HD reception in Cincinnati

[Len14043]

I just looked at a BA-HD radio at a store in Cincinnati. They had an outdoor antenna connected to the unit. As expected, all of the Cincinnati FM HD stations could be heard as well as the HD-2s. Also, a few of the Dayton stations "locked-in." I removed the outdoor antenna and connected a standard loop antenna and all the Cincinnati HD stations still locked in, but none of the Dayton stations. You notice a small difference when the radio goes from analog to digital. It sounds as if a blanket was removed that was between you and the radio. The biggest improvement appeared to be on the AM side. When I tuned to WLW, there was alot of noise on the analog signal because of all the electronics equipment near the receiver. When the HD signal locked on, WLW sounded crystal clear. Intuitively, that tells me that AM all-digital IBOC will be superior to analog AM. If the hybrid digital signal of 500 watts sounds better than the 50,000 watt analog signal, just imagine what a 50,000 watt all digital signal will sound like!<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Len14043 on 04/05/06 10:38 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[k9ez]

> I just looked at a BA-HD radio at a store in Cincinnati.
> They had an outdoor antenna connected to the unit. As
> expected, all of the Cincinnati FM HD stations could be
> heard as well as the HD-2s. Also, a few of the Dayton
> stations "locked-in." I removed the outdoor antenna and
> connected a standard loop antenna and all the Cincinnati HD
> stations still locked in, but none of the Dayton stations.
> You notice a small difference when the radio goes from
> analog to digital. It sounds as if a blanket was removed
> that was between you and the radio. The biggest improvement
> appeared to be on the AM side. When I tuned to WLW, there
> was alot of noise on the analog signal because of all the
> electronics equipment near the receiver. When the HD signal
> locked on, WLW sounded crystal clear. Intuitively, that
> tells me that AM all-digital IBOC will be superior to analog
> AM. If the hybrid digital signal of 500 watts sounds better
> than the 50,000 watt analog signal, just imagine what a
> 50,000 watt all digital signal will sound like!
>


They will never go to 50000 watts of digital. They may raise it a bit if and when analog goes away.

Use digital TV as an example.... the analog power is/was still much higher than digital. Likewise with cell phones. Analog were about 3 watts. Digital is in the milliwatts.

 

[JasonW]

I agree that all-digital AM sounds better.

But the problems of getting there (to all-digital from hybrid analog/digital) are economic and logistical for stations and listeners alike.

I don't think the problems are insurmountable, but HD radio has a very steep hill to climb to become as universal as analog.

The HD licensing fees are too high for smaller stations. Also, greater transmitter power is a must--today most people won't put up outdoor FM yagi antennas or outdoor AM random wire antennas, and 1930s-style indoor AM loop antennas no longer blend well with most homes' interior decor.

The receiver manufacturers must not only reduce radio prices but also their power consumption. Until there are HD AM/FM Walkmans that can run on two "AA" or "AAA" batteries for as long as analog models, their market will be limited to higher-end (and lower sales volume) HD car and home tuners. HD radio isn't yet ready for Prime Time. -- Jason

> I just looked at a BA-HD radio at a store in Cincinnati.
> They had an outdoor antenna connected to the unit. As
> expected, all of the Cincinnati FM HD stations could be
> heard as well as the HD-2s. Also, a few of the Dayton
> stations "locked-in." I removed the outdoor antenna and
> connected a standard loop antenna and all the Cincinnati HD
> stations still locked in, but none of the Dayton stations.
> You notice a small difference when the radio goes from
> analog to digital. It sounds as if a blanket was removed
> that was between you and the radio. The biggest improvement
> appeared to be on the AM side. When I tuned to WLW, there
> was alot of noise on the analog signal because of all the
> electronics equipment near the receiver. When the HD signal
> locked on, WLW sounded crystal clear. Intuitively, that
> tells me that AM all-digital IBOC will be superior to analog
> AM. If the hybrid digital signal of 500 watts sounds better
> than the 50,000 watt analog signal, just imagine what a
> 50,000 watt all digital signal will sound like!
>

 

[nd2023]

> I just looked at a BA-HD radio at a store in Cincinnati.
> They had an outdoor antenna connected to the unit. As
> expected, all of the Cincinnati FM HD stations could be
> heard as well as the HD-2s. Also, a few of the Dayton
> stations "locked-in." I removed the outdoor antenna and
> connected a standard loop antenna and all the Cincinnati HD
> stations still locked in, but none of the Dayton stations.
> You notice a small difference when the radio goes from
> analog to digital. It sounds as if a blanket was removed
> that was between you and the radio. The biggest improvement
> appeared to be on the AM side. When I tuned to WLW, there
> was alot of noise on the analog signal because of all the
> electronics equipment near the receiver. When the HD signal
> locked on, WLW sounded crystal clear. Intuitively, that
> tells me that AM all-digital IBOC will be superior to analog
> AM. If the hybrid digital signal of 500 watts sounds better
> than the 50,000 watt analog signal, just imagine what a
> 50,000 watt all digital signal will sound like!
>
HD reception is only good near the transmitter. Even at the 60 dBu contour, all you'll hear is analog and IBUZ.<P ID="signature">______________
17-year-old radio geek
Location: Princeton Junction, NJ
AIM: KewlDude471
WWPH 107.9 FM: http://wwph1079fm.no-ip.org</P>