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HD Transmitter Power

B

BarryATL

The FCC rules changed that allow the HD transmitter power to be raised. At that time all of the Atlanta stations had already invested the capex on HD and the thinking was it would be awhile before any Atlanta station raised their HD power. The other day I heard the Georgia Public Radio station WJSP 88.1 while on Martin Luther King Jr Dr on the west side of the city. I was surprised that it switched into HD mode. I know WJSP has recently upgraded their power, so I assume they upgraded their HD at the same time.

So, here is the question: Have any of the Atlanta stations upgraded their HD power?
 
WABE is at -14....or at least will be as soon as they turn on their new transmitters/antenna. I don't think they are going to the full -10.
I don't believe there are any other stations transmitting IBOC above the -20 level. Georgia Public Broadcasting did their big equipment purchases before the higher levels were approved so they may or may not have the capability for increased power levels on IBOC.
 
Taylor, can you explain the -10, -14, and -20? I seem to remember there was a wattage associated with the new FCC rule.
 
If I am not mistaken, those numbers refer to the number of dB below the analog power. So a 100 kW analog, at -20, could have a 1 kW digital. At -14, a 4 kW digital. And at -10, a 10 kW digital.

- Trip
 
the 1kW and 10kW is what I remember and I assume that was an example that was used with 100kW.

Is there any chance that any of the Atlanta stations plan to go to a -10? Is there a drawback?
 
as i understand it, to increase the injection level would take $$$$ in new equipment. the stations that jumped in when the max level was -20 spent the bank to get on board. now i know a lot of people are very negative iboc, but just taking it at face value -- adding a new channel to your stable -- they spent the money and got the channel.

but alas, the coverage isn't so good. so the fcc decides to allow -10. well, those stations that already spent the money can't just flip a power switch and go to -10. they have to buy new equipment. maybe not EVERY piece, but a bunch of money nonetheless. the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

if there was a financial reason to go to -10 i'm sure many stations would do it. maybe in the future if HD penetration is higher. it IS still in infancy. the naysayers say it was over before it started, and the jury is still out on that. they could be right, or it could just be a slow growth.

technically is there a disadvantage to going to -10? i suspect it takes something from the analog signal just like the 19khz stereo pilot injection does, but i don't know the answer. taylor?

-amos
 
Wish I did know everything! Would be happy to just know what many have already forgot!!
NPR did a study showing that -10 IBOC will create unacceptable levels of adjacent channel interference in some circumstances. Some have also reported -10 causes interference with the host signal. Ibiquity has done research which shows elevated IBOC levels can be used with acceptable degradation of the host signal and adjacent channel signals.
Some stations are eligible to operate with full -10, some will be able to do it asymmetrically (one side of the channel, either upper or lower, will be full power. The other side will be reduced power.) The FCC has created a formula which determines what power levels (max) a station may use.
Many stations will need to change the way the analog and IBOC signals are combined to achieve the higher power.
For those who want more in depth technical details you can Google and learn more.
Bottom line. Most stations are not going to spend capital on a technology no one uses. Maybe when/if there are receivers in the market more attention will be paid to digital.
 
taylorengineer said:
Bottom line. Most stations are not going to spend capital on a technology no one uses. Maybe when/if there are receivers in the market more attention will be paid to digital.
Click to expand...

They would have to rebuild the HD plant. Different combiners to handle the increased injection and higher power HD transmitters to generate the RF. If they are low level combined, they will have to replace the transmitter. In the very near future, I predict radio will go the way of TV. No more analog, just digital with up to 10 HD "channels" per carrier.
 
I expect most people will go to whatever power level they can 'turn up' the existing HD equipment. There's not a lot of stomach for replacing relatively new equipment.
 
Bengalsfan said:
In the very near future, I predict radio will go the way of TV. No more analog, just digital with up to 10 HD "channels" per carrier.
Click to expand...
If they "tighten up" the RF xmitters and go pure digital, could they "double" up the current FM band. 92.2, 92.4 etc. IIRC you can have 2 digital "real frequency" TV stations right (UHF 42 & 43 for example) next to each other in the same market.
 
Not doable without some interference issues. Too many analog radios out there. With HD -4 is good but many plants would have to buy a new Transmitter or combining equipment to increase HD signal strength.
 
Unlike television, analog FM was never given a sunset date. Until it is, it isn't likely that HD is going to be real successful. Trying to compete with satellite in variety is doomed to failure. Even four signals can't overcome 200. However, high quality sound can and does make inroads in satellite listening cos the quality is mucgh better. Turning the whole thing to digital would help.
 
I agree with Littlejohn. Much like AM stereo, the FCC and broadcast industry have mismanaged the IBOC rollout. Here are a few ideas to get things going:
1. Sunset analog FM. Just like with UHF television back in the 60's mandate manufacturers to include IBOC with every radio and smart phone sold. I'm not a big fan of government mandates but since we seem to accept living in a "nanny state" why not include radio......?
2. Ibiquity should rethink it's licensing fees. Figure out another way to monetize the technology.
3. One company gets only the 4-8 digital channels that will fit on 1 FM signal. Create more competition in the radio industry.
The idea that radio station owners were "suffering" and needed more stations to survive i.e. less competition, is idiotic. Sure.....we all would like less competition. But more variety will, in the long term, help insure the survival of the medium.
4. Create "smart" radios which are internet connected but still supplied, for the most part, by terrestrial signals. Let your imagination play with that idea for a few minutes and you will begin to see the enormous possibilities, both in terms of programming and revenue. Radio is a very effective method to multicast a signal because there is no penalty for adding increasing numbers of listeners. At least in one direction. Use the 4G network for radio receiver data return to the station which requires very little data bandwidth.

People will buy the technology when broadcasters start delivering compelling programming unavailable through other delivery methods.
Blues? Bluegrass? 20/20 news channel like CKLW?
A channel for meth users where they can discuss lighter maintenance and face eating technique?
 
Subchanel for meth users, I can see it now: 96.3 the basement!

HD had so much potential, it does have superior audio to compressed satellite radio and most internet mobile streaming, the bandwidth is there to support very good audio. But Ibiquity hosed it up with their short sighted greed.

I'm shopping for a new car, and so far Ford seems to be the only company seriously committed to HD radio in the dashboard as standard equipment. That's sad. But everyone else is pushing Sirius/XM which I would never pay 14.99 a month for crappy audio with not much more than available over the air free.
 
Now....I like that! 96.1....The Basement! All meth......no Rock(s)
See! That's the kind of thinking we need to recreate this industry.
Maybe you should think about a career in programming......
 
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