Are you still running IBOC (HD radio) with FMeXtra? Is it possible to do this without either system interfering with one another? Yes we are still IBOC with HD2 and HD3, I did have to make some minor modifications to my HD3 not a noticeable difference in quality in HD3
It's unfortunate that FMeXtra has not become as popular as IBOC. From what I have read, it is cheaper and easier for radio stations to install FMeXtra over IBOC. I'm hoping to help change/promote this. DRE will start promoting WLTJ as a user of FMeXtra and yes FMeXtra took me a whole 15 minutes to install, and no special license/transmitter/antenna needed
What is WLTJ doing with FMeXtra? Does it sound better than HD radio? I have music (testing) and also running a few digital message displays with video. FMeXtra can sound equal or better than IBOC, I will create an audio streamer so you can hear it. but FMeXtra can do much more than audio, more on that below
Does WLTJ promote the fact that it broadcasts in HD radio on the station itself, hoping listeners might buy a radio and listen in? we are like all other stations we promote HD/IBOC in our Station ID and the HD Radio Alliance pays for all the marketing , we at Steel City Media will start promoting it more because interest is now growing, I think Pittsburgh now has 20+ people with HD radios. yes I'm being sarcastic. Ibiquity (parent company of HD radio) needs to lower their cost to the consumer on radios and it would help if they can successfully negotiate that 12v barricade so they can make HD radios smaller and I hate to say this we the broadcasters need to increase the power in our IBOC so you can actually hear it.
I believe FMeXtra is designed for smaller markets who don't have the financial or tower space to feed the IBOC beast. Also there is no interference/adjacent issues with FMeXtra it's a digital signal embedded in an analog world 74% of all radio stations are not HD, but I believe with the right marketing approach FMeXtra can fill the void HD is creating. and with the cost being under $10,000 for FMeXtra and over $175,000 for HD the smaller market broadcaster will find FMeXtra easier to purchase and they can have their (HD2) with all other benefits. I will list some things you can do with FMeXtra
1) Secondary audio channel for the listener (needs more cowbell)
2) Digital Message Boards (to display up to the minute news/traffic/weather/sports/amber alerts, These units can be installed in Stores or Gas Stations or Lobbies of buildings anywhere where people gather
3) Video display (used for anything to display company logo or commercials or album covers or music group pictures
4) Special needs groups (the blind can have a Braille decoder or a reading service, churches can have their own radio station for the shut-ins who can't attend
5) special display units for certain needs, like putting a scrolling message board on the back of the buses with traffic information so the car drivers behind the buses can get informed, or mount the message boards on street corner light poles
Let’s see HD do this, I can split my FMeXtra "pipe/pie" any way I want to. You are limited with IBOC
Hope this answers some of your questions
Paul Carroll
It's unfortunate that FMeXtra has not become as popular as IBOC. From what I have read, it is cheaper and easier for radio stations to install FMeXtra over IBOC. I'm hoping to help change/promote this. DRE will start promoting WLTJ as a user of FMeXtra and yes FMeXtra took me a whole 15 minutes to install, and no special license/transmitter/antenna needed
What is WLTJ doing with FMeXtra? Does it sound better than HD radio? I have music (testing) and also running a few digital message displays with video. FMeXtra can sound equal or better than IBOC, I will create an audio streamer so you can hear it. but FMeXtra can do much more than audio, more on that below
Does WLTJ promote the fact that it broadcasts in HD radio on the station itself, hoping listeners might buy a radio and listen in? we are like all other stations we promote HD/IBOC in our Station ID and the HD Radio Alliance pays for all the marketing , we at Steel City Media will start promoting it more because interest is now growing, I think Pittsburgh now has 20+ people with HD radios. yes I'm being sarcastic. Ibiquity (parent company of HD radio) needs to lower their cost to the consumer on radios and it would help if they can successfully negotiate that 12v barricade so they can make HD radios smaller and I hate to say this we the broadcasters need to increase the power in our IBOC so you can actually hear it.
I believe FMeXtra is designed for smaller markets who don't have the financial or tower space to feed the IBOC beast. Also there is no interference/adjacent issues with FMeXtra it's a digital signal embedded in an analog world 74% of all radio stations are not HD, but I believe with the right marketing approach FMeXtra can fill the void HD is creating. and with the cost being under $10,000 for FMeXtra and over $175,000 for HD the smaller market broadcaster will find FMeXtra easier to purchase and they can have their (HD2) with all other benefits. I will list some things you can do with FMeXtra
1) Secondary audio channel for the listener (needs more cowbell)
2) Digital Message Boards (to display up to the minute news/traffic/weather/sports/amber alerts, These units can be installed in Stores or Gas Stations or Lobbies of buildings anywhere where people gather
3) Video display (used for anything to display company logo or commercials or album covers or music group pictures
4) Special needs groups (the blind can have a Braille decoder or a reading service, churches can have their own radio station for the shut-ins who can't attend
5) special display units for certain needs, like putting a scrolling message board on the back of the buses with traffic information so the car drivers behind the buses can get informed, or mount the message boards on street corner light poles
Let’s see HD do this, I can split my FMeXtra "pipe/pie" any way I want to. You are limited with IBOC
Hope this answers some of your questions
Paul Carroll