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HD DX
- Thread starter K6JHU
- Start date
M
Mike Walker
Guest
It CAN produce dx. I have no personal experience with this, but there are a couple of articles on HD in the new Monitoring Times, one of them (American Bandscan) addressing AM DX. The writer has received AM DX from a few hundred miles already, and so have several readers.
There's also a comparison of the Accurian and Boston Acoustics Receptor HD radios. The Reader's Digest version...the Accurian has a better tuner, the Boston Acoustics better speakers, but not as good as you might expect from a respected name like Boston.
Their conclusion is that there can be some real reception problems with HD, but the sound quality DOES live up to the claims, and reception will get better with next gen radios. They also confirm what I have suspected...Radio Shack SOLD OUT of the Accurian between Thanksgiving and Christmas, sales exceeding expectations. All in the new M-T...published here in NC! If you've visiting Barnes and Noble this weekend, you might want to check it out.
There's also a comparison of the Accurian and Boston Acoustics Receptor HD radios. The Reader's Digest version...the Accurian has a better tuner, the Boston Acoustics better speakers, but not as good as you might expect from a respected name like Boston.
Their conclusion is that there can be some real reception problems with HD, but the sound quality DOES live up to the claims, and reception will get better with next gen radios. They also confirm what I have suspected...Radio Shack SOLD OUT of the Accurian between Thanksgiving and Christmas, sales exceeding expectations. All in the new M-T...published here in NC! If you've visiting Barnes and Noble this weekend, you might want to check it out.
K
KE4KLS_Radio
Guest
Regarding AM DX, this past winter several times was picking up the IBOC sideband hiss on WCBS 880 down here in central Florida during critical hours in the late afternoon. Have looked at some of the other boards and it would seem feasible to DX AM IBOC. I recall having my Sony SRF-A100 back in the 80's listening to WSM and other stations in AM stereo from several hundred miles away and being wowed, so perhaps when IBOC is available nighttime in the near future it will make for some interesting DX, hiss or not...
As for FM DX, it would seem to be that IBOC reception would be similar to receiving RDS, so if there is a decent band opening, e-skip or tropo, it would be probably be relative to the same reception scenerio.
While I haven't purchased an HD set yet, I plan to soon since some of the area stations are carrying other programs on HD-2 and 3.
Bill in E. Central FL
As for FM DX, it would seem to be that IBOC reception would be similar to receiving RDS, so if there is a decent band opening, e-skip or tropo, it would be probably be relative to the same reception scenerio.
While I haven't purchased an HD set yet, I plan to soon since some of the area stations are carrying other programs on HD-2 and 3.
Bill in E. Central FL
Mike Walker said:
On my recent May visit to my local Radio Shack they still were trying to get ANY HD reception inside the store, had all the same several Accurian HD radios they got last Thanksgiving, and they said they would be glad to return or ship them to any other Radio Shack that wanted them. None did.
So much for "Radio Shack SOLD OUT of the Accurian between Thanksgiving and Christmas".
That is just wishful thinking on your part, just another urban legend. HD Accurian radios still sit in Radio Shack stores collecting dust from last Thanksgiving.
There is very little consumer interest in HD radio.
On my recent May visit to my local Radio Shack they still were trying to get ANY HD reception inside the store, had all the same several Accurian HD radios they got last Thanksgiving, and they said they would be glad to return or ship them to any other Radio Shack that wanted them. None did.
So much for "Radio Shack SOLD OUT of the Accurian between Thanksgiving and Christmas".
That is just wishful thinking on your part, just another urban legend. HD Accurian radios still sit in Radio Shack stores collecting dust from last Thanksgiving.
There is very little consumer interest in HD radio.
wgliradio said:
M
Mike Walker
Guest
It's not "wishful thinking on MY PART". Again, that is what was reported in Monitoring Times Magazine, not exactly a pro HD mouthpiece. There have been many skeptical articles about HD, particularly AM HD in M-T over the years. But MT is a well respected source for news of the radio and communicatons hobbies. I trust them enough to believe that if they said it (they did...read for yourself in the June issue), it's true.
