Satelite Radio...??

[JeffS]

Does anyone know if my Satelite Radio (Sirius) will work on the ship (Grandeur) . Just wonder if I would be able to get reception while out at sea.

 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Marc of the seas]

I would love to know the answer to this as well. It would be nice to enjoy some good tunes while at sea.

[mdmourges]

It should. I have used my Satelitte Radio as far west as Cabo Mexico and aboard ship as far south as Belize and as far east as San Juan. It will be tough to use in your room but on deck should be no problem. I have even used it on board planes as long as I was facing southwest and put the "mini" antenna directly on the window.

 

Mark

[birdie16]

Mark, just so you know...radios are NOT permitted to be used commercial aircraft, they can possibly interfer with the pilots radio or navigation system. Please do not use.

[Guest cvbart]

Mark, just so you know...radios are NOT permitted to be used commercial aircraft, they can possibly interfer with the pilots radio or navigation system. Please do not use.

 

You are correct and that extends to cell phones as well I think.

 

There is a question as to if they really interfer with the pilots radio or navigation system.

 

But I sure would not use mine on an aircraft right now.

[rfoust]

An engineer I know who designs cell phone stuff told me yes, cell phones (etc) can interfere with their equipment - but usually its just poorly designed phons that causes the interference.

[Privateer]

I have used XM to Bermuda on a racing sailboat with no problems. Also know it to work to Jamacia via windward passage - I believe Sirius has similar coverage.

 

As to airplanes - Aitran has XM onboard but I would NOT use a personal receiver.

 

Equipment:

Pioneer XM2GO with remote antena (this way we can take it off for races and on for deliveries). Also should work well for Cruise ships.

[JeffS]

Thanks for the updates.We will be at Sea on both Saturdays (9/2 & 9/9), and I would love to be able to listen to some college football (WVU) during those relaxing days. I have a balcony room, so I'm hoping we'll get some satellite reception.Thanks again.

[falcon5travels]

I was unaware of the interference by the satellite radios mentioned above. We did bring our XM Radio and it did NOT work. I had it refreshed several times, still nothing. I suggest an IPOD. Happy Cruising

[rfische1]

I took my XM on Mariner of the Seas Eastern this past summer. I brought my aimable home antenna and put it on the balcony. Going down I was on the west side of the ship and was able to get a signal until St Thomas, true to the maps of the satellite's footprint. Because my room faced east coming back, I got no signal and could only use it on deck. I brought mine along for tunes, baseball and news.

[birdie16]

As for the debate over whether or not cell phones, or radios, etc. actually interfere with navigation equipment, yes...there are some that don't believe it. I have been working a flight when the pilots were having radar issues and asked us to check the aircraft for phones, pdas, radios, tv's etc. and once we had all the gadgets turned off (including the ones we allow) the radar issues were fixed.

 

Regardless, it is not an optional item, the airlines say no and whether you believe it can interfere or not, you are breaking a federal regulation when you disregard directives from a crew member.

[tinkerme1]

As for the debate over whether or not cell phones, or radios, etc. actually interfere with navigation equipment, yes...there are some that don't believe it. I have been working a flight when the pilots were having radar issues and asked us to check the aircraft for phones, pdas, radios, tv's etc. and once we had all the gadgets turned off (including the ones we allow) the radar issues were fixed.

 

Regardless, it is not an optional item, the airlines say no and whether you believe it can interfere or not, you are breaking a federal regulation when you disregard directives from a crew member.

 

Thank you so much for saying this! I've been on flights where people "refuse" to turn these things off, and they are met at the airport gate by Security and handcuffed. Nice way to start a cruise, huh? No insurance policy will pay you if you are escorted off to jail. :D

[brandylaw]

GO WVU! :D:D:D:D:D

[juried]

We are taking a transatlic JOS in September and really want to bring my XM Radio. But, I do not really understand how I will get my XM Radio to work onboard. I need an FM frequency to get the signal and I do not know if the ship will have a radio frequency I can use...? Also, my IPOD needs a frequency... right?

Has anyone done this?

Thanks,

Juried

[MaxKare]

Juried:

 

What type of XM radio do you have. I have a portable MyFi so it is easy. If you have a Roady they make a device that you plug it into and it turns it into a portable as well. I plug my MyFi into a small portable speaker and presto-tunes. I hope it works on my cruise next week. I plan on using it on my balcony. Music-Drinks-Ocean Waves-Nice Scenery. Life is Good

[mdmourges]

Ok, here is what the FAA has to say (right from their website)....

