thinking about buying a relative an HD radio for christmas, that inexpensive Radiosophy table model for 99 bucks. my question is this ... the person i'd be buying it for lives way out in berks county near Reading and Allentown and his gripe is that 1060 has gotten more difficult and annoying to listen to with all the buzzing and whistles and AM radio noise. 1060 is his favorite station and i wanted him to be able to get the HD version KYW on 94.1 HD 2 crystal clear, but do HD signals go out that far? i heard that coverage of HD out in the fringe areas is not reliable. any insight appreciated.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
HD Radio Question
- Thread starter Interstate 78
- Start date
WYSP HD2 doesn't get into Vineland without an amplified antenna. I doubt it would get into Reading.
If he has an old VHF/FM antenna on his roof, he could probably hook it up to the HD radio and get the signal that way, but he'd probably still need an amp. (And it would have to be pointed at Philadelphia, not Allentown.)
If he has an old VHF/FM antenna on his roof, he could probably hook it up to the HD radio and get the signal that way, but he'd probably still need an amp. (And it would have to be pointed at Philadelphia, not Allentown.)
thinking about buying a relative an HD radio for christmas, that inexpensive Radiosophy table model for 99 bucks. my question is this ... the person i'd be buying it for lives way out in berks county near Reading and Allentown and his gripe is that 1060 has gotten more difficult and annoying to listen to with all the buzzing and whistles and AM radio noise. 1060 is his favorite station and i wanted him to be able to get the HD version KYW on 94.1 HD 2 crystal clear, but do HD signals go out that far? i heard that coverage of HD out in the fringe areas is not reliable. any insight appreciated.
Hey I-78, I've noticed how hard it is to pick up 1060 here in Reading these days. Plus, I lose YSP to a Sunbury station in portions of Reading, Laureldale and especially in the area around where I live. If your relative lives in my area (between Blandon/Fleetwood), I doubt they'll be able to pick it up on YSP's HD. The area I live is a literal RF sinkhole, it's hard to pick up anything. Hope that helps somewhat. If you find that it DOES work, let me know because I'd have to break down and buy one.
Hey I-78, I've noticed how hard it is to pick up 1060 here in Reading these days. Plus, I lose YSP to a Sunbury station in portions of Reading, Laureldale and especially in the area around where I live. If your relative lives in my area (between Blandon/Fleetwood), I doubt they'll be able to pick it up on YSP's HD. The area I live is a literal RF sinkhole, it's hard to pick up anything. Hope that helps somewhat. If you find that it DOES work, let me know because I'd have to break down and buy one.
J
Julius Leonard Marx
Guest
Another question: Why?
I honestly don't get it. Why? would you all buy (for yourselves or others) an HD radio?
They are still expensive (but not as much as before). I've paid that kind of price for a CC Radio Plus and earlier for a short-wave receiver. But FM sounds fine to me and I don't need to hear news radio in "HD quality" (and my more than I needed AM stereo). I've looked at the website listing programming available on the sub-channels and I don't see anything there I care much about hearing. I see people complaining about different formats not available in the area and if two or three missing formats I care about were offered, I might take plunge. Right now I don't see it.
Is there something I'm missing? Please explain.
So far, satellite does offer stuff I'd like to hear and from listening to their audio streams and audio streams from some of the HD channels, satellite seems to do a better job.
I honestly don't get it. Why? would you all buy (for yourselves or others) an HD radio?
They are still expensive (but not as much as before). I've paid that kind of price for a CC Radio Plus and earlier for a short-wave receiver. But FM sounds fine to me and I don't need to hear news radio in "HD quality" (and my more than I needed AM stereo). I've looked at the website listing programming available on the sub-channels and I don't see anything there I care much about hearing. I see people complaining about different formats not available in the area and if two or three missing formats I care about were offered, I might take plunge. Right now I don't see it.
Is there something I'm missing? Please explain.
