The folks over at GSI got their hands on some new Sirius Plug-and-Play receiver photos. The first is of the upcoming Brix Streamer GT3 ST3TK1B, which is essentially Brix's version of the Sirius Starmate Replay. The second photo is of the Brix Streamer 3 SP3TK1B, which is the Brix version of the Sirius Sportster 4.

Streamer GT3:

Streamer 3:

It's important to note that these are meant to be middle-tier units, so the Replay functions will not be available in either unit. The display is also an Amber display, rather than the cool blue. This gives a clear upgrade path for the consumer.

Both units will be compatable with the same docking connector. That will allow you to snap the unit into the SUPV1 Sirius Universal Vehicle Kit, the SUPH1 (Universal Home Kit) and the SUBX1 (Universal Boombox). Very nice.

[Get Sirius Info] 

UPDATE: Looks the new units are expected to be available November 2006. Also from this page, there will be support for "'Smart' Docks & Accessories" which I hope means there will be some universal portable systems for future plug-and-play receivers.

A couple days ago a loyal reader noticed that all Sirius plug-and-play units were being listed as "out of stock" on Sirius' online store. Not sure if this was a glitch or a restocking issue, I held back from jumping to any conclusions. Yesterday, GSI had gotten word that Sirius units were actually pulled because the radios are getting a retool over FCC transmitter issues. Following a possible FCC inquiry, Sirius will most likely be shipping receivers with weaker FM transmitters in the near future.

The timing behind this is impecible.

Sirius appears to have pulled the units almost immediately after the NAB's FM modulator report was submitted to the FCC. In the NAB report (which you can view here - PDF), only two satellite radios were included in the tests - the Sirius S50 and the Sirius Sportster Replay. Looks like the NAB is done with XM and has now set their sites on Sirius.

In the report, the Sirius S50 and Sportster Replay were found to have two "violations" - one being that the FM antenna did not comply with FCC antenna requirements and the second being that they exceeded transmission levels.

Here's the breakdown (because the report is a snooze-fest):

• The FCC limit for FM transmitter emissions is something like 48dBuV/m.
• The Sirius S50 came in at an average of 74.7dBuV/m.
• The Sirius Sportster 4 came in at an average of 74.8dBuV/m.

(Interestingly enough, the NAB results contradict reports that the Sportster 4 has a weak FM transmitter.)

UPDATE: The NAB tested the previous generation Sportster Replay SPTK2, not the Sportster 4 as previously stated.

Even with a vehicle's insultating properties, the Sirius S50 still came in at an average of 56.7dBuV/m.

So what about the antennas? Apparently the supplied antenna is only a #20 guage wire (which is a no-no for some reason). Also the Sirius antenna connectors consist of a standard 2.5mm audio connector, and that violates the FCC requirement that the connector be a unique connector. The whole intent of this requirement is to prevent the use of an antenna that can be used to boost the signal beyond required emission levels.

[GSI]
[View the NAB Report] (PDF)
Thanks tim!

A very nice review of the new SIRIUS Sportster4 was written in Canada's The StarPhoenix. One thing I like about it is how they keep the review short and sweet, but pack some powerful comments. They grab your attention pretty quickly with the opening sentence:

If you subscribe to Sirius satellite radio and listen only to Howard Stern, then ignore this product and buy the cheapest receiver available.

Funny. 

JJI Electronics has the Sportster 4 in stock and on-sale for $139.99.