KMVK HD-2

[Robert Bass]

Guess he knew it had to be one for you two, considering you are the only two who care so passionately about it.

Really? Hmph~ I thought there were a few others that liked smooth jazz. Am I wrong? Charles123, JayDavis??? anyone? :

Perhaps he meant you two are the only ones with passion for the HD system? I haven't heard anyone praise it yet, but have heard the usual list of complaints.

R

 

[Radioman100]

Perhaps he meant you two are the only ones with passion for the HD system? I haven't heard anyone praise it yet, but have heard the usual list of complaints.

R

Have you tried it yourself? Most of the critics haven't.

 

[Robert Bass]

Perhaps he meant you two are the only ones with passion for the HD system? I haven't heard anyone praise it yet, but have heard the usual list of complaints.

R

Have you tried it yourself? Most of the critics haven't.

No need to. I've read tons of complaints about IBOC's effects on co-channels. Might not be a big thing if HD (excuse me, IBOC) was a mandatory system like HDTV is, but it ain't.

R

 

[Radioman100]

No need to. I've read tons of complaints about IBOC's effects on co-channels. Might not be a big thing if HD (excuse me, IBOC) was a mandatory system like HDTV is, but it ain't.

R

Well, you might as well learn to live with it. It's here to stay.

 

[Robert Bass]

No need to. I've read tons of complaints about IBOC's effects on co-channels. Might not be a big thing if HD (excuse me, IBOC) was a mandatory system like HDTV is, but it ain't.

R

Well, you might as well learn to live with it. It's here to stay.

I highly doubt that. I don't think it will go away because of the technical issues, rather I pretty much expect it to go away due to lack of interest by consumers. It's revisiting the AM Stereo ballpark, so to speak.

R

 

[Radioman100]

I highly doubt that. I don't think it will go away because of the technical issues, rather I pretty much expect it to go away due to lack of interest by consumers. It's revisiting the AM Stereo ballpark, so to speak.

R

It cost nowhere near as much to install AM Stereo on a station as HD Radio does, and there are a lot more HD Radio installations now than there ever were for AM Stereo.

Radio has made a huge investment in HD, and particularly on FM, there's no incentive to turn it off.

Besides Robert, you're smart enough to know people don't listen to the box, they listen to the programming coming out of the box. HD Radio is making its way into new cars now and other devices that aren't just radios.

Now call me crazy, but I'm betting when people stumble onto HD2 channels while tuning their new HD equipped car radios, portable radios, etc. they won't tune out the HD2 channels just because they're HD2 channels. Some people, such as our friend Jeff here may even find something they like.

 

[Robert Bass]

Part of the problem, is marketing, or lack thereof. Heck my parents own two HDTV's, but they keep asking me "what is HD Radio?". Also, there've been a lot of observations posted around here, about HD Radio shopping experiences. A lot of the posts have stated how for the most part, stores are disinterested in the technology and don't provide even a decent setup allowing potential consumers to test them out.

What I think all those stations that have installed HD transmitters, are going to eventually realize it was a wasted investment. Even KEOM has lost interest in it, in part because of the ridiculous fees Ibiquity wants.

There's also way too much competition with other products, like Ipods, etc. I find IBOC implementation is akin to applying a band-aid long after gallons of blood have already been lost.

And yes, it is about the content not the box, and to that point the stations should be working harder to provide quality content on their main channel, rather than throw up one or two HD channels of out-of-the-closet programming.

These posts about lengthy dead air periods on HD broadcasts, speaks volumes (pun intended) about how much the stations care about the technology, as it is.

R

 

[Radioman100]

Part of the problem, is marketing, or lack thereof. Heck my parents own two HDTV's, but they keep asking me "what is HD Radio?". Also, there've been a lot of observations posted around here, about HD Radio shopping experiences. A lot of the posts have stated how for the most part, stores are disinterested in the technology and don't provide even a decent setup allowing potential consumers to test them out.

What I think all those stations that have installed HD transmitters, are going to eventually realize it was a wasted investment. Even KEOM has lost interest in it, in part because of the ridiculous fees Ibiquity wants.

There's also way too much competition with other products, like Ipods, etc. I find IBOC implementation is akin to applying a band-aid long after gallons of blood have already been lost.

And yes, it is about the content not the box, and to that point the stations should be working harder to provide quality content on their main channel, rather than throw up one or two HD channels of out-of-the-closet programming.

These posts about lengthy dead air periods on HD broadcasts, speaks volumes (pun intended) about how much the stations care about the technology, as it is.

R

Gotta agree with you about the retail experience. It basically sucks. At Fry's recently, they had one HD radio plugged in out of the 4 they carried, and an antenna plugged into just one of the 4. Incidentally, it wasn't the one plugged in. My shopping experience at Radio Shack stores has been similarly dismal. On one occasion, they had a Sirius receiver plugged into the line input of a Receptor HD and no FM antenna plugged into it.

