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MediaLover said:
I disagree with you. Not everyone has smartphones or even access to the internet. There are also those who have never heard of HD radio as it never took off as it was supposed. We shall see come March 28.

I should add that a lot of people in Cleveland can't get 89.7 in homes. This is going to be a big issue until somehow the signal coverage is boosted.
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It's not the 1970's anymore so technology moves on and things will change whether one likes it or not.

WKSU 89.7 is not that hard to receive in the general Cleveland area assuming you know that it's out there as not everyone keeps up with stations not in their own market. The map indicates just how far the coverage goes and with all of the translators, it's not an issue.

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Most people have a smartphone and internet but if not, radios are certainly not expensive. Go to any thrift store or garage sale, and you probably can find one cheap. As for HD technology, it's in most newer cars but again, listeners are bringing their own music on flash drives, phones, etc. or use XM so over the air radio is not on the top of their listening list.
 
I came across this on the Facebook page for the Cleveland German Radio Show group:

"...The general reaction to the HD radio concept was interestingly different than I had expected, however.
Indeed, many folks in the ethnic community still have old-style flipfones; not laptops & smartphones at the ready. Or wi-fi... or, an HD radio tuner, for that matter.
After explaining how a digital bitstream is piggybacked onto a conventional radio wave, whether FM or AM, virtually all had heard of the term HD radio. And were sadly, unfamiliar with this hybrid digital media format.
(I knew at that point, to not even begin to explain the iBiquity chip technology behind it; but most all of these older folks were both interested and intrigued by it, yes!)
"Danny, we would love to tune in!! Whether we would have to fish it out of this internet, or a wi-fi radio, or on HD-3. Or HD-4. But you're missing the point altogether, son!..."

This is going to be a problem.
 
MediaLover said:
I came across this on the Facebook page for the Cleveland German Radio Show group:

"...The general reaction to the HD radio concept was interestingly different than I had expected, however.
Indeed, many folks in the ethnic community still have old-style flipfones; not laptops & smartphones at the ready. Or wi-fi... or, an HD radio tuner, for that matter.
After explaining how a digital bitstream is piggybacked onto a conventional radio wave, whether FM or AM, virtually all had heard of the term HD radio. And were sadly, unfamiliar with this hybrid digital media format.
(I knew at that point, to not even begin to explain the iBiquity chip technology behind it; but most all of these older folks were both interested and intrigued by it, yes!)
"Danny, we would love to tune in!! Whether we would have to fish it out of this internet, or a wi-fi radio, or on HD-3. Or HD-4. But you're missing the point altogether, son!..."

This is going to be a problem.
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Unfortunately, not every ethnic group is going to be able to have their own show on a regular station so then it's up to those who know technology to show the others how to use it. They should look to college radio and see if there is a place there. But since WCPN/WKSU is a "public" radio station, they should have some representation for these groups on a regular channel assuming that is their mission as opposed to just mainly classical and jazz music or talk.
 
fybush said:
(I'm not a Clevelander but have spent decades driving through and listening closely to all these signals...)
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The best thing you can do in Cleveland is drive through...
 
Regarding the HD issue, while there are more HD tuners in cars there are a few portables which could be plugged into a stereo system or used as a portable if someone desired that programming. The Insignia NS-HDRAD2 is a good portable and priced at around $60.00 and is not too expensive but is FM only. I recall in the 1960's and 70's, small transistor radios were around $10-15 dollars equating to near $70-80 dollars today and you get more stations with the HD tech. So if someone is looking for those programs, it would be worth it. The only problem is if WCPN/WKSU start dropping or changing those HD programs that listeners want. As mentioned in another post, WGAR HD2 The Breeze was dropped some time ago and not replaced with any other channel.

 
johnbasalla said:
WVIZ already has an audio only subchannel. It runs the audio from the Cleveland Site Center's radio reading service. That is one that I do get on my TV, but have no reason to listen to it.
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It isn't on yet but you would probably have to rescan to get it and since you said earlier that you're hesitant to do that so you don't lose some of your other channels, you can just wait and see if the tv programs it on its own.
 