Relating YOUR experience with one or two Radio Shack stores (or mine, for that matter) NOW, doesn't have a damn thing to do with whethr they sold out between Thanksgiving and Christmas LAST YEAR. I hadn't even seen one of the radios in a store until early THIS year. I bought mine online, and so did many others.
Relating YOUR experience with one or two Radio Shack stores (or mine, for that matter) NOW, doesn't have a damn thing to do with whethr they sold out between Thanksgiving and Christmas LAST YEAR. I hadn't even seen one of the radios in a store until early THIS year. I bought mine online, and so did many others.
Mike Walker said:
I can tell you Mike in the Tampa, St Pete area of Florida where they do transmit in HD, I happened to go into several Radio Shack stores to verify sales of these HD radios GUESS WHAT, they haven't sold any radios at all and the stores managers have them in the back of the stores in case there is a catalog sale from any other stores and no sale on these units either... too bad MIke, your anology that these HD radios are getting sold is bogus on your part and I wonder what kind of bias you are spewing on these boards in favor of the HD radios being sold...
Why is it that when other people actually VERIFY by the mere essence of them actually visiting the stores and being told HD RADIOS ARE NOT GETTING SOLD do you not believe them? Should we only believe you when you say they are getting sold?
Don't believe me either that's your perrogative, but it doesn't change that FACT!
Radiopilot
Well now we have CONCLUSIVE evidence from two different people and four different stores.
How is it that Arbitron with scientific methodology is junk, but "Me and a guy I chat with on the internet have verified these radio don't sell" is fact to you?
Maybe Monitoring-Times is correct. Maybe they're not. You two guys don't "Verify" anything either way. Nor does Mike (As he correctly observes). Nor do I. I DID try to buy an Accurian during the $99 sale at Thanksgiving. Local stores did not stock them. (1 Brand new HD station in the market) Stores 2 hours away stocked them, but would not put one aside (Black Friday).
I bought it off the internet.
BTW a 5th and 6th store in the thread still means nothing. We just don't know.
Clouseau
K
KE4KLS_Radio
Guest
I think there is still a huge learning curve regarding HD radio to the average listener. Here in the Orlando area, some of the Clear Channel stations (WMGF 107.7 for one) are promoting it, along with one of the local Christian stations (Z88.3). But I have yet to know one person here that has purchased an HD receiver (most still don't what it is), and even with the promtions on the radio there are few, if any choices at Best Buy, Circuit City or Radio Shack here. Most don't even stock any receivers here. Asking friends and neighbors not radio hobbists about HD radio and all you get is, huh?
The same goes for the NTSC to ATSC digital changeover for TV. While most folks are on the cable or satellite, most people don't really know what you're talking about when you tell them their analog TV won't pick up stations off the air after mid-2009. However, when that time comes, it may be problematic for folks here in Florida and along the coast when their $49 battery operated portable TV's won't work during a hurricane, etc. because they are NTSC analog system televisions.
Anyway, while television has had the ATSC standard and digital signal transition mandated by the government and the FCC, there is no such mandate for radio. In turn, I see another 1980's AM stereo fiasco for HD radio unless it is either government mandated or wholly embraced by the public.
I think HD offers a lot of promise but right now it appears to have been poorly implemented at this point. Hopefully I am wrong but my gut feeling is the general public has other things on their minds besides HD, such as $3.00 gas....
Just my .02
Bill in E. Central FL
The same goes for the NTSC to ATSC digital changeover for TV. While most folks are on the cable or satellite, most people don't really know what you're talking about when you tell them their analog TV won't pick up stations off the air after mid-2009. However, when that time comes, it may be problematic for folks here in Florida and along the coast when their $49 battery operated portable TV's won't work during a hurricane, etc. because they are NTSC analog system televisions.