I do have to take issue with a few of the things you've said though. You're running a radio program for a school district, right? Do you tell your students there's no future for them in radio? If there truly is no future for radio, why doesn't the school district just sell the station? I'm sure one of the religious groups would love to have it. Personally, if I lived in Mesquite, I'd be pissed that the school district is wasting my tax dollars to give students a teaching lab for a career where the teachers think there's no future. It sounds to me like you've already given up on radio. If that's true, why waste taxpayer money with the "learning laboratory" that KEOM is?

Also, what's "quality content?" Personally, I think good air talent enhances the listening experience, but a lot of people don't agree. Many people think the best DJ is no DJ at all. After all, they're all annoying and they talk too much. Right? That's what satellite radio has led us to believe. I kinda doubt it, but maybe automated, all music - no talk channels are just what the listening public is yearning for. No lousy DJs to get in the way of their music.

 

[Robert Bass]

To say there is no future in radio, and to say KEOM is a wasted labratory is your opinion, which I can respect, but disagree with. Not all of the students are interested in being just jocks. Some want to pursue other aspects of radio, such as news reporting. Others want to move into forms of journalism where the voice training skills they learn at KEOM will help.

I am always amused by the remarks I have heard from both pro and con "Jock" sides. On one hand, some will say jocks talk too much and need to shut up. On the other hand, some will say the students on KEOM don't talk enough. Obviously you can't please everyone. As for me, it's not how much or how little you say, it's "what" you say that counts the most.

I have already stated numerous times what KEOM is truly about, on the RI boards, so let me throw in something new. KEOM has a tremendous amount of support from listeners and the media alike. This includes support from others who actually work or have worked in commercial radio. Who am I to question such loyalty?

As for what qualifies "quality content"? Well in my book I'd rather define what does not make quality content. I've done plenty of that around here, as well.

R

 

[Radioman100]

To say there is no future in radio, and to say KEOM is a wasted labratory is your opinion, which I can respect, but disagree with. Not all of the students are interested in being just jocks. Some want to pursue other aspects of radio, such as news reporting. Others want to move into forms of journalism where the voice training skills they learn at KEOM will help.

I am always amused by the remarks I have heard from both pro and con "Jock" sides. On one hand, some will say jocks talk too much and need to shut up. On the other hand, some will say the students on KEOM don't talk enough. Obviously you can't please everyone. As for me, it's not how much or how little you say, it's "what" you say that counts the most.

I have already stated numerous times what KEOM is truly about, on the RI boards, so let me throw in something new. KEOM has a tremendous amount of support from listeners and the media alike. This includes support from others who actually work or have worked in commercial radio. Who am I to question such loyalty?

As for what qualifies "quality content"? Well in my book I'd rather define what does not make quality content. I've done plenty of that around here, as well.

R

Robert, I said no such thing. You did. Just a few messages ago:

I find IBOC implementation is akin to applying a band-aid long after gallons of blood have already been lost.

I don't see how anyone could take that as a pro-radio, pro-media statement. It sounds to me like the people at KEOM don't believe in the future of the industry. If the instructors there think "gallons of blood have already been lost" I just don't see much point in continuing the program.

 

[Robert Bass]

I find IBOC implementation is akin to applying a band-aid long after gallons of blood have already been lost.

I don't see how anyone could take that as a pro-radio, pro-media statement. It sounds to me like the people at KEOM don't believe in the future of the industry. If the instructors there think "gallons of blood have already been lost" I just don't see much point in continuing the program.

Those are MY feelings, and they DO NOT necessarily reflect the views of the KEOM staff.

I am pro-radio, but HD is not the answer in my book.

R

 

[radi0chik]

I don't see how anyone could take that as a pro-radio, pro-media statement. It sounds to me like the people at KEOM don't believe in the future of the industry. If the instructors there think "gallons of blood have already been lost" I just don't see much point in continuing the program.

<flameproof suit>
Just because someone doesn't think IBOC is the answer, doesn't mean they're not pro-radio or pro-digital radio-in-the-future.

 

[TheRover]

Perhaps he meant you two are the only ones with passion for the HD system? I haven't heard anyone praise it yet, but have heard the usual list of complaints.

R

Have you tried it yourself? Most of the critics haven't.

No need to. I've read tons of complaints about IBOC's effects on co-channels. Might not be a big thing if HD (excuse me, IBOC) was a mandatory system like HDTV is, but it ain't.

R

When done well, I've found HD FM radio to be rewarding. I think of a classical station, like WRR, and how there is no static in their HD reception, and that is especially gratifiying when listening to music that has quieter parts . . .

AM--- I don't care for HD AM at all, except for music, ie Legends 770.

As for Quality in station programming......

My Idea of a great PD, is one who give a list of songs/albums/artists that are ~~not~~ to be played. Thereby giving the jock leeway into what the jock thinks is a good song, and then listening to the audience feedback from that song. To start with, I would blacklist all of the Current Classic Rock Playlists.... from any Rock station I could Program. So... I'm not telling the jock what "to" play, but instead, telling them what they shall not play. That is how I would regulate quality control, and still allow freedom of choice for anything that might be something other than from the Corporate Classic Rock Playlists...

