Could Nightime HD Help the 'Graveyards'?

[K6JHU]

We know that nightime HD from the flamethrowers will kill the first adjacents. The graveyards are already being stomped on at night with the co-channel analog signal. I was wondering though whether nightime HD could push a decent digital signal out over the co-channel and maybe give better local coverage.

 

[Len14043]

We know that nightime HD from the flamethrowers will kill the first adjacents. The graveyards are already being stomped on at night with the co-channel analog signal. I was wondering though whether nightime HD could push a decent digital signal out over the co-channel and maybe give better local coverage.

The nighttime digital signal will likely be more constricted than the analog signal. The graveyards are 1000 watts which means the digital signal will be about 10 watts. A signal that small will not be very effective against the ajacient channel signal that skips in at night, power lines and other noise present in urban areas. WSAI(1360) accidentially left their IBOC on at night and the digital signal failed in an area where their theoretical signal was 100 mv/m. The only stations that will be able to generate a robust digital signal are the flame throwers. However, the graveyards range and fidelity could be improved by simulcasting on the FM HD-2s. I'm not sure how IBOC will eventually shake out, but this is what I hope happens: The graveyards and marginal AMs that occupy formerly clear channels such as 890, 1200, 740 etc. migrate to the HD-2s and 3s. This would restore the AM band to the way it was prior to 1980 - especially if we could convince Mexico to do the same.

 

[dbdigital]

We know that nightime HD from the flamethrowers will kill the first adjacents. The graveyards are already being stomped on at night with the co-channel analog signal. I was wondering though whether nightime HD could push a decent digital signal out over the co-channel and maybe give better local coverage.

The nighttime digital signal will likely be more constricted than the analog signal. The graveyards are 1000 watts which means the digital signal will be about 10 watts. A signal that small will not be very effective against the ajacient channel signal that skips in at night, power lines and other noise present in urban areas. WSAI(1360) accidentially left their IBOC on at night and the digital signal failed in an area where their theoretical signal was 100 mv/m. The only stations that will be able to generate a robust digital signal are the flame throwers. However, the graveyards range and fidelity could be improved by simulcasting on the FM HD-2s. I'm not sure how IBOC will eventually shake out, but this is what I hope happens: The graveyards and marginal AMs that occupy formerly clear channels such as 890, 1200, 740 etc. migrate to the HD-2s and 3s. This would restore the AM band to the way it was prior to 1980 - especially if we could convince Mexico to do the same.

Of course, the FCC seems intent on giving AM stations FM translators, beginning with daytimers, so in some areas of the country that may be the preferred solution.

db

 

[Chuck]

Of course, the FCC seems intent on giving AM stations FM translators, beginning with daytimers, so in some areas of the country that may be the preferred solution.
db

I will bet lunch that the FCC approves FM translators for AM stations. If that comes to pass, the translator will definitely be the preferred cure. Which would you rather do? Pay about $5-6000 to put a translator on the air and have lots of potential listeners who already own radios, OR: Go begging to rent someone's HD-2 channel with the hope that there are more than a few hundred radios in your community that can receive your broadcast.

Sure, we all know that if this thing works, more choices will sell a few HD radios, but we also know it will be 5-10 years - if ever- before there enough of them to make a significant impact. That is especially true in rural areas where many of these AM stations happen to be located.