[BC] FM Stereo Question

[Broadcast List USER]

Comments within, as Dave did.

On Feb 28, 2010, at 2:59 PM, broadcast-request at radiolists.net wrote:

> Message: 14
> From: "Dave Dunsmoor" <mrfixit at min.midco.net>
>
>> I'm considering taking the station mono to see if that helps,
>
> I would think it would do you well. And it sounds as though very few  
> of the
> listener's receivers are stereo, and if I remember correctly, not  
> much of
> your source material is either?

Well, oldies is very much two channel.  Not stereo really, but  
drastically different audio in the two channels in many cases.

However, much of it is mono only.

WJFK in the DC suburbs has been talk forever.  They are licensed to  
Manassas, VA, WAY out of town, though they moved the transmitter  
closer quite a while ago, by going directional (not a good plan in my  
opinion).  Anyway, they tried mono.

It didn't work out.  MANY receivers bypass mono stations on seek and  
scan.  They went back to stereo, even though the L-R meter rarely moved.

>> ... but before I do that, I'm wondering if experimenting with the  
>> 19 kHz
> pilot level would make much difference?
>
> I don't think so. The pilot signal just tells the receiver to "go  
> stereo".
> the +/- 1% this would theoretically allow you to increase your depth  
> of
> modulation isn't going to be noticed on a listener's receiver.

As I already wrote, NO.  The chips in today's receivers don't care.

>> Has anybody experimented with this?
>
Yes, sadly, extensively.

> Chuck Conrad
> KZQX Radio
> www.kzqx.com
>
> No, I have not, and the opinions I expressed above are just that - my
> opinion. However, I would expect that with about an afternoon's  
> worth of
> time and 1/2 a tank of gas, you could do the experiment(s) and supply
> yourself (and us as well?) with data that would give you good  
> direction in
> making your decision. If nothing else, it might be an interesting  
> Sunday
> afternoon drive.
>
> Dave Dunsmoor

--chip