1st Edition

HD Radio Implementation The Field Guide for Facility Conversion

By Thomas Ray Copyright 2008

    Take the mystery out of the conversion to HD Radio transmission with this hands-on approach to implementation. HD Radio Implementation will take this new subject and make it familiar. With details and descriptions of what HD Radio is, what changes are necessary and unnecessary in the studio, STL path and audio chain, it takes this new technology and makes it friendly so you can successfully convert your station. After reading this book, you will come away with an understanding of how to implement HD Radio for your facility with a minimum of hassles. It is intended to be read and understood by the station Engineer, but the General Manager, Program Director and Operations Director will be able to understand the nature of HD Radio and how it will affect their facility.

    Part 1:
    Requirements Common to AM and FM for HD Radio Implementation
    - Studio Equipment
    - STL systems
    - The Audio Chain
    - Do I Really Need Internet Access at the Transmitter?
    - What do I Really Need to Change to Put HD On The Air?

    Part 2:
    Requirements Pertaining to AM HD Only
    - Requirements of the Transmitter
    - Requirements of the Antenna System
    - Required Equipment Needed to Transmit an HD Signal
    - Power and Air Conditioning Loads at the Transmitter
    - Facts and Fallacies Relating to HD Installation

    Part 3:
    Requirements Pertaining to FM HD Only
    - Requirements of the Transmitter
    - Requirements of the Antenna System
    - Required Equipment Needed to Transmit an HD Signal
    - Power and Air Conditioning Loads at the Transmitter
    - Facts and Fallacies Relating to HD Installation

    Part 4:
    Implementing AM HD Radio
    - Interfacing to the Transmitter
    - Audio Connections and Dealing with AES Data
    - The Importance of Installing a Bypass Device
    - Remote Control Connections, What Test Equipment is Required?
    - Adjustments for Best Performance
    - Meeting the NRSC Mask
    - Importance of and How to Adjust the Analog Delay
    - Implementing Title and Artist Data
    - How to Set Up and Use VNC

    Part 5:
    Implementing FM HD Radio
    - High Level Combining-Mid Level Combining-Common Amplification-How to Decide Which is Best for Your Facility
    - Interfacing to the Transmitter
    - Audio Connections and Dealing with AES Data
    - Implementing Multichannel HD Transmission
    - The Importance of Installing a Bypass Device
    - Remote Control Connections, What Test Equipment is Required?
    - Adjustments for Best Performance
    - Meeting the NRSC Mask
    - How to Adjust the Analog Delay
    - Implementing Title and Artist Data
    - How to Set Up and Use VNC

    Appendicies:
    - Dealing with the Inherent Delay at the Studio and on Remote
    - A Listing of Equipment Manufacturers and "For More Information"

    Biography

    Thomas R. Ray, III started his career with Buckley stations WDRC and WDRC-FM in Hartford, Connecticut, while a Senior in High School in 1977. He has been Chief Engineer of several stations in the Hartford area, such as WTIC AM and FM, has worked as producer/engineer for the Hartford Whalers Hockey organization, and has built numerous radio stations in the Northeast and the Caribbean. He came home to Buckley and WOR in 1997, working his way up to Vice President in 2005. He is one of the leading proponents of the HD Radio system in the United States, and has considerable experience with transmission, studio construction, and data, which culminated in the rebuilding of the WOR studio facility, which is primarily a data based facility. He converted WOR in New York City to HD Radio in 2002, and quite possibly has the most hands on experience with the hybrid AM HD Radio system in the country.