XM Radio: Eckington's Technological Pioneer

Most people are surprised to learn that XM Satellite Radio's corporate headquarters and primary broadcasting station are located within my district. It's a testament to the hurdles of the past that have been overcome and the opportunities presented for the future. XM is located at the corner of Florida Avenue N.E. and Eckington Place, within sight of the New York Avenue metro station.

What exactly is XM Radio? Here's how they explain it:

XM Radio is broadcasting over 170 digital channels of totally new music, news, sports and children's programming direct to cars and homes via satellite and our extensive repeater network, which supplements the satellite signal to ensure seamless transmission.

The channels originate from XM's broadcast center, the world's largest all-digital studio complex in Washington, DC, and uplink to our satellites. These satellites transmit the signal across the entire continental United States. Each satellite provides 18kw of total power making them the two most powerful commercial satellites ever built, providing coast-to-coast coverage.

I sat down with XM Radio staff, including Chance Patterson, the Vice President of Corporate Affairs, to learn more about XM's history in the community. Why the name "XM Radio"? Patterson replied that it describes "taking radio beyond. . . The 'x' is an unknown, one never experiences the same thing twice" when listening to XM.

This past Monday marked the five-year anniversary of XM's first broadcast in our Eckington neighborhood. Five years ago, the area was particularly crime-ridden and the police operated a station out of XM as a way to help control unwanted activity. Today, XM faces growing pains due to dramatic changes in the surrounding area with numerous building projects in the pipeline.

I noted that some residents sometimes complain that XM employees park in coveted spots zoned for resident parking only. Chance suggested that more spots would exist if the city created angled (metered) parking on Harry Thomas Way. In addition, Chance argued that XM has been a good neighbor. For example, a drug clinic for felons on parole was planned for the corner of Q Street N.E. and Eckington Place, but XM successfully fought to have the project moved elsewhere.

XM employees Stuart and Ross gave me a tour of the facility... the building is huge and has a very modern decor. There are 84 studios on site, many of them cleverly decorated to match the genre of the music being played on the particular station. Beyond the music, there are 21 stations dedicated solely to weather and traffic reports. Bands and artists regularly come in to play in two performance studios, such as Kanye West, P. Diddy, and Phil Collins.

The cost of equipment to receive XM Radio's material ranges from $30 to $300, depending on user desires. Some of the equipment is very portable, the key elements that a person needs to carry around being the size of a matchbox. Some of the devices permit a person to record many hours of material, for playback in locations where the device is out of satellite range (i.e., inside an interior office).

In cooperation with XM Radio, I will be organizing tours of the XM building, led by a member of XM staff. Just e-mail me at KrisForANC@yahoo.com if you are interested in a tour.