[BC] Re: HD Receiver returns

[Mark Humphrey]

On 2/16/07, WFIFeng at aol.com <WFIFeng at aol.com> wrote:
> > The fact that the receivers are being returned within a few days of
> >  purchase tells me listeners aren't spending time to experiment or
> >  install antennas. The dissatisfaction is immediate.
>
> Most people probably just put the thing back into the box and return it when
> it's convenient to them... else most of the returns would likely occur within
> an hour.

The Radio Shack manager at my local mall in Exton, PA (who worked for
me as a remote tech several years ago) recently shared an opinion
about the high return rate of Accurian receivers to his store, and I
think he nailed it.

He feels the HD promotional campaign is probably misleading consumers
into believing the digital signal improves reception in weak signal
areas.  Although there are sixteen HD FM stations in the Philadelphia
market, none of them provide city-grade (70 dBu) service to Exton.  To
see the list, enter the zip code 19341 in the following form on the
V-soft site:

http://www.v-soft.com/ZipSignal/zip_answer.asp

These are predicted signal levels, but due to terrain shadowing, I
doubt they are actually exceeded at 10% (let alone 50%) of the
residential locations in the Exton zip, much of which is in a valley.
Without outdoor antennas, listeners don't hear any difference in
quality (nor do they hear any secondary channels) and they return the
radios.

Having just spent the last week in Florida, I understand there are
some markets where full-market FM coverage isn't a big problem, but in
hilly states like Pennsylvania (where stations aren't allowed to run
100 kW from 2000 ft towers) it's unfortunate that the IBOC system
doesn't provide significant relief.

Mark