So far, satellite does offer stuff I'd like to hear and from listening to their audio streams and audio streams from some of the HD channels, satellite seems to do a better job.
Give a truly meaningful gift: A Roku Labs Internet Radio for $129. Get's thousands of stations, great quality (mostly) and your favorite stations all stream in good quality ... anywhere in the world. Hook up a pair of powered speakers, no computer needed, but does require a wireless Internet connection.
Other versions of Internet radios also feature Internet, AM & FM (Roku R-1000 for $299,) and there are others, like the Sangean WR20 ($279 from C.Crane and other big box retailers) that work very well and sound great.
You and your relatives won't be disappointed. You'll hear everything perfectly clear. I listen to KYW here in California everyday, as well as Allentown, Baltimore, Wilmington, New York etc. You'll love it. Just bought another one for my son in Chicago.
Other versions of Internet radios also feature Internet, AM & FM (Roku R-1000 for $299,) and there are others, like the Sangean WR20 ($279 from C.Crane and other big box retailers) that work very well and sound great.
You and your relatives won't be disappointed. You'll hear everything perfectly clear. I listen to KYW here in California everyday, as well as Allentown, Baltimore, Wilmington, New York etc. You'll love it. Just bought another one for my son in Chicago.
Re: HD Radio Question..A Joke
HD continues not to do well at all. If it gets in the cars it might have a chance, but with Internet , IPOD, and Satellite....it's a Johnny come lately. Plus the quality isn't that great...signal will work like a sub carrier signal will, half the range of the primary. HD won't go away...it will be just be standard one day when you buy a new AM/FM radio in the future, and it will maybe be programmed for secondary programing of the primary station's coverage of it's formats that they can't carry at the same time or for later play. But I don't believe they'll be this musical jukebox as it now. It's just to try to get people to buy it, and right now it's slow.
HD continues not to do well at all. If it gets in the cars it might have a chance, but with Internet , IPOD, and Satellite....it's a Johnny come lately. Plus the quality isn't that great...signal will work like a sub carrier signal will, half the range of the primary. HD won't go away...it will be just be standard one day when you buy a new AM/FM radio in the future, and it will maybe be programmed for secondary programing of the primary station's coverage of it's formats that they can't carry at the same time or for later play. But I don't believe they'll be this musical jukebox as it now. It's just to try to get people to buy it, and right now it's slow.
I agree that there will likely be a problem with interference from WQKX 94.1 in Sunbury (also running IBOC), which would degrade reception of WYSP's digital signal in Berks County. However, closer to Philadelphia, WYSP's HD-2 coverage is quite solid; I consider it one of the best digital signals in the market. In Chester County, KYW's AM HD coverage is hit-and-miss due to power line interference (not to mention the AM HD codec sounds dreadful), but the FM simulcast is a worthwhile improvement.
I would also recommend the Roku Soundbridge as an alternative for any radio or music lover who has broadband internet. I bought a B-stock M500 "tuner" a couple of years ago for around $100 and it has worked very well -- I'm using it with WiFi (with WEP enabled) and have the line outputs plugged into the aux input of a Tivoli Model Two. It will also accept a hard-wired Ethernet connection.
I would also recommend the Roku Soundbridge as an alternative for any radio or music lover who has broadband internet. I bought a B-stock M500 "tuner" a couple of years ago for around $100 and it has worked very well -- I'm using it with WiFi (with WEP enabled) and have the line outputs plugged into the aux input of a Tivoli Model Two. It will also accept a hard-wired Ethernet connection.
oaktree said:Give a truly meaningful gift: A Roku Labs Internet Radio for $129. Get's thousands of stations, great quality (mostly) and your favorite stations all stream in good quality ... anywhere in the world. Hook up a pair of powered speakers, no computer needed, but does require a wireless Internet connection.
Other versions of Internet radios also feature Internet, AM & FM (Roku R-1000 for $299,) and there are others, like the Sangean WR20 ($279 from C.Crane and other big box retailers) that work very well and sound great.
