Charlotte HD Radio Signals

[Steve.Gates]

This is interesting - actually if you dig deep enough you can get FM/HD Radio on the iPhone! For Real!!!

This is done via a piece of Hardware (Gigaware & Radio Shack) at least for a limited time it would seem


General Hardware Description

''Um, I really like it, it gives me access to every single, um FM and HD Radio Station that is local to me whether it broadcasts to the Internet or not. And it uses NO Data'' (claims the poster, which makes sense if it is going through the airwaves)

<https://audioboo.fm/boos/695063-my-new-toy-the-fm-hd-radio-accessory-for-ios-devices>


More info:

<http://www.amazon.com/RadioShack-Gigaware-HD-Radio-Receiver/product-reviews/B004CSXBRA/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1>


There sure are lots of negative reviews, though, and I could not find mention of this product on the radioshack.com site at all this evening. If this product failed to gain national recognition (which it appears to have failed to have done just that) - it was certainly not due to its price - more likely in the execution (advertising) -and-or performance of this product.


BTW, the iPhone App is actually made by iBiquity Digital - no surprise here

<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hd-radio/id333257742?mt=8>


-Steve

 

[Steve.Gates]

No Arguments Here --- HD Radio Has Been Targeting The Auto Industry For 4+ Years; Increasingly So!

<http://hdradio.com/blog>

-Steve.

They need to start selling tabletop HD Radios in the stores again. They are more available for car radios. The Charlotte stations are now adding signals and boosting power.

 

[vchimpanzee]

More people carry a smartphone than an HD radio.

But for a while they did mention HD.

My phones both have cords and I never intend to get anything I would carry around. Though once I become eligible for one of these free Obamaphones, I may consider it. For emergencies only.

 

[Steve.Gates]

I have ordered one of these... will report back as to how well it works. If it fails completely I am out of a whopping $ 5... Steve.

 

[tylerSC]

107.9 the Link has definitely boosted the power of their HD Radio signal. But they still have that annoying null to the west on their analog signal, which can be prone to static and interference here in Greenville, SC. 95.1 and 96.1 are much stronger. But you can still get 107.9 in the house with rabbit ears, it is just problematic in the car. It used to be clear when their previous antenna was more omnidirectional. Wish they would change it back. But the HD locks on a lot better, and I can always get the HD signal in the house.

 

[tylerSC]

I have ordered one of these... will report back as to how well it works. If it fails completely I am out of a whopping $ 5... Steve.

Well good luck. But it probably doesn't have a good antenna for decent reception. I have found that basic rabbit ears work best for HD Radio. And no amplifier or power boost, as it kills the signal. But right now, the current generation HD car radios are a bit more affordable and have better tuners. The Kenwood and Pioneer models get good performance reviews, and that Kenwood model is often $99 at Best Buy these days. I recently got one to replace an older JVC model in the car, but have not installed it yet. The older JVC has a weaker tuner, so I hope to replace it soon.

 

[vchimpanzee]

107.9 the Link has definitely boosted the power of their HD Radio signal. But they still have that annoying null to the west on their analog signal, which can be prone to static and interference here in Greenville, SC. 95.1 and 96.1 are much stronger. But you can still get 107.9 in the house with rabbit ears, it is just problematic in the car. It used to be clear when their previous antenna was more omnidirectional. Wish they would change it back. But the HD locks on a lot better, and I can always get the HD signal in the house.

I haven't picked up 96.1 lately. Occasionally I pick up Radio 96.1 in Raleigh, so maybe that's the problem. Kiss, however, is fine.

 

[Steve.Gates]

It will be fun. Can spend more than this on a pizza on the weekend.

PS: I am aware that the modern day cars how have fully capable HD Radio Tuners in them. I recently drove a 2013 model car, and its reception was simply astounding. Steve.

