[BC] Open discussion.....

[Rich Wood]

------ At 03:14 PM 1/21/2006, Kent Winrich, K9EZ wrote: -------

>In regards to AMs, I would be most interested in seeing what a 
>nighttime HD signal would do to other stations.  We can guess but 
>until we try do we really know?   And what do we use as a standard 
>to make these measurements?

At least you've accepted one of my positive suggestions - that IBUZ 
go 24/7 and we correct the problems as they occur. I strongly suspect 
major facilities changes will be needed. Have you petitioned anyone 
to allow nighttime operation? It would be much more credible coming 
from an engineer. I've suggested it many times. Even before Jabba the 
HD and the HD Dominion came along. With fewer than 100  AMs on the 
air, fixing problems will be manageable. When 5000 are on audiences 
will leave long before any wholesale fix can be made. It'll be too 
late. Give the stations that are on now priority so that any new 
installation has to protect those already there and fixed. Otherwise 
every time another station lights up, those already modified will 
have to change again.

>Many have a problem with change.  Some say that digital radio is 
>destroying what we presently have.  I dont see that in FM, and the 
>jury is still out on AM.  OK so I can hear the sidebands on an AM HD 
>station.  What does that TRULY MEAN?  Are my locals getting wiped out?

It isn't a problem with change. How many stations changed from carts 
to digital audio systems? I've said I hear no interference with FM. 
Others have said they do. How long are engineers going to wait before 
doing something to make sure AM isn't dead at night? I got a radio so 
I could hear what was happening, thanks to Kenwood. Do you have one? 
Have you driven around the market - and adjacent markets - to get a 
feel for what might be on the way? Your passive approach as a 
cheerleader isn't going to uncover or correct the problems that might 
exist. Other than light up even more, what have you done to be sure 
your installations don't add to the problem?

My irritation is on an Internet list. Yours are on the air. Which one 
is likely to do more damage?

>People tell me that sky wave doesnt mean anything 
>anymore.  Personally I am a DXer and I enjoy listening to distant 
>stations.  But how does it effect our business?  Does out typical 
>listener really care if they can get a station 1000 miles away?  Or 
>are we just used to the fact that we were lucky on some nights to be 
>able to get that 1000 mile station?

DX is irrelevant to our business. Skywave interference that wipes out 
your locals is relevant.

>I also see a lot of arm chair PDing (if you will allow that acronym) 
>going on here.  I am not a PD.

Approximately 30 years of my career have been in programming. My 
armchair has been the leather one in the corner office.

>I also see a lot of people flipping out over satellite (less than 3% 
>of the listening audience may I remind you).  Is radio changing? 
>Yes.  It sounds to me that so many have given up.

Another one of my positive comments. The industry isn't giving up. 
It's panicing. We're still the dominant force. We won't be for long 
if we crap all over each other's signals. I'm raising a red flag. Fix 
it before it's too late.

>The constant negativism that I see in this line of business is 
>incredible.  I see a lot of unhappy people.  Too bad, because I am 
>having the time of my life.

Personally, I'm happy for you. However, your joy has as much 
relevance to broadcasting as DX does. As an engineer it's your 
responsibility to make sure you do no harm. Time to get moving, babe. 
Get on the bandwagon to light AM up at night and fix the problems you find.

>  If you consider me a cheerleader, so be it.  I would rather be 
> that than to go out of my way to find fault with everything out 
> there.  Again, my company pays me for solutions, not to find fault.

When I see a fire I call the fire department. I could stand there and 
admire how pretty the flames are. If I did that my pom poms would, 
ultimately, catch fire.

Rich

Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-303-9084
FAX: 413-480-0010