Some observations about HD radio

[kevtronics]

So, in theory, HD-3 could be assigned greater fidelity than the analog station's required HD-1 (those who are more experienced than me can correct this if I am off... I have not done real engineering for decades).

The FCC rules require HD1 to have audio quality comparable to analog FM. But they've never been more specific about what they mean by that, nor has (as far as I know) there ever been any enforcement of that rule.

But aside from that, stations are free to split up the HD bitrate pie any way they want.

 

[davideduardo]

The FCC rules require HD1 to have audio quality comparable to analog FM. But they've never been more specific about what they mean by that, nor has (as far as I know) there ever been any enforcement of that rule.

And that rule is totally ambiguous. What if the HD channel is set to mimic a roughly 13 kHz high end with compensation for the pre-emphasis employed in the US? That is subject to interpretation by the engineer at the station or licensee and might differ considerably from both your and my opinions.

This is sorta' like determining what constitutes "Public Affairs" back in the quota days. Even further: a competitor of mine in San Juan used articles from the National Enquirer in one minute capsules every hour to fill most of its news commitment! Who determines is "Vampire Bites Two Children in Seattle" is news or not?

But aside from that, stations are free to split up the HD bitrate pie any way they want.

With HD-4 being somewhat separate, I believe.

 

[Gregg.]

I just got my first HD Radio and a lot of the HD-2 Kansas City stations aren't streamed. The only one that I know of being streamed is KPRS HD-2, but it also has a translator at 106.9.

KCMO-FM-HD2 is streamed on iHeartRadio. It's running the national Jack-FM format with local commercials and has a translator at 102.5.

Just put "Jack Kansas City" in the iHeart search engine.

 

[radiofan2023]

KCMO-FM-HD2 is streamed on iHeartRadio. It's running the national Jack-FM format with local commercials and has a translator at 102.5.

Just put "Jack Kansas City" in the iHeart search engine.

Thanks, but I already knew about that station

 

[secondchoice]

I came here not to derail the NYC WABC delay which seems to have some of the New Yorkers upset. I never worked at an AM HD station so maybe some here would know.

Not counting STL and talk dumping delay how much time delay was there with the AM HD transmission system?

 

[xmtrland]

The delay is the same as the delay for FM HD1, 8-10 seconds. On an HD AM I worked with I used about 9 seconds of Delay on the analog audio.

 

[secondchoice]

Thanks.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

The thing to remember about HD radio is that it was introduced at a time when streaming was not quite so huge. Once streaming exploded in popularity, many of the HD

The thing to remember about HD radio is that it was introduced at a time when streaming was not quite so huge. Once streaming exploded in popularity, many of the HD subchannels became simulcasts from those streaming platforms like iHeartRadio, or of other stations in the market. It's gotten worse in the past few years and its very disappointing.

Good point. I sometimes benefit from combining streaming and HD. I can listen to Classical 24 by streaming KPBS HD2 on Alexa anywhere in the US. I listen to Rick Jackson’s 3 hour Country Classics show all day on Sundays from KYGO (Denver) HD2 on Alexa. They rerun this fun program every 3 hours on Sunday.
I’d be interested if David E or anyone else has a good estimate of the number of people in the US who listen to HD locally or streaming weekly. My guess would be millions.

subchannels became simulcasts from those streaming platforms like iHeartRadio, or of other stations in the market. It's gotten worse in the past few years and it’s very disappointing.

 

[ILOVERADIO]

And that rule is totally ambiguous. What if the HD channel is set to mimic a roughly 13 kHz high end with compensation for the pre-emphasis employed in the US? That is subject to interpretation by the engineer at the station or licensee and might differ considerably from both your and my opinions.

This is sorta' like determining what constitutes "Public Affairs" back in the quota days. Even further: a competitor of mine in San Juan used articles from the National Enquirer in one minute capsules every hour to fill most of its news commitment! Who determines is "Vampire Bites Two Children in Seattle" is news or not?

With HD-4 being somewhat separate, I believe.

I’d keep my children away from vampires after hearing this news. Gotta protect the children. 😀