AM Signal Booster?
Yeah, yeah, I know. AM radio. Why? Because I'm a knuckle dragging, stone age dweller, that's why. Anyway, I enjoy talk radio and eveywhere we go, it seems ALL of our aftermarket head units (camper,...
Forum Discussion
sch911 wrote:
Easy answer: Get an HD radio receiver.
No subscription.
Most AM stations also have HD coverage.
Check here to see if the ones you listen to are on HD yet. Most are...
Umm.. I guess you don't have or used a "HD" radio?
Yes, HD (basically digital subcarriers) broadcasts in many areas will often have "sister" stations from AM radio on the FM HD channels BUT.. HD comes at a cost in DISTANCE (and not to mention cost).
HD subchannels are broadcast at a lower power level from the main analog frequency PLUS the digital transmission is extremely sensitive to noise (pretty much the same issue with ATSC OTA TV)..
The result is HD broadcasts typiclaly only get a bout 1/3 to 1/2 the distance of the main analog FM frequency..
I have SEVERAL "HD" radios and unless they are connected to a BIG antenna I have a hard time RELIABLY receiving HD channels from a major metro area that I am about 50 air miles from..
HD radios also have a very high cost to them, the company that holds the design patents CHARGES a pretty penny for licenses that allow other manufacturers to make HD radios.. That price is passed on to the consumer, HD radio tuners typically cost $99 MORE than a non HD model..
Many radio manufacturers have BACKED out of the HD market, there are very few HD radios available now days.. That is most likely due to upfront cost, limited radio markets, shortcomings of the loss of broadcast distance and streaming radio stations via internet..
If the OP really wants those AM radio stations they can often find pretty much any and all AM or FM stations as internet streams.. Yep, it will cost you some data but most can be found on the internet..
