This whole IBOC thing mystifies me. Why
bother when excellent sound quality can be had on FM. Why bother when AM
radio is so slanted towards "talk" as opposed to "music". To me it seems
like it is one of those things being done just because it can be
done.
I've always been plenty happy with the sound
quality on AM radio. When I was in high school, before I
knew better, listening to rock music on AM was very satisfying and I
thought it sounded great. Of course, once having listened to music on
FM radio, I appreciated the improved fidelity. Every mode seems to serve a
purpose. FM for sound quality, CW for distance and being able to punch
through effectively, SSB similar to CW except that sound quality suffers and AM
for it's ability to cover distance and still sound adequate.
I'm with Nick in that I will have an interest in AM
dx'ing to my dying day. Once a bug bites, I am smitten forever. MW,
amateur radio, shortwave, photography, motorcycling, etc...I
alternate between them. Amateur radio comes and goes with respect to
my pursuit of the hobby. Same with MW and my other interests. I
always come back to each one.
As long as AM stations are profitable, no matter
what they broadcast, they will likely stay around. I just miss the little
mom and pop operations in Smallville, USA that had live home-grown announcers
playing hits. My favorite example of this is WSTL, 1600 in Eminence,
KY. That stations has a new callsign, which I have trouble remembering,
and is part of some network. Does the new program format serve the
community of Eminence more effectively? Who knows.
73,
Jim
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