January 9th, 2006
Get Ready for Terrestrial Eavesdropping: FM Transmitter Equals Free Satellite Radio
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
Here’s a little technical phenomenon I found by accident. I fired up my new Sirius SD-50 satellite radio today and it turned out the antenna that came with it is HORRIBLE. I had been using the unit in my other car where I had previously installed a cheaper Starmate (the antenna jack is the same) and the new radio worked fine with the old antenna. Tried the new radio in my other car this morning with the new antenna that came with it and it was a mess.
But here’s what I discovered. If you drive behind someone who is using the Sirius SD-50 with the FM transmitter set to 88.1 FM (in my case) you can drive along listening to an almost crystal clear signal for as long as you stay with the car beaming the signal. Downside: I also got a huge blast of annoying world music from some other car beaming on 88.1 FM, but it was interesting to see how easy it is to pick up these signals in normal highway traffic.
We Say: So what shall we call this new phenomenon? Digital freeloading? How about terrestrial eavesdropping? You heard it here first folks! But if you plan to sip on free satellite, I’d say forget it. It’s stealing, and it’s a crummy way to try a new medium. But it sure makes you wonder if all those FM transmitters are going to give us all cancer. Any transmitter experts out there? And does this mean my neighbors can sip on my home signal too?
MissingFrame says:
“It’s stealing” I doubt it, more likely they are broadcasting illegally (without rights).
“wonder if all those FM transmitters are going to give us all cancer.” In almost all cases, the power is less than what’s already in the air.
“And does this mean my neighbors can sip on my home signal too?” They can also see your baby monitor, your cordless telephone, even see what you display on your regular computer monitor, it only requires the right equipment and the curiosity.
http://www.google.com/search?q=spy+equipment
January 9th, 2006 at 10:15 am
DJ Moves says:
I don’t think it’s officially stealing if you’re just dipping your toe in for a few minutes. Especially if you are paying for the same service you are picking up from the other car.
It reminds me more of a wi-fi hotspot, although that would be more accurate if the car in front of you KNEW you were listening!
January 9th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Alice says:
That’s a good analogy. Jumping on an opne WiFi connection is pretty much a freebie andnot stealing.
January 9th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Chris Mac says:
The power of those little FM transmitters is around 0.4 milliwatts, about the same power as a Bluetooth device - tiny power. Cell phones run at about 300 milliwatts and are held against your head. So I think you are safe from cancer from these FM devices. The devices are allowed under a US FCC rules Part 5 rules on low per devices, which do not require licences, but they are not protected from inteference either from terrestrial broadcasts or from other low pwer users. (I’m British, how the hell do I know about such things anyway) There is no issue of “sipping” being illegal if provided in the unit as integral. It is extremely unlike that in encouraging such devices that XM or Sirius would penalise the main user or neighbour of a a similar add-on device. In most of Europe these devices are actually illegal as they transmit on a broadcast band which is allocated only to broadcasters.
In the United Kingdom (pro-American regime off the coast of Europe) a case against a gentleman who “Stole” wifi bandwidth by parking outside someone’s home ruled against him.
ENDS
January 10th, 2006 at 4:55 am
Marcus says:
I’ve been doing this for about a week now. I named it “Sirius Squatting” and/or “Sirius Eavesdropping”. I was following a red Dodge Durango for a good 30 minutes on the way to work this morning heard Stern the whole way - even got a classic Huey Lewis and the News thrown in while Stern was taking a break. The FCC approves all those FM transmitters, so how could it be illegal?
March 9th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Neil Hever says:
Folks, Regarding the part 15 devices (not part 5), they also are capable of sending out interference in the opposite direction to terrestrial radio users. The devices are supposed to switch from encapsulated antennas for satellite reception then back to the anolog aerial for old fashioned FM. When improperly installed, the satellite signal may acually broadcast out of the vehicle up to a quarter mile! If you have an improperly installed device and your signal radiates outside the vehicle - you are breaking federal law. Neil Hever PD WDIY Allentown
March 10th, 2006 at 8:56 am
FM Transmitter says:
If the Satellite Radio user (Sirius or XM) is using a Whole House FM Transmitter to broadcast their show you could listen and be several cars away. This would be great for a group of people doing a “convoy” to some place. It would also work if you were at the beach, park, etc. and still wanted to listen since it transmits about 150 feet in all directions.
As for the FM signal causing cancer, I’ve never heard of a cancer case connected to it. Don’t forget you are bombarded by hundreds of signals 24/7 with all the commercial stations broadcasting at hundreds of times more powerful so if it was an issue I’m sure we would have figured it out by now. Besides the government wouldn’t allow anything that could harm us right …
A lot of ticked off Sirius and XM customers went to the Whole House FM Transmitter once the FCC made them “tune down” the built in FM Transmitter.
For those who are interested the Whole House FM Transmitter website is http://www.wholehousefmtransmitter.com
February 5th, 2008 at 10:51 am