99.5 KISS tweaks station

[fredcantu]

"HD Radio broadcasts at 1/100 th of the wattage used for analog"

Says Hybrid Digital Radio's creator:

http://www.ibiquity.com/retailers/retail_faq

And regarding your individual reception. Height is everything. Their tower is 1,257 feet. If there are no obstructions and you have a good car radio perhaps in a high area, why not?

 

[Kent]

[EDIT-Quote removed for TOS violations]

The FCC is permitting stations to run the digital signal at 5% and 10% of analog power on an experimental basis depending on certain spacing requirements. I've been told that 5% is permitted pretty much anywhere, but 10% is not widely allowed. Stations must get permission from the FCC to increase to that level of power through a Special Temporary Authority and most are not doing so. The cost of upgrading the digital equipment simply isn't worth it.

 

[Kent]

[EDIT-Quote removed for TOS violations]

I'm not aware of even one commercial FM operating a digital signal above 1% of analog power. That's not to say there aren't any, but I'm not aware of any. I know some non-commercial stations took the increase because they got CPB money to get new HD Radio transmitters. I'm not sure which ones they are, but it seems like WAMU and WETA were on that list. Given where they're located, they'd be at 5%.

Most of the HD Radio transmitters used by commercial broadcasters, especially the early adopters, can't go beyond 1,000 watts. They simply weren't built to operate at more power. The HD Radio transmitters that can go above 1,000 watts were just released in the last 2 years. So, Clear Channel and Emmis would have to replace their digital transmitters in order to upgrade, and, as far as I know, both companies aren't investing substantial additional dollars into their HD Radio signals.

 

[fredcantu]

I was once told by a cluster GM that if an FM station would devote it's entire bandwidth to Hybrid Digital, it could provide nine FM services where only one exists now in analog. That got me to thinking that maybe a cluster should do that with one of its FMs as a pilot study to see what coverage and building penetration would be at full power. Any volunteers?

 

[mmnassour]

<crickets>


;D

 

[Kent]

I was once told by a cluster GM that if an FM station would devote it's entire bandwidth to Hybrid Digital, it could provide nine FM services where only one exists now in analog.

I was told it was 8, but we've heard basically the same thing. Just keep in mind that it's no longer hybrid digital if you're not also running an analog signal on the same channel!

That got me to thinking that maybe a cluster should do that with one of its FMs as a pilot study to see what coverage and building penetration would be at full power. Any volunteers?

I agree with the other poster. You're not going to hear anyone stepping up for that anytime soon! Then again, maybe someone will be willing to try it if they can get enough analog translators!

 

[sdh483]

Are we going to get back on topic here? ???