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"What about HD for the smaller broadcasters?"

P

pqgeorge

I posed this question to another radio group a few days ago and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose this question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well. Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean the college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000 is quite a lot of money, especially if you're a non-commercial college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel, Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch to HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station, that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to go to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater Media and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster...... where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?

73,

<P ID="signature">______________
Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts</P>
 
> I posed this question to another radio group a few days ago
> and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose this
> question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
> Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean the
> college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to
> HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to
> fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000 is
> quite a lot of money, especially if you're a non-commercial
> college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
> Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch to
> HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station,
> that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to go
> to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost
> to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
> future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater Media
> and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster......
> where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
>
> 73,
>

Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K after 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using this as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more efficient transmitter in one step.

I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time. On the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing this. I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations will work in into their budget as a replacement item when it's time to replace current equipment.

So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually? Yes.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> > I posed this question to another radio group a few days
> ago
> > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose
> this
> > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
> > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean
> the
> > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to
> > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to
>
> > fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000
> is
> > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> non-commercial
> > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
> > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch
> to
> > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station,
>
> > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to
> go
> > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost
>
> > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
> > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> Media
> > and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster......
> > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> >
> > 73,
> >
>
> Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K after
> 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using this
> as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined
> transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more efficient
> transmitter in one step.
>
> I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time. On
> the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing this.
> I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations will
> work in into their budget as a replacement item when it's
> time to replace current equipment.
>
> So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually? Yes.
>
will it matter..no..will everyone get hd receivers..no!! does the general public care about hd radio..no...i could get a job at a credit card center :)..no.....<P ID="signature">______________
note to the NAB..satellite radio..its worth paying for!!</P>
 
> > > I posed this question to another radio group a few days
> > ago
> > > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose
> > this
> > > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
>
> > > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean
> > the
> > > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> > > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade
> to
> > > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you
> to
> >
> > > fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000
>
> > is
> > > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> > non-commercial
> > > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
>
> > > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch
>
> > to
> > > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered
> station,
> >
> > > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to
>
> > go
> > > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the
> cost
> >
> > > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
>
> > > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> > > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> > Media
> > > and so on. But, what about the smaller
> broadcaster......
> > > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> >
> > Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K
> after
> > 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using
> this
> > as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined
> > transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more efficient
> > transmitter in one step.
> >
> > I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time. On
>
> > the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing
> this.
> > I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations
> will
> > work in into their budget as a replacement item when it's
> > time to replace current equipment.
> >
> > So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually? Yes.
>
> >
> will it matter..no..will everyone get hd receivers..no!!
> does the general public care about hd radio..no...i could
> get a job at a credit card center :)..no.....
>


Are you familiar with the Chicken or Egg theory?
 
Reply at end.
> I posed this question to another radio group a few days ago
> and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose this
> question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
> Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean the
> college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to
> HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to
> fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000 is
> quite a lot of money, especially if you're a non-commercial
> college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
> Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch to
> HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station,
> that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to go
> to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost
> to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
> future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater Media
> and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster......
> where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
>
> 73,
>

Since most small stations are cought on channels between high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth required for HD radio, and the added digital signals will probably jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced competition is what HD radio is really all about.
Don't believe me?
In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked engineer, Guy Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by referring to the new digital interference as "The thinning of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital plan is to become "All Channel", which they will have accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is complete.
Here is a solution for small broadcasters that requires a small one time expendature, no new transmitter or antenna, no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to the main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams other stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM and FM, and this system adopted for FM.
FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com

AM should wait until a compatible proven system is available that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com


<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by SuperSound on 02/06/06 06:48 AM.</FONT></P>
 
The funny thing alot of people neglect to mention is, that if you go to the list of stations at www.hd-radio.com, there are quite a few (in fact, tons), of stations on there that are committed, and even on the air, that are not owned by the corporate "Monsters"...

