How much does it cost to convert an FM?

[pabsungenis]

If this is a FAQ, please accept my apologies and point me to the appropriate place.

How much, on average, would it cost to convert a standard 3Kw FM station to multicasting HD-Radio? Total cost, including new equipment, licensing fees, etc. I'm just curious.

 

[JohnnyElectron]

$35K to do it right

 

[pabsungenis]

Only $35K? I was under the impression that it was a lot higher.

 

[Kelly]

Only $35K? I was under the impression that it was a lot higher.

It depends.. For example, a FM station with a composite stereo or digital stereo STL, with audio processing at the studio, will require a four channel STL. 2 for conventional stereo, 2 digital. Then if you want to run a (2) alternate stream, you would need a 6 channel STL. Typical cost for a 6 channel DTSL, (single hop), could be around $17-25K.

Depending on your transmission and antenna scheme, you need either a separate digital transmitter with a combiner to a single antenna: TX around $50K, (assuming a full Class C station), and the secondary channel modem at about $30K, and combiner about $25-40K. You could skip the combiner, and run a second antenna for a little less, but you would need a circulator to keep the analog out of the digital transmitter.

Last I checked for one of my Class C FM's, with a two-hop stereo digital STL, the cost to add HD with a secondary channel is about $200K.

Again as stated in my previous posts, I haven't done the HD thing on my FM's because I would rather spend the capital on something that could get me shorter term ROI, and not related to my opinion about HD.

 

[Play Freebird]

... I would rather spend the capital on something that could get me shorter term ROI, and not related to my opinion about HD.

That's an "opinion about HD" we share!

For the foreseeable future, spending money on AM HD will probably lead to negative ROI. The FM situation may change when car radios become standard equipment, but that's going to take a while.

 

[notalent]

a FM station with a composite stereo or digital stereo STL, with audio processing at the studio, will require a four channel STL. 2 for conventional stereo, 2 digital. Then if you want to run a (2) alternate stream, you would need a 6 channel STL. Typical cost for a 6 channel DTSL, (single hop), could be around $17-25K.


It has been a while since you last checked apparently...

the current system architecture does not require actual audio to be delivered to the transmitter site for each channel. The standard STL which delivers the existing stereo audio (either digital or analog) still feeds the analog transmitter.

the HD and HD2 audio are sent as data both going through a minimum 300kbps rock solid pipe. This could be done with one existing Intraplex system on a single T carrier. analog audio taking up approx 1.2Mbps, with the last 300kbps handling the HD payload. In the current model the HD and HD2 audio are packetized at the studio not at the transmitter as in the first generation of IBOC transmission equipment... The current is the third generation of IBOC gear. Expect more to come.

Otherwise the cheapest way is to buy a hybrid transmitter with both the analog and digital amplifiers in the same box. for a 3kw station a combined Harris rig would be around 65k. the IBOC system would be another 17k.

there would be other costs in suitable PC's to run the audio importer software and high quality managable network switches are also required. The HD 2 needs to be EAS capable which is another misc. cost.

Buying a stand alone HD transmitter and installing a new antenna or using a directional coupler/antenna combiner is probably no cheaper.

 

[Kelly]

Well thanks for the back to the future trip in the DeLorian there Skippy.

There are several different ways to build out an FM-HD facility. My point was chances are the STL would need to be replaced or augmented, especially if you don't have digital phone services to the transmitter site. I did forget to add new audio processing expense, as one needs to add delay to the analog audio to match the digital.

Transmission can be cut several different ways too, depening on the class of the analog FM station, whether you have space for another antenna, or want to replace your existing analog transmitter with a hybrid pass unit from Continental or BE. The problem with that scenario is a 35kW transmitter for analog use only, will only be able to output 17.5kW in hybrid mode, (analog and digital). In that case, and depending on how much power you need for analog operation, you may need to combine two transmitters. Either way, it's one expensive science experiment!

After adding up proposals from BE and Harris, the damage ran close to $200K for a full class C FM.

 

[notalent]

No problem with the Delorean Kelly!

You are correct, i forgot about audio processing... you will need one or two more processors. Many HD-2's are now using the Optimod 1100pc sound card which does a fine job. Since at this point the HD-2 exists entirely in a computer.

the main point being we agree that it is not getting done for anywhere near $35K.

I know of a BE Hybrid running 23kw analog TPO with IBOC on the remainder. prrrrrrs like a kitten.

And of course you cannot forget about the cost of the flux capacitor.

 

[PhilGalasso]

If this is a FAQ, please accept my apologies and point me to the appropriate place.

How much, on average, would it cost to convert a standard 3Kw FM station to multicasting HD-Radio? Total cost, including new equipment, licensing fees, etc. I'm just curious.

