Satellite radio

Lally

Does anyone have any recommendations for a portable satellite radio?

My Husband works at sea, and wants me to help find a suitable one. As far as I can see I need to buy one from abroad, probably the US. And he needs to pay a monthly subscription.

I am looking at them online but a bit worried in case i choose the wrong thing and it needs to be returned.... we just wants something smallish he can listen to in his bunk at night.

Thanks!

moonrakerz

I'm not sure that you fully understand what is required here.

Even if your husband was lying in his bunk with the ship in Southampton he would not pick up any radio signal - because he is in a large metal box.

When you get out to sea the problem is magnified. Satellite signals are very weak, so you require some type of antenna; a whip, array or dish. The antenna unit will contain electronics so this will need a power supply run to it. Then there will need to be a feed (cable) from the antenna to the radio.

All this assumes that you are in a position on the globe where there is a satellite signal available. Even the most modern cruise liners with 3 or 4 meter dishes are quite limited as to what they can pick up when they are at sea.

buglawton

And ships are always moving, meaning that the only type of dish that works is a special marine one that tracks the satellite like this one:
http://www.boatersland.com/kvhc3.html

Tricky question this, if he were a radio enthusiast I would suggest good old short wave, but many stations are leaving short wave due to internet radio being better.

DCFC79

why not just get him an mp3 player and load it with some music or podcasts or both

jmc160

Quick question for those in the know:

Would a mobile data connection work any better at sea?

If so, then an appropriate phone would allow him to download any music, podcasts or videos while out there. I'd imagine the iPhone is the best option for this currently..

HTH

jmc160

Just to add to my post above (sorry, I can't edit posts at the moment for some reason) an iPhone would also provide the mp3 player option as already suggested, and if the data connection does work, then maybe something like Spotify could be viable..

buglawton

Assuming he would be downloading stuff when in harbour only, there is no data tariff in existence that is affordable to use in various international ports. So iPhone not really much use.

I am surprised in these modern days that the ships themselves don't have some satellite or internet equipment aboard.

Suggest first find out what his ships really have for equipment & buy an accessory that can make use if it.

mikey72

Post up on here
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1096926&highlight=satellite+radio
they can probably help you out.

Lally

Thanks guys. I did say in my post I wasn't sure about it, hence the post lol He has an ipod, dvds etc but asked me to get him a satellite radio. Will post on the other place and see what's what.

john1

Lally

Just spotted you post hence late posting

Not too sure what coverage a satellite radio service gives world wide including Oceania. However as other posters have said reception within the hull of a ship would be nigh on impossible unless he has a dedicated cabin satellite radio aerial socket

Likewise other forms of radio reception FM/AM /SW would require an cabin aerial point.

Re Satellite there is are subscription services provided by Sirius XM Radio, for North America & Mexico, Solaris Mobile and World Space Europe &, Africa.

All these services are specifically targeted for land use so service is very restricted at sea. They also use different frequencies and modulation so are not universal coverage and you are locked in to a particular service provider.

If a cabin "normal" aerial socket is available then however there may be a solution.


There is a new world wide standard of Short Wave radio system known as DRM

DRM is a digital system for short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave with the ability to use existing frequencies and bandwidth across the globe giving near CD quality. Currently it is all subscription free and hopefully remains so.

As is still early days re DRM currently there are a few receivers available however there are quite a few service providers including BBC World.
For information see

http://www.drm.org/for-listeners/radios-receiving-equipment/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_radio



Hope this helps but I don’t think satellite radio is for your OH but DRM may be



John1

AndyPandyPoos

moonrakerz wrote: »

I'm not sure that you fully understand what is required here.

Even if your husband was lying in his bunk with the ship in Southampton he would not pick up any radio signal - because he is in a large metal box.

When you get out to sea the problem is magnified. Satellite signals are very weak, so you require some type of antenna; a whip, array or dish. The antenna unit will contain electronics so this will need a power supply run to it. Then there will need to be a feed (cable) from the antenna to the radio.

All this assumes that you are in a position on the globe where there is a satellite signal available. Even the most modern cruise liners with 3 or 4 meter dishes are quite limited as to what they can pick up when they are at sea.

This isnt strictly true.
Satellite radio is extremely popular in the USA more as subscription radio for car use, but it never really took off in the uk. There is no requirement for any kind of dish, it receives just as a in-car sat nav does.

Something like this maybe suitable, I would contact them directly and seek advice, it may well be suitable depending on his location of course.

I still cant post links because im a 'new user'.!?
Check out overstock.com and search there for satellite radio. May well be worth calling/emailing them for further info..

Good luck.


Keeps removing my links for heaven sake... google 'satellite radios' and click 3rd / 4th link down looking for a company called overstock