They're owned by mom & pop firms like "Elenbaas Media", "Davidson College", and "Spanish Peaks Broadcasting, Inc.". And these are stations that are actually shown as running it already, there are others committed...So, sometimes, the perception that only the "big boys" are signed up is erroneous.
 
A proposal

> Since most small stations are cought on channels between
> high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth required
> for HD radio, and the added digital signals will probably
> jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced competition is
> what HD radio is really all about.
> Don't believe me?
> In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked engineer, Guy
> Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by
> referring to the new digital interference as "The thinning
> of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital plan
> is to become "All Channel", which they will have
> accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is complete.
>
> Here is a solution for small broadcasters that requires a
> small one time expendature, no new transmitter or antenna,
> no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to the
> main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
> HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams other
> stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM and FM,
> and this system adopted for FM.
> FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com
>
> AM should wait until a compatible proven system is available
> that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
> http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com
>

You know what I find interesting?

Several times you've been asked to prove any of this. So far, you have not replied.

I assume that's because you know your "facts" are fundamentally flawed. I don't wish to be a cheerleader for HD, but I really have a problem with people spreading what could be bad information.

In the interest of clearing up some things for everyone here, let me make you a deal:

I invite you to provide actual hard data to back up what you say. Since we provide our real names and occupations, you should do the same for the sake of credibility.

If you choose not to respond, I (and I assume most others) will assume that you are simply a shill for some anti-IBOC group, and really have no technical knowledge to back up anything you say.

Again, all I ask is for you to provide sufficient proof. Not links to blogs. Proof. So far, several people have offered proof to the contrary, yet you have not provided any rebuttals. If you are right, so be it. I'll take my lumps and consider it a lesson learned. You need to prove it, however, with something other than opinion and conjecture.

Maybe I'm off base on all of this. I am pretty close to IBOC. Let's let the members decide. Readers of the board, what say you?<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
AMEN!!!

> > Since most small stations are cought on channels between
> > high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth required
> > for HD radio, and the added digital signals will probably
> > jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced competition
> is
> > what HD radio is really all about.
> > Don't believe me?
> > In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked engineer,
> Guy
> > Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by
> > referring to the new digital interference as "The thinning
>
> > of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital
> plan
> > is to become "All Channel", which they will have
> > accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is
> complete.
> >
> > Here is a solution for small broadcasters that requires a
> > small one time expendature, no new transmitter or antenna,
>
> > no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to the
>
> > main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
> > HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams
> other
> > stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM and
> FM,
> > and this system adopted for FM.
> > FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com
> >
> > AM should wait until a compatible proven system is
> available
> > that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
> > http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com
> >
>
> You know what I find interesting?
>
> Several times you've been asked to prove any of this. So
> far, you have not replied.
>
> I assume that's because you know your "facts" are
> fundamentally flawed. I don't wish to be a cheerleader for
> HD, but I really have a problem with people spreading what
> could be bad information.
>
> In the interest of clearing up some things for everyone
> here, let me make you a deal:
>
> I invite you to provide actual hard data to back up what you
> say. Since we provide our real names and occupations, you
> should do the same for the sake of credibility.
>
> If you choose not to respond, I (and I assume most others)
> will assume that you are simply a shill for some anti-IBOC
> group, and really have no technical knowledge to back up
> anything you say.
>
> Again, all I ask is for you to provide sufficient proof.
> Not links to blogs. Proof. So far, several people have
> offered proof to the contrary, yet you have not provided any
> rebuttals. If you are right, so be it. I'll take my lumps
> and consider it a lesson learned. You need to prove it,
> however, with something other than opinion and conjecture.
>
> Maybe I'm off base on all of this. I am pretty close to
> IBOC. Let's let the members decide. Readers of the board,
> what say you?
>


You are not off base at all. I see Supersound come and make these outragous statements and then not show up again. Many have asked for his proof, but yet I see NONE.

HD Radio is very new, and speaking for myself, there is a lot to learn about the technology. It is not perfect. I personally have done a lot of testing and listening to see where the issues are. I have also installed a few systems.

I view this board as a discussion of FACTS and not blog comments. For some reason some people have a need to spread MIS information abtou HD Radio. What good does that do except make you look silly?
 
