Barry said:
I find that HD radio reception in the area where I generally listen (the NYC metro area) has improved considerably over the past few years. While a number of HD stations are still tough to receive, some others have recently been coming in quite reliably over a radius of at least 30 miles from the station's antennas. I believe that is due mainly to increases in power that the stations have implemented on their HD signals. Considering that their power output is still only a fraction of that used for the analog signals, it seems to me that HD radio signals actually get out quite well. I do enjoy listening to a few HD subchannels that offer formats such as country music and alternative rock that are unavailable on the regular frequencies (it must seem strange to people in other parts of the U.S. that one needs HD to listen to country radio).
Too bad that a separate set of frequencies was not allocated for HD radio. Then higher power could be used, without the concern of causing interference to existing analog signals.
As a considerable number of new car models are just starting to offer HD radio, and the number of HD FM subchannels continues to grow, it seems premature to pronounce HD radio a flop. Listening to radio over 3G or 4G phone services remains an expensive proposition, and most cellular carriers are cutting back on unlimited data plans.
New York City is a special reception situation because broadcasters have been scrambling for ten years to get their coverage back to the level they had from the WTC tower complex. The backups and alternatives were not as good. I believe once the new 1WTC building is available for broadcasters, coverage should as good, or better than it was pre-911.
New York has so many stations HD radio might offer enough HD-2 formats to make it viable. Below the top 20 markets, you might only get half a dozen to a dozen HD-2 channels, even less that offer anything unique. Re-broadcasting an AM station is not really that compelling. I'm talking about things not available on a non-HD radios already. Specialty music, etc. If you have 20 to 30 compelling HD-2 formats in NY, Chicago, LA - that is a lot to select from. Realistically, the people with satellite probably regularly listen to about that number of channels.
In the Houston market - I think we are 5 or 6 - there are only two HD-2 formats I find compelling, and both are on rim shot stations. So I would be back to needed an outdoor antenna (prohibited by the HOA), or a Pioneer Supertuner 3D in the car, which isn't possible because newer cars just don't integrate an aftermarket radio well, even with custom mounting kits and wiring harnesses. And portable? The only thing that approaches enough sensitivity is the new CCrane radio-EP, and it doesn't have HD capability. In other words, for HD-2 channels I am interested in - I am basically screwed. And a paltry 10 dB power increase wouldn't help that situation. The stations being closer than 40 miles would help. And that is in market 5 or 6. And I'm a DX'er that knows exactly what to do to make HD reception work. Not exactly your average consumer. Would I do it for 20 or 30 HD-2 channels with compelling format? Of course! But only two - it is a waste of time. Both of those formats are available multiple places on radio apps, both are on satellite in the car, etc. 2 channels vs. dozens via another - easier reception method. Which way do YOU think consumers with NO DX experience will go?!
I totally agree - we needed a new band for HD. That didn't happen because the FCC holds onto spectrum allocated for antiquated services like they are sacrosanct. If you have to buy a new radio anyways for HD - what difference would it make if there was a new band? Just auction frequency allocations in the new band to interested parties and presto - existing broadcasters can get in on the new band, there would be no interference to existing services, and the band, receivers, and antennas could have been optimized for perfect reception - just like satellite does with their antennas and receivers. A quarter size antenna, tethered to a 1/2 pack of cigarette size receiver, I've got 22,000 mile reception - interrupted only by overpasses. Pretty darn reliable! If HD was the same way, it would have been a success at least to the same degree as satellite. Instead, you got to be a DX'er buying the best tuner ever made, with a huge outdoor antenna unless you are right on top of the towers. Not a recipe for success.
The sad thing is - the HD advocates could have jumped on the recently vacated TV channel 2-6, or even 5 and 6 as the new HD band. They didn't do it. They let it go to internet services instead. How is that for signing your own death warrant?! If they had jumped right on this, we'd have had HD radios that really work for at least a couple of years by now. It may not be too late - there haven't been enough HD radios sold to make a difference anyway - the need to petition the FCC for spectrum for a new HD radio band right now because time is ticking away.
The AM section is no slouch, either. I modified mine by installing an "HD-Kill switch", though, to FORCE the radio to stay in analog mode. This is a VERY helpful mod, especially with AM.