[BC] IBOC Query

[Phil Alexander]

On 1 Feb 2006 at 17:57, Rich Wood wrote:

> Keep the figure of an estimated 1.5 billion analog 
> receivers in mind. 

Where do numbers like this come from? Is that the
estimate of total receivers made since 1920?

If you take the total number registered vehicles
in the US and double or triple it you might be
nearer an estimate of the ACTUAL number of WORKING
receivers in the population.

> What would you do with the stations who can't 
> afford the cost of IBUZ? 

If you are concerned about all those Class C AM's
they are non-DA and easily converted to IBOC for
the cost of a new transmitter that they probably
need for other reasons and a license from Ibiquity.
All other equipment can be added as income permits
at a later date. The same applies to Class A FM's.

The problems will come in AM at the next level, say 
market #50 or #60 and up where creative technical
efforts in the '60's thru late '70's got AM DA CP's
in places where they were, at best, poorly allocated.
Some of these may be serving their communities very
well, but if they are, they should have funds for
at least minimal conversion to full digital. These 
stations may have to remain analog until it is time 
to throw the switch, and then shift overnight to full 
digital because there will be some plants lacking the 
funds for conversion to IBOC that will be able to 
convert to the less demanding full digital service - 
when and if we get to that point.

I believe we will find some DA plants that are not
economically convertible to IBOC because their DA
arrays would require complete redesign for IBOC
bandwidth and relocation to new sites with more 
acreage that simply is not available. However, the 
same arrays may accommodate the bandwidth of their 
own channel with far less modification and expense. 
The spread of IBOC into adjacent channels cuts both 
ways, you see.

Look at it this way Rich, there are some daytimers
that will never get any kind of night authorization
and that puts them in a less competitive position.
If IBOC gains traction, the analog-ers  will either 
find the money or be less competitive (no stereo AM)
until they go full digital. Life is not fair, but
don't blame me for that. The reality is IBOC is here
and, like it or not, those of us who make things
play have to deal with that reality - until it 
changes.


Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037





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