> Reply at end.
> > I posed this question to another radio group a few days
> ago
> > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose
> this
> > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
> > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean
> the
> > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to
> > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to
>
> > fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000
> is
> > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> non-commercial
> > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
> > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch
> to
> > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station,
>
> > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to
> go
> > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost
>
> > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
> > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> Media
> > and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster......
> > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> >
> > 73,
> >
>
> Since most small stations are cought on channels between
> high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth required
> for HD radio, and the added digital signals will probably
> jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced competition is
> what HD radio is really all about.
> Don't believe me?
> In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked engineer, Guy
> Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by
> referring to the new digital interference as "The thinning
> of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital plan
> is to become "All Channel", which they will have
> accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is complete.
>
> Here is a solution for small broadcasters that requires a
> small one time expendature, no new transmitter or antenna,
> no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to the
> main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
> HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams other
> stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM and FM,
> and this system adopted for FM.
> FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com
>
> AM should wait until a compatible proven system is available
> that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
> http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com
>


At first I was pretty excited about HD Radio. But now, I'm starting to agree with you. With DAB radio in Europe, you get more choices and more quality. It doesn't seem like HD radio is going to offer anything except less competition and a couple more dumbed-down formats.

At the time I was thinking maybe with this, I'd get some cool national or regional dance format, maybe a new national alternative station, but I doubt I'll get anything here in Hartford that will make me want a new radio.
 
> But, what about the smaller broadcaster
> where can they fit into the picture?
> Any takers?

Never a fan of iBOC, I will give you an answer that I feel is fair.

These smaller stations including non-comms will be getting the chance to put several stations on the air for their initial expendatures. Commercial stations can lease out their HD-3 and HD-4 space to underpowered AMs who will benefit from the extra coverage, especially at night. College stations that run student oriented rock formats will use their extra streams for classical and perhaps community involvement programs. Many Public stations are already running NPR news/talk on their main and HD-1 channels and classical on HD-2. They will have pledge drives on their HD-2 streams to bring in additional revenue. Christian stations have a plethore of internet sources including this predominantly SCA delivered <a target="_blank" href=http://www.hiskidsradio.net/stations/sca.php>His Kids</a> network: great for washing the little one's brains before they can think.<P ID="signature">______________
Proud 2 B a pioneering satellite radio subs¢riber
Ai4i is always on the trailing edge of technology
_______________</P>
 
Re: AMEN!!!

> > > Since most small stations are cought on channels between
>
> > > high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth
> required
> > > for HD radio, and the added digital signals will
> probably
> > > jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced
> competition
> > is
> > > what HD radio is really all about.
> > > Don't believe me?
> > > In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked engineer,
>
> > Guy
> > > Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by
> > > referring to the new digital interference as "The
> thinning
> >
> > > of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital
> > plan
> > > is to become "All Channel", which they will have
> > > accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is
> > complete.
> > >
> > > Here is a solution for small broadcasters that requires
> a
> > > small one time expendature, no new transmitter or
> antenna,
> >
> > > no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to
> the
> >
> > > main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
> > > HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams
> > other
> > > stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM and
> > FM,
> > > and this system adopted for FM.
> > > FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com
> > >
> > > AM should wait until a compatible proven system is
> > available
> > > that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
> > > http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com
> > >
> >
> > You know what I find interesting?
> >
> > Several times you've been asked to prove any of this. So
> > far, you have not replied.
> >
> > I assume that's because you know your "facts" are
> > fundamentally flawed. I don't wish to be a cheerleader
> for
> > HD, but I really have a problem with people spreading what
>
> > could be bad information.
> >
> > In the interest of clearing up some things for everyone
> > here, let me make you a deal:
> >
> > I invite you to provide actual hard data to back up what
> you
> > say. Since we provide our real names and occupations, you
>
> > should do the same for the sake of credibility.
> >
> > If you choose not to respond, I (and I assume most others)
>
> > will assume that you are simply a shill for some anti-IBOC
>
> > group, and really have no technical knowledge to back up
> > anything you say.
> >
> > Again, all I ask is for you to provide sufficient proof.
> > Not links to blogs. Proof. So far, several people have
> > offered proof to the contrary, yet you have not provided
> any
> > rebuttals. If you are right, so be it. I'll take my
> lumps
> > and consider it a lesson learned. You need to prove it,
> > however, with something other than opinion and conjecture.
>
> >
> > Maybe I'm off base on all of this. I am pretty close to
> > IBOC. Let's let the members decide. Readers of the
> board,
> > what say you?
> >
>
>
> You are not off base at all. I see Supersound come and make
> these outragous statements and then not show up again. Many
> have asked for his proof, but yet I see NONE.
>
> HD Radio is very new, and speaking for myself, there is a
> lot to learn about the technology. It is not perfect. I
> personally have done a lot of testing and listening to see
> where the issues are. I have also installed a few systems.
>
> I view this board as a discussion of FACTS and not blog
> comments. For some reason some people have a need to spread
> MIS information abtou HD Radio. What good does that do
> except make you look silly?
>
I also wish to jump on the bandwagon.....come on Rich....get your analyzer out and make some measurements to PROVE OBJECTIVELY that IBOC causes excessive bandwith occupation.
I will go to the commission with you to complain if it can be proved.
 