I have the Insignia NS-HD01, and it does surprising well for a pocket sized HD Radio. The headphone cord is used as an antenna, so positioning it and using the right length is critical for solid HD Radio reception. The HD carrier remains steady, as long as you're within 25 or so miles of the transmitter and not behind a hill or in a valley. I've used it with a tape adapter in my old car with the wire strung up over the rear view mirror, and the HD carrier remained locked in ~85% of the time. I usually experience drop outs while stopped at a light, so the error correction seems to be good enough as long as you're in motion. At home I usually connect it to a set of amplified mid-range (quality wise) computer speakers, which provides a similar sound experience as the shelf units that were sold back in the mid 2000's.
 
VintageMac said:
It isn't on yet but you would probably have to rescan to get it and since you said earlier that you're hesitant to do that so you don't lose some of your other channels, you can just wait and see if the tv programs it on its own.
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Thanks for sharing. You must have not read my post closely enough. I said..."(This) is one that I do get on my TV..." I hear it every-time I pass by Channel 25 and its diginets.
 
johnbasalla said:
Thanks for sharing. You must have not read my post closely enough. I said..."(This) is one that I do get on my TV..." I hear it every-time I pass by Channel 25 and its diginets.
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I was referring to 25.7 as I do realize that 25.9 has been on for years but there are some who do not know what it's for.
 
snowdog88 said:
I have the Insignia NS-HD01, and it does surprising well for a pocket sized HD Radio. The headphone cord is used as an antenna, so positioning it and using the right length is critical for solid HD Radio reception. The HD carrier remains steady, as long as you're within 25 or so miles of the transmitter and not behind a hill or in a valley. I've used it with a tape adapter in my old car with the wire strung up over the rear view mirror, and the HD carrier remained locked in ~85% of the time. I usually experience drop outs while stopped at a light, so the error correction seems to be good enough as long as you're in motion. At home I usually connect it to a set of amplified mid-range (quality wise) computer speakers, which provides a similar sound experience as the shelf units that were sold back in the mid 2000's.
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That pocket portable was a unique product and one that I don't have. The whip antenna on mine does well for most stations even WKSU so I think that it's a good product for those who might need HD stations and don't want to spend near $100.00+ which is what a lot of the Sangean models cost.
 
Their HD channels stream. Why not just listen on line if you’re already paying for internet?
 

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Nathan Obral said:
They’re also on TuneIn and iHeart, neither of which requires a paid subscription.
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There are plenty of "free" streams but you still have to pay for internet as Tim mentioned. Some have too much advertising but if it's a public radio stream, then that shouldn't be an issue.
 
VintageMac said:
There are plenty of "free" streams but you still have to pay for internet as Tim mentioned. Some have too much advertising but if it's a public radio stream, then that shouldn't be an issue.
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Of course, internet isn’t free unless you are in a place that has free WiFi. But, we’re on the internet now. Don’t most folks today have internet? Businesses have to target “most” people in order to have any chance to succeed.
 
Tim said:
Of course, internet isn’t free unless you are in a place that has free WiFi. But, we’re on the internet now. Don’t most folks today have internet? Businesses have to target “most” people in order to have any chance to succeed.
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I agree but there are some who don't want to pay for anything. I've noticed some of the same individuals every day at certain coffee shops on the computer for log periods of time. Now, they might not be there for the "free" internet but it looks that way. Many older folks don't bother with computers/internet which is why public radio should offer some of the ethnic programs on their main channel to reach that audience. Also, public radio is not a business.
 
VintageMac said:
I agree but there are some who don't want to pay for anything. I've noticed some of the same individuals every day at certain coffee shops on the computer for log periods of time. Now, they might not be there for the "free" internet but it looks that way. Many older folks don't bother with computers/internet which is why public radio should offer some of the ethnic programs on their main channel to reach that audience. Also, public radio is not a business.
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Non comms are certainly not commercial businesses, but they must have adequate revenue sources or they won’t be around very long. Why do you think WKSU merged with Ideastream? Pooling of revenues to better ensure long term stability of both.

Thus, the programming moves have to be to whom they believe is the widest possible audience (listener support, businesses who underwrite). Small niches are often a luxury non comms feel they can’t risk. Thus, HD channels who also stream. Did you know many non comms subscribe to Nielsen ratings and use that info to “sell” underwriting to businesses?

Radio hobbyists are idealists who seem to forget even non comms can’t be all things to all people without regard to revenue sources that pay employee salaries.
 
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