My own observations on HD Radio.

[Chuck]

Be wary when Congress decides they are qualified RF Engineers.

If you read the Congressional testimony, you'll see this has little to do with engineering. It's more about using an interpretation of engineering to support an agenda. That's how Congress works.

You are right. My statement was made with tongue in cheek. Still, there is some truth to it. Congressional interventions to alter the laws of physics are not just limited to radio. They do it whenever there is an "agenda."

It makes you wonder what they do when it comes to the REALLY IMPORTANT stuff. This is just radio....

 

[hipporadio]

My-own observations, Chuck... “HD” [on FM] DOES-NOT present the "handshake" that seals-the-deal... AM “HD” is an abomination and should be OUT-LAWED by the impudent FCC!

Do you remember the term: “Go back to the drawing-board?”

 

[Tom Wells]

You beat me to it, Chuck. The laws of physics and Mother Nature have no respect for the United States Congress.

I'd say "Be wary when the Congress decides they know better than RF engineers."

Is the FDA run the same way? Maybe that's why we have prescription mood "adjusters" that make people suicidal.

I know when when I was prosecuting my 2 patents, the USPTO had nobody who seemed to know that capacitors block DC.
They were clueless regarding DC coupling vs DC isolation.

 

[mikeraphone]

March 04
HD Radio vs. Internet Radio

Too bad there aren't more HD radios out there. How many people even know HD radios exist...or care? I don't know. Several issues exist. First the cost of conversion to HD for a radio station. It costs a bunch, plus there are annual "rights" fees that have to be paid to Ibiquity, the licensee of the technology. Big companies and large markets can afford to do this, but most smaller companies in smaller markets find the cost prohibitive. Particularly when the "ROI" would me nada for several years.

The technology works OK on FM, if you are within about 10-20 miles from the transmitter. But HD signals go only about half as far as exisiting analog signals. There is a current proposal before the FCC to allow HD stations to raise their power.

Is there a better alternative? I think so. Broadcasting over the internet is relatively inexpensive for radio stations, despite the fees that have to be paid at this time. With proper equipment, streaming can sound extremely good and can be heard around the world. Nothing you don't already know. How long will it be before internet reception is available universally in cars and trucks? I'm not sure, but people are working on this as I type. I would think 10 years is a reasonable time frame for this to be in place.

As a 40 + year veteran radio professional, I salivate at the prospect of univerally available audio-streams for my stations. You bet we can compete for ears-and eyes-and relationships with our "family" of content users. Radio stations are quickly becoming more than just outlets for music or talk shows. I believe internet broadcasting will leapfrog HD radio within 10 years. What do you think?

 

[audioguy]

I don't think Internet radio is a serious threat to terrestrial yet, but it will be! I don't think it will take 10 years, either. Ubiquitous wireless Internet, including mobile service, is just around the corner. Why bother listening to static and noise and stations fading in and out if you can drive anywhere and listen to the format YOU want?

I think the radio industry is currently in denial. AM is a dinosaur, and HD is killing it, not helping it. Some of my neighbors (30-54) don't listen to radio at all. They either listen to recorded media or online. Those that do listen to radio primarily listen to FM. They tell me AM is too noisy and that the programming doesn't interest them. It's pretty much the same with my younger colleagues (20-34) at work. When I was discussing radio with one of them, he made a face and offered his impression of AM: "jiga-jiga-jiga, hissssssss, poppity pop"... well, you get the idea.

I hate IBOC AM! I refuse to listen to stations broadcasting that format, because the sound is dull and lifeless. The FM IBOC system still creates interference; just not as much as AM. I have lost reception to several uni stations that I enjoyed because of the HD sidebands. Stations down in the edu part of the band are packed pretty tightly. I think this will get a lot worse when they up the power 10X. But I assume the media conglomerates will not mind this any more than they have on AM, since it will further tighten the stranglehold they have on listeners by removing alternative choices.

If FMExtra is a viable option, then by all means it should be explored further. Ditto for DRM (in the case of the AM band). With the availability of SDR technology, these should all be on the table.

