Dr Edmond Mansoor, Antigua’s minister of information, broadcasting and telecommunications, says that the 620 AM transmitter of the Antigua Broadcasting Service was decommissioned by Cabinet in 2008, mainly because it was over 25 years old and parts for it were no longer manufactured.
Dr Mansoor said the government plans to upgrade the 620 AM band of ABS Radio from an analogue to a digital transmission system. This, he said, will facilitate Antiguans and Barbudans living abroad, particularly in the Virgin Islands, who listen to the AM transmission faithfully.
(Source: Antigua Sun)
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 13:11
Wonder what the system will be? DRM,HD Radio, what? And I hope there are compatible radios sold to receive that format. DRM isn’t doing too well in Europe;the BBC/DW joint service is succeeding but there are not many radios that you can buy for it around-hope this isn’t an issue over there.
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 13:27
I know so many brand new transmitters instaled with full digital capacity that never do digital.
No receivers, end no demand for it.
Actualy, have not all new transmitters digital capacity?
So, if a station buys a new TX, does this imply that they will go digital?
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 13:38
I suspect you’re right, Ruud. I doubt that the Minister really understands what he is talking about - but I can only report what he said (or, at least, what the Antigua Sun reports he said). I guess the plan is a long-term one, and as you say, I think these days that if you buy a new transmitter it will have digital capacity built in whether you want to use it or not.
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 13:43
BUT going digital on 620kHz MW IS the Govt’s intention(s) and ambition(s) for this service. I hope they will put some thought behind it and be careful to do things in a good long lengthy transition period; they could issue a few hundred suitably equipped digital radio sets for the standard they choose to get listeners to trial any new digital AM radio transmission system the station would use that is adopted like the BBC Devon Digital Radio Mondiale trial did on MW855kHz(351m) but over a longer and lengthier period.
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 14:55
Great - another IBLOCK jammer that no one is listening to. DAB failed in Canada, HD Radio has stalled in the US, and DAB has stalled in the UK. Also, DAB was yanked in Spain and Germany. Get the hint, folks - no one cares about digital radio:
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 18:02
Yes Andy and Pocketradio. No new TX without the digital feature. And you pay for it…
Only a small company in Santiago - Chili produces them without digital gadgets (however digital prepared).
When companies or governments want to waste their money on digital, so be it -sad for the tax-payer. But IBLOCK jammer is a new word for me, it also applies for DRM, and one of my stations is suffering from this, maybe that is why I am so fanatic on this issue.
Increasing power does not solve the problem, it only shifts it. You will never get the coverage as without the noise generator next to you.