What Is the Fate of High-Definition Radio?

I welcome any radio technology that is effective, but I'm not sure what the fate will be of high-definition radio. HDradiofarce is for whatever reason determined to portray HD radio as a fraud. While I can't speak for the direction of the technology and while I have no agenda for or against it, I can only say that a little over a year ago I purchased a Sangean HDR-1 HD Radio and while I loved the build quality, I sold it after about six weeks. For one I hated having to use the AM external antenna. AM signals were seriously compromised at night and especially in cold, rainy weather. Another problem was the need to constantly move the antenna to find the HD sweet spot. This complaint is also noted in the April 6, 2008, post of Technology 360. I notice the Amazon reviews for the HDR-1 are for the most part negative. I notice it sells for about $179, about $70 less than its original going price. I also notice people trying to unload them for about $100. This is not a good sign. However, HD radio is often provided in upscale cars so it appears to have some leverage. I have two questions: Is the HD technology improving? And is it really the best direction for radio in the future? I'll provide answers as I get them.

Comments

[Tom Welch]

Jeff: With HD radio location is everything. So, if you happen to be located a ways from the AM/FM tower you will need an external antenna to access the AM/FM signal. People are refusing to take the extra step to install AM/FM roof antennas, just not worth the hassle compared to analog radio. The so-called CD quality sound has not proven itself either. So far, HD radio is a bust! This technology is not ready for prime time.

[Jeff McMahon]

That's what I thought. Why would I want to deal with an external antenna, which I'd have to rotate all the time? Thanks for the info.

[paul vincent zecchino]

Sangean builds fine receivers. Owned and sold them for twenty years. Difficulties lie with HD.

Might HD have succeeded on its own band, as originally intended? Why did BigRadio demand an 'In Band On Channel' 'Solution'. Didn't that jam public airwaves? Was this a '1990s sharp business practice' to jam competitors off the air and listeners into submission? How better to do so.?

Didn't Bridge Ratings indicate, as listener awareness grows, citizens increasingly reject HD?

Where's the pressure coming from? FCC told BigRadio, 'let the market decide' when it conditionally approved HD.

Is market free to decide decide when jamming and BigRadio's interminable manipulations jam our airwaves?

As a matter of fact, yes. The market has decided. Citizens rejected HD.

Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
18 April, 2008

[Tom Welch]

Click
http://www.sangean.nl/English/Products/Leaflets/dr_PR-D5%20black_leaflet.pdf to view the Sangean PRD5 in black. Click http://www.sangean.nl/English/Products/Leaflets/dr_PR-D7%20Black_leaflet.pdf to view the new Sangean PRD 7 also in black.

[Jeff McMahon]

I agree with you that Sangean products are in general good. I own the PR-D5 and think it's the best radio for its price point. Thanks for the info.

[bobyoung]

Hi Jeff,

I wanted to comment on a few items from your column:

Jeff: "However, HD radio is often provided in upscale cars so it appears to have some leverage."

IT IS AN AVAILABLE OPTION IN SOME CARS BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY ORDERING THIS TERRIBLE F GRADE SCIENCE FAIR TECHNOLOGY

Jeff: "I have two questions: Is the HD technology improving?"

NO, IT CAN'T BE IMPROVED, IF IT COULD HAVE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BY NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE MONEY BEING SPENT ON ADVERTISING, THIS IS IT.

Jeff: And is it really the best direction for radio in the future?

NO, IT IS THE WORST DIRECTION RADIO CAN TAKE, BUT FORTUNATELY HARDLY ANYONE'S TAKEN IT AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKELY IN THE FUTURE, HD'S ALREADY DEAD.

Robert D Young Jr
33 S Main St #2B
Millbury, MA
KB1OKL

[Jeff McMahon]

I didn't think the technology was that good, so based on your info I feel vindicated getting rid of my HD radio. For some reason, I notice a lot of hostility on the Internet toward HD. I wonder why this is.

[Tom Welch]

Most of the hostility comes from the ham and dxing communities b/c digital radio screws up your ability to pursue your hobby on the AM dial. For most other users, HD technology sets up a high expectation and does not deliver. You can look at any HD radio brand on Amazon and read the negative comments.

[Tom Welch]

Today, people adopt new technology fairly quickly, meaning HD radio has been an out and out failure.

[bobyoung]

Tom Said:

"Most of the hostility comes from the ham and dxing communities b/c digital radio screws up your ability to pursue your hobby on the AM dial. For most other users, HD technology sets up a high expectation and does not deliver. You can look at any HD radio brand on Amazon and read the negative comments."

I agree with both of your statements Tom as I am a ham and a DXer. I am a regular consumer and listener also as when I am driving to and from work trying to listen to AM radio and an adjacent channel's IBOC hash covers my station which has happened to me while listening to WWKB 1520 on an analog radio. I used to be able to receive WSM Nashville here in MA easily on 650 even in my car, now WFAN's (660) IBOC sidebands covers it up and makes it unlistenable. I have also read that if FM raises it's IBOC (digital) component to 10% of the signal as has been proposed that the same thing is going to happen on the FM dial.

[Jeff McMahon]

Okay, I get it. The HD signal is interferes with the radio waves. Thanks for the info.