AM HD DX of WHAM 1180

This is a brief video depicting audio of HD radio digital lock of Rochester NY's 1180 WHAM. The digital lock occurred for only about 30 seconds which is typical for night time long distance HD audio capture. This is due to signal fading and signal bandwidth degradation due to skywave fading and co channel interference. The email-friendly video codec used also distorted some of the audio quality giving it a ringing sound. You'll hear the difference when this digital lock is lost as the AM noise level increases and reveals co channel interference. The signal path is about 235 miles East - Northeast of Cuyahoga Falls OH

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• AM
• DX
• HD
• radio

[afw7964]

I like having it both ways for LOCAL reception, but I must concede that between the waning economy, and lack-luster marketing and promotion, AM HD has had its day. My local Newstalker 1100 WTAM has pulled the plug on its HD signal for over a month now. I'm only speculating, but I think that no one has the extra bucks to pay Ibiquity for their royalty fees and maybe management is trying to cap costs of operation. Translation: if it costs too much to offer and maintain, it aint gonna last!

[afw7964]

I agree. In a nutshell, AM HD works best during daytime limiting the opportunity for DX interference for the system will TAKE AWAY more than it will ENHANCE signal recovery. The more LOCAL AM HD stations you have, the better off you are and so long as you are LOCAL to the station, they SHOULD RUN ALL NIGHT LONG! If you are within 25 miles of a signal, you will benefit from 24 hour HD operation. Here in the Cleveland market, Coast2Coast is sent over WTAM as though it were a SATELLITE feed!

[Ubstudios]

I think they should turn off HD on AM period. Flawed technology. HD on FM is okay though.

[jkeelsnc]

What do you guys think? Only allow AM HD broadcasting in day and then go back to analog only at night? :)

[jkeelsnc]

HD is definitely good for the FM band I think. I have to wonder like some of these other people posting if its a good idea in the AM band. However, maybe they should do similarly to changes in power levels at night that some AM stations are required to do. Maybe the AM stations should only be allowed to broadcast in HD DURING THE DAY! :) This would definitely improve the night time DX listening which is only possible at night anyway.

[newbigvideofan]

Tbis is odd if this is digital how come there is anologue type fading. Good system far better than DRM

[LinoNewyork]

The official HD Heckler has arrived Mr KB1OKL.

To the originator of this video; anytime you express positive views on HD radio you can expect to be heckled by a sad cadre of frustrated dx'ers and AM nostalgics. Ignore them and show a little pity.

Keep posting the positives.

Lino

[WinterWeatherII]

Thats cool that you were able to pick up HAM on in HD over DX, here in TN I am able to pickup 1120 AM KMOX HD on a regular basis, the problem is though that HD signal fades in and out because of skywave interference, so it makes it pretty hard to listen to the signal fade from HD back to analog and so forth, I don't even get a solid lock on WLAC 1510 Nashville sometimes, the weather really affects this, and other factors like electronic devices near the antenna can also affect this...

[jamesbooty]

Pretty cool. The sound is much cleaner when the HD is locked in. I think the jury is still out as to whether or not the fidelity of AM HD outweighs the interference it causes on analog AM reception though...