Unintended Consequences of Satellite Radio

I've been playing around with this post idea for a while... and once again, my procrastination is rewarded with a current news item that allows for a more complete discussion.  In this case, the subject is miniature FM transmitters and satellite radio.

Sirius now has joined XM in pulling certain receivers from the shelves due to complaints about interference with "left-of-the-dial" radio stations.  I had first heard of this phenomenon anectdotally in late April, followed a week later by a report on MSNBC.com.  Whether fair or not, the complaints seem mostly to focus on Howard Stern and rap music offending the sensibilities of listeners seeking National Public Radio or Christian radio stations.

This issue isn't the usual kind of FCC broadcasting complaint, however -- instead of content, the crux of this debate focuses on engineering and technology.  Part 15 of the FCC Rules requires standard consumer equipment to not create interference with licensed transmissions and to accept interference created by licensed sources.  In other words, the FCC policy for personal electronic devices is "use at your own risk"  and "don't hurt anyone else."

The XM and Sirius receivers in question allow users to use an otherwise vacant radio frequency to receive the satellite audio signal.  These devices have both a satellite receiver and a FM transmitter.  Since users aren't required to apply for FCC licenses, the implication is that the XM or Sirius device, or third-party add-ons from Belkin and Griffin and others, is subject to Part 15 (as opposed to the FM broadcast regulations of Part 73).  These receivers are supposed to be overpowered by a local broadcast signal -- if you're driving through an area with a licensed radio station at 88.1 FM, your in-car device should be drowned out by that broadcaster.  The complaints are that the XM and Sirius devices are so strong that they are drowning out the licensed FM broadcaster, in violation of the FCC rules.

Personally, my experience with a third-party FM mini-transmitter was horrific -- the Belkin device created so much static that I could barely hear my XM signal even when I knew I was on an open frequency.  I still have a cassette player in my car, so I use an old-fashioned adaptor that funnels the XM audio through the magnetic heads of the tape deck.

Oddly enough, the British "Office of Communications" is on the verge of authorizing the use of miniature transmitters for localized FM reproduction, such as the Griffin iTrip.  The current UK regulatory framework places the iTrip (and presumably the XM and Sirius FM mini-transmitters) in the same category as pirate radio -- intentional, unlicensed transmissions on the FM dial.  I'll be curious to see whether they suffer similar complaints down the road...