RadioBanter - View Single Post - CBS/Infinity and IBOC-AM?

December 31st 05, 04:36 PM posted to rec.radio.shortwave

wrote:
First of all, if AM is mostly talk - as it is now -- what is the audio
difference offered by HD?

Less noise, for the most part. We have three (3-1/2, if you count NPR)
FM talk stations here in the Nashville market, all of which are a lot
less fatuiging to listen to than WLAC-AM...

And secondly, if the stations are using parts of other band widths to
pull this off -- at least in populated markets - like LA, Chicago and
New York -- isn't HD going to be a nightmare for the FCC. It was bad
enough just trying to protect AM Clear Channel stations when the sun
goes down. How on earth will the FCC ever be able to govern all of
this - not mention the engineering nightmare it will cause?? But then
I'm not an engineer, maybe it's not as bad as it seems.

Before HD is allowed on AM at night, the FCC will have to decide that
they *won't* protect AM clear-channel stations when the sun goes down.
That those stations will be protected within their "primary" coverage
areas (essentially, within their metropolitan areas) but not within the
skywave "secondary" coverage area.

I find it interesting that this decision has not yet been made. I'll
bet there have been some *interesting* discussions in Washington.
(engineers vs. lobbyists) Widespread deployment of AM IBOC will create
enormous "white areas" where no nighttime AM reception is possible.
Most of these areas will also be losing some (but by no means all)
existing FM service due to FM IBOC.

If you like listening to stations more than 20 miles away, I suppose
it's time to start looking at XM...
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com