Tom,

That's exactly the problem with HD radio on AM, and even on FM to a lesser 
extent.  You may very well discover that your radio doesn't have a means of 
keeping the HD turned off, which in my opinion is an absolutely essential 
feature for listening on the AM band.

I'm afraid that HD on AM will end up like AM stereo.  It will eventually 
disappear due to lack of interest.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 14:51
Subject: Speaking of Digital:


> Hi, everyone.
>
> The ongoing discussion regarding D Star, and audio quality reminded me of
> something I recently experienced, and meant to bring up to the list.
>
> As many of you may recall, the XYL and I recently purchased a new vehicle
> that has an HD radio in it.
>
> Well, thanks to the help of some on the list regarding how best to
> understand and use the new HD capabilities while traveling, I believe I 
> have
> mastered the main functions of the radio pretty thoroughly now.
>
> However, I have to say that digital A M leaves a tremendous amount to be
> desired, in my opinion.
>
> For example, while traveling through the Chicago metro area from Michigan 
> on
> our way to and from the St. Louis area several weeks ago, I tried 
> listening
> to WBBM  AM 780 with the new digital radio, and the experience was 
> actually
> quite anoying.  I'd say that as we got 30 miles or so on either side of
> Chicago, the digital AM signal kept switching on and off, to be replaced 
> by
> a much degraded analog signal.  Perhaps there is a way to turn the digital
> AM reception mode off in this particular radio, but I have not found it 
> yet.
>
> We are going to be traveling through quite a few metropolitan areas on our
> upcoming family visitation trip, so I'll have time to play with it a bit
> more, but I really am wondering now about the usefulness of digital AM
> radio.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>