B98.5 HD2 Has been silent for a couple of days

[fortt3]

I called WSB "engineering" today, but still not up a couple of hours later.

 

[BarryATL]

Last time that happened, I did exactly the same thing and engineering had HD2 it up again in 30 minutes.

 

[MRFLASHPORT]

still dead air as of last night, I hope this isn't a sign of something worse...

 

[secondchoice]

Maybe Cox is going to upgrade the facility. Are they "maxing out" the HD power on 98.5?

 

[BarryATL]

I have been told that none of the HD facilities in this market are using the new higher powers authorized by the FCC. I was told that all of them were built to the older specs and that the big companies were not going to spend more capex money to raise the power.

 

[secondchoice]

What is the power level allowed for HD now 3%? Wasn't it 1% of the analog power? I have been told that FM HD overcomes interference watt for watt a lot better than analog.

 

[NightFlyer]

Perhaps they're just trolling Brent.

 

[caller10]

Perhaps they're just trolling Brent.

+1

 

[BarryATL]

According to the really nice engineering folks at Cox, the HD2 is back up and has been since yesterday. They are aware it was down for a couple of days.

 

[secondchoice]

I wish the Atlanta HD stations worked where I live.

 

[taylorengineer]

I have been told that none of the HD facilities in this market are using the new higher powers authorized by the FCC. I was told that all of them were built to the older specs and that the big companies were not going to spend more capex money to raise the power.

Actually.....WABE is now running -14 dbc IBOC. Star94 has the capability to run -10 dbc but I don't think they are running it currently.

 

[BarryATL]

taylorengineer, I think you were the one that I was paraphrasing from a year or so ago. But, your statement was probably true at the time you made it. Thanks for the correction.

I thought the max was -10 dbc (dbc?) or is it different for the educational band?

 

[taylorengineer]

Maximum is -10 dbc for any FM station. Some stations are limited to -14dbc due to adjacent channel use. Some must run asymmetrical power levels (Ex- -14 dbc on one side and -10 dbc on the other side.) There may be some stations limited to -20 dbc on both sides.
I know there are at least some Atlanta stations planning for increased IBOC power. I'm not sure how you justify the capital expenditure......

 

[BarryATL]

Maximum is -10 dbc for any FM station. Some stations are limited to -14dbc due to adjacent channel use. Some must run asymmetrical power levels (Ex- -14 dbc on one side and -10 dbc on the other side.) There may be some stations limited to -20 dbc on both sides.
I know there are at least some Atlanta stations planning for increased IBOC power. I'm not sure how you justify the capital expenditure......

You mentioned the same thing about capex last time. I agree. There are not enough radios out there to justify the money. I looked at a new Honda Odyssey and there is not even an option to get an HD radio.