RadioBanter - View Single Post

March 22nd 04, 04:18 PM

On 21 Mar 2004 06:01:55 GMT, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

I wish I could say IBOC would be the saviour of AM, because AM certainly
could use one. I could at least believe IBOC will result in better quality
sound for the average listener on a cheap car radio listening in the daytime,
and you can argue that this is where the profit is.

Unfortunately, in my observation, IBOC degrades the analog signal
noticeably, even on a narrowband car radio.. The problem with AM IBOC
is not only the quality of the digital sound (yes, I know, there's
supposed to be a new codec that's better, but I've never heard AM IBOC
that sounded anything but terrible). It also degrades the listening
experience for everyone listening in analog, which for the foreseeable
future means everyone, period.

There is also a serious adjacent-channel interference problem which
does affect stations outside the coverage area of an AM station
transmitting IBOC. That is why it is not permitted at night, but the
problem also exists with daytime operation.

I would like to see such stations like KNX,KFWB,KFI,KABC-AM (and some of the
San Diego stations) push the IBOC music service, the data services and
re-claim the 535-1710Khz band for use in the US of A.......Eddie

IBOC may be a step to eliminating AM as an aural service, with the
allocations eventually used only for datacasting. Whether or not that
is the plan, it is the likely result. IMHO, IBOC will assure the end
of AM radio as we know it. Why anyone in the broadcasting industry
supports it as the "savior of AM" is utterly beyond my comprehension.
I find every argument advanced for it to be fallacious. If this is
what's supposed to save AM, then AM can't, and maybe shouldn't, be
saved.

Mark Howell