[BC] HDradio & our digital future
ChuxGarage@aol.com
ChuxGarage
Fri Dec 22 19:08:14 CST 2006
In a message dated 12/22/2006 9:55:18 A.M. Central Standard Time,
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:
For decades to come we'll have very low powered IBUZ stations trying
to reach deaf radios. It doesn't seem like a winning plan to me. I
don't understand why iBuckuity didn't put more pressure on
manufacturers to design decent receivers. At least for a little while
to get this elephant to fly.
I think it is not just the radios, but more importantly the incredibly low
power of the HD signal. It's 20 db down, or 1/100 of the analog signal. That
is not likely to change in the near future as long as analog broadcasts
continue. Otherwise, there really will be an interference problem. In many
cases that kind of power just isn't going to go very far. Yeah, I know that
digital is very robust, but there is a point of diminishing returns, especially
for smaller stations.
I've really wondered about the future of HD on translators. Armstrong sells
an HD translator, but I don't get the logic unless you are only interested
in covering a very small area, like a college campus. Assuming your translator
is 250 watts, 2 1/2 watts for a digital signal is going to give most radios
fits, especially if they are inside a steel and concrete building. Many
translators are as low as 10-20 watts. That puts their HD signal in the same
category as the modulators used by XM and Sirius for your car radio. Does anyone
have any experience with HD translators?
It is beginning to look like this works OK on FM flame-throwers, but small
stations are not going to realize much benefit out of it.
Chuck Conrad
KZQX Radio
_www.kzqx.com_ (http://www.kzqx.com/)
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