Budget a CONSERVATIVE figure of about $125-150K to convert a Class A FM station to HD Radio. That includes a common-amplification transmitter, a new exciter, the HD Radio Exporter, an Importer (if you plan to multicast), some way of monitoring your HD signal and doing the time alignment between the analog and digital signals, possibly a new STL if your transmitter is not co-located with the studio, a GPS antenna to sync up the Exporter, and an Ethernet link between the studio and the transmitter site, as well as iBiquity's license fees. Your engineer will also need to rent a spectrum analyzer to verify that the signal fits within the FCC emission mask for FM IBOC.

If you plan to multicast, you will also need to provide an additional source of programming, paying the music licensing fees for that second stream, as it is treated as if it were a second radio station. You will also need to run EAS tests on that stream, so you may need to expand your EAS equipment to accommodate that.

Watch for your electric bill to go up at the transmitter site. The common amplification transmitters are only about 30-35% efficient. Conventional FM transmitters are about 70% efficient. If you go with separate amplification, your electric bill will still go up, as the combining process wastes 10% of the analog power and 90% of the digital power in dummy loads. You would also need to provide additional cooling of the transmitter room if you do this, as those dummy loads generate a lot of heat.

Ask yourself, "Is the cost of going 'HD Radio' going to be offset by the revenue your station will take in as a result of this conversion?" At the present stage of the game, you will find this to be a very poor investment.

 

[Play Freebird]

Your engineer will also need to rent a spectrum analyzer to verify that the signal fits within the FCC emission mask for FM IBOC.

What engineer? He was one of the staff who was "downsized" so the company could pay for all of this HD gear!

 

[wkbam1690]

$35K to do it right

Isn't there also an ongoing monthly or yearly fee to Ibiquity for licensing? Is that included in the $35K?

 

[Kelly]

What engineer? He was one of the staff who was "downsized" so the company could pay for all of this HD gear!

Well then for a nominal fee, I'd be pleased to build out your HD plant! Management would like that because they could embed my fee into a capital project! Little spent on the operating side! It's WIN-WIN BABY!

 

[davideduardo]

Budget a CONSERVATIVE figure of about $125-150K to convert a Class A FM station to HD Radio. That includes a common-amplification transmitter, a new exciter, the HD Radio Exporter, an Importer (if you plan to multicast), some way of monitoring your HD signal and doing the time alignment between the analog and digital signals, possibly a new STL if your transmitter is not co-located with the studio, a GPS antenna to sync up the Exporter, and an Ethernet link between the studio and the transmitter site, as well as iBiquity's license fees. Your engineer will also need to rent a spectrum analyzer to verify that the signal fits within the FCC emission mask for FM IBOC.

That is way over for a class A. The easy way to do it is to use a separate antenna for HD on the same tower, and since A's are low power and limited height, the antenna, coax and transmitter are not a lot. You would need a new STL if you were doing HD2, but many stations have the capacity on a T1 to add an additional station and the control data as well. A GPS antenna is a tiny item... the miscellaneous stuff you have to buy like audio cable (or Cat 5, depending on system) and connectors and stuff cost more. You should have separate HD processing, as the processing that sounds right on the analog channel is not what will do it in digital.

If you plan to multicast, you will also need to provide an additional source of programming, paying the music licensing fees for that second stream, as it is treated as if it were a second radio station.

ASCAP, BMI and SESAC have fees based on revenue... if the hD2 bills nothing, then there is a tiny minimum fee and that is all.

You will also need to run EAS tests on that stream, so you may need to expand your EAS equipment to accommodate that.

Also a small item.

Watch for your electric bill to go up at the transmitter site. The common amplification transmitters are only about 30-35% efficient. Conventional FM transmitters are about 70% efficient. If you go with separate amplification, your electric bill will still go up, as the combining process wastes 10% of the analog power and 90% of the digital power in dummy loads. You would also need to provide additional cooling of the transmitter room if you do this, as those dummy loads generate a lot of heat.

An A, running let's say 6 kw ERP v& H might have a 4-bay and a a 5 kw transmitter... the HD signal will be 60 watts, and consumes or the same as the big 150 watt light bulb at the door of the transmitter building... even if unity gain.

Ask yourself, "Is the cost of going 'HD Radio' going to be offset by the revenue your station will take in as a result of this conversion?" At the present stage of the game, you will find this to be a very poor investment.

Major Armstrong invented FM in 1933; he sued RCA in 1948 for patent infringement, and between 1950 and 1960 the number of US FMs fell by about 50%.... would you say, today, in retrospect, that FM was a lousy investment?

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

I would shutter to think of using seperate antennas. There is no way both patterns will be the same especially in close so there WILL be self-jamming due to the mask being incorrect in many areas. BAD IDEA. David, the thing you're not adressing about power line consumption is that, unless you do seperate antennas which quite likely will create interference issues for your 99.9 percent part of your audience all the other options are less efficient methods including low level and high level combining. Even mid-level combining methods are rather inefficent compared to a "normal" station.

