Ok Libreals and Conservitives, you get to create a Digital standard for Radio

[Chuck]

Annexing channel 6, though, makes total sense. This part of the spectrum (82-87.9 mHz) is not good for DTV as it makes the DTV signal vulnerable to noise but it would open up some 30 new channels to FM.

Most radios sold in the U.S. can tune to, at least, 87.5 and a few (like my old Sony GX50ES receiver) are able to tune to 87.1 so the FCC could, at the very least, extend the FM band down to 87 and still be compatible with many existing radios.

db

In Japan, the FM band is 76-90 MHz. A lot of their radios can tune from 76-108 MHz, so there is no real problem in producing such a beast. They already exist. Further, there are already a lot of portable radios that can also tune the TV bands, including channels 5 and 6. I have one in my bathroom. Somebody gave it to me, but I think it cost about $20.00.

 

[hipporadio]

I’d like to query the 26 MHz offer—isn’t that the very seldom-used international shortwave band useful ONLY every 7-10 years when the solar flares pitch in the right direction... Then when they do—WHAT would the effect be on a domestic local-service “digital band” SHOULD IT BE ALLOCATED? Would “use” require an ITU “rewrite”, and what of the “skip”—I thought the migration from the 30-50 MHz “Armstrong FM Band” was predicated by a problem with “skip”. I’m asking these questions ONLY to query the technical discussion about a fair “resting place” for a digital radio band for the purposes of this discussion. What are the technical ramifications of using this spectrum (26 MHz or 30-50MHz)? I’d like to hear from men more technically-blessed than am I on this.

I’m NOT an engineer—but I try to follow technical matters (and do it fairly well)... ‘seems that TV channels 2-6 are “going away” in the transition to HDTV... Channels 5 and 6 are adjacent to the current FM band. ‘Seems in sync that we consider that 12 MHz of spectrum for a “digital band” operated within the Eureka 147 model... Any problems?

 

[Chuck]

‘seems that TV channels 2-6 are “going away” in the transition to HDTV... Channels 5 and 6 are adjacent to the current FM band. ‘Seems in sync that we consider that 12 MHz of spectrum for a “digital band” operated within the Eureka 147 model... Any problems?

Unfortunately, they are not quite going away. The FCC foolishly allowed TV stations the right to go back to their original frequency when analog broadcasts go by the wayside. As I understand it, five or six Channel 6 occupants have filed to return to their original channel allotment. I don't know how many Channel 5 stations have responded in a similar manner. I doubt that it is a lot.

The simple thing for the FCC to do would be to reverse their decision and force those wanting to revert to low band VHF to keep their new digital frequencies, thus opening up the spectrum for some other use. In my opinion, returning to their low band channel is an exercise in foolishness. It is most likely ego driven, not based on any good engineering practices. My guess is they feel like the designation of being “TV-6" is part of their heritage. I can understand that, but these days about 80% of TV viewing is done through cable or satellite. The channel numbers have become fairly meaningless. I watch NBC on channel 8883. Now there is a number that really rolls off your tongue.

Realistically, once a station has made the commitment to a full power digital TV signal, I'm not really sure why they'd want to go through the procedure again.

 

[Chuck]

I’d like to query the 26 MHz offer—isn’t that the very seldom-used international shortwave band useful ONLY every 7-10 years when the solar flares pitch in the right direction... Then when they do—WHAT would the effect be on a domestic local-service “digital band” SHOULD IT BE ALLOCATED? Would “use” require an ITU “rewrite”, and what of the “skip”—I thought the migration from the 30-50 MHz “Armstrong FM Band” was predicated by a problem with “skip”. I’m asking these questions ONLY to query the technical discussion about a fair “resting place” for a digital radio band for the purposes of this discussion. What are the technical ramifications of using this spectrum (26 MHz or 30-50MHz)? I’d like to hear from men more technically-blessed than am I on this.

You are correct about the skip problems during sun spot activity. Every seven years, things will go nuts. World-wide, 26 MHz is pretty well unused. It lies just below the 27 MHz Citizens Band, which is more or less an RF sewer. You are ore likely to hear a CB’er on it than anything else. The good news about it is the technology needed to use it would be quite cheap, thanks in part to our truck driving friends and their 1000 watt rigs.

Because of the skip problem, power would probably need to be limited, which would render it to be a strictly local service. I'm not sure what is wrong with that. It probably beats being a 1KW AM daytimer with a 30 watt night time authorization. Or no night time authorization....

A 1 MHz slice of spectrum isn't very much to work with, but with schemes like DRM, stations could be very closely spaced. It could work, even if it is less than ideal every seven years.

The same goes for the Armstrong band. The good news is, it is a large piece of real estate. Not much goes on there anymore, although I understand that the California Highway Patrol still uses it. There are some other Public Service uses for those frequencies as well, but generally speaking they are under utilized. It seems to me that many of the occupants would be a lot better served by a UHF trunking system. Motorola would be happy to sell them a really nice one.

 

[Kelly]

But what we really want to know is, when it comes to opinions about HD/IBOC, who is the Preacher, and who is the Choir?

 

[clouseau]

But what we really want to know is, when it comes to opinions about HD/IBOC, who is the Preacher, and who is the Choir?

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