As mentioned Sunday, our family is now Sirius satellite subscribers and the last couple days I’ve been wading through the channels, learning how to use the Starmate Replay (STH2). This morning I’ve read that they are offering internet subscriptions — no radio required — for the same $12.95/month. Some colorful commentary at Digg including a comment that this doesn’t work outside the US (yes/no?).

I took a few minutes and checked out the internet sound and the regular option isn’t comparable to listening through the player but still acceptable. I doubt we’d ever pay extra for a better sound, even if it’s two bones more a month but an internet only option was something I was hoping Sirius would do for awhile. I think this makes some sense for those who don’t want to bother buying the equipment, but if you are going to pay $12.95/month anyway, why not just go buy a radio with the home and auto kit and you can have it anywhere?

Is month-to-month pricing available?
I didn’t see any monthly pay option with the Sirius subscription, only as frequent as quarterly. I’m also used to getting a better deal if you pay longer but the only long distance runner plan Sirius offers at a better deal that I saw was the “lifetime” option which was a little over $400 and only allowed transfer three times to new equipment for an additional $75 each time.

What I’ve learned about Sirius satellite radio so far
- how to change the FM frequency. Enter your zip code and fminfo.info will provide a list of alternate FM frequencies you can set.
- set favorite NFL team (Seattle Seahawks) so I can be notified when and where the game is starting. Nice feature.
- I installed the home antenna outside on the roof and pointed towards the midwest per the instructions and the signal is clear 24/7. When I had in the window sill, it would only work in the afternoon and cut out badly yesterday morning, this morning it worked great with the antenna on the roof.
- listened to my first full show of Howard Stern (I took notes of the experience) yesterday

• SIRIus continues to narrow the gap with XM
• XM and Sirius, side-by-side feature comparison
• Uncensored Howard Stern coming to Sirius in 2006
• $82.9 million bonus for Sirius subscriber growth awarded to Howard Stern
• Find a clear channel at Sirius
• Stern believes there will be 30-40 million satellite subscribers in a couple years