Anyway, while television has had the ATSC standard and digital signal transition mandated by the government and the FCC, there is no such mandate for radio. In turn, I see another 1980's AM stereo fiasco for HD radio unless it is either government mandated or wholly embraced by the public.
I think HD offers a lot of promise but right now it appears to have been poorly implemented at this point. Hopefully I am wrong but my gut feeling is the general public has other things on their minds besides HD, such as $3.00 gas....
Just my .02
Bill in E. Central FL
M
Mike Walker
Guest
I personally know only a couple of people who have purchased HD radios. Then I live in a rural area, 60 miles from the nearest HD station, so I suppose that's normal.
It's entirely possible that
a)-Radio Shack...THE CHAIN sold out of Accurians BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS
AND
b)-Your local Radio Shack, in June of the next freakin' year, has slow sales of the units.
Different scenario, different timeframe, local vs. national, where's the contradiction? Apples and oranges. It's possible simultaneously for Dell to be the top-selling computer brand, and for you not to know anyone who owns, or even likes, Dell computers. Toyota's sold tons of Camrys. I don't know ANYBODY who owns one. Should I assume there is no interest in them, and that they're a failure? That would be pretty damn silly.
It's entirely possible that
a)-Radio Shack...THE CHAIN sold out of Accurians BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS
AND
b)-Your local Radio Shack, in June of the next freakin' year, has slow sales of the units.
Different scenario, different timeframe, local vs. national, where's the contradiction? Apples and oranges. It's possible simultaneously for Dell to be the top-selling computer brand, and for you not to know anyone who owns, or even likes, Dell computers. Toyota's sold tons of Camrys. I don't know ANYBODY who owns one. Should I assume there is no interest in them, and that they're a failure? That would be pretty damn silly.
Mike Walker said:
Don't read too much into that
... I'm the writer in question. I have a grand total of three HD DX loggings. Two of the three were Program Associated Data ("text ID") only; WHO is the ONLY HD station to deliver audio at a distance of more than 30 miles. Despite use of a 240-foot ham antenna for AM, and a "210-mile" VHF-TV antenna for FM. Those antennas have delivered European AM signals and FM signals from as far as San Diego. (I'm near Nashville)
Now, on the other hand, of course AM stations are not yet allowed to run HD at night. (for another month or so) And of course, AM DX isn't very good during the day
Two of my three DX loggings were right after sunrise, before conditions had time to collapse; the third happened when WOAI left their HD on overnight. There will be many more opportunities for HD DX once stations are allowed to run it at night. Whether the interference from other stations will prevent it, I guess we'll see in a few weeks!Reception of HD FM via sporadic-E skip seems to be fairly commonplace. Nowhere near as common as analog DX -- I'd say those who are DXing with HD radios are getting about one HD logging for every 10 or 15 analog -- but DX is happening. And DXers who'd feared HD sidebands of local FM stations would prevent DX are finding that sporadic-E signals will override local HD sidebands. (note that this means that regular listeners using HD2 and HD3 channels may see their stations vanish during skip openings!) Weaker tropospheric signals are still being clobbered though. (for a listener in Connecticut it may be easier to log Missouri than New Jersey...)
clouseau said:
I bought 2 online from Radio Shack's website. My local Radio Shack (Katy, TX) was sold out.
Mike Walker said:
If Radio Shack HD Accurian radios are still collecting dust in the store, then how can they possibly claim to be "sold out"?
Perhaps RS delivered all they had to stores, but that is definitely not the same thing as "sold out", unless they sold them all to paying, end users, consumers (which did not happen).
The "Sold out" statement is just more of the same deceptive HD Radio over-hype that is what HD Radio is totally all about.
K
KE4KLS_Radio
Guest
Regarding HD radio in the Radio Shack stores, I have been unable to locate an Accurian HD Receiver in the area to demo. I was in a RS store about 30 miles from me where one was displayed but was very disappointed, would not lock on any HD signals in the area and would only pick up a couple of local analog signals. Probably a bad unit or poor reception area, most likely needed an outdoor antenna. I am waiting for other manufacturers and models to review before I purchase but the electronic retailers would rather push XM or Sirius and a lot of the sales people are still not familiar with HD radio.