You and your relatives won't be disappointed. You'll hear everything perfectly clear. I listen to KYW here in California everyday, as well as Allentown, Baltimore, Wilmington, New York etc. You'll love it. Just bought another one for my son in Chicago.
This is the correct answer. Internet radio ends the HD Radio thread, just like it will end HD Radio in real life
J
Julius Leonard Marx
Guest
carnyfeet said:oaktree said:Give a truly meaningful gift: A Roku Labs Internet Radio for $129. Get's thousands of stations, great quality (mostly) and your favorite stations all stream in good quality ... anywhere in the world. Hook up a pair of powered speakers, no computer needed, but does require a wireless Internet connection.
Other versions of Internet radios also feature Internet, AM & FM (Roku R-1000 for $299,) and there are others, like the Sangean WR20 ($279 from C.Crane and other big box retailers) that work very well and sound great.
You and your relatives won't be disappointed. You'll hear everything perfectly clear. I listen to KYW here in California everyday, as well as Allentown, Baltimore, Wilmington, New York etc. You'll love it. Just bought another one for my son in Chicago.
This is the correct answer. Internet radio ends the HD Radio thread, just like it will end HD Radio in real life
If, and only if, the price for Internet radios comes down quickly.
Why pay in the neighborhood of $300 bucks for a little box that will do the same thing as free media player software or a free web browser on your computer?
Julius Leonard Marx said:If, and only if, the price for Internet radios comes down quickly.
Why pay in the neighborhood of $300 bucks for a little box that will do the same thing as free media player software or a free web browser on your computer?
He just said the thing costs $129?
Besides, it's not the devices that are dedicated to playing 'net radio that are going to change how we view the medium. It'll be the other devices that bundle the capability in with other things - the iPhone and iPod Touch can do it right now, the Playstation Portable just added Internet radio, and it won't be long before other things like Nintendo DS and regular cell phones have the capability.
S
SignalSeeker
Guest
HD radio has great sound. The question can only be answered by someone who lives in that area already receiving HD radio. I live in Lancaster and get great results from Philadelphia HD stations. It should be noted that I have an antenna on the roof pointed East towards Philly. I use the Sangean tuner which has excellent sensitivity.
SignalSeeker said:It should be noted that I have an antenna on the roof pointed East towards Philly. I use the Sangean tuner which has excellent sensitivity.
Then you have a big advantage over the typical listener (with a line cord antenna or wire hanging off the back of the radio) which breaks down roughly as follows:
1) Moving antenna from 4 feet AGL to a roof top at 30 ft AGL -- about 15 dB improvement
2) Using a directional gain antenna cut for the FM band, rather than an untuned piece of wire -- at least 6 dB additional improvement
3) Mounting the antenna outside the house, where the signals aren't encumbered by foil-backed insulation in the exterior walls, house wiring, pipes, HVAC ductwork, other nearby metallic objects, drywall, etc. -- let's call that 5 dB
Add it up, and that's about 26 dB more "raw signal" into the receiver; equivalent to a power multiplication of 400. And, on the rooftop, your antenna is further away from computers and other household appliances that generate noise. Plus, with a directional antenna, you have the ability to reject interference from undesired stations, not to mention the excellent performance of the Sangean tuner.
I'm using an attic antenna and getting good results with the Accurian HD receiver in northern Chester County -- but with the supplied Rat-Shack-Tail antenna, indoor digital reception is very poor. In this kind of terrain, anyone who lives outside the 70 dBu contour of a station needs to keep HD coverage limitations in mind. It's not a cure-all for weak or noisy RF signals.
By the way, I'm just curious to know if you can receive WDAS-FM in digital with WIOV so close, or B101 with 101.3 "The Rose" not that far away.
