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FMeXtra Receiver Comparability

S

Seattleradiodude

Guest
Hey,

So I’ve done a fair amount of research on FMeXtra and it seems like a GREAT system,
However I am still new to the idea after working with the HD system.

I am NOT a HD "basher" and understand that Ibiquity being a bigger company has a greater influence than DRE

My question however is this...

Can a HD Receiver also receive FMeXtra? or are the Codec’s and chipsets different?

I keep reading "HD Compatible" but is that strictly for dual transmission? or the consumer end of the signal as well?

-Thanks!
 
The HD radios are compatible but is Ibiquity willing to allow "their" radios to receive a competitor.

Survey says ...probably not.
 
Mkay, so hears the deal

Im workin with a station that wants to go digital.
(independant, not a HUGE budget)

However if there are no recivers that utilize the FMeXtra system (outside Aruba)
I highly doubt that they will be willing to spend 8 - 12k (even though thats a GREAT price to go digital)

If anyone has any experience PLEASE let me know! :)

Thanks!
 
Seattleradiodude said:
Mkay, so hears the deal

Im workin with a station that wants to go digital.
(independant, not a HUGE budget)

However if there are no recivers that utilize the FMeXtra system (outside Aruba)
I highly doubt that they will be willing to spend 8 - 12k (even though thats a GREAT price to go digital)

If anyone has any experience PLEASE let me know! :)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As far as I've been able to determine, there is no compatibility between current HD radios and FMExtra. Since both radios are "software defined" it is possible that they could be made compatible, but how would you go about that? I doubt that you'd have the folks at Ibiquity helping on the tech details.

Personally, I think we made a wrong turn here, and a system like FMExtra would have been a lot better (and cheaper) way to go to go digital. I can't see analog radio going away anytime in the near future, and FME gives you a modestly priced way to be hybrid without trashing your (or anyone else's) existing signal. Unfortunately, that is not the path we've taken.

The down side is FME offers nothing to the AM broadcaster, so it wasn't seriously considered as a standard by the FCC. They wanted an all in one solution. Many would argue that HD offers little for most AM broadcasters, so perhaps we didn't get what we'd hoped for. So, HD is what we have. That is not to say you can't run FMExtra. It complies with the existing rules. The problem is a lack of receivers.

My own advice would be to ask "Why do you want to go digital?" If it just to "keep up with the Joneses," then you are probably stuck with Ibiquity. Personally, I'd take a "wait and see" attitude. It is fairly doubtful that anyone will be making any significant money out of digital radio in the next five years. By then, the picture might be clearer. Who knows? Maybe by then, something better will come along.

In any case, it probably won't cost much more to implement digital in five years than it does right now, and you will have saved a lot of expenses in the progress.
 
Chuck said:
Seattleradiodude said:
Mkay, so hears the deal

Im workin with a station that wants to go digital.
(independant, not a HUGE budget)

However if there are no recivers that utilize the FMeXtra system (outside Aruba)
I highly doubt that they will be willing to spend 8 - 12k (even though thats a GREAT price to go digital)

If anyone has any experience PLEASE let me know! :)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

As far as I've been able to determine, there is no compatibility between current HD radios and FMExtra. Since both radios are "software defined" it is possible that they could be made compatible, but how would you go about that? I doubt that you'd have the folks at Ibiquity helping on the tech details.

Personally, I think we made a wrong turn here, and a system like FMExtra would have been a lot better (and cheaper) way to go to go digital. I can't see analog radio going away anytime in the near future, and FME gives you a modestly priced way to be hybrid without trashing your (or anyone else's) existing signal. Unfortunately, that is not the path we've taken.

The down side is FME offers nothing to the AM broadcaster, so it wasn't seriously considered as a standard by the FCC. They wanted an all in one solution. Many would argue that HD offers little for most AM broadcasters, so perhaps we didn't get what we'd hoped for. So, HD is what we have. That is not to say you can't run FMExtra. It complies with the existing rules. The problem is a lack of receivers.

My own advice would be to ask "Why do you want to go digital?" If it just to "keep up with the Joneses," then you are probably stuck with Ibiquity. Personally, I'd take a "wait and see" attitude. It is fairly doubtful that anyone will be making any significant money out of digital radio in the next five years. By then, the picture might be clearer. Who knows? Maybe by then, something better will come along.

In any case, it probably won't cost much more to implement digital in five years than it does right now, and you will have saved a lot of expenses in the progress.
Click to expand...
I tend to think that FMExtra does offer something for AM stations. With the number of channels one can fit on an FMExtra system, I'd say the odds of an AM finding one of them to ride on in a small town is better than finding a translator that's already licensed (the reverse would be true if AM's could drop in a translator). If the AM has a co-owned FM in town, FMExtra would be a slam dunk...if only we had chosen that path over this abortion called IBOC.
 
BobOnTheJob said:
I tend to think that FMExtra does offer something for AM stations. With the number of channels one can fit on an FMExtra system, I'd say the odds of an AM finding one of them to ride on in a small town is better than finding a translator that's already licensed (the reverse would be true if AM's could drop in a translator). If the AM has a co-owned FM in town, FMExtra would be a slam dunk...if only we had chosen that path over this abortion called IBOC.
Click to expand...

I wonder if you could legally put FMExtra on a translator? I know it would work technically. Usually reliable sources tell me FMExtra works OK into at least the 54 dbu contour, which would be adequate to cover most small towns on a 250 watt translator. I think that would be a close approximation of the coverage of your average 1000 watt graveyard AM.

There are a ton of translators out there, and a boatload more on the way. If you could do this, there might be several winners. The translator operator might be able to collect some rent to offset operating expenses, the AM station could get some night time coverage, and the community gets more local programming. Interesting idea....
 
Why not?

SCA's are clearly able to "pass" through translators. We also pass stereo pilots through translators.

Similar to IBOC that passs through and much has been written about the fanfare receiver same is true for Xtra.

Any properly engineered translator will pass IBOC (another bad idea from people who care little about radio) or Xtra.
 
ChiefEngineer said:
Why not?

SCA's are clearly able to "pass" through translators. We also pass stereo pilots through translators.

Similar to IBOC that passs through and much has been written about the fanfare receiver same is true for Xtra.

Any properly engineered translator will pass IBOC (another bad idea from people who care little about radio) or Xtra.
Click to expand...

Technically, putting FMExtra on a translator is not a problem at all. You could probably have it up and running in 30 minutes. My concern is how the FCC would feel about it if the FMExtra signal was inserted locally. I don't believe the translator rules address using a locally originated SCA channel on them. Maybe they do. Before I spend the weekend reading through the translator rules, does anyone know for sure?

Under the current rules the translator’s primary analog channel is allowed very limited local origination for the purpose of asking for financial support. Those messages are supposed to be very brief in duration and limited in number. Past that, translators are not intended to originate any regular programming. Personally, I think that is a waste, but that is another story.

The real question is, would it be legal for a local translator used FMExtra to supplement a local AM station? How about using FMExtra to originate local programming on a translator that is not a rebroadcast of another licensed station? If it isn't allowed, maybe someone should petition the FCC to make it happen. If the FCC is sincerely interested in fostering localism in radio, then this should be a simple decision.
 
Talk to the originating station and insert the AM there. Translators need to pass the composite of the primary. Stereo-Stereo. Stereo SCA-Stereo SCA.
 
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