Today, after watching a disappointing chess game on ESPN2 (more on that later), I went out to Circuit City and picked up an SIR-PNP2, SIR-HK1 and an SIR-CK1. For those of you who don't know what those stand for, it's basically a very nice Sirius radio setup. Sirius radio, the only competitor to the more well known XM satellite radio had a few advantages that made me go with them. Besides the $50 mail in rebate (25% off - though I am bidding on a $70 mail in rebate on eBay now - about 33% off), Sirius offers 100 streams of satellite radio, including 60 streams of commercial free music. On top of that, they offer 40 more channels of talk, sports, and more. So here I sit now, flipping between ESPNRadio (which has horrible reception via regular radio here in San Diego), PRI, NPR (only offered on Sirius), the comedy channel, the classic rock channel, and the 80's channel. I've got just about any radio channel I want, with crystal-clear digital reception and since I have both the Home Kit (HK1) and the car kit with a built in FM transmitter (CK1), I can take it where ever I go. Right now, it's plugged into the Input line on my computer and I'm listening to Queensryche's Silent Lucidity during commercials on ESPNRadio's Sportsnight.

I absolutely love the radio, I can set up to 20 different artists that I like, and whenever they're on, the receiver will notify me and I can switch if I want. On top of that, I can now listen to every Lakers game (since, they are all not televised here in San Diego and the reception for 570 KLAC sucks) - or any other NBA or NHL game I want to hear. I also had to order a portable battery type thing that I can take into the bus with me since the radio requires a cigarette lighter for power in a vehicle - so now, my shifts should fly by as I can listen to whatever my little heart desires...I love gadgets.

URL: SIRIUS Satellite Radio - Homepage