 

[TheBigA]

I don't think Internet radio is a serious threat to terrestrial yet, but it will be! I don't think it will take 10 years, either. Ubiquitous wireless Internet, including mobile service, is just around the corner.

There are two companies spending billions to build the infrastructure to get us to the point where we MIGHT have wifi or wimax everywhere. They will not be charging $20 a month when they're done.

Here's how things work: When someone has a commodity that everyone wants, they raise the price. That is the future of internet radio. Increased costs. You may feel your $99/month package is a bargain now. Just wait a few years. Yes, a time will come when ubiquitous wireless internet will be available. And when it happens, it will be like the Concorde. I don't know about you, but I never flew on the Concorde.

 

[audioguy]

Actually, I have Sprint Mobile Broadband now. It's $60/month (unlimited use), and although the service isn't available everywhere, it works everywhere I need it to. The download rate is typically 500kbps, which is good enough for a lot of things, including VOIP and audio streaming.

 

[TheBigA]

Actually, I have Sprint Mobile Broadband now. It's $60/month (unlimited use),

That's "now."

My point is that as demand for these things increases, and as providers for it is limited by the companies who've made the investment, you'll see that $60 price scoot up to over $100, with bandwidth limitations. There will be more pressure from the providers towards bundling of services, and moving that price to as high as $200 a month. The reality is no one invests billions of dollars unless they expect to make it back.

There are thousands of radio companies. There are far fewer ISPs. When you have concentration of ownership, it leads to higher prices. A lot of the same companies involved in broadband run cable TV, and I don't know anyone who is paying less for cable now than they did five years ago. That's what you have to look forward to. They are creating an addiction that few will be able to break.

 

[audioguy]

Well, so be it! Consider me addicted already! My job requires me to be able to work from wherever I happen to be, and even a couple hundred bucks would be a drop in the bucket for the additional productivity I derive from it.

 

[pocket-radio]

BigA I swear you just make up twisted logic for the fun of it. And I have to admit for a misinformed troll you sure are fun. Bobble head Struble could use your promo hyping skills to twist some facts they'd like to hide. Have you thought about applying for a job with Bobble head? I think you're a natural..

BigA you’re not talking about a rare diamond or oil. Something natural from god in the ground. We're talking about man made and manufactured. bla bla bla radio spectrum.

Who would have thought a day would come when you can finally kick your bell landline to the corner. What! oh my god I don’t need a land line anymore.

Remember when DSL was over $100.00 per month.. now it’s like $30.00 - $50.00
Long distance who? spending $200.00 a month of make a phone call.
Competition is all over the place and the internet too has made long distance cheap.
If you still pay a bundle for LD you must live in a cave.

Wifi and Wimax providers will pop everyplace and these companies will eat each other alive because communications companies will see as their future and will want a piece of the pie. Prices will go down and wireless internet access will be made standard equipment in all cars. You can bet on it as in take it to the bank!

The radio game is over, it’s has changed forever. It’s about keeping your audience and less about building one. Listeners have more choices than ever before and less time.
Mass media, radio/TV/Newspapers are all slowly dying.

HD didn’t really even start.

No if we can only manufacture oil and gas. The lobbyist trolls, big oil and alike are fighting alternative fuels and the cars because they don’t want that that genie out of bottle ever. Me thinks it’s time as finally come. And I can’t wait.

BigA HD radios won't be in electric cars because they use to much power. LOL

 

[TheBigA]

BigA I swear you just make up twisted logic for the fun of it.

No one is making up the fact that Comcast has just set bandwidth limitations on its customers.

No one is making up the fact that only two companies are investing in WiMax, and those two companies will control the digital highway. They will be able to charge whatever price they want, and they will combine their services in ways to extract the most money.

I have to admit for a misinformed troll you sure are fun.

I did a simple web search on your screen name to find out on how many sites you post. If anyone is a troll, it is someone who spends all day and night posting negative stories and attacks on hundreds of blogs and message boards. Recently, you've begun posting under multiple names. You are the definition of a troll.

 

[Chuck]

No one is making up the fact that only two companies are investing in WiMax, and those two companies will control the digital highway. They will be able to charge whatever price they want, and they will combine their services in ways to extract the most money.

