Mono FM stations

[HHH]

As you know, a mono FM signal has considerably more signal coverage than a stereo signal. So it makes sense that a talk format on FM (Sports, All-News, Talk, etc) or vintage recordings-- made before stereo --be transmitted in mono for clean sound and extra coverage.

 

[radiotower40]

As you know, a mono FM signal has considerably more signal coverage than a stereo signal. So it makes sense that a talk format on FM (Sports, All-News, Talk, etc) or vintage recordings-- made before stereo --be transmitted in mono for clean sound and extra coverage.

I agree with you on that. Would you agree that rimshot signals on the outskirts of the city's could benefit
from turning off the stereo pilot?

I would think this would make a lot of sense for rimshots that are trying to gain more in bigger cities.
It's another story I suppose if your doing local, and not trying to get city listeners.

I posted about the progressive talk FM's which are all in Chicago suburbs, yet still put signals to
the south, north and west of the downtown area. The signal is definitely better in mono, in this case.

 

[Laurence Glavin]

WBUR-FM in Boston broadcasts almost all of its news and talk programming in mono EXCEPT for "It's Only A Game". Even though many shows on its schedule, including those originating on WBUR, use "musical" bumpers, only IOAG gets the stereo treatment. Shows you the power of Charlie Pierce.

 

[nd2023]

We actually tested mono vs stereo on an FM station. I was driving around 20 miles from the transmitter when they switched between mono and stereo. I didn't notice much of a difference in the coverage or the perceived signal strength, but the stereo indicator was accurate. I think my radio was blending to mono with a weak signal. When parked in a spot where the station could barely be heard over the static, I could not tell when they switched between mono and stereo, the stereo indicator was off. 10 miles from the transmitter, there was a noticeable difference in the perceived signal strength: when it was switched to mono the noise and picket fencing disappeared. <5 miles from the transmitter, there was no noise in stereo so the only thing I noticed was the lack of stereo separation.

The station broadcasts in stereo as it is primarily music.

Bottom line is that transmitting in mono may make the station sound like it has a stronger signal between the 50-60 dB contour. Car radios blend to mono so that all stations will reach as far in stereo as they would reach in mono. Where the signal is strong but with a few weak spots, that's where mono will sound clearer than stereo.

 

[bill_mcneil]

100.7 in Dallas is mono as well.

 

[Bob1370]

"I believe the now-defunct WWDB 96.5 in Philly broadcast its news-talk programming in Mono, flipping on the stereo only for their Sinatra Show."

Although I swear I can remember a visit to Philly in 1977 when Irv Homer had a conservative and a liberal as a guest, and they pan-potted the mikes so that the conservative was on right channel, the liberal on left channel and Homer's mike centered. That's the kind of thing an FM talker can do to get noticed...and for some reason they never do it any more.

 

[satech]

Although I swear I can remember a visit to Philly in 1977 when Irv Homer had a conservative and a liberal as a guest, and they pan-potted the mikes so that the conservative was on right channel, the liberal on left channel and Homer's mike centered. That's the kind of thing an FM talker can do to get noticed...and for some reason they never do it any more.

That's because with the way FM Stereo is modulated, single-channel audio comes out only half as loud as it would in the center. But you certainly get away with a more gentle left-right spread, and I hear it done often in commercials.

 

[jmtillery]

Although I swear I can remember a visit to Philly in 1977 when Irv Homer had a conservative and a liberal as a guest, and they pan-potted the mikes so that the conservative was on right channel, the liberal on left channel and Homer's mike centered. That's the kind of thing an FM talker can do to get noticed...

I LOVE IT!!! That is real creativity!