HD radio in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area

[drt]

Update:

Just in case, anyone is interested or who has thought of buying the Insignia HD boombox, I have found that having a longer telespopic antenna installed made a world of difference. Of course it was a wild goose chase finding an antenna that was compatible with the unit and then installation was more difficult than I would have imagined.

The antenna that comes with the unit, is 22 inches long and the new antenna is 34 inches long and it makes all the difference in the world. My inside reception is now better than the outside reception was with the old antenna. The stations with antennas north of the metro area, that I could not even get their HD1 signal, I am now able to get their HD1 and Hd2 signals. (97.9 - before I could only get the HD2 signal outdoors, 105.5 HD1 and HD2 as well as 107.3 HD1 and HD2.)

If the unit had an antenna input jack in the back, it would have made things much easier and the other drawback in the unit is FM only, I really would like to hear AM in the Hybrid Digital mode sometime, all I've "enjoyed" so far of AM Hybrid digital is the sideband hash.

drt

 

[dwtpa97]

Where did you find the longer antenna? Did you get it installed by a local shop of some kind? It's good to know that it made such a difference.

 

[drt]

Where did you find the longer antenna? Did you get it installed by a local shop of some kind? It's good to know that it made such a difference.

It's a long story, but I can tell you where not to go: Radio Shack and Best Buy itself; although someone in the Best Buy auto installation department thought they could do it , but then ended up referring me to the front of the store - The Geek Squad.

Metro electronics, a very small shop across from Bay Pines was able to do what the others could not.

drt

 

[Studio20]

sooooo, I thought HD radio was supposed to make listening to radio....easier....sounds like a whole lot of give a crap just to get more jukeboxes.

<sigh>...here's another shovelful of dirt for the business....

 

[badjef]

sooooo, I thought HD radio was supposed to make listening to radio....easier....sounds like a whole lot of give a crap just to get more jukeboxes.

<sigh>...here's another shovelful of dirt for the business....

HD is definitely a niche. It has its advantages over analogue for additional channels. But remember, SCA's had their niche for data, reading for the sight impaired, and physician's network.

Whether the stations can, or care to, make use of the HD-x's, or not, remains to be seen. Until they do, it will appear as the battle of the jukeboxes between "Trippin' 102.5" and "Thunder 103.5".

I feel excited about certain aspects of HD. It is why I have it in my taxi.

BTW, I had a ride out to the race in Sebring, this past weekend, analogues in Orlando to Ft. Myers and Tampa, but no HDs would come in at the race track. Just thought I would throw that one out there as objectivity is the name of this game.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[flwfg]

OK... here's a question... How does SCA fit into HD ??? Is SCA even used anymore or what???
I remember that Dr. Bruce Elfing was a great pioneer in SCA until his demise last year...

 

[rfrus]

SCA can still be used with HD, however many SCA users are moving to HD3 or HD4 channels because the audio and coverage is better than on a SCA.

 

[vadar]

HD Radio is a scam, bad reception everywhere, not all companies doing it and if so the formats are lame, leftover stuff that was dumped from terrestrial.

Real disappointment. Sorry, I'm not buying a 34 inch antenna and then looking all over town for someone to install it in the hope I may get better reception.

I thought the HD radio hype was suppose to be easy, enjoyable, an alternative??!!!!
Blah, Blah, Blah, this sounds worse than Betamax...........

 

[rfrus]

Vadar

Have you even heard HD radio? Did you know that EVERY commercial FM station in the Tampa/St.Petersburg/Clearwater/Sarasota/Bradenton market and three non-commercial FM stations are broadcasting in HD?

Did you know there are four HD AM stations in Tampa?

If people like you talked about FM like this in the 60's, we would all still be listening to AM, because you would have killed FM.

Get your facts straight. FM HD is here to stay and is a great service. Yes, it has its issues, but they are being worked out. HD today is a much better service than it was just five years ago.

 

[billalm]

I agree with "rfrus". HD main channels are a no brainer and if the radio manufacturers would begin to expend the capability in new models, people will realize the better sound quality and embrace it. However, the FCC and broadcasters MUST increase the transmitting power so you don't have dropouts within your coverage area. I realize fringe stations like 97.1 are always gonna have issues and complaints, but no way should I be getting dropouts from "C class" HD1 signals. As for the secondary channels, they are what they are.... a nice feature and an alternative in some cases. But until they can pay for themselves, they will remain automated for the foreseeable future. I for one enjoy having additional options, but I still subscribe to SiriusXM for commercial free music.

 

[FrankF]

>> However, the FCC and broadcasters MUST increase the transmitting power so you don't have dropouts within your coverage area. <<

If memory serves me correctly, the FCC did allow stations to increase the HD transmitting power a little a few years back. Some other boards have posted about it, and it made somewhat of a difference in coverage area.

 

[rfrus]

FM HD originally was -20db, or 1% of the FM power. This clearly was too low. The FCC now allows -14db, or 4% FM power, by simply notifying the FCC of the increase. You can run up to -10db, or 10% of you FM power if you do an interference study and get FCC approval. I have six FM's in the Tampa market and three of them are running -14db with HD antennas between 1400-1600 feet. 94.9, 101.5 & 102.5. I can hear 94.9 and 101.5 HD in my car in the outskirts of Orlando. I can hear 102.5 HD south to Ft. Myers. There are areas I can hear the HD signals better than the FM. The FCC has a proposed rule making to allow asymetrical HD sideband. This will allow you to run higher power on one sideband while reducing power on the other sideband to reduce interference. The FCC is already allowing this under Experimental Authority, WUSF was just issued Experimental Authority to test Asymetrical Sidebands. The FCC will no doubt allow this on a regular basis by everyone soon.