 

[beginning of info]

 

Can I use a radio or other electronic devices on an aircraft?

 

Answer

In general, you may not use any electronic device on any aircraft that is being operated under instrument flight rules (IFR), or on any commercial flight. However, the following are permitted:

 

Portable voice recorders

Hearing aids

Heart pacemakers

Electronic shavers

Radios and other portable electronic devices, such as computers and headphones (regular or noise cancelling), are permitted if the operator of the aircraft determines they will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system.

 

The pilot-in-command has final authority on electronic devices operated onboard any aircraft at any time.

 

[End of info]

 

That being said, I have never been told or have I heard an announcement on a plane that says you can't use you satellite radio. I believe that since it is a receiving device and does not send out a signal, there is no issue. Until such time I am specifically told not to use one on a plane by the pilot/flight operator, I will defer to the FAA's rule (ie. I will keep using it on the plane).

 

Mark

[tinkerme1]

Mark, for the safety of all those onboard, why not ASK about the use of your satellite radio before assuming it is okay. We all know that website "rules" simply don't keep up with technology as fast as they should. Again, better safe than sorry, right?

[birdie16]

Mark, on our airline the rules specifically state "No Radios". I have flown on many different airlines and just for info I like to read what the other airlines do and do not allow, I have always found that NO RADIOS is the rule.

 

Like I said, it is not up for discussion...if you use an item that is forbidden on the airline you are flying you are breaking a Federal Law.

 

With people using things like phones and radios these days to set off a bomb, Flight Attendants are getting a little more cranky about this. Every day I go to work I have to worry about the motive of someone using the lav too long, or what are you doing with that electronic item pointing out the window? I will do anything I have to do to insure my work place is safe.

[dongordon]

My Sirius did not work on the NCL on my last cruise. I placed the antenna on the balcony with no luck. I only tried it heading south and gave up.

 

Don

[wbrumel]

Why not just call Howard Stern, Robin, Artie and Fa-fa-fo-fly and see if they will come with you instead of dragging that Sirius radio?

[mdmourges]

Just curious, what airline do you fly that says no radios? I fly US Air and have never been told that radios were not allowed. I went to their website and again did not find any reference to radios being excluded. And again, an xm radio is a receiving device, not a transmitting device. It has no more capability to communicate back and forth with another device than a lap top or a dvd player, both of which you can use while flying. And what I do find interesting is that Air Tran acutally has XM radio at each seat. Oh well.

 

Mark

[birdie16]

Actually, I work for US Airways...(formerly America West Airlines). There is a section on both your ticket jacket and the Inflight Magazine that states no radios, also, if you watched the Demo before the flight there was a picture of a transistor radio with a red circle/slash through it.

 

As I said, whether or not you agree with the reasoning, you are breaking a federal regulation. There are many things on a flight you may not agree with, like the seat belt...that doesn't make it right for you to decide for yourself what rules you are going to obey.

 

As for Air Tran, if they are having problems in the flight deck they have the power to hit just one switch to turn off the XM, it would take much more time to go find several XM's and have them turned off.

[tinkerme1]

Directly from the FAA website!

 

Electronics on Board

The FCC and FAA ban cell phones for airborne use because its signals could interfere with critical aircraft instruments. Radios and televisions are also prohibited.

 

Laptops and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as hand-held computer games and tape or CD players are also restricted to use above 10,000 feet owing to concerns they could interfere with aircraft instrumentation

[birdie16]

Thank you tinkerme! I should have posted from FAA.

 

Mark, Just fair warning...with all the illegal activity these days...we are not patient enough to stand and argue about our rules with the passengers. You might find yourself kicked off a flight.

[tinkerme1]

Birdie16: You are very welcome. I'm one of those passengers who really believes in safety first. I used to work in the industry and have a very high regard for all of the pilots and crew. To me, it is so strange that people think rules aren't made for them.:eek:

 

I took a United flight years ago, before 9/11, where a man refused to turn off his laptop computer for take-off and landings. The stewardesses couldn't do anything with him and his attitude, but I did inform the pilot and that individual was met at the gate by armed officers. Hope they fined that "you know what to insert here". Safety isn't just for others, it is for everyone, as you well know. Fly safe.