[BC] HD Alliance

[Rich Wood]

------ At 09:42 PM 1/14/2006, Mark Goff wrote: -------

>I have been following these posts for quite some time and I really 
>don't understand the opinions of some of the more vocal opponents to 
>HD Radio. Granted, it is not a perfect solution, but then, what new 
>technology is? We have been given (or developed) a tool to try to 
>keep our industry competitive. Yes, it will take more than just 
>hooking it up and walking away. It will take new approaches to 
>engineering, programming and marketing. I find this challenge to be 
>a very exciting part of radio engineering. Other entertainment-based 
>technologies have done this, why shouldn't we?

Then get moving and help fix it. Oops. I forgot. iBorg didn't feel it 
necessary to include people like you (broadcast engineers) in its 
development. Of all the engineers here I don't see any who are 
convinced the adjacent channel destruction can be fixed.  Just like 
the "America, Love it, or Leave it" folks you're willing to destroy 
the village to save it. Have you heard the interference, yet? Have 
you taken enough interest to do more than just kiss butt? Listen 
around just before sunset on the East Coast and see what we're in for 
on a large scale. Of the 13, 599 stations on the air fewer than 100 
AM stations are using IBUZ, according to a trade magazine, yet we can 
already hear the problem. You may have noticed the system is so 
flawed that nighttime operation isn't allowed. I agree with you, 
let's let it happen - right now - and get the excitement moving. 
Enable nighttime operation and see how many AMs on your list of 
responsibilities escape damage. Let's see what you think of this 
awesome AM technology when your employee ownership becomes worthless. 
The luckiest folks are going to be AM daytimers who'll be off the air 
before the daily electronic Armageddon arrives.

>I recently returned to broadcasting after several years in "the real 
>world". I am thankful that there are engineers who exhibit the 
>dedication to quality and have the vision and imagination to make 
>these changes a reality. Some of the talented people I have worked 
>with/for in years past such as Steve Davis, Troy Langham, Tom 
>Bosscher, Tom Montgomery, Marty Hadfield have given me the desire to 
>keep learning about new technologies and listening to "younger" 
>ideas coupled with "older" wisdom.

I hate to break it to you but radio is the real world, as much as any 
other industry. All of us have worked with some wonderful people. 
You're not alone. Judging by my off list email this flawed technology 
isn't age related. As many "younger" as older people who loved the 
industry enough to stay in it fear the consequences of our adoption 
of this technology. There's a lot of younger wisdom out there who see 
serious danger ahead. Welcome back after however long you've been 
away. Learn a little more about the technology and the politics involved.

How many of that grand list of stations after your name are 
broadcasting in AM IBUZ? If the technology is so great, why not all 
of them? Why aren't you and other engineers pushing hard for 24/7 
operation? As a programmer I know half day operation won't cut it. 
Reasonable fidelity during the day that returns to muddy crud at 
night will simply drive listeners away by making the difference very 
obvious. Unless you're used to awful CDs, it's not CD Quality for 
either AM or FM. I've heard it for two months and it ain't no CD quality.

They're getting ready to light the AM village on fire. What are you 
doing about it? Have you been back in the industry long enough to 
know of my challenge? Will you take my challenge to run a highly 
rated analog FM with high fidelity during the day and AM quality at 
night for a full rating survey to prove me wrong? Didn't think so.

I'm glad you love your colleagues so much. You may need to help them 
get jobs in your recent non-broadcast career.

Rich