Well good luck. But it probably doesn't have a good antenna for decent reception. I have found that basic rabbit ears work best for HD Radio. And no amplifier or power boost, as it kills the signal. But right now, the current generation HD car radios are a bit more affordable and have better tuners. The Kenwood and Pioneer models get good performance reviews, and that Kenwood model is often $99 at Best Buy these days. I recently got one to replace an older JVC model in the car, but have not installed it yet. The older JVC has a weaker tuner, so I hope to replace it soon.

 

[tylerSC]

I haven't picked up 96.1 lately. Occasionally I pick up Radio 96.1 in Raleigh, so maybe that's the problem. Kiss, however, is fine.

Where are you located? Channel 96.1 has a strong signal, but they have a null above Salisbury and Statesville to protect the Radio 96.1 in Raleigh.

 

[vchimpanzee]

If that was true, why did Magic 96 have so many fans in Winston-Salem?

I'm farther south than that, though.

 

[Steve.Gates]

Tyler,

Which set of Rabbit Ears Antenna do you have? I got one off E-Bay and it's blowing the doors off my Turk ''Advantage'' Antenna. Turk says their Antenna is supposed to pull in the hard-to-get-signals, but the Radio Shack Rabbit Ears Antenna is clearly blowing it away hands-down. Locks in on ALL Charlotte HD Radio Stations, Along with "Mountain 106.9 FM". Only one it won't get is 98.9 FM for some reason thus far. Steve.

Well good luck. But it probably doesn't have a good antenna for decent reception. I have found that basic rabbit ears work best for HD Radio. And no amplifier or power boost, as it kills the signal. But right now, the current generation HD car radios are a bit more affordable and have better tuners. The Kenwood and Pioneer models get good performance reviews, and that Kenwood model is often $99 at Best Buy these days. I recently got one to replace an older JVC model in the car, but have not installed it yet. The older JVC has a weaker tuner, so I hope to replace it soon.

 

[tylerSC]

Tyler,

Which set of Rabbit Ears Antenna do you have? I got one off E-Bay and it's blowing the doors off my Turk ''Advantage'' Antenna. Turk says their Antenna is supposed to pull in the hard-to-get-signals, but the Radio Shack Rabbit Ears Antenna is clearly blowing it away hands-down. Locks in on ALL Charlotte HD Radio Stations, Along with "Mountain 106.9 FM". Only one it won't get is 98.9 FM for some reason thus far. Steve.

It is a Terk TV-1 basic rabbit ears antenna. It comes with an add-on UHF loop, but I am only using the basic rabbit ears for FM radio. I am not sure if is any longer available, but it is also basically the same as those Radio Shack rabbit ears, which also are no longer available in the store. But you are correct, a basic set of rabbit ears works best for FM radio, especially HD Radio. And adding an amplifier usually kills the digital signal. So just plain rabbit ears work best.

 

[tylerSC]

Update: As of Saturday afternoon, July 12, Kiss 95.1 is now broadcasting an HD Radio signal. But they may not be at full power, I am not sure. But Channel 96.1 and 107.9 the Link HD signals are stronger. Here in the fringe area of Greenville, SC. And I am concerned as the analog signal of 95.1 now seems a bit weaker since adding the HD. It previously was a very strong, omnidirectional signal. Perhaps they are still working on it, by whatever technical means they must mix the analog and digital signals through the transmitter. I don't know. But there is one major technical issue they need to correct. Whenever the HD signal drops out, there is no audio, as the analog audio does not come back in. You must retune to the frequency to get the analog to come back. Then the HD may try to come in, and then silence again as it drops off. They need to fix it so it will go back to analog and avoid dead air. It is very annoying to have dropouts in the car followed by silence and having to constantly retune. And hopefully they can boost the power a bit, as their previous analog signal was outstanding, and the HD Radio signal now needs a bit more power.

 

[Steve.Gates]

Guess I Lucked Out --- it is a Radio Shack set of Rabbit Ears Antenna - both for VHF -and- FM. The Radials Extend 32.5" for each Radial and they are not majorly bent in any way shape or form. Looks like this Antenna is Custom-Tuned for 3 Meters -vs- VHF TV. It easily brings in everything, especially it gives 3 bars to ''Simon 98.7 FM'' from Winston-Salem from my listening area. Still Refuses to lock onto 98.9 WSPA even after moving the Antenna around... Steve.