Still waiting SuperSound! <EOM>

> > > > Since most small stations are cought on channels
> between
> >
> > > > high powered broadcasters. The greater bandwidth
> > required
> > > > for HD radio, and the added digital signals will
> > probably
> > > > jam the smaller stations off the air. Reduced
> > competition
> > > is
> > > > what HD radio is really all about.
> > > > Don't believe me?
> > > > In Radio World's Engineering Extra, the masked
> engineer,
> >
> > > Guy
> > > > Wire (NRSC-5 mask?) disclosed the cartel's strategy by
>
> > > > referring to the new digital interference as "The
> > thinning
> > >
> > > > of the herd full of cripples". Clear channel's digital
>
> > > plan
> > > > is to become "All Channel", which they will have
> > > > accomplished when the HD radio cartel's buildup is
> > > complete.
> > > >
> > > > Here is a solution for small broadcasters that
> requires
> > a
> > > > small one time expendature, no new transmitter or
> > antenna,
> > >
> > > > no continuing fees, and creates no new interference to
>
> > the
> > >
> > > > main or adjacent channels as HD digital radio does.
> > > > HD radio is a dysfunctional digital disaster that jams
>
> > > other
> > > > stations and should be entirely scrapped on both AM
> and
> > > FM,
> > > > and this system adopted for FM.
> > > > FM eXtra - www.dreinc.com
> > > >
> > > > AM should wait until a compatible proven system is
> > > available
> > > > that works at night, and dosn't jam adjacent stations.
>
> > > > http://worldsupercaster.blogspot.com
> > > >
> > >
> > > You know what I find interesting?
> > >
> > > Several times you've been asked to prove any of this.
> So
> > > far, you have not replied.
> > >
> > > I assume that's because you know your "facts" are
> > > fundamentally flawed. I don't wish to be a cheerleader
> > for
> > > HD, but I really have a problem with people spreading
> what
> >
> > > could be bad information.
> > >
> > > In the interest of clearing up some things for everyone
> > > here, let me make you a deal:
> > >
> > > I invite you to provide actual hard data to back up what
>
> > you
> > > say. Since we provide our real names and occupations,
> you
> >
> > > should do the same for the sake of credibility.
> > >
> > > If you choose not to respond, I (and I assume most
> others)
> >
> > > will assume that you are simply a shill for some
> anti-IBOC
> >
> > > group, and really have no technical knowledge to back up
>
> > > anything you say.
> > >
> > > Again, all I ask is for you to provide sufficient proof.
>
> > > Not links to blogs. Proof. So far, several people have
>
> > > offered proof to the contrary, yet you have not provided
>
> > any
> > > rebuttals. If you are right, so be it. I'll take my
> > lumps
> > > and consider it a lesson learned. You need to prove it,
>
> > > however, with something other than opinion and
> conjecture.
> >
> > >
> > > Maybe I'm off base on all of this. I am pretty close to
>
> > > IBOC. Let's let the members decide. Readers of the
> > board,
> > > what say you?
> > >
> >
> >
> > You are not off base at all. I see Supersound come and
> make
> > these outragous statements and then not show up again.
> Many
> > have asked for his proof, but yet I see NONE.
> >
> > HD Radio is very new, and speaking for myself, there is a
> > lot to learn about the technology. It is not perfect. I
> > personally have done a lot of testing and listening to see
>
> > where the issues are. I have also installed a few
> systems.
> >
> > I view this board as a discussion of FACTS and not blog
> > comments. For some reason some people have a need to
> spread
> > MIS information abtou HD Radio. What good does that do
> > except make you look silly?
> >
> I also wish to jump on the bandwagon.....come on Rich....get
> your analyzer out and make some measurements to PROVE
> OBJECTIVELY that IBOC causes excessive bandwith occupation.
> I will go to the commission with you to complain if it can
> be proved.
>
 
