RTV Theory and Practice - Special Issue

АМ can survive if broadcasters are vvilling to maKe a number of dramatic adjustments - and fairly quickly . Is the medium worth saving? Absolutely . With the proper system in place , AH can compete listener-for-listener with.FM sounđ nearly indistinguishable in the process and utilize about 1/10 FM-'s spectrum space to do so . AM radio is too efficient to set aside , but it does need some wholesale overhauling . TECHNICAL CLEANUP The first item on апу broadcaster's checklist should be a thorough technical , transmission system, studios and all other equipment should be checked, adjusted , repaired or replaceđ . Radio's stock in trade is its sound on the air. Broadcasters shoulđ attack technical faults as though their station's life were at stake , a concept not far from the truth, A competent broadcast engineer should see that the studio , link , transmitter and antenna pass the maximum legal audio bandwidth - 10 kHz in the Western Hemisphere , 9 kHz in the East - then strive to eliminate hum , noise and distortion . Мапу broadcaster's woes are caused by poor adjustment of processing equipment, most usually be over-processing to achieve a "louder , more competitive" sounđ on the air. Such a "louder" sound , with dynamic range squashed to near non-existence , actually drives listeners away with its incessant pounding, often into the arms of wider-range FM stations . Кеу personnel should listen together to their station and others on a good receiver, then consult about how much processing sounđs best on the air . The last point implies the existence of a quality off-air monitor capable of accurately reproducing the station's signal, an acquisition deserving top priority in the battle to make AM competitive. A typical monitor includes : small outside antenna and r.f. pad to prevent overdriving; high f iđelity , preferably stereo-capable receiver with goođ selectivity and adequate shielding to reject signals not entering through the antenna; and high quality speaker and headphones . The station monitor allows program , production and engineering personnel to hear the station on the air , noting not only standing defects and poor operator practices but daily deviations in quality as well. Both AM stereo and NRSC or similar pre-emphasis shoulđ be given serious consideration . Each contnbutes greatly to listener satisfaction , with stereo giving a sense of depth and space

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