 

[Steve.Gates]

Confirmed --- HD Radio Signal Detected On 95.1 FM. No Sub carrier Stations just yet, but 95.1 is now B'Casting In HD.... Steve.

Update: As of Saturday afternoon, July 12, Kiss 95.1 is now broadcasting an HD Radio signal. But they may not be at full power, I am not sure. But Channel 96.1 and 107.9 the Link HD signals are stronger. Here in the fringe area of Greenville, SC. And I am concerned as the analog signal of 95.1 now seems a bit weaker since adding the HD. It previously was a very strong, omnidirectional signal. Perhaps they are still working on it, by whatever technical means they must mix the analog and digital signals through the transmitter. I don't know. But there is one major technical issue they need to correct. Whenever the HD signal drops out, there is no audio, as the analog audio does not come back in. You must retune to the frequency to get the analog to come back. Then the HD may try to come in, and then silence again as it drops off. They need to fix it so it will go back to analog and avoid dead air. It is very annoying to have dropouts in the car followed by silence and having to constantly retune. And hopefully they can boost the power a bit, as their previous analog signal was outstanding, and the HD Radio signal now needs a bit more power.

 

[Steve.Gates]

Seems to me I read somewhere that the Radio Station is Required by FCC Laws to Provide An Analog Fall-Back on HD1 to resolved this very issue. I am sure it will certainly get worked out in time. Steve.

Update: As of Saturday afternoon, July 12, Kiss 95.1 is now broadcasting an HD Radio signal. {snip}. But there is one major technical issue they need to correct. Whenever the HD signal drops out, there is no audio, as the analog audio does not come back in. You must retune to the frequency to get the analog to come back. Then the HD may try to come in, and then silence again as it drops off. They need to fix it so it will go back to analog and avoid dead air. It is very annoying to have dropouts in the car followed by silence and having to constantly retune. And hopefully they can boost the power a bit, as their previous analog signal was outstanding, and the HD Radio signal now needs a bit more power.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Guess I Lucked Out --- it is a Radio Shack set of Rabbit Ears Antenna - both for VHF -and- FM. The Radials Extend 32.5" for each Radial and they are not majorly bent in any way shape or form. Looks like this Antenna is Custom-Tuned for 3 Meters -vs- VHF TV. It easily brings in everything, especially it gives 3 bars to ''Simon 98.7 FM'' from Winston-Salem from my listening area. Still Refuses to lock onto 98.9 WSPA even after moving the Antenna around... Steve.

Simon is in Greensboro. Unlike so many FM stations that have moved there, it always has been. No commercial FMs currently broadcast from Winston-Salem.

I am still not getting 96.1 from Charlotte. 95.7 is fine and 96.9 is booming from the tiny speaker.

 

[tylerSC]

The HD Radio is down this afternoon on Kiss 95.1. So I guess they are still working on it. Hopefully they will correct the problem so it will fall back to analog when the HD drops out. And have both the analog and HD at full power.

 

[tylerSC]

I assume they are still having technical issues with the 95.1 HD signal, as it has been down 3 days now. I did notice when it was running, that the analog signal seemed weakened, with a bit of static at times, and only 2 instead of the 3 full bars as before. Hopefully they can preserve the full power of the strong analog signal when they go back to HD. And hopefully get the HD up to full power also. As 107.9 HD is much stronger since they made technical upgrades and boosted the power a few weeks ago.

 

[tylerSC]

And I have heard they were also planning to upgrade 103.7 WSOC to HD Radio. But they seem to have a stronger transmitter than some of the other Charlotte stations. As I can usually get a strong signal on my home radio with rabbit ears, in Greenville, SC. Whereas the other Clt stations I receive strong are from the Gaston County towers. The other Charlotte signals from Mecklenburg County are weak except for WSOC. Hopefully they won't mess up their excellent analog signal when they add the HD.