The directional aspects of the station depend on the licensed parameters at frequency and location, just like AM analog. Ultimately it's not up to the station as to whether they're directional or not.
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Suggestion - [HD] Digital "AM" section (for WMGG et al.)
- Thread starter kfbkfb
- Start date
K
kenglish
Guest
DTV has those same variables. Not all DTV is on UHF....many stations are in the VHF bands (some have even had to move there due to the repack). Wish the antenna makers and retailers could understand that!
DTV has to deal with every conceivable combination of physical location, signal strength and interference imaginable.
Seems like phones, satellite and cable all come pre-wrapped with a bow on top (they already know what the variables are, and they are factored in as part of the package of equipment supplied).
With broadcast, it's more like "here ya go...good luck".
The vast majority of DTV is on UHF. Sure, there are some outliers, but they fall into the regretting-it category. VHF just doesn't work well for DTV because:
1. Lower ERP means lower field strength. Doesn't matter what band. Field strength gets you over noise. See #2
2. VHF band is much nosier than the UHF band. Reliable ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 reception is vulnerable to terrestrial noise. If the station field strength can't get over the noise floor, especially when it comes to fringe coverage, receive propagation means nothing.
I've worked with several stations who are looking at trying to figure out how to move their DTV facilities from VHF to UHF. All have found their overall coverage has suffered, compared with their UHF competition.
Regarding the broadcast MW band? It's noisier in quantum amounts more than the UHF TV band.
K
kenglish
Guest
These are all points that many of us are aware of.
But, there are hundreds of stations broadcasting on VHF frequencies. There are no available UHF channels left in many areas....in SLC, two stations have had to move to VHF-HB, because the UHF channels are full. Not even a spot for wireless mikes any more in UHF.
Sadly, we've let the RFI problem get completely out of hand. VHF channels are getting noisier every day. Low band used to be considered "prime". High band was "OK". UHF was "a dumping ground for old movies".
Now, it's turned backwards.
Makes me cry to think how AM is now nothing but a legal loophole to get an FM channel.
My own limited experience with AM + HD radio is AM 1190 (Radio Disney for the KCMO area), received on a Sony XDR-S3HD.
At night, WOAI AM 1200 would interfere with the upper sideband (of 1190 AM HD) and cause the Sony radio to switch back and forth between HD and AM.
Checking the (USA) AM station list, there are full power stations at 810 AM (WGY) and 830 AM (WCCO), do these interfere with the reception of (all digital HD/AM) 820 WWFD?
Kirk Bayne
At night, WOAI AM 1200 would interfere with the upper sideband (of 1190 AM HD) and cause the Sony radio to switch back and forth between HD and AM.
Checking the (USA) AM station list, there are full power stations at 810 AM (WGY) and 830 AM (WCCO), do these interfere with the reception of (all digital HD/AM) 820 WWFD?
Kirk Bayne
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Is there a directory for digital AM stations anywhere? I've looked at HDRadio.com but nothing is there.
HDRadio.com lists AM HD broadcasters when you look at an individual market. That said, their data or listing is WAAAYYY out of date. They list 5 AM HD stations in my market, whereas in fact there are none broadcasting any more (that I can hear or find), and at least some of their listed AM HD broadcasters have not been broadcasting in HD for over 2 years, at least.
There aren't any AM HD stations listed for the Memphis or Nashville area where I am either. But I was mainly looking for a directory of the new digital AM stations.
Yes if it exists. But then it could be that it would still be just a short list at the present time. But I'd like to be able to find a source for when digital AM becomes available.
If it turns out like HD AM and FM have been in my area there won't be any point of my buying an HD radio any time soon since there are still no stations close enough for me to get in HD on FM and nothing at all now on AM. If there were to be an AM digital station to come on in my area with a format I might like I might consider it, but not until then.
I have created a new forum: Stations which are HD only.
Anyone w/HD radio checked WWFD 820 to see if there's such a thing as "local - distant - fringe" for HD digital signals or does the "cliff" effect mean there's only "local - nothing"?
Kirk Bayne
There's kind of a thing as "local - distance - fringe" when it comes to HD signals. The way to tell is to look at the signal bars on the receiver. Audio-wise, it's local and stable - unstable/cutting out - nothing.
Anyone w/HD radio checked WWFD 820 to see if there's such a thing as "local - distant - fringe" for HD digital signals or does the "cliff" effect mean there's only "local - nothing"?
Kirk Bayne
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