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WBBM AM 780 Chicago HD Signal

W

Wthom100

Was not surprised to receive Chicago WBBM 780 AM signal in Detroit area as it comes in pretty strong here at night. I was surprised that "WBBM" showed-up in my HD radio display (Boston Acoustics Receptor HD Radio). The HD signal did not seem to lock-on but at least the meta-data was being received. Did not think HD radio signals traveled that far (>250 miles). I think meta-data on AM band stations requires HD radio signal - correct?

Anyone have similar experiences on HD stations?

8)
 
I have gotten the meta-data signals from WBZ 1030 and KYW 1060 at night here in Vermilion, OH. I have also gotten WBZ's signal to lock onto HD for as much as 20 seconds here at night. I believe an AM station has to be broadcasting in HD in order for meta-data to appear. I have yet to see it show up on a non-HD AM station. I haven't gotten WBBM's meta-data to show up here but I suspect that's because WABC is usually there with a strong signal on 770 at night.
 
The most likely candidates for skywave HD signals being received are at least 25 kW and preferably 50 kW and be in the directional major lobe maximum. In the Great Lakes Region, KYW and WBZ are two of those, they are 50 kW and favor the west (WBZ), and northwest (KYW). WMVP, WCKY, WRVA, WWJ, and WXYT are other likely candidates. Cochannel interference would make WWJ and WXYT less likely and the major lobe is very strong but narrow, and the more rapid fading would make WCKY less likely to lock. The strongest skywave of WXYT falls mostly over Lake Huron. Likely places to try would be Alpena and Sudbury. WHO, WLW, WTAM, WGN, and WBBM and other Omni former I-As are also likely.
 
Getting the call letters to show up and even getting a brief lock on a distant HD radio via skywave isn't too hard to do with a decent antenna. I've gotten WBBM's calls to show up multiple times, never got an audio lock though. I have gotten audio lock on WLW several times, this was back before 690 from Montreal signed back on so I think that helped.
 
Isn't there someone on this board who has seen the KMIK callsign on his XDR-F1HD in Australia? I think that was dxer2_2000? Good luck now, though, as KMIK turned their HD off in November.
 
"Anyone have similar experiences on HD stations?"

I have had the HD lock in on multiple AM stations during critical hours and nights but only rarely have they been locked on for more than a few seconds. WOR, WBZ, WCBS and WPHT will occasionally lock in for maybe a minute at the most. If I can find a clear spot, in the winter, get a daytime lock on 1140 WRVA Richmond at a little over 100 miles. All are 50 kW stations.

I have also had the call letters appear when the station was not listenable so I'm getting sideband digital data when the on channel analog signal is self cancelling or similar.

One time, WCAO 600 in Baltimore locked in for a short while around sunset. 5 kW at 300 miles.

This is from Northeastern North Carolina on the Pioneer Supertuner3 car radio and an Accurian tabletop radio with indoor loop.
 
I didn't even know WBBM ran HD after dark. If they do, that sucks.

Last night right before sunrise I turned around the AM band for the first time in ages and for once, WBBM was loud and clear here on the AL gulf coast. Usually it's buried under noise or IBOC hash or who knows what else.
 
Zach said:
I didn't even know WBBM ran HD after dark. If they do, that sucks.

Last night right before sunrise I turned around the AM band for the first time in ages and for once, WBBM was loud and clear here on the AL gulf coast. Usually it's buried under noise or IBOC hash or who knows what else.
Click to expand...

WBBM certainly does run HD after dark because where I am less than 20 miles from their stick I can't get WABC at night.
 
Just a FYI to add to this thread - I have recently been receiving WBZ meta-data on my HD radio display here in the Detroit area (at night-time). However, not getting a HD signal lock - only the "WBZ" in the radio display. Not bad - Boston to Detroit is likely 600+ miles. I know it was mentioned in this thread someone in Ohio can get WBZ meta-data.

Also, looks like WWJ 950am is now broadcasting in HD at night-time (at one time they only broadcast in HD during daytime as I recall).

-- :)
 
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