Radio’s (possible) new horizon
Over the air television broadcasts are about to undergo another transition similar to the original transition to digital transmissions over a decade ago. Digital television broadcasts launched a few years prior, but in 2009 most analog television broadcasts were shut down, and digital, using what is called the ATSC 1.0 standard, was the default over-the-air standard.
More recently a new technology called ATSC 3.0 has been developed, offering more efficient signal use, better and easier reception, improved picture quality, and even streaming and on-demand services. One additional benefit: the system would allow for 50 — or more — full-fidelity radio stations to be sent along in the space of just one channel. That is if the industry decides to develop the concept.
According to an article at TechRadar.com, the idea was developed by Fraunhofer, “the company behind the original MP3 audio compression standard that ultimately led to the development of the best MP3 players and paved the way for music and internet radio streaming as well.
(full article at https://www.techradar.com/news/if-atsc-30-broadcasts-pack-50-radio-stations-in-one-tv-channel-im-all-ears)
“Fraunhofer is seeking to have its highly efficient xHE-AAC audio codec, which allows for high-quality voice transmission at a mere seven kilobits per second and stereo music at bit rates from 24 kilobits per second and up, ‘brought into the ATSC for standardization.’ Doing so would let ATSC 3.0 broadcast TV stations deliver a package of local and national radio services using just a small fraction of their spectrum bandwidth.”
What this means is that, if the standards committees agree, we could have an additional way to send and receive radio broadcasts over the air, receivable in cars and homes, … and if done right could be a true competitor to current AM and FM stations dominated by a mere three owners.
I suggest the proposal include limits to ownership, such that only a small handful of stations could be owned and operated by any one company. This would avoid the mess we have now with stale formats and commercial overloads that push people away to other entertainment sources. I’d push for no more than two stations in one market and only seven nationwide … basically the same limits radio had back when it was a super-power listener and ad-wise.
YouTube’s “Antenna Man” has a little video on the concept at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDUotDRS1hs … check it out if you are interested.
Reception Questions
We live in San Juan Capistrano and enjoy listening to 91X. We have radios in the master bath and garage.
“The signal from 91X is highly variable. On some days the reception is great, on others the station barely registers. Any insight into why that’s the case? Thanks!” — Eric Carlson
FM reception can be tricky for two reasons … under certain (usually bad weather) conditions, the signal just doesn’t travel as far, and it always has trouble with hills, since it travels in a straight line. Ironically, the other condition is when it’s REALLY clear, and the signal gets interrupted by neighboring stations on or near the frequency. HD signals make it worse because they add to the sideband interference. In some cases, stations once heard just disappear!
A house FM/TV antenna, if you can connect one, will usually make a huge difference. Just make sure it is designed for the FM band, which is between the old analog television Channel 6 and 7.
Of course the other solution is to use a smart speaker or smartphone app.
“For the past week I have been grumbling over my poor AM reception as I have been driving around the northern part of the San Fernando Valley in my 2006 GMC truck with my factory installed 31-inch stick antenna projecting from my front fender.
“It is nearly impossible to hear clearly 710, 790, and 1020AM broadcasting. The interference and screeching is horrendous. As a result, I thought of you and writing you an email when your column appeared today. Thus, I look to you for a solution. What do I do to receive reception? Do I need to replace my antenna? If so, what do I replace it with? What is the solution? I would appreciate any advice and recommendations.” — The Reverend Greg Frost, Granada Hills
AM is a different animal reception-wise from FM. While FM is relatively statice-free (reference: Steely Dan’s hit song “FM”), AM can pick up interference from almost anything: cheap electrical transformers, ungrounded electric supply wires, light dimmers, cable boxes, LED traffic lights and much more. In fact, it is the response by radio manufacturers in reducing interference that caused AM to get a reputation as a terrible-sounding broadcast system.
AM is actually capable of excellent fidelity. Many radios manufactured before the 1980s sounded good; many in the 1960s were excellent. The AM stereos of the 1980s and ‘90s often were superb. But too many are awful, and there is definitely a price to be paid with so much extra interference around us today.
Add to this the fact that too many station owners gave up their prime broadcast towers or allowed building in and around the transmitter site, and you have another problem – far weaker signals than ever before for many stations.
In this specific case, in order to trace it out, it is important to know – did it come on suddenly? Is the antenna tight? Is there ay corrosion on the mast mount? Is the antenna grounded? Does the interference happen only when the truck is running, or all the time?
Often car radio interference can be traced to a bad ground wire, a loose battery connection, or in one case of my own years ago, a car phone charger that made AM reception almost impossible whenever it was plugged in.
I’d look for corrosion and grounds first, then move on from there.
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