HD stands for High Deficit. That's what you'll have on your P and L if you jump off and do this crap at this point.

 

[radioskeptic]

If you're determined to go digital, here's a better idea: Why not try a hybrid digital system for FM that really works: FMeXtra!

Any station that's staying afloat financially could afford the $10,000 cost of the FMeXtra exciter. And there are no on-going patent royalty fees for using the system!

True, there isn't going to be any more return on your investment (ROI) in the short term with FMeXtra than there would be with Ibiquity's H(uge)D(isaster) FM, but there won't be any less, either.

Granted, it's easier to find an "HD" radio than an FMeXtra radio, but ordinary consumers are evincing absolutely no interest in either. But if enough small- and medium-medium market stations, and perhaps a handful of stand-alone independents in second-tier major markets, were to start using FMeXtra, there would soon be plenty of FMeXtra receivers available for the early adopters, and superiority of the system would soon be apparent. It would then be just a matter of time before it attained mainstream consumer acceptance (that is, if the programming of mainstream corporate broadcasters doesn't alienate too much of the public first!).

 

[davideduardo]

I would shutter to think of using seperate antennas. There is no way both patterns will be the same especially in close so there WILL be self-jamming due to the mask being incorrect in many areas. BAD IDEA.

Many stations have used separate antennas for HD and analog, just as many used to use separate vertical and horizontal bays before circular polarized antennas were prevalent. In fact, locations like the common antennas on the Hancock in Chicago use not only separate antennas but separate masts on the same roof.

David, the thing you're not adressing about power line consumption is that, unless you do seperate antennas which quite likely will create interference issues for your 99.9 percent part of your audience all the other options are less efficient methods including low level and high level combining. Even mid-level combining methods are rather inefficent compared to a "normal" station.

On a class A, which the question was about, the cost of electricity is going to be at most a couple of hundred dollars a year. My home AC pulls more peak amps than most transmitters used by A's.

HD stands for High Deficit. That's what you'll have on your P and L if you jump off and do this crap at this point.

The cost at major market stations to operate the additional transmitters and ancillary gear is not even 0.1% of the operating budget. That is a pretty low price for something that may produce considerable benefits in the future. To put it in perspective, here in LA the cost of operation is less than the cost of a new vehicle to go to the transmitter sites in.

 

[hipporadio]

‘Answer to the question that titles this thread: TOO MUCH! —given a near-ZERO potential for R.O.I. and near-TOTAL consumer apathy.

Patient analogies [in HD’s favor] that invoke poor Major Armstrong and evolution of the FM band in general are ridiculous... We’re considering band “enhancement” here—NOT band invention and the time required to populate it with stations and popular material necessary to attract the public’s interest. FM is already here, well-established, and available at every price and product class. Such an analogy assumes that radio is GROWING in popularity; listeners can’t get enough of it; and are seeking justification for an excuse to enhance their experience with it... Nothing could be further from the truth!

FACT: There WAS a critical mass of consumers MORE WILLING to spend $500 to $1700 within the home component tuner niche market in the 70s/80s than there appears ANY interest in HD radio today. Aside from the Sangean HDT-1 and esoteric product from Magnum/Dynalab, WHEN in the last decade could you recall a premium specialty TUNER available to the mass-market? ...The “Syncopated Clock” theme has ended—and YOU CAN’T! This has very-little to do with “broadcast technology” – it’s much-more about a CONSUMER’S flittering interest in terrestrial radio—PERIOD! HD at virtually ANY PRICE flounders at the fringe of their radar screens. MULTIPLE surveys conducted for BOTH the radio AND consumer electronics industry clearly indicate such!

A more-appropriate question is: When will the growth in new HD-capable FM stations slow to a trickle and cease? Nearly all the large-market FM outlets operated by largess corporate radio [that invented and maintain HD on “life-support”] have made the conversion. Who remains as realistic prey for iBiquity and their comrades in the broadcast equipment business? Forget the small markets! ...The dismal prospect for a reasonable R.O.I. [in the largest cities] becomes an intolerable one in smaller towns. Is B.E. or Harris offering significant “special discounts” on HD hardware to stations in the dreaded “unrated markets”? Likely NOT! The conversion cost for a Class B/C DOESN’T mysteriously augment itself into sensibility because a tower is situated in a town of twenty-thousand! The Humble Hombre gives me cause for yet another “gut-buster” when he pontificates about HD cost for “a lowly Class A”... GIVE ME A BREAK! ...And I’m to believe that a station with a mere seven-mile 70dBu service radius might justify “lighting up” an expensive 60-watts of HD and expect to re-coop their investment within this century :