Since digital interference is very noise-like, it can be difficult to pick out at times. In order to distinguish IBOC digital signals from other sources of noise, I strongly urge the use of SSB mode reception as a tool.
If you're not sure whether a given station is running IBOC, try tuning it in SSB mode rather than AM mode. You should hear a low frequency "rumbling" or "burbling" in the audio, especially during quiet pauses in the program. Obviously, this is just a diagnostic tool, not a basis for complaint to the station about their lousy audio quality! However, if they also sound lousy in AM mode, that's a different story... If you're trying to determine whether noise on a channel is due to an IBOC sideband from a 1st adjacent station, again, use SSB mode. If it's IBOC, there will be a distinct difference in noise level when you flip between LSB and USB mode (unless you're unlucky enough to be getting roughly equal levels of IBOC from both 1st adjacents). The source of the IBOC noise is on the *opposite* side from the sideband that gives the higher noise level. For example, if you're tuned to 1110 and get more noise on USB than LSB, then the source of the noise is likely to be a station on 1100. Again, I'm not advocating SSB mode reception as a basis for listener complaints, but simply as a tool to help you determine whether it's really IBOC you're hearing and, if so, what the source is. Barry -- Barry McLarnon VE3JF Ottawa, ON _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
