At the NAB Show this was the hot topic for anyone involved in radio transmission, and a leading group of broadcast organizations has now officially requested such an increase. This has led to a rush of new ideas is being discussed on exactly how to manage such a high-power digital operation.

The reason for the buzz is that an increase in HD FM digital power is a good idea for HD portable radio, and digital radio stations.

We strongly support the concept of more digital power today, not at some point in the distant future. Radio must make the transition to a HD digital service, and at current power levels consumer acceptance may be too slow to retain the majority of our current audience in the face of competition. Increased digital power removes one of the most significant barriers to consumer acceptance, which is limited coverage area, and it also impacts the rollout of HD digital portable radios.

There are several concerns to be addressed. Notably, the impact of increased digital carriers on first-adjacent stations needs to be studied to make sure that the risks to existing analog services are understood fully.

Analog radio still pays all the bills for existing stations. Nothing will push audiences away faster than ignoring the fact that analog radios are everywhere; HD digital radios of all types in consumer households still number just a few.

However, with years of digital radio and thousands of station conversions under our belts, we have the knowledge to plan the next step. Field research on HD radio receiver performance and portables exist that can be used to generate scientifically valid protection ratios for the increased digital power. This research should lead to an agreed-upon interference standard based on mathematical predictions.

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