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Digital Signals Spark Static From AM Radio

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the what's-that-I-can't-hear-you dept.

Carl Bialik writes "Digital radio is touted as broadcast radio's golden ticket, but the transition to digital broadcasts is creating static and interference for many smaller AM stations that are still analog-only, the Wall Street Journal reports: 'The AM stations most affected are those whose neighboring stations -- nearby on the dial -- add a digital signal.' The WSJ adds, 'For some small AM operators, it adds insult to injury that the only company licensing the digital broadcast technology is one backed by the small stations' deep-pocketed competitors.' Critics question why the FCC only approved the technology from that big radio-backed company, Ibiquity."

4 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Critics question why by nietsch · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Critics question why the FCC only approved the technology from that big radio-backed company, Ibiquity.
    What about: 'Because they payed the most money and the FCC does not mind creating monopolies when properly greased.'

    Once again, I am happy not to live over there, my middle of the road ideas would be considered ultra left wing in over there.

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    This space is intentionally staring blankly at you
    1. Re:Critics question why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      or ultra right... depending on your audience

      Are you actually suggesting there are groups in the US who are so unbelievably left-wing, that they would consider his outside-of-US left-wing ideas to be right-wing?

      If so, you're deluding yourself. A left-winger european or canadian or most places outside of the US would set a whole new bar for what 'left wing' means to you. We make the US left-wingers look like capitalist zealots, I assure you. There is not a SOUL in the US who would consider our left-wing ideology to be right-wing. Not hippies, not greenpeacers, they have nothing on us!

  2. AM band by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I really do not see the issue here, AM should have been killed off 20 years, sounded like ass then, Sounds like ass now, all i can see is a few of those Religous stations are mad because they are trying to reclaim those frequencies for hopefully something useful. Yes i realize AM was the FIRST sucessful broadcast radio technology with that said, put an exhibit in the smithsonian and call it done.

  3. Ah, those Yankees by rueger · · Score: 1, Insightful

    It's worth noting that the "digital" radio referred to is the In Band On Channel (IBOC) system used only by the U.S., and manufactured by Ibiquity.

    The rest of the planet wisely chose a system that was entirely digital, and which consequently does not have these problems, while the Americans, defending the inalienable right to own radio stations using 1930s technology, or some such thing, fought for a system which sqeezes a digital audio stream into their existing AM or FM signals.

    An all round bad idea, and yet another demonstration why engineering decisions shouldn't be the province of politicians and lobbyists.

    Blah blah.. politics and big money... blah blah...

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    Three Squirrels