> > I posed this question to another radio group a few days
> ago
> > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose
> this
> > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
> > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean
> the
> > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade to
> > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you to
>
> > fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000
> is
> > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> non-commercial
> > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
> > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch
> to
> > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered station,
>
> > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to
> go
> > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the cost
>
> > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
> > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> Media
> > and so on. But, what about the smaller broadcaster......
> > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> >
> > 73,
> >
>
> Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K after
> 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using this
> as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined
> transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more efficient
> transmitter in one step.
>
> I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time. On
> the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing this.
> I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations will
> work in into their budget as a replacement item when it's
> time to replace current equipment.
>
> So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually? Yes.
>

As for lower power AM (Class C for sure, maybe D and B's that are not authorized for more than 5kW days) iBiquity *could* cut them a break on license fees. LP-FM could get a break too IMHO. Technology can advance on this front and I wouldn't be suprised if equipment costs might pummet once all the bigger stations are on line. Also, as they work the bugs out right now, the smaller broadcasters might be sparing themselves some of the headaches clear channel et al are now facing. This could be a smart move letting someone else jump in first. I have a lot of faith in engineers who spend too much time tinkering around with electronics. These guys will get laid off or fired from some bigger station and do a handyman special for a smaller radio station. Pay your license fee and you are on the air with a bare bones HD system. LP-FM probably isn't going to go after multicasting anyway.
 
> > > I posed this question to another radio group a few days
> > ago
> > > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I pose
> > this
> > > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as well.
>
> > > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I mean
> > the
> > > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
> > > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade
> to
> > > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands you
> to
> >
> > > fork up before you can actually use the thing. $100,000
>
> > is
> > > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> > non-commercial
> > > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear Channel,
>
> > > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to switch
>
> > to
> > > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered
> station,
> >
> > > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford to
>
> > go
> > > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the
> cost
> >
> > > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in the
>
> > > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if your
> > > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> > Media
> > > and so on. But, what about the smaller
> broadcaster......
> > > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> >
> > Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K
> after
> > 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using
> this
> > as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined
> > transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more efficient
> > transmitter in one step.
> >
> > I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time. On
>
> > the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing
> this.
> > I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations
> will
> > work in into their budget as a replacement item when it's
> > time to replace current equipment.
> >
> > So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually? Yes.
>
> >
>
> As for lower power AM (Class C for sure, maybe D and B's
> that are not authorized for more than 5kW days) iBiquity
> *could* cut them a break on license fees. LP-FM could get a
> break too IMHO. Technology can advance on this front and I
> wouldn't be suprised if equipment costs might pummet once
> all the bigger stations are on line. Also, as they work the
> bugs out right now, the smaller broadcasters might be
> sparing themselves some of the headaches clear channel et al
> are now facing. This could be a smart move letting someone
> else jump in first. I have a lot of faith in engineers who
> spend too much time tinkering around with electronics. These
> guys will get laid off or fired from some bigger station and
> do a handyman special for a smaller radio station. Pay your
> license fee and you are on the air with a bare bones HD
> system. LP-FM probably isn't going to go after multicasting
> anyway.
>


I think you have a good idea here. If iBiquity were to do that for the smaller stations, it would make HD Radio more universal. It might be in their best interest to do this.