Tired of AM & FM ... you have thousands of truly independent "stations between the stations," plus, Julius, you don't need to have a computer on anywhere in the house or wi-fi area to play your own music files/playlists. A lot more bang for the buck than just an HD radio ... a roof antenna ... a rotor ... lead-in ... frustration of blending ... limited reach.
This is DXing at it's best and a radio junkies dream. And, yes, $129. I've seen it specialed at $99. The SoundBridge Radio is as good as a Bose or Cambridge, in many opinions. Good looking products, too and updated everyday with new stations. www.rokulabs.com
Enjoy!
This is DXing at it's best and a radio junkies dream. And, yes, $129. I've seen it specialed at $99. The SoundBridge Radio is as good as a Bose or Cambridge, in many opinions. Good looking products, too and updated everyday with new stations. www.rokulabs.com
Enjoy!
SignalSeeker said:HD radio has great sound. The question can only be answered by someone who lives in that area already receiving HD radio. I live in Lancaster and get great results from Philadelphia HD stations. It should be noted that I have an antenna on the roof pointed East towards Philly. I use the Sangean tuner which has excellent sensitivity.
Do any Philly HD AMs decode there in Lancaster? Or any at all? It's been a while since I was out there. I have worked in the Donnelly plants and another one out in Mechanicsburg.
I try to stay in Lititz, and I sure do miss Wilbur chocolate.
I wonder if the supplied remote loops for AM are reasonant or just a broadbanded loop? If they were a remote loose-coupler with a truly resonant circuit,
they could be roof mounted like an FM, and use a twisted pair for a lead-in. Then too, they'd need a rotor and some means to vary L or C remotely for tuning.
If they aren't a reasonant loop, then any old 5-tube AM is more sensitive, and AM reception is still only getting lip service from manufacturers.
Somebody with the ability to read a schematic, please tell us if the AM loops on HD radios are broadbanded or reasonant back into the input circuit.
Is it even possible to buy a radio and get a schematic with it anymore?
If they're untuned, they should be fine to extend the leads for remote mounting. Or at least shouldn't be any worse, maybe better.
This makes a huge difference, and in the same way as Play Freebird detailed for FM reception.
oaktree said:
Does this mean that stringing guyed wires across Passyunk av. won’t be necessary? What about base current readings? Not necessary? Ground conductivity? Not a factor? Tower lights? No? I guess I should just throw out my 7700-volt power supply, huh?
The BA Receptor radio uses an equally dissapointing junk broadband external AM antenna. Here at he South Jersey Shore, I can barely get ANY Philly AM in analogue, none in digital. Good for local reception only, and it can cut noise as it is somewhat directional, but it's a toy. I get no HD at all on Am or FM with any antenna at any height. It's a cheap version of the Bose, without any treble. A perfect kitchen radio.
And rather than the Roku, I just bought an FM Transmitter at Five and Below for $5. Remember all those part 15 xmtrs they recalled because they were out of tolerance? There they are! This way I can listen to hylit.com or oldies1160.com on any radio...for two blocks!
And rather than the Roku, I just bought an FM Transmitter at Five and Below for $5. Remember all those part 15 xmtrs they recalled because they were out of tolerance? There they are! This way I can listen to hylit.com or oldies1160.com on any radio...for two blocks!
Sam,
You are absolutely correct! However, be cautious of some of the units your friend Earl just got by UPS yesterday. Those "copper radial" antennas are easily broken ... and, as you know, the wire is not cut to length ... usually 200 feet or so. Then there's the "donut hole" antenna which requires that you stack at least six on it to null out anything on AM, let alone 8 or more for weak analog FM.
I have no idea what was just said, because the manual is in Mandarin.
However, I do know that a Belkin FM antenna, which I do use, on the headphone output of the Roku works just nifty throughout the whole house ... and, is good for about a block.
Except for techies who love HD (hybdrid digital) just for the grins of saying it exists ... why not listen to many more stations than risk life and limb hanging an antenna for something (HD) that so few want? I mean, face it. Is better quality on AM to hear "talk" any better than hearing the same thing on a thousand radio stations, but with local content and better quality? I don't get it.