So, I would take out the over-played classic rock, and I would take out the bizzare stuff, for the most part, and leave in all of the other great music that rarley gets transmitted over the Public's Airwaves. Then, I would listen to the feedback of listeners, especially the ones who aren't complaining about "Why didn't you play "Walk This Way" today ? ? ?" 8)

 

[Robert Bass]

When done well, I've found HD FM radio to be rewarding. I think of a classical station, like WRR, and how there is no static in their HD reception, and that is especially gratifiying when listening to music that has quieter parts . . .

Did I miss something? When did WRR add HD broadcasting?

R

 

[Radioman100]

Did I miss something? When did WRR add HD broadcasting?

R

You must have. I have no idea when they started, but they definitely are broadcasting HD.

 

[TheRover]

When done well, I've found HD FM radio to be rewarding. I think of a classical station, like WRR, and how there is no static in their HD reception, and that is especially gratifiying when listening to music that has quieter parts . . .

Did I miss something? When did WRR add HD broadcasting?

R

I believe they had it last year, by Black Friday for sure, if not sooner.....

 

[Chuck]

I believe WRR was one of the first stations in the DFW area to go IBOC.

As for kids getting airtime at KEOM, the learning experience is a lot deeper than just "being a DJ." They are getting a lot of real world experience that will serve them well in ANY career path. If nothing else, radio requires reliability and consistency. Those are traits that any employer values, regardless of what the chosen career happens to be. More importantly, learning to communicate verbally is a huge talent. Being able to think on your feet will pay huge dividends. Radio teaches that. Not everyone is naturally good at these things, but many can learn and radio can be a great teacher. Those who have developed these talents tend to do well in higher education and eventually in the world past school. Good communicators tend to be successful people. I think it is great the Mesquite ISD gives students the opportunity to learn these very valuable skills. Regardless of their future in radio, they are learning something that will help them for all their lives.

On a different topic, perhaps we should get over the concept of calling this craft "radio." With the new technologies that are emerging, I suspect the correct term is "broadcasting." That is, providing content. The delivery method, whether it is AM, FM, HD, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, cell phone, Internet streaming or whatever will become less and less important. Content and delivery skills will be what it is all about.

 

[TheRover]

For anyone wanting to go HD in the car.....

PRICE BREAK on JVC KH-HDR1 HD Radio Tuner $159 Down From $199

****NO REBATE REQURIED ****


$139 at Circuit City on Special

Crutchfield Mail Order Price down to $159 (they can offer Free Shipping and adaptor kits at good prices!!!)

I got one last summer, and was so pleased with it, I got another one for the other car.

 

[charles123]

HD 100 $99.00 (Radiosophy)

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Radio has made a huge investment in HD, and particularly on FM, there's no incentive to turn it off.

Besides Robert, you're smart enough to know people don't listen to the box, they listen to the programming coming out of the box. HD Radio is making its way into new cars now and other devices that aren't just radios.

Now call me crazy, but I'm betting when people stumble onto HD2 channels while tuning their new HD equipped car radios, portable radios, etc. they won't tune out the HD2 channels just because they're HD2 channels. Some people, such as our friend Jeff here may even find something they like.

I think the incentive will come when it is evident listenership is small / there is little revenue from advertisements / it is time to clean house of superflous equipment / nobody knows how to maintain the HD exciter. The biggie in my book is when stations with separate HD antenna systems figure out it is costing them coverage. And in case this sounds familiar - this is the exact scenario that is shutting down AM stereo - or was shutting it down - prior to the advent of IBOC.

HD radio is making its way into small, nichy car lines. It will fail or succeed based on Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, and some other large auto makers. And it can't be just one or two - it needs to be in several. Even that won't guarantee success - AM stereo radios were standard equipment for decades in some lines of cars. Consumers simply didn't care - or didn't even know they had the capability.

As far as people liking HD-2 streams - there is NO graceful degredation path. HD-2 disappears into silence, or defaults back to the station's analog programming which may be of NO interest to the HD-2 listener. Switching back and forth is just as annoying as listening to two co-channel FM's in the fringes - one moment you hear what you want, the next something totally different. And they change back and forth. NOBODY wants to hear two formats switching back and forth.

I do have an idea about what to do about the HD-2 degradation problem - the FM station could buy up a languishing AM station in the market with similar coverage, convert it to C-Quam (or HD if they ever solve nighttime problems), and run their HD-2 format on it. This has several benefits - not the least of which is a lot of publicity for the HD-2 format "you think we sound great on AM - go buy a new HD radio and you can hear us in crystal clear digital!" The listener hears the HD-2 format - NOT the FM analog format when they lose reception - it provides a tremendous boost to HD-AM if IBOC nighttime issues are resolved. If not, at least the HD radio can decode C-Quam day and night, and the coverage with C-Quam is fantastic. The only drawback that I see is how to accomplish automatic band and frequency switching - but this should be really simple to embed in an FM signal and HD radio.