The headaches of rolling this out are not unsurrmountable. Actually it is kind of fun to be on the cutting edge and actually have some say as to how this all transforms.
 
> > > > I posed this question to another radio group a few
> days
> > > ago
> > > > and the results were somewhat inconclusive. So, I
> pose
> > > this
> > > > question to the readers of THIS HD Radio board, as
> well.
> >
> > > > Now, when I refer to the "smaller broadcasters", I
> mean
> > > the
> > > > college or LPFM genre. Where do they fit in the grand
>
> > > > scheme of things? It costs at least $75,000 to upgrade
>
> > to
> > > > HD, not including the $25,000 that Ibiquity demands
> you
> > to
> > >
> > > > fork up before you can actually use the thing.
> $100,000
> >
> > > is
> > > > quite a lot of money, especially if you're a
> > > non-commercial
> > > > college, high-school or LPFM station. To Clear
> Channel,
> >
> > > > Greater Media, CBS Radio, NPR et.al., $100,000 to
> switch
> >
> > > to
> > > > HD is like a drop in a bucket. To the low powered
> > station,
> > >
> > > > that cost is nearly prohibitive. How can they afford
> to
> >
> > > go
> > > > to make the switch to HD? Does anyone think that the
> > cost
> > >
> > > > to go HD is going to eventually become affordable in
> the
> >
> > > > future? The switch to HD is all fine and dandy, if
> your
> > > > station is owned by Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Greater
> > > Media
> > > > and so on. But, what about the smaller
> > broadcaster......
> > > > where can they fit into the picture? Any takers?
> > > >
> > > > 73,
> > > >
> > >
> > > Actually, this year the fee is $7500. It goes to $25K
> > after
> > > 2008. I'm seeing LOTS of small Class A stations using
> > this
> > > as an opportunity to upgrade to a low-level combined
> > > transmitter, getting HD and a new, modern, more
> efficient
> > > transmitter in one step.
> > >
> > > I see $100K being the cost for HD for quite some time.
> On
> >
> > > the other hand, there is no listener loss by not doing
> > this.
> > > I am willing to bet, though, that most small stations
> > will
> > > work in into their budget as a replacement item when
> it's
> > > time to replace current equipment.
> > >
> > > So, will they do it now? No. Will they eventually?
> Yes.
> >
> > >
> >
> > As for lower power AM (Class C for sure, maybe D and B's
> > that are not authorized for more than 5kW days) iBiquity
> > *could* cut them a break on license fees. LP-FM could get
> a
> > break too IMHO. Technology can advance on this front and I
>
> > wouldn't be suprised if equipment costs might pummet once
> > all the bigger stations are on line. Also, as they work
> the
> > bugs out right now, the smaller broadcasters might be
> > sparing themselves some of the headaches clear channel et
> al
> > are now facing. This could be a smart move letting someone
>
> > else jump in first. I have a lot of faith in engineers who
>
> > spend too much time tinkering around with electronics.
> These
> > guys will get laid off or fired from some bigger station
> and
> > do a handyman special for a smaller radio station. Pay
> your
> > license fee and you are on the air with a bare bones HD
> > system. LP-FM probably isn't going to go after
> multicasting
> > anyway.
> >
>
>
> I think you have a good idea here. If iBiquity were to do
> that for the smaller stations, it would make HD Radio more
> universal. It might be in their best interest to do this.
>
> The headaches of rolling this out are not unsurrmountable.
> Actually it is kind of fun to be on the cutting edge and
> actually have some say as to how this all transforms.
>
Another idea- for mono radios (clock radios) cut the cost of the license fee to near nothing. Get those suckers on the market ASAP. Get 'em hooked then jack the price up on car radios and stereo tuners for the home.
 
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