HD Radio over SFN

[Carmine5]

Here's an interesting idea for trying to achieve reliable, drop out-free coverage with HD-FM, using a Single Frequency Network with booster transmitters carrying only the digital signal.

http://www.nabfastroad.org/SFN-InterimFTRWD2XAB.pdf

As we know, the FCC proposed SFNs as a means of achieving spectrum efficiency with DTV and broadcasters quickly rejected it as expensive and impractical. HD Radio is looking more and more like a money pit as Ibiquity engineers force the system to do what analog FM already does.

 

[mmnassour]

That's like trying to add a leg to a horse.


Even if you could, the horse won't run any faster.

 

[Carmine5]

That's like trying to add a leg to a horse.


Even if you could, the horse won't run any faster.

Good analogy. The objective for SFN was stated by Bob Struble here:

"We were pleased that the initial tests confirmed the HD Radio system would support digital boosters without creating interference to the main station’s signal or the booster station’s signal. The digital booster station could be used to fill in gaps in coverage, overcome terrain obstructions or extend coverage in a vital direction. This would provide broadcasters with one more tool they could use to provide high quality service to listeners."

But when you consider the cost of establishing a SFN (along with a power boost) just to reach a tiny handful of listeners or provide them a better listening experience it just makes HD Radio look even more impractical than it is and its flaws all the more apparent. I'm sure this was an enlightening experiment for Ibiquity engineers but what station would build such a network--I mean besides government-subsidized public radio stations?

http://www.rbr.com/radio/engineerin...l-boosting-with-single-frequency-network.html

 

[Savage]

It will be interesting to see how long pubcasters stick with their briefly ardent affair with HD Radio.

Sure, now it looks like a pretty nice little niche: HD installations are largely paid for by taxpayers and they get low-bucks subchannels (thanks, NPR Labs; no thanks, iBiquity) to park their PITA subformats of jazz and classical music. "Oh, did you want Dvorak and Brubeck? Send us a $100 check during the pledge drive and we'll send you a boat-anchor HD Radio that wouldn't sell in stores. There. Now leave us alone about programming."

But as time wears on the bloom starts to come off the, ehh, "rose." Maintenance and utility costs rise, interference complaints stubbornly keep cropping up, analog coverage deficits in the car start to become apparent. Promised digital coverage improvements fail to materialize.

It's only a matter of time before the problems that have nixed HD for 84% of commercial broadcasters (approximately 100% of which are represented by station owners with NO ownership or development stake in HD and/or iBiquity) start to dawn on pubcasters as well. The ongoing maintenance and interference issues will NOT be subsidized by the government, after all, and public stations are not immune to a stagnant economy and increasing costs factors.

Sooner or later the internet is going to start looking like a more viable, and far lower-cost, way to distribute alternate programming. When that happens: sic transit Struble.

 

[Play Freebird]

Interesting report, but there's a lot of white space on Page 9!

 

[tomservo]

Yep, it's a failed technology since they are talking about on channel boosters.

Er… doesn't the FCC authorize on channel analog boosters now? I seem to recall several of them existing in LA. And one used to exist in Huntsville for an out of market station.

Why is it so much worse for digital? At least the digital feeds' self interference won't be as easily realized by the end listener. It should be much more seamless than going from KPFK-FM to KPFK-1, etc (or whoever uses them now).

Frankly, I see this not as something for broadcasters to sink more money into at this time, just as a possibility should the technology take off. The market I'm in would greatly benefit from this. Mobile and Pensacola are apparently two separate radio markets but 90% of the stations broadcast from a common swath of Baldwin County because it's between the two cities.

Unfortunately, the HD from these "inbetween" sticks doesn't solidly cover EITHER city. Boosters in Pensacola proper and Mobile proper would greatly help with the dropout issues people here experience. And by people, I mean me and one other guy.

 

[Savage]

When you're on board a mortally wounded ship which has less than two hours to live, a massive realization tends to hit: nothing you can do will make any difference. You can't keep the water out. You can't save property or people on board. Fate is firmly in control. In less time than it takes to digest your dinner, this ship will no longer exist.

People have starkly odd ways of dealing with this massively ponderous realization. I recall reading accounts of how the Titanic's crew busied themselves in the great ship's last hour polishing silver, writing letters, inventorying food and other stores - literally activities which later gave birth to the cliche "rearranging deck chairs." It's the poignant human response to a sudden awareness of mortality - and the way people keep themselves from losing it due to overwhelming stresses. They have no control over their world, but at least they can make the silverware look nice.

SFNs for HD digital? Please. Why not sponsor a jingle or billboard design contest? Or sponsor an iBiquity soap-box derby car or Little League team?

Ah well, I guess they've gotta do SOMETHING to keep busy....

 

[mmnassour]

OK, let's see....the iBiquity little league team....

1. great uniforms
2. can't pitch
3. can't hit
4. won't admit #2 or #3
5. claims there are five bases...