You are absolutely correct! However, be cautious of some of the units your friend Earl just got by UPS yesterday. Those "copper radial" antennas are easily broken ... and, as you know, the wire is not cut to length ... usually 200 feet or so. Then there's the "donut hole" antenna which requires that you stack at least six on it to null out anything on AM, let alone 8 or more for weak analog FM.
I have no idea what was just said, because the manual is in Mandarin.
However, I do know that a Belkin FM antenna, which I do use, on the headphone output of the Roku works just nifty throughout the whole house ... and, is good for about a block.
Except for techies who love HD (hybdrid digital) just for the grins of saying it exists ... why not listen to many more stations than risk life and limb hanging an antenna for something (HD) that so few want? I mean, face it. Is better quality on AM to hear "talk" any better than hearing the same thing on a thousand radio stations, but with local content and better quality? I don't get it.
(lost your quote in copy somehow, Oaktree)
However, I do know that a Belkin FM antenna, which I do use, on the headphone output of the Roku works just nifty throughout the whole house ... and, is good for about a block.
endquote
Well dangit, I can't seem to come across one of these non-compliant FM modulators, or I'd have an FM service on Pt 15 too.
I've bought the CC Crane, which was good until at 2yrs developed an open ckt, probly, cuz it's fine, and then opens every time after 15 min operation, when mod goes to 1%. Then two POS ( not Point-of Sale) units one RS, one Wal-mart maybe Belkin, which can't even get thru the windshield and NEEDS A WIRE coupled from one or another lead directly to a coil wound @ the base of the mast antenna! Sheesh.
Someone who can get one, I will pay cost plus 3X shipping costs for the trouble of being the buyer/shipper.
PM me and I will promise to run it in the basement so's to be absolutely legal.
However, I do know that a Belkin FM antenna, which I do use, on the headphone output of the Roku works just nifty throughout the whole house ... and, is good for about a block.
endquote
Well dangit, I can't seem to come across one of these non-compliant FM modulators, or I'd have an FM service on Pt 15 too.
I've bought the CC Crane, which was good until at 2yrs developed an open ckt, probly, cuz it's fine, and then opens every time after 15 min operation, when mod goes to 1%. Then two POS ( not Point-of Sale) units one RS, one Wal-mart maybe Belkin, which can't even get thru the windshield and NEEDS A WIRE coupled from one or another lead directly to a coil wound @ the base of the mast antenna! Sheesh.
Someone who can get one, I will pay cost plus 3X shipping costs for the trouble of being the buyer/shipper.
PM me and I will promise to run it in the basement so's to be absolutely legal.
Tom,
175 Watt BW stereo FM TX for sale. Digital freq. programmable 87.5 MHz-108Mhz. (Brick wall 75 kHz Clipping,) Never over modulates. Front panel digital graphics display, (mod. Levels, power amp voltage, output etc.), Internal harmonic filtering. Circuit protection and antenna fault (SWR) monitoring. In superb working condition. Includes a 6.4 DB gain antenna (for 350 watts ERP), 4k. Five band processor for that extra punch, 2K. Together, the sound is awesome. Loudest thing on the dial. You pay the shipping. Impress your friends. Makes a great Xmas gift.
175 Watt BW stereo FM TX for sale. Digital freq. programmable 87.5 MHz-108Mhz. (Brick wall 75 kHz Clipping,) Never over modulates. Front panel digital graphics display, (mod. Levels, power amp voltage, output etc.), Internal harmonic filtering. Circuit protection and antenna fault (SWR) monitoring. In superb working condition. Includes a 6.4 DB gain antenna (for 350 watts ERP), 4k. Five band processor for that extra punch, 2K. Together, the sound is awesome. Loudest thing on the dial. You pay the shipping. Impress your friends. Makes a great Xmas gift.
- Status
- This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.