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NPR Labs is currently conducting an extensive signal coverage measurement program of public radio stations broadcasting HD Radio.

The following paper (.pdf 1.6MB) reports on measurements of a unique HD Radio booster built by KCSN(FM), Northridge, California, which rebroadcasts KCSN's service in a terrain-shadowed area of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Hollywood.  This unique installation is the nation's first hybrid (analog-digital) booster.  The report discusses special signal measurement instrumentation and computer modeling techniques developed by NPR Labs to evaluate HD Radio coverage.

Template for requesting Tomorrow Radio Multicasting Authority

MS Word Document (.doc 140K, IMPORTANT UPDATE 20050408.0345ET). Applicants are advised to review important FCC information available at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/antidrug.html.Host Compatibility Measurements for the Extended Hybrid Mode of IBOC Digital Audio Broadcasting (posted November 5, 2004) NPR submitted a report to the FCC relating to the iBiquity Digital HD Radio™ system entitled Host Compatibility Measurements for the Extended Hybrid Mode of IBOC Digital Audio Broadcasting.
NPR, with support from CPB, conducted the testing to assess the suitability of the iBiquity HD Radio Extended Hybrid Mode for the transmission of radio reading and other specialized services. You can read both the report and the cover letter of submission to the FCC. Listening Reports filed to FCC on HDC coders. (posted October 27, 2004) NPR recently filed two reports with the FCC providing advanced research on the HDC coder (tested at multiple bit rates from 16 kbps through 96 kpbs) as well as best performing coders operating within 11.8 kbps and 24 kpbs, the data rates for one and two extended hybrid partitions respectively. We believe these reports, comprising over a hundred listeners and thousands of hours of listening time, fairly represent the audio performance capabilities of the HD Radio system. The reports indicate the need for licensee flexibility in assigning variable datarates based on program type, and reveal great promise for adding radio reading services within the extended hybrid partitions with much better audio quality than currently available with analog FM subcarriers.The 2004 Public Radio Engineering Conference Papers in .pdf format are available for browsing and download in Omni Directional.
PREC Session papers include:

HD Radio Antennas
Tomorrow Radio Test Results
HD Radio Funding
Tomorrow Radio Programming
Disaster Preparedness
Business Implications
Broadcast Facilities
HD Radio Experiences
Supplementary Information

Read the 2003 Field Testing of Tomorrow Radio Report  from Hammett & Edison, Inc.  (Acrobat .pdf  7.4MB)

Read the NPR Press Release from January 9, 2004 describing the process

D T A C Digital Transition Advisory Committee Page. New: Digital Transition Update-20031212 Working together to develop and support an effective digital transition strategy for radio that benefits listeners and serves the public interest. (updated December 18, 2003)A C O R N: Acquisition, Conversion, Organizational Readiness, and do it Now. Project ACORN is the working title for a variety of strategies aimed at expanding public radio service, and is the result of urging by Member Stations to focus aggressively and thoughtfully to expand public radio services in the years ahead. (updated March 1, 2003)

The SquawkNET Tutorial for all to browse. SquawkNET offers four additional services on the NPR Squawk Channel, in a proprietary DTMF format. (updated 2003 March 22)Squawk Channel Tutorial for all to browse. What is the Squawk Channel, and what are the services available? This tutorial should get you started and point you to the resources to take advantage of this service from NPR. (updated 2003 March 17)

NPR LobbyNet Jingle RULES! Just goes to show that engineers make the best theme music...we commissioned a jingle for the NPR in-house FM / AudioActive streams, so the NPR staff could remember the FM frequency. For the first time, we share it with the public. Download our jingles, just for fun. (2002 May 28)

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EUonline Public Pages Squawk Channel and SquawkNET details, DTV-CH6 Interference Report; DAT/CD/Analog Submission Guidelines, Radio Programs using 25Hz signalling, and "phase correctors and Dolby Surround: incompatable"
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• Features A sampling from our Features page: 19th Century Wireless inventors; Tower Registration Made Easy; Review of the ARRL Handbook on CD-ROM; the making of the Award winning Remorse, and much more.
• Continuing Education Ask Russ. ISDN Primer, ISDN Compatibility, Plus: Understanding Sound articles for non-technical members,  P&G Fader Cleaning, CD-R basics, SOSS Automation Q&A, FM Boosters:historical perspective, and  The FAQ of Field Recording a sensible guide to recording for reporters/producers/engineers/musicians.
• Archives Browse the back issues of the printed version of NPR's Engineering Update.
• Reprints Selected reprints from other publications. Crash Course in Internet, Bake your Tape, and more.
• Commentary and Opinion DAR now or never? - Establishing an RDS Network for National Public Radio - Also: Radio Broadcasters and Internet Audio: A Match Made in Heaven Or a ShotgunWedding?
• OmniDirectional PREC 2004 papers.DAB and IBOC--our take on the FCC's NPRM; NPR Statement to FCC re: LPFM; 25Hz Program Automation signaling: backgrounder, product reviews, table of programs using 25Hz. Also see the EAS Section, EAS:Ready or Not?
• Standards and References Searchable ISDN and Vendors' databases,   Interactive Maps, as well as links to Standards, Law, Vendors and Research sites.
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