Perhaps in a couple more years, HD sales will be comparable to XM and Sirius, as these two have been on the market for several years now and have seen slow but steady subscriber growth.
Perhaps in a couple more years, HD sales will be comparable to XM and Sirius, as these two have been on the market for several years now and have seen slow but steady subscriber growth.
SUPERCASTER said:
Since there are comprehension problems, I will clarify my previous statement: The store I visited had SOLD ALL OF THE INVENTORY OF ACCURIAN RADIOS. The store manager offered to order some for me or suggested I buy them online. My choice. I opted for online so I didn't have to pick them up.
StevenNOLA said:
Thank you for your clarification.
If the same HD Accurians have been, and still are available in some Radio Shack stores, as well as online, and by mail order, then Radio Shack was never "sold out". Perhaps your local Radio Shack store sold some, or never got a shipment, but that is not the same thing as Radio Shack being "sold out". Not "sold out" as long as HD Accurians are still sitting in Radio Shack stores and available by internet and mail order.
Quote form Mike Walker:
That is just more deceptive HD super-hype from HD promoters.
M
Mike Walker
Guest
Dude...there's this thing called "restocking". Once an item is sold out, they order more of them. Perhaps you've heard of it.
As for the article in MT, thanks to the writer for responding. In your article you mentioned there would likely be some safe-harbors in the AM dial where interference issues would be minimal, or non-existant. I look forward to dxing those, AND AM HD. Of course if signals drop in and out of digital when they skip in, it'll be more of a novelty for dxers than anything useful for listeners. Then we'll REALLY need that "analog lock" switch on radios!
Another note about MT...I've had FAR better results with distant FM HD listening than the guy who wrote the comparative review of Accurian vs. Boston Acoustics. If you're interested, here's a recording from 80 miles away...a telescoped hour. Note...no dropouts, not a single "blend to analog". And this was with an indoor antenna http://www.theproductionroom.net
PLEASE give us more coverage of HD in MT. When the new generation comes out (Sony tabletop model, portable from Sangean, new Sangean component tuner, home receivers with HD), please review them. And how about a comparison of antennas for HD? I love the antenna articles. Also I love the restoration of old radios...particularly the recent Trans Oceanic, since I am the proud owner of a 1950s vintage Trans Oceanic...WHICH I LOVE!
As for the article in MT, thanks to the writer for responding. In your article you mentioned there would likely be some safe-harbors in the AM dial where interference issues would be minimal, or non-existant. I look forward to dxing those, AND AM HD. Of course if signals drop in and out of digital when they skip in, it'll be more of a novelty for dxers than anything useful for listeners. Then we'll REALLY need that "analog lock" switch on radios!
Another note about MT...I've had FAR better results with distant FM HD listening than the guy who wrote the comparative review of Accurian vs. Boston Acoustics. If you're interested, here's a recording from 80 miles away...a telescoped hour. Note...no dropouts, not a single "blend to analog". And this was with an indoor antenna http://www.theproductionroom.net
PLEASE give us more coverage of HD in MT. When the new generation comes out (Sony tabletop model, portable from Sangean, new Sangean component tuner, home receivers with HD), please review them. And how about a comparison of antennas for HD? I love the antenna articles. Also I love the restoration of old radios...particularly the recent Trans Oceanic, since I am the proud owner of a 1950s vintage Trans Oceanic...WHICH I LOVE!
StevenNOLA said:
OK, So the store sold it's total inventory of probably 5 radios they stocked over say a period of several months... does that mean it's a blaring success?
Bet you didn't asked how many they stocked and sold right?
Radiopilot
M
Mike Walker
Guest
For a new product category, with this being the first affordable product out there, it may be "a blaring success". I don't know the figures. And here's a news flash. Neither do you!
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