will the feb. DTV transition effect FM radio signal?

[dfecarter]

This is probably a dumb question but I have an OTA UHF/VHF/FM antenna in the attic,am primarily using it to strengthen my FM signal reception on my stereo receiver. Come feb. the digital transition won't effect the fm radio signals will they?

 

[riffjim4069]

Not at all. Each broadcaster (Radio or TV) leases spectrum (frequency) from the government, and the FCC monitors and controls that the airwaves are being used for its indended purpose. They also employ a great many RF scientists and professionals to ensure that quality objectives are being met.

 

[dfecarter]

Got ya, thanks for your explanation, just as I thought!

Can I ask you another related question? At least related to the feb.09 broadcast signal change. The converter boxes being offered now. Are they just going to convert the digital signals down to analog? In other words, put simply, they are taking the new digital signal (better quality) and downgrading it back to analog for the sake of the tv set? And will there be some tv stations that continue to send analog? The reason I ask is that , when they talk about the upcoming change, they say "most "signals won't continue to be received by your tv, implying that some chs. may still come in even without the new boxes.
Thanks!

 

[Mr Tony]

The converter boxes being offered now. Are they just going to convert the digital signals down to analog?

if you use the RF cable I assume so because the TV is analog

In other words, put simply, they are taking the new digital signal (better quality) and downgrading it back to analog for the sake of the tv set?

yep

And will there be some tv stations that continue to send analog? The reason I ask is that , when they talk about the upcoming change, they say "most "signals won't continue to be received by your tv, implying that some chs. may still come in even without the new boxes.
Thanks!

low powered stations DO NOT need to change over on 2/17/09. Some stations will "flash cut" which means on 2/17 they shut off analog and fire up the digital channel. These are stations that did not have a digital channel assigned to them by 2002.

Here in Minneapolis we have a bunch of low powered stations that do not have to change over. Univision, TBN, EWTN, HSN, 3ABN dont have to upgrade yet.

And there are some full power stations that can get an extension to flip to digital due to financial hardships or something like their tower burned down.

 

[navychop]

Yes on downgrading to analog.

And yes, some low power repeater stations will remain NTSC (analog) for a few more years. I think they're discussing 2013 as the final cutoff for that type of station. Most current NTSC stations, covering most people, are "high" power.

Edit: AH, once again, I am out-typed.

 

[goaliebob99]

It wont but there is a digital radio service called HDRadio that may be worth looking into in your area. Here in chicago we get 60+ hd radio stations, where as other areas in the country are lucky to have one or two. It is completley diffrent from the digital transition, and you can continue to listen to all radio stations as they are today, but if wanted there could be a digital radio signal there for free.

 

[navychop]

Also, the digital TV conversion will not affect FM radio - but:

There is an odd creature called "HD Radio." Not High Definition, [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio"]HD Radio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:FMi_201_FM_and_HD_Radio_Transmitter.JPG" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d6/FMi_201_FM_and_HD_Radio_Transmitter.JPG/220px-FMi_201_FM_and_HD_Radio_Transmitter.JPG"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/d/d6/FMi_201_FM_and_HD_Radio_Transmitter.JPG/220px-FMi_201_FM_and_HD_Radio_Transmitter.JPG[/ame] This system does not have that great of a reputation, but it is improving. Early radios were not well made. And, last I heard, there were interference problems, particularly with Mexico, and rollout may be limited. I mention this system because it is "digital." Sortof. We really should have come up with ONE system worldwide, and a pure digital system, not this "let's fit it into analog" monstrosity.

Edit: DAMN! Out typed AGAIN!

 

[kb7oeb]

From what I've read digital radio in countries that set up a dedicated band for it haven't done well. Many of the stations where I live are digital now, there are a couple stations that I would not listen to normally but have music on their sub channel that I like.

 

[navychop]

Yeah, I hate to admit it, but ads for subchannels make it seem I'd like them. But now I have Sirius, so that's enough.

Just thought it odd the radio did not also have digital OTA radio. Do any OEM radios get HD radio and sat radio? Or even just HD radio?

 

[dodge]

Got ya, thanks for your explanation, just as I thought!

Can I ask you another related question? At least related to the feb.09 broadcast signal change. The converter boxes being offered now. Are they just going to convert the digital signals down to analog? In other words, put simply, they are taking the new digital signal (better quality) and downgrading it back to analog for the sake of the tv set? And will there be some tv stations that continue to send analog? The reason I ask is that , when they talk about the upcoming change, they say "most "signals won't continue to be received by your tv, implying that some chs. may still come in even without the new boxes.
Thanks!

All channels that are broadcasting in Digital will be able to be received byyour convertor box, you will not be missing any stations.

 

[dlsnyder]

One other thing about the digital TV conversion that some may not have considered. Many people who live in cities served by a TV station on channel 6 enjoy listening to the audio part of the broadcast on the low end of the FM dial. After the digital cutover on 02/17 that will no longer be possible, unless there is a LPTV or repeater station on that channel that will stay analog for now.