One solution to getting rid of the IBUZ

[nd2023]

Since TV has gone digital and channels 2-6 and 7-13 are undesirable for TV broadcasts and other services, why not free up 2 6mhz channels for HD radio?

Let's say channels 12 and 13 are used. 88.1 maps to 204.0 mhz, 88.3 maps to 204.1, 88.5 maps to 204.2, and so on, 107.9 maps to 213.9

And AM can use channel 11 for HD, except with 40 khz spacing between channels, which should be enough for an AM to even have an HD2.

And perhaps a new band could be opened up for brand new HD only stations.

Have the HD stations use 150% of the analog power and so there will be crystal clear HD coverage that won't break up out to the analog 40 dBu contour. AM stations can multicast, and FM stations can have 4 HD channels, and the IBUZ problem will be solved. In many cities, the offerings on HD could rival satellite radio.

There are few enough HD radios out there that rolling out the new frequencies wouldn't matter too much. The listeners lost can be more than made up with an HD technology that works. The FCC could help speed things up by requiring all broadcasters to broadcast in HD by a certain date and requiring all new radios to tune HD.

 

[K6JHU]

Or better yet, use DRM or Eureka in those bands.

 

[Tom Wells]

And MW will be free free those who still want to have just regular radios?

Will it ever be the mess of Italy? Italy was surely a mess on FM.

Seriously, what use do propose for the unique advantages of MW propogation?
Think well before you sneer or scoff at MW.
I far prefer the sound of music on AM, when properly engineered.
CFZM AM 740 has music programming in evening that the best audio balance, response and punch maybe ever.
I have the advantage of an old radio.

 

[Carmine5]

Interesting idea but television broadcasters are fighting hard to keep what spectrum they have so I doubt we'll ever see anything like what you're proposing, or at least not in the near future. Yes, VHF is not ideal for DTV but stations seem more willing to compensate then vacate (for example, KTTV Ch.11 in Los Angeles applied to the FCC to change their ERP from 11kW to 115kW).

A more practical approach is to use alternate but existing or emerging methods. For example, the last battleground for AM is in handheld devices and it is a battle that, sadly, AM is losing (with no help from iBiquity). However there are alternatives. One, of course, is an FM translator. Another is ATSC M/H or Mobile DTV.

This article in Radio World describes in clear detail the technology and its uses for radio.

http://www.rwonline.com/article/93118

Although a single stream can accommodate 50 channels of audio from what I'm hearing broadcasters are more interested in doing a mix of video, audio and data. But certainly AM stations can lease one of these channels at very low cost. The upside is that they will be getting much better audio than HD-AM, no compromising of audio quality in their analog signal and no digital (and HVAC) build out costs to their transmitter plant or reconfiguring of their antenna system.

It is a totally doable, low cost approach for AM going digital in handheld devices.

c5

 

[LynnW]

Looking at some of the TV forums, it seems that many stations are trying to get out the VHF band. One example is KKTV (virtual channel 11, RF channel 10) in Colorado Springs. KKTV has a construction permit for RF channel 49.

 

[Carmine5]

Looking at some of the TV forums, it seems that many stations are trying to get out the VHF band. One example is KKTV (virtual channel 11, RF channel 10) in Colorado Springs. KKTV has a construction permit for RF channel 49.

Sure, if they can do it. But many areas, such as L.A., are so impacted that most VHF stations can't permanently move to UHF. For example, KTTV, the station I mentioned earlier, relocated to ch.65 during the DTV transition. However, they had to vacate as the FCC opened that portion of the spectrum to wireless services during the 700 MHz auction. So KTTV had to move back to their old channel 11.

 

[KB1OKL]

And MW will be free free those who still want to have just regular radios?

Will it ever be the mess of Italy? Italy was surely a mess on FM.

Seriously, what use do propose for the unique advantages of MW propogation?
Think well before you sneer or scoff at MW.
I far prefer the sound of music on AM, when properly engineered.
CFZM AM 740 has music programming in evening that the best audio balance, response and punch maybe ever.
I have the advantage of an old radio.

I was listening to AM 740 tonight on my early 50's black wrinkle National HRO-50R-I. Great station.