Since the FCC began allowing lpfm (Low Power FM's) there has been an issue here locally. Because of the topography of the Central Valley it makes weak or otherwise unlistinable stations in other parts of the country come in loud and clear in the Central Valley. The main issue has always been co-channel "interference". We here in the Central Valley have always known it when it comes to KFRR and KHKK , or KMAK and KBRG, however since lpfm stations have gone on the air the issue is more impactful. Since they started broadcasting I have heard more complants about on channel issues than a single adjacent channel issue here. Should the FCC reexamine thier stance of not allowing adjacent signals to full power FM's?
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The plight of lpfms
- Thread starter bjmtech
- Start date
No.
Absolutely not!
No, Me neither
I have more of a problem with the HD signals than the LP ones.
I have more of a problem with the HD signals than the LP ones.
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FM hd is causing a problem? I have only heard of problems with HD on AM.
Oh gosh, the HD sideband hash is nasty nasty nasty. Really. Yyou are not aware of it because it sounds very similar to the background noise of a FM channel where no signal is present. A kind of 'white noise'. But in fact HD is covering adjacent channels on both sides of the station's center freq. For example, an HD signal on 101.1 is going to block any reception of a distant station on 100.9 and 101.3. Even out to the 2nd adjacent, 100.7 and 101.5 on receivers having not very good selectivity. Again, the casual listener is not even aware of it because it sounds so much like the natural background noise of a clear channel, when in fact it is at a much higher level than natural background. Where a distant signal on one of these adjacent channels might make it through to be heard, the presence of an adjacent HD signal will make it impossible, completely blocking any distant signal. The channel will sound like there's no station to be heard- you're hearing only the HD 'hash' that just sounds like a 'blank' unoccupied channel.
You betcha. The hash makes any rimshot adjacent channel unlistenable. The days of FM DX'ing are gone.
K
kenrayc
Guest
Yes, perfect example here is KFBT 103.7 HD blocking Rimshot 72 Watt KDJK 103.9 Mariposa, even though that station is line-of-sight to Fresno, before the HD had no problem receiving it in Clovis.
KDJK's protected contour does not even touch Madera County, let alone Fresno County. The station is home to the Merced MSA, but has a 60 dbu that covers less than 20,000 persons.
Exactly!!!
When going through Los Banos, that 103.9 signal can barely be heard now, I can hear the noise now. Didn't used hear the noise until the HD was added. I believe The Hawk intended the 103.9 frequency to serve Los Banos too.
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K
kenrayc
Guest
Yes I know that KDJK is for Merced, and not Fresno even though it's line-of-site, and the other stations from that transmitter site KUBB, KHTN, and KCIV come in perfect in Fresno, the point was it now hard DXing out of town adjacent channels because of HD.
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Yes, but these stations (KUBB, KHTN, KCIV) are 1,900 watts, not the 71 watts that KDJK has. It is amazing even with only 71 watts, it came in pretty strong in North Fresno and Clovis, provided you had a tuner that had good selectivity and sensitivity.
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What the heck is anyone gripping about. There are only 10 FM stations in Fresno that have a HD signal. Only 8 of those stations are commercial channels. Los Angeles has 3 times as many HD FM stations. So does Seattle with many of those FM stations broadcasting 3 and 4 HD signals/channels. There are about 65 HD channels in Seattle. No need to listen to some FM station 100 miles away.
Whatever!
The point is, in my opinion, Fresno is just not a good radio market anymore whether it is music or talk. Many times shows that I like are not aired in Fresno. Shows that I like are aired in SF bay area or in Bakersfield. THAT is when listening to distant stations is nice. THAT is what I am griping about!!
There is always the internet. If there were MORE HD stations in the Fresno area there would also be more and better local programming for everyone to listen too. Just a thought.
Yes, but on the internet, I have to be home in front of the computer in order to listen. I drive for a living. Listening from my phone, it uses data and the volume from my phone is not loud enough to be heard in the truck. And I don't have to buy any extra equipment either, just a very good stereo/radio. The beauty of radio is, that it is FREE.
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I still haven't driven a truck with an HD radio in it.
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