"HD" Radio in OKC

[OKCRadioGuy]

OK... I broke down and bought one of those Radio Shaft 99 dollar "HD" radios.  I am pleased with the radio itself for the price point.  What irritates me is that all I'm hearing on the secondary channels so far is a variation of the same crap heard on the primary channels of the stations.  How about some diversity folks?  Why cannibalize your primary format instead of reaching out to those you have already or will likely soon loose to other media like XM and Sirius?  Lack of variety along with mediocrity is what is killing terrestrial radio today.  WAKE UP GUYS.  You have equivalent of what WAS the FM band back in the late 60s to play with.  TRY SOMETHING OUT-OF-THE-BOX for once, damn it!  How much originality and thought was put into the new formats?  Not much from what I can tell..

Hey Bill...    How about putting out something on HD-2 worth the 99 bucks this nice new radio cost,eh?  The implementation of this technology cost the equivalent of several staffers’ salary.  Why waste it on more of the same?

 

[GaryTheThompson]

I hear your frustration. And I think you're right with your comparison of early FM to the HD of today.

Right now, the HD channels are not much more than tehcnological place-holders while the audience is being primed in alot of instances.

[Kent]

Keep in mind also that one of the reasons we have so much duplication on HD-2 channels is because mainstream formats work.  When you look at satellite radio, the most listened to channels are the mainstream ones.  In other words, most of the people buying satellite radio are those who got fed up with commercials, live in underserved areas that have few formats, got tired of music getting to their market late, or those who just wanted extra choices like their favorite stations, not those who like niche programming.  So, in that sense, I can understand what they're doing.  However, I would also have to agree that it's less-than-creative to have Clear Channel's "Mix" on HD-2 as a commercial free version of the FM channel.

[kxojdj]

Just for fun, what would you put on the HD-2 for the OKC/Tulsa stations?
No rules, out of the box fun radio suggestions.

I.E.  104.1 KMGL "All Love Songs"

       106.1 KQLL "All Beatles/Elvis"

I think Southern Gospel would be a good HD-2 offering.

[jimbo]

Do the HD-2 signals travel as far the main signal?   I had read somewhere on this board that an effective coverage area might be 30 miles from the stick.  What are you observing with your radio?

[BlaineMcDaniel]

Just for fun, what would you put on the HD-2 for the OKC/Tulsa stations?
No rules, out of the box fun radio suggestions.

How about a radio station where all the DJ's pretend to work for other stations?

[kxojdj]

That would be Clearchannel HD.

[Kent]

Do the HD-2 signals travel as far the main signal?   I had read somewhere on this board that an effective coverage area might be 30 miles from the stick.  What are you observing with your radio?

HD signals do not usually travel as far as the main signal.  How well it actually does depends on the station, your equipment, your location, etc.  I've heard of a few people getting FM HD signals farther out than a lot of people can get the analog signals, but they have invested pretty heavily in good equipment, and their results vary widely.  Most of them also live in relatively rural or micropolitan areas and in class C territory.  AM HD signals, which can't do HD-2, tend to do rather poorly and can presently only broadcast in daytime hours.  The HD stream of the main signal will fall back on the analog signal (if available) when you get out of range.  If there's an HD-2, it's not, however, afforded that luxury.