How can I improve my HD Reception?

[Mike Walker]

Try that XM inside an office building, without an antenna near a window, and see how well it does. Unless you're in a city where there are repeaters, you'll be s.o.l.

 

[radiopilot]

Try that XM inside an office building, without an antenna near a window, and see how well it does. Unless you're in a city where there are repeaters, you'll be s.o.l.

I told that same story to my son, guess what he said... 'Oh well I'll listen to the mp3's when the satelite cuts out'! Didn't phase him a bit... you think the HD signal isn't going to fall out on portables WHEN and IF they ever produce them? 

Radiopilot

 

[PocketRadio]

Wow, clever. "No mention of HD Radio being added to these devices". They've added streaming video already, and NOBODY CARES! In fact, they're (wireless providers) confused about why people aren't anxious to take pictures, listen to music, watch videos, and wipe their....er, noses...with their cell phones. IT'S A FREAKIN' PHONE! It will never take pictures as well as a camera, or play audio as well as an mp3 player, or radio as well as a RADIO. How about combinations THAT MAKE FREAKIN' SENSE, like Ipods WITH radios. I read another survey this weekend (forget which technology magazine, or maybe it was on Cranky Geeks or DLTV) that the number one most requested feature on Ipods is a RADIO. THAT will be a natural "join" for HD...in quality mp3 players...a single portable device that offers truly high quality audio from mp3, streaming audio, AND radio...preferably digital. I'll buy one...and I don't give a damn if there's a telephone attached!

"Really? iPod owners want FM tuners?"

"Wait, what? Apple has an official FM tuner for the iPod already? Yes, if you have an iPod nano or an iPod that supports video, you can “listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. You also get a set of earphones with a shorter cable that’s a perfect fit for the remote. All this for only $49. Plus, it’s integrated with the iPod’s built-in software (check your Settings to see the hidden functionality) and doesn’t require any batteries because it’s powered by the iPod."

http://theappleblog.com/2007/04/30/really-ipod-owners-want-fm-tuners/

Optional remote, not built-in, HD/IBOC FM tuners would be even more expensive, plus the FM tuners run off of the iPod's internal battery. Also, good luck with HD reception, with only the earbud's antenna. There are no AM tuners - while it would be nice to see HD/IBOC fail, as as whole, the only thing that really matters is that HD-AM fail on the broadcast bands.

 

[clouseau]

......while it would be nice to see HD/IBOC fail, as as whole, the only thing that really matters is that HD-AM fail on the broadcast bands.

Standby to salute!!!

Pocket Radio appears to be hoisting the FMHD White Flag.

Clouseau

 

[R.F. Burns]

......while it would be nice to see HD/IBOC fail, as as whole, the only thing that really matters is that HD-AM fail on the broadcast bands.

Standby to salute!!!

Pocket Radio appears to be hoisting the FMHD White Flag.

Clouseau

No, I think what he did was expose himself as a DXer. Y'know a nerd. I've Dx'd in my life but hey, I discovered females and the rest is history.

 

[Mike Walker]

Well RF I've also been a dxer my whole life. I discovered girls in my teens. Even married one. But I never gave up dxing. Ask my wife of 30 years!

So you can get an FM tuner for an Ipod? WOW...they finally caught up with Creative...from five years ago. Can it record from FM?

A year or two ago Apple "invented" video playback on their Ipods. Well, "invented" in the way that many others offered it before. "Think Different?" Indeed. How about "think later"!

 

[FreestylePete]

First of all my reciever worked fine in my parants house a few towns away and its ridicoulous to have to have a hanging antenna which my coop board wont allow to hear a simple HD Station. For all you die hard HD Fanatics face the truth that HD has severe problems at this stage. In fact I am thinking about buying another HD Radio cause i think they are still the radio of the future.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

It was my impression that your apartment probably wouldn't allow an outdoor antenna - I only got away with it because it was unobtrusive and fit completely within the outline of the deck. The yagi is the only thing with GAIN, and you obviously are in a null for the station.

There is a compact log periodic antenna manufactured by Godar - several people have reported some quality issues, but it does actually have gain (unlike the amplified indoor antennas that amplify more noise than signal). You might try that - It is a flat tabletop unit.

 

[Mike Walker]

I've never tried the Godar, but have heard good things. Ya' know, since signal strength may well not be the culprit, there's something from the 70s and 80s, a "blast from the past" you may want to try. Search Ebay for a "BIC BEAMBOX" (or "Beam Box"...I forget it it's one word or two")

I still have one stuffed away somewhere, although now that I no longer live in an urban area, it's all but useless. The gain is lousy, but it's great at rejecting multipath. It's a square box with a knob on the front panel that rotates internal elements. You turn the knob to change the directionality of the antenna. This thing worked (works) great for urban and suburban listeners, and was marketed for years.

I'm sorry, but it's not fair to decide from one experience with one raido in one apartment that HD doesn't work. Especially since it DID WORK for you in another location. If I had trees to the south of me, I wouldn't conclude that satellite tv "doesn't work". I'd conclude that it may not work FOR ME!