The jury is still out on AM Stereo...just ask the 300-plus stations who use
this advanced technology! The jury is still out on DRM as well; this form of
digital radio only takes up 20 kHz of spectrum space (for instance, the Radio
Canada International DRM broadcast on 9800 kHz only splatters onto 9790 and 9810
kHz), but IBOC is a total failure.
As far as programming is concerned, the only quality programming on the air
anymore is done primarily by National Public Radio, Public Radio International
and other public radio groups. The largest of these public radio station
groups, Minnesota Public Radio, produces a good chunk of programming for PRI. I'd
rather wake up on a weekday morning listening to Morning Edition or BBC World
Service (I have to be up at 3:00 a.m. CLT on Friday to make a 5:00 a.m.
airshift at NPR/PRI member station WSIE 88.7) than a DJ that prides himself on
breaking federal law.
I, for one, didn't invest money in subscribing to XM Satellite Radio...not
only because one of it's owners is Clear Channel Communications, but I saw it
just wasn't worth it to invest in a service whose sound quality doesn't quite
approach FM radio. If I had to choose a satellite service, I would select Sirius
instead because they offer more of the services I'm looking for, such as BBC
World Service, World Radio Network, NPR and even WSM Nashville, TN (Sirius
Satellite Radio is now the only place to get WSM's AM programming in Stereo).
When I bought my AM/FM radio with a CD player for my 1993 Pontiac Bonneville,
I also bought a shortwave converter. The advantage with a shortwave converter
is that the programming is FREE. So, I have more stations to choose from on
the way to and from work and school; such as BBC World Service in the morning
on 15190 kHz, VOA's English to Africa service on 15580 kHz in the afternoon,
RVI Belgium early in afternoon drive on 11730 kHz, Radio Canada International on
9590 kHz during the late afternoon drive period, or WEWN Birmingham, AL
through the night on 5825 kHz. On my way into work this morning (1/30), I tuned my
radio to Radio Japan's 1000 UTC (4:00 a.m. CLT) English transmission in the 49
meter band. I have it set up to receive these bands on the upper portion of
the AM band; for 49 meters, I can also receive the upper portion of 60 meters
(5030-5105 kHz) on the lower portion of the band. For instance, 5825 kHz is
usually converted to be received on 1320, while 9590 is usually converted to
1290, and 11730 is converted to 1230 (plus or minus 40 kHz either side).
73 and good DX from Eric
Amateur Radio Station N0UIH
Registered Monitor KDX0STL, KMO0CN
Hazelwood, MO Grid Square EM48
DXing The World since 1981
Turn Off Clear Channel Communications!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turnoffclearchannel
PRAY FOR AN END TO COMMERCIAL RADIO DEREGULATION
"For the love of money is the root of all evil"-1 Timothy 6:10
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