 

[badjef]

HD Radio is a scam, bad reception everywhere, not all companies doing it and if so the formats are lame, leftover stuff that was dumped from terrestrial.

Real disappointment. Sorry, I'm not buying a 34 inch antenna and then looking all over town for someone to install it in the hope I may get better reception.

I thought the HD radio hype was suppose to be easy, enjoyable, an alternative??!!!!
Blah, Blah, Blah, this sounds worse than Betamax...........

Your history is lacking. Betamax worked and worked well. The only reason it lost the war of the VCRs with VHS is because of length of recording. The audio of Betamax was better than that of VHS.

And Betamax format was of broadcast quality and used well beyond VHS. Ask anyone in a remote TV broadcast van/truck.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[vadar]

RFrus, don't get me wrong, I like HD Radio but they need to get beyond the issues. I like the choices, the formats and the clarity. But the reality is it hasn't taken off yet. Poor reception, limited companies investing, limited formats, etc...

I hope it works and the issues are resolved as I do believe it's a viable alternative. I know the facts and really enjoy listening to all 4 stations when I can pick them up.

 

[hdradioeng]

First my apologies, as a one man show I have been absolutely overwhelmed with work lately so posting has taken a back seat. 106.5 HD is at low power so in St Pete you will have an issue staying locked. I have parts to fix but have not been able to get over there in the middle of the night to fix it.

107.9 is down at 681 and Tamiami Trail and would be doubtful for decoding HD in St Pete as well. It is still -20dbc and has no plans currently to increase. As a matter of fact the only -14dbc in SRQ is WTZB. Again a station not going to be decoded in St Pete.

Have a great night gang

 

[drt]

First my apologies, as a one man show I have been absolutely overwhelmed with work lately so posting has taken a back seat. 106.5 HD is at low power so in St Pete you will have an issue staying locked. I have parts to fix but have not been able to get over there in the middle of the night to fix it.

107.9 is down at 681 and Tamiami Trail and would be doubtful for decoding HD in St Pete as well. It is still -20dbc and has no plans currently to increase. As a matter of fact the only -14dbc in SRQ is WTZB. Again a station not going to be decoded in St Pete.

Have a great night gang

Actually WCQT HD2 stays locked all the time, with the 34 inch antenna. (which is what the radio should have had to begin with, instead of a 22 inch antenna) Now the RDS for WCTQ HD2 shows Charlie Daniels Band all the time 24/7 regardless of what artist is being played!

Once or twice, WSRZ has started or tried to decode, but never made it and WTZB only comes in analogue here in St. Pete (downtown/USFSP area).

For anyone buying the Insigna HD boombox, a better/longer antenna is a must to make it a good HD radio.

 

[flwfg]

I've had the same problems with HD2 's and RDS... Especially on WCTQ / WSRZ...

 

[rfrus]

As a matter of fact the only -14dbc in SRQ is WTZB

WHPT 102.5 is also -14dbc and licensed to Sarasota with transmitter in Manatee County.

 

[badjef]

First my apologies, as a one man show I have been absolutely overwhelmed with work lately so posting has taken a back seat. 106.5 HD is at low power so in St Pete you will have an issue staying locked. I have parts to fix but have not been able to get over there in the middle of the night to fix it.

107.9 is down at 681 and Tamiami Trail and would be doubtful for decoding HD in St Pete as well. It is still -20dbc and has no plans currently to increase. As a matter of fact the only -14dbc in SRQ is WTZB. Again a station not going to be decoded in St Pete.

Have a great night gang

Actually WCQT HD2 stays locked all the time, with the 34 inch antenna. (which is what the radio should have had to begin with, instead of a 22 inch antenna) Now the RDS for WCTQ HD2 shows Charlie Daniels Band all the time 24/7 regardless of what artist is being played!

Once or twice, WSRZ has started or tried to decode, but never made it and WTZB only comes in analogue here in St. Pete (downtown/USFSP area).

For anyone buying the Insigna HD boombox, a better/longer antenna is a must to make it a good HD radio.

The problem with WSRZ may not. Be your problem. Yesterday, I was listening to HD2 while riding around Sa-ra-so-ta!. It was dropping out and reverting to the HD1 and "random".
I dropped off at TPA earlier in the day. The radio did not decode until South St. Pete. And was not dependable until South Bradenton. This was expected because there was another 107.9 trying to push through.

WCTQ was in HD through St. Pete., as expected.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[Studio20]

Vadar

Have you even heard HD radio? Did you know that EVERY commercial FM station in the Tampa/St.Petersburg/Clearwater/Sarasota/Bradenton market and three non-commercial FM stations are broadcasting in HD?

Did you know there are four HD AM stations in Tampa?

If people like you talked about FM like this in the 60's, we would all still be listening to AM, because you would have killed FM.

Get your facts straight. FM HD is here to stay and is a great service. Yes, it has its issues, but they are being worked out. HD today is a much better service than it was just five years ago.

Okay, Marconi of the HD, here's your shot:

Give, or link me to the formats that are available in HD in the Bay Area, both AM and FM and we ll see if there is anything worth getting all this equipment for.