The XM Activation Process

The XM RADIO Activation

What does “Activation” mean?

In order to use any XM radio receiver, the radio must be “activated” by a special signal sent from the XM radio satellites. This step is normally completed for you at Control Vision before the XM radio is shipped. This activation code tells the receiver that it is authorized to receive the XM radio and/or data feed. Since the XM satellites are constantly transmitting all of the audio and weather data, the activation process is how XM insures that only paying subscribers are permitted access to their services.

The XM activation signal is stored in a special memory in the receiver, and once activated, the radio should stay activated for several months with no further action needed. Periodically your radio may need to be “REFRESHED”, which means that the activation code may need to be re-sent from XM.

If your radio is getting a GOOD signal but does not seem to be displaying weather information, you may need to run through the activation process. Anywhere Map will automatically detect a non-activated XM receiver and will pop up the “Activation screen” when the map is started.

How XM works

XM carefully guards their exact methods of activation and deactivation, and very few people know the details of the user authorization process used, however, the system works something like this: XM periodically transmits activation and de-activation codes over the satellite system. When you purchase an XM radio, XM must be notified of the radio ID number of the receiver and they then send an activation signal for a period of time to activate your radio. If you cancel your subscription with XM, they will begin transmitting a deactivation code periodically that will disable your receiver when it receives the code. We don’t know how long an XM radio’s activation code is good for but at some point (after several months we believe) the radio needs to be refreshed. XM Radio’s that are installed in automobiles are always “listening” to the XM satellites even when the radio is “off”. Most people drive their cars at least a few hours a week. It is not unusual for an Aircraft owner to not use their XMWX system for weeks and sometimes months at a time, so it is possible for XMWX systems to occasionally miss a refresh signal from XM. In these cases, your radio activation may lapse, even though your subscription with XM is paid up and in force. This happens occasionally to both WX and non-WX XM Customers. Every month a small (<1%) fraction of our customers report that their radio’s have deactivated inappropriately.

The people at XM believe that too many radios are unexpectedly deactivating and are studying this problem, seeking a solution. There is a possibility that there is a software glitch in their computers that feed the data up to the satellites, there is a slight possibility that it is an actual hardware bug in the XM receiver module (which EVERY manufacturer has to purchase from XM, for security purposes). The bottom line is that you have a some chance to experience a receiver deactivation at some point during a year of flying with XM (or listening to XM radio in your car as well).

Fortunately, XM has provided their customers with a simple way to request a REFRESH signal to be sent to a customer’s radio. This is done via a special web site, however the process may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more to complete.

If your radio’s activation lapses or is lost for some reason, the XM Activation screen may pop up automatically in Anywhere Map once the program is started. If you see this screen, you will not be able to receive weather with your system until it is refreshed. If you wish to use just the map portion of your system, you may tap DONE in this screen and the map will continue to work but will report XM ACT in the weather age / status pane on the map screen.

REFRESHING your XMWX receiver

To refresh your radio, carefully follow the following process:

Be sure the radio unit is powered up
Be sure Anywhere Map running, and the activation screen is showing.
Position the XM antenna in such a location as to assure a GOOD signal strength indication.

WARNING: A FAIR or POOR signal strength will likely cause

the activation process to FAIL or to take a long time to complete.

Note your XMWX radio identification CODE, which is displayed at the top of the activation screen, and is also printed on a label on the bottom of the plastic radio enclosure.
On a computer that has web access, visit the following web page: http://www.xmradio.com/refresh/
Enter this code in the space provided at the above web site, and press the SUBMIT button. In a few minutes XM will begin transmitting the activation codes for your radio.
The radio must be left powered until the refresh code is received. You will know that the activation code has been received when the message “Aviator” or “Aviator Lite” appears in the activation status window of the activation screen on your PDA.
IMPORTANT: Do not turn off the power to the XM receiver box UNTIL AFTER you press DONE in the activation screen. Pressing DONE saves the XM Activation code in the flash memory of the XMWX receiver box. If you interrupt the power to the XMWX box before pressing DONE you must repeat the activation process.
If you are at the airport and do not have web access, you may call Control Vision’s toll free number and we will be glad to refresh your radio for you, assuming that you are a current subscriber to our update service for your weather product. Call 800-292-1160 and mention to the operator that you need to REFRESH an XMWX system and someone will promptly help you.

ACTIVATE WHILE YOU FLY

If there is not inclement weather nearby, you can actually have the XM unit refreshed AS YOU FLY, which is an ideal time to do this, as the signal reception in an aircraft in flight is usually excellent. Immediately before taking off, request a REFRESH via the XM web page (above) and then quickly start XM receiver. If you are a current Anywhere Map subscriber and you find yourself stranded at the airport with an XM box that needs a refresh, call Control Vision’s toll free number (800-292-1160) on your cellular phone from the aircraft (with the system powered up and ready to go). Tell the operator your Anywhere Map username, and your XMWX activation code. We will issue the refresh request FOR YOU, and your radio will be activated shortly. While you fly, you may exit the XM Activation screen by tapping DONE and use the map portion of your system normally. Periodically (every 10 minutes or so) visit the activation screen, wait a few seconds to see if the radio is activated yet, and press DONE to continue using the map if it is not. Pressing DONE when the radio is activated will save the activation code in non-volatile memory in the XMWX receiver, and will allow your radio to immediately start receiving weather data. Note that your radio WILL NOT start receiving weather data until you press the DONE button in the activation screen, EVEN IF the radio has received the activation codes from XM.

It is CRITICAL to press DONE AFTER the radio is activated as this step causes the codes to be saved in the special memory of your receiver unit. If you refresh the unit and do not enter and leave the Activation screen in Anywhere Map software, the activation will be lost when the XMWX radio is powered off.

THE XM ACTIVATION SCREEN (Anywhere Map®)

You can find the XM activation screen in the WX Settings screen (File>Settings>WX Settings) by tapping the XMWX® button. This will bring up the XM Settings screen. Tap the XM Activation button in this screen, with the radio connected and powered up.

If your radio is activated, your XM activation ID and Activation Status will be displayed after a brief delay. The Activating Radio ID indicates the unique serial number of your XM receiver. This field will initially say “UNKNOWN”, and is updated with the ID as soon as communication is established between the computer and the XM receiver. If it doesn’t update with an ID value, there is a connection or power problem and the XM radio is not communicating with the Pocket PC.

If this screen shows a Radio ID but says “Not activated” then you need to activate or refresh your XM WX receiver