I guess it&#x27;s a question of what&#x27;s the squelch level in retail radios. It&#x27;s FM modulation, so it doesn&#x27;t have to be very strong - just high enough above the noise level.<p>Also local transmitters are either omnidirectional, or it&#x27;s a few wide-angle antennas that need to send the signal over hills &#x2F; through buildings, etc. From space you could easily do only ~20 degrees and there&#x27;s practically nothing in your way.<p>For comparison, LEO weather satellites send data at around 6-7W (not kW).