Re: [IRCA] WTOP interference

[Alan Bosch <labosch@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill:

Good for you.

I have corresponded with WBJC/91.5 in Baltimore, alerting them to what 
may happen when WETA/90.9 cranks up IBOC.

And here's another thing: interference with low-powered TIS-style public 
emergency information stations, which are looming on the horizon .

As ARES EC here in Arlington, I kicked up that idea with my Citiizens 
Corps Committee.  They bit and we got a Special Temporary Authorization 
for one at 1700 AM.  Coverage checks disclosed that even five 10 watt 
sites would not adequately cover the county, so we applied for a 
single-station version and a power waiver to go to 100 watts, which will 
most likely be granted.  Fortunately, there are no stations here on 
1680-90 which might go IBOCking.  Again, Arlington is a very small 
county, 26 sq. miles, so we should have no problems.

The other interesting thing at the low power level is that even distant 
commercial stations can clobber a TIS at night.

AlanB



Bill Harms wrote:

>Dear Radio Friends:
>
>First of all, I am a regular listener of WTOP and find their 
>programming to be highly informative, particularly when I am driving 
>around. That said, I am registering a complaint about WTOP producing 
>a large amount of interference from its IBOC.
>
>I just drove to Germantown from here (Elkridge, Maryland) and back. 
>The route going took us along I-70 and down MD-27.  On the way back, 
>we drove on I-270 to I-495 and then to I-95. On most of the trip, we 
>listened to WTRI 1520 to see how much interference there was from 
>WTOP.  We noticed WTOP producing a hissing sound on 1520 just a few 
>miles west of Baltimore and it grew worse the closer we got to 
>Germantown. A large portion of this route took us through WTRI's 
>primary coverage area.  WTRI, of course was absolutely unlistenable 
>in the Silver Spring area, the vicinity in which WTOP's transmitter 
>is located.  Furthermore, WTOP itself, had a hissing sound in 
>Montgomery County, between Germantown, past Silver Spring and towards 
>home. Imagine, a station interferring with itself. Finally, WTOP was 
>wiping out 1490 and 1510 through most of the trip.  I did not listen 
>to 1480 for more than a few seconds, but assume it also suffers from 
>the IBOC interference hiss.
>
>The receiver was a standard stock radio which came with my 2002 Dodge 
>Stratus, so it is impossible to blame the radio.
>
>The noise on WTRI sounded like a high pitched hiss.  My son said it 
>sounded like the 17-year cicadas which invaded the east coast last 
>year.  
>
>I realize my reception report is not scientific in that I measured 
>field strengths etc, and for some it might be easy to dismiss, but I 
>was listening in real life and found the interference to be annoying.
>
>IMO, IBOC is fatally flaw.  No matter how much someone may say it 
>sounds wonderful, no matter how much someone may say that the 
>interference is tolerable, no matter how much someone may say that 
>the system is wonderful for broadcasting digital signal, it is 
>flawed.  Saying that IBOC on AM is not flawed is being intellectually 
>dishonest.  I will challenge anyone who states otherwise. 
>
>And, I have not even addressed issues such as nighttime skip 
>interference or the possibility that implementing may be against 
>international treaties (or at the very least show that we (the USA) 
>are not good neighbors.
>
>For the record, I have no financial interest in any radio station, 
>radio network, or radio equipment manufacturer.  I am a pure listener 
>of the radio bands.
>
>Bill Harms
>Elkridge, Maryland
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>IRCA mailing list
>IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
>
>Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
>
>For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>
>To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>  
>
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://dallas.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx