XM Developing a Crank-powered Satellite Radio
Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 11:16 AM
Tags: 2, XM
As part of XM Satellite Radio's expanded EAS initiative, XM is also working to develop a crank-powered satellite radio receiver that would allow listeners to receive signal during power outages. So during emergency situations where terrestrial radio networks are down and cell phone networks are rendered useless, you'll be able to receive emergency notices without any power source.
Not only would this be useful for government agencies, but the benefits for the civilians who live in areas where power outages are common for crisis situations (which is pretty much... anywhere).
Keep in mind that XM's Emergency Alert Channel (XM 247) is received free-of-charge to any XM receiver. So even non-subscribers have the capability of getting timely updates in disaster situations.
(Eton terrestrial-based Crank Radio pictured)
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Comments
I'd definitely buy one
/geek
Posted by: Schimshamity ? | June 15, 2006 1:32 PM
If Sirius does something similar, I'd get one. The low-tech-cool-geek factor definitely appeals to me. It can go on the shelf next to my Dark Knight Returns Collected Edition signed by Frank Miller!
Posted by: MikeHunt ? | June 15, 2006 1:37 PM
How would the subscription work on this? It would suck to have to maintain a sub on this if it was only to be used in emergencies. I supposed this'd be a good application of the Passport concept.
Posted by: Steve F | June 15, 2006 2:10 PM
This would definitely be great for the XM Passport - didn't even think of that.
A crank-powered boombox might be another concept too - snap your plug-and-play receiver in and you're good to go.
Posted by: Ryan Saghir ? | June 15, 2006 2:21 PM
>> It would suck to have to maintain a sub on this if it was only to be used in emergencies >>
Yeah, there *should* be exceptions on certain devices as it pertains to sub prices - perhaps anything you'd have to 'crank' would be a few bucks cheaper to activate & keep on your plan...
Posted by: Pete ? | June 15, 2006 3:09 PM
The Inno's manual says something about needing to have the unit either active or docked (can't remember which) for eight hours a month or your stored content is lost.
Does this mean XM knows about how much you use a radio? A pricing plan where less than a few hours per month costs almost nothing would be ideal for an emergency unit like this.
Posted by: Andy | June 15, 2006 3:38 PM
It's a emergency radio, and XM offers the emergency channel for free. For anything else, a optional sub isn't asking for much. But I agree passport and connect antenna capability would be a huge plus !! The hand crank isn't the only source of power for these radios. You also got AC, DC, battery, and even solar in some models.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | June 15, 2006 4:11 PM
I own the radio pictured with this article, and you have to crank the hell out of it for 3-5 minutes just to enjoy it for a little while. As other posters said, emergency use would be cool, but entertainment would need some AA batteries for enjoyment for longer than 15 minutes, especially for a powered antenna.
Posted by: Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf ? | June 15, 2006 7:57 PM
Oh yeah, well sirius is coming out with a nuclear powered personal radio called the Radon1million. It has its own reactor, and convienent nuclear waste "mini" tubes that are 3 times more bio-degradable than civilian nuclear waste.
Crank for 5 minutes? No need, projected life span is approx. 174.9 years. Price? Aprrox. $782,677.00.
Posted by: FaFaFluFly ? | June 15, 2006 9:39 PM