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WBBM 780 IBOC OFF TODAY -- CRYSTAL CLEAR AUDIO!
- Thread starter audioguy
- Start date
It's also a real treat on the rare occassion when WBZ turns off the BuZz and uses the CQUAM back-up transmitter for nice full-bandwidth stereo night time coverage!
I did catch it this morning on the way home from work.
I tuned in up, and as I turned the knob, there was no deafening roar as I approached 780
.
Checked just now when I woke up and yep it's back.
Was nice to be able listen to WBBM again for a little while.
Even while it was off, I note their audio is still a bit a on the boomy side and wanting for some crispness.
WGN continues to have the best spectral balance of the 50 kw AMs in Chicago.
WLS would come next, followed by WSCR and finally WBBM.
After hearing WBBM clean, the next one I checked was WTMJ 620 Milwaukee, which is stll iboced and notably bad sounding.
I tuned in up, and as I turned the knob, there was no deafening roar as I approached 780
.Checked just now when I woke up and yep it's back.
Was nice to be able listen to WBBM again for a little while.
Even while it was off, I note their audio is still a bit a on the boomy side and wanting for some crispness.
WGN continues to have the best spectral balance of the 50 kw AMs in Chicago.
WLS would come next, followed by WSCR and finally WBBM.
After hearing WBBM clean, the next one I checked was WTMJ 620 Milwaukee, which is stll iboced and notably bad sounding.
R
rbrucecarter5
Guest
The IBOC is like a power vampire, too. WOAI - about the last station I would think would shut it off - has been free of IBOC for at least a couple of months, and the signal is strong and almost like a local over Houston. Very from when they were running IBOC. The bandwidth is great, too, crystal clear audio. I know WBAP cared enough about their coverage to shut it off years ago. And they are pretty strong even in Houston, not as strong as WOAI, but listenable.
The thing about Chicago stations is that - I know a few decades ago they had listeners all over Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A source of news, information, and entertainment. Running IBOC probably abandons a lot of those folks because of the weakened signal. That is bound to translate into poorer building penetration in Chicago proper. I would think a prudent station would want as much power as they could get into buildings - shut off the blasted IBOC to get it.
The thing about Chicago stations is that - I know a few decades ago they had listeners all over Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A source of news, information, and entertainment. Running IBOC probably abandons a lot of those folks because of the weakened signal. That is bound to translate into poorer building penetration in Chicago proper. I would think a prudent station would want as much power as they could get into buildings - shut off the blasted IBOC to get it.
When was the last time BZ ran C-Quam on the backup transmitter? I have tape of that from 2004 but hadn't noticed anything since so figured they either disabled the exciter or had a new backup without it installed.
Then again, the last time I noticed them without IBOC running I believe they were doing tower work and running from the studio backup (which I don't think ever had C-Quam) - that was quite a while ago (maybe a couple years).
Then again, the last time I noticed them without IBOC running I believe they were doing tower work and running from the studio backup (which I don't think ever had C-Quam) - that was quite a while ago (maybe a couple years).
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