for recording up to 5 h of programming. Sure, Ipods are quite functional and cute, but satellite radios do offer things Ipods cannot. Ipods cannot broadcast every baseball game from the home stadiums (XM) nor can they broadcast football or Howard Stern (Sirius). Ipods do not have recordings of concerts or sit-downs with the band -- XM recently sat down with the members of Jethro Tull and dissected each song off Aqualung followed by a live performance. Also, correct me I am wrong, but unless there is another "free" Napster, you have to pay for your downloaded songs (or buy cds and download them). WHat makes you think that these people that object to paying a fee for satellite don't object to a fee for downloading?

XM also has sit down interviews with comedians and as well as live performances. Unfortunately, there is some commercials with the un-censored comedian channel, but it's still much shorter than "regular" radio, but tell me... how many channels does your ipod have?

As for the billing, cost and investing heavily: If I am going to buy a Porsche, I certainly have $200 to kick around. Subscription was about $150 up front, I don't get any bills, plus I get to hear every baseball game the Yankees play, plus 150 other stations ranging from news, comedy, weather yada yada yada. So, on a personal level, I think the billing point is moot.

As for car companies "investing" heavily... Let's think about this. Porsche mats were $110. For a piece of carpet that says Porsche? Porsche luggage can go for over $500 for an overnight bag. The windstop is over $300. Paint jobs are over $1200. Heck, you can get leather on your dash board, too! I think it's an absurb argument that car companies really have to "invest" heavily. Satellite radio may be the latest "dvd". Sure, maybe it'll be betamax or lazer disk, but the car company won't care. Show me where they would lose money on having an over-priced option? Make it an extra and if people want it, they can order it. As for the mass market cars, many already have them anyway and if people don't want them, they don't pay for them or ask for a rebate. Seriously, how many people need a GPS? Maybe, I'm different but I don't go on cross country jaunts nor does my city constantly change. GPS, in my eyes, is for more a luxury than a simple satellite radio antenna and subscription. I mean, you still have to continually order the dvds to keep your GPS current, right? Think of that bill...

[Perfectlap]

Porsche are really behind the times in this department.

The major car makes have entered into big deals with XM or Sirius to have the cars equiped with Sattelite radio.
Porsche also seem to show no interest in joining the many other car companies that are intergrating the Ipod into their stereos.

But once you go Satellite there is NO turning back. You really appreciate how much payola-same-old-music and non-stop stupid advertising you are subjected to. My favorite Sirius stations are completely non-existent on free radio.

[cfos]

Though I subscribe to XM, I agree -- there is no turning back. As for Porsche being behind the times... we'll maybe they are. Then again, to my knowledge, I've never seen a Porsche that had wipers on their headlights like ALL the older luxury vehicles. Wipers on headlights? Now THAT is something the car makers should NOT have invested in.

[MNBoxster]

@cfos,

Hi,

I am making no value judgement whatever re. satellite radio. I think the technology is great. Whatever shortcomings it currently possesses, I'm sure can be dealt with sometime in the future. If it stays alive, I'm sure it'll get better.

What I am saying is that the Marketplace has yet to embrace it. People, whether it's from ignorance, preference for another music medium, economics, or whatever are simply not buying it. I don't have it and am not interested in getting it. When I drive my Porsche, it's usually with no radio at all. When I do listen to something, it's about 99% CDs.

In 2002, Sirius forecast that that they would be meeting cashflow requirements in the 2nd Qtr. of 2003 with 6 million subscibers by the close of 2003. Howard Stern was supposed to bring millions of Loyal followers to Satellite Radio, but apparently they didn't get the word, because few followed.

According to their latest quarterly earnings report released 9/7/05, Sirius listed a $117million Loss for the Qtr., a revised date for reaching positive cashflow to the 4th Qtr. of 2007 and a forecast subcription of 3 million (up from 2.1 million) in 2006. Those are simply not very encouraging numbers or forecasts. (I didn't bother to research XM, but I believe it safe to say that their performance mirrors that of Sirius to a great extent.

The entire system is currently relying on investors who have yet to see a return. If their patience wanes, or if a better investment pops up in the meantime, they dump their stock, meaning Sirius folds up the tent, Game Over.

I know it's attractive to many people. And, I realize these people have become loyal, even avid users. Especially those with special interests such as Sports Fans, or those who regularly drive long distance (to avoid Station Surfing). But apparently, there aren't yet enough of these users to make the whole thing profitable. And, without Profit, you don't have Satellite Radio.

Perhaps as more young people come along, who better embrace the technology, things will improve. If they can last that long.

All new technologies have a birthing period. But, some don't survive beyond it and to date, Satellite Radio just hasn't set the world on fire and the future isn't very clear.

So far as Dealer Options, there are many common ones which don't appear on Porsche's Options List. Porsche doesn't want to offer them, they want to sell them. If, in their opinion (backed by surveys, focus groups, marketing trends and the like) something isn't going to sell, it's unlikely you're gonna see it make the list. So far as other manufacturers carrying them, well for one thing, they are in much greater competition for Market Share than Porsche. Also, their target demographic is both larger and much more broad. For them, it may make sense. It's more than just you wanting it which counts, it has to be that most want it.

I totally agree with you on the GPS thing. I suspect that many buyers don't even use it on a regular basis. But, I equally suspect that it's got the Bling Factor working in it's favor whereas Satellite Radio is seen as just another radio to most buyers (and one you have to pay for, whatever the amount, it's still an added cost for something people are used to getting for free).

One thing is probably true, and that is if Satellite Radio were all the rage, it's a good bet that Porsche would have it in thier lineup, there'd be too much lost profit if it weren't.

But, again, as I've said, we'll have to wait and see what the future brings.

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

[slogans7]

Sprint PCS is now offering access to Sirius for about $7/mo. So I suppose if you have a Bluetooth-enabled car and Bluetooth-enabled Sprint cell phone with Sirius access, you could go that route.

Although it would be silly.

[Perfectlap]

Sirius will eventually be taken over by XM. The market is too fragile for both (the programing seems identical) and the investors will make sure Sirius continues in some form. could be good news if you are holding Sirius stock.

[cfos]

This morning XM announced it's 5,000,000 subscriber. XM also reports that GM offers XM in 42 vehicles and that will increase to 50. Interstingly, a shop in the Bronx is selling fake satellite antennas (much like the old fake cell phone antennas. It's also hard to not see the high end BMW, Audi and VWs and Nissans without a satellite antenna suggesting that the marketplace IS accepting satellite radio.

Now it just may be MY opinion, but I still argue that the investment for satellite is small. Car companies are catching on because they want to provide the most options, especially on their high end cars. You can preach that they haven't met expectations, they have debt, etc., but what company doesn't? According to the various forums, Porsche was even getting into financial straits prior to the release of the Boxster. How about Delta airlines? Sure, not all companies make it out and still turn a profit, but we'll see, like you stated, what the future holds. As for technology, it will likely improve and become smaller. Just pick up a Sunday paper and flip through a Best Buy or Circuit City flyer. I'll guarntee that there are a few radios that are either XM or Sirius compatible. I think satellite is hear to stay... Oh wait... what is this I spy with my eye...

If you goto the "Build your Porsche" section and click on the Cayenne (Turbo), there is an option for XM or sirius ($990). Huh. I guess Porsche ALREADY jumped on the bandwagen too. So, I reiterate... it's a shame it's not an option on the Boxster.