Yep, and people will be happy to pay it.

 

[pocket-radio]

Actually, I have Sprint Mobile Broadband now. It's $60/month (unlimited use),

My point is that as demand for these things increases, and as providers for it is limited by the companies who've made the investment, you'll see that $60 price scoot up to over $100, with bandwidth limitations. There will be more pressure from the providers towards bundling of services, and moving that price to as high as $200 a month. The reality is no one invests billions of dollars unless they expect to make it back.

and I don't know anyone who is paying less for cable now than they did five years ago.

BigA Competition will drive your cable bill down. The phone companies will be offering TV service over their landlines. You can choose satellite TV now. You can even watch tv programs on the web. And in the near future you’ll be watching TV programs through the web. I mean real high quality stuff. Some offer streaming now And trust me Google wants their piece of the pie to. Don’t worry that dumb box in our living rooms will grow enough brains to decode the web, check email and listen to streaming music too.

The media landscape is changing so fast that no one can keep up. AM/FM radio is facing more competition from every angle.

Last Fm through an iphone can tag and remember your entire music collection you have at home. An entire music collection in your palm. HD radio and AM/FM are good but it can’t do that. By today’s standards it’s not remarkable. The days of the PD deciding what music you’ll hear are dying and HD is a clone of old media.

I’m not sure what you’re thinking? “Considering more players will see the gold rush you'll see that $60 price scoot up to over $100, with bandwidth limitations. There will be more pressure from the providers towards bundling of services, and moving that price to as high as $200 a month.”

Considering more communication players will see the wireless gold rush we’ll have more competition and that will drive prices down. I think you’re saying radio is free versus paying for service and thus radio users will adopt HD like there’s no tomorrow. HD Radio is a high-level corporate scam and a carney-shill!

Oh don’t confuse pocket-radio with “pocket radio”

 

[TheBigA]

BigA Competition will drive your cable bill down.

We've heard it all before, and competition has not driven cable bills down. You sound like an apologist for Comcast.

I think you’re saying radio is free versus paying for service and thus radio users will adopt HD like there’s no tomorrow.

I didn't say that at all. You're making that up. I didn't mention HD at all. That's your agenda. I'm strictly talking about the internet.

 

[pocket-radio]

Congressman BigA, what won’t congress get accomplished this year?
Congress can vote to get pay raises and take vacations

 

[KB1OKL]

Congressman BigA, what won’t congress get accomplished this year?
Congress can vote to get pay raises and take vacations

Pocket, you're wasting your time, he's just a troll trying to rile people up, most of us ignore him. He thrives on arguments. Can't argue with yourself, right?

 

[TheBigA]

Pocket, you're wasting your time, he's just a troll trying to rile people up, most of us ignore him. He thrives on arguments. Can't argue with yourself, right?

Just because you don't agree with me doesn't make me a troll. And if my goal was to argue, I'd bring up HD Radio. But I'm not.

 

[audioguy]

It is very true that there will probably be many changes at the FCC when a new administration comes in, regardless of whichever party wins in November. I would not expect a lot of radical changes to happen during this time period. But I don't think that means we should do nothing in the mean time.

 

[KB1OKL]

It is very true that there will probably be many changes at the FCC when a new administration comes in, regardless of whichever party wins in November. I would not expect a lot of radical changes to happen during this time period. But I don't think that means we should do nothing in the mean time.

I don't think a political change will change anything at the do nothing FCC who only respects power and money, who do not give one whit about what is fair. iBlock jams your little station? Oh well, that's the way it goes when you're not a 50 KW big boy with big bucks, go away kid you bother me.

 

[TheBigA]

iBlock jams your little station? Oh well, that's the way it goes when you're not a 50 KW big boy with big bucks, go away kid you bother me.

Maybe you can give me an example, but I don't know of a case where the FCC protected a 50kw station that was being hurt by another station's IBOC. Did the FCC tell Citadel to turn off their IBOC at night? I don't think so. That's something that happened internally. So the FCC isn't favoring big radio over small. It doesn't matter how big or small you are...if you say you're hurt by IBOC, that's not the FCC's problem, and they won't do anything for you.