The
only people much interested in the subject at this
point are the people who are actively installing HD systems. They have
the receivers
and can do the tests, as Craig’s differing results shows.
I will
give you the results on KTNQ in LA. KTNQ is
unlistenable outside about its 15 mv/m daytime contour due to noise
(same
applies to all LA stations). We get no diary returns now or in the last
10
years from outside this contour or from people who live outside but
listen at
work ZIP codes that are in the contour. The HD signal is usable in car
radios
beyond the KTNQ 15, so the coverage on HD devices is likely to have
greater
potential due to greater effective coverage.
I
understand that Tom Ray’s experience in NY is
very similar. And other AM operators I have spoken with, including
engineers,
agree that the HD signal is more robust than originally suspected to
be.
In the
case of KTNQ, we are talking about a roughly
$50 to $60 million dollar facility. No one endangers such lightly. And
this is
just one of the several thousand stations that have committed to HD in
a half
dozen countries… with hundreds already on the air. I think the fact
that
Intel has taken a significant investment position is indicative of the
kind of
momentum the system is gathering.
David.