My Battle Over HD Radio Broadcasting And The Biggest Sale of My Career

A Message from Eric Rhoads, Radio Ink

Note: So you don't read deep into this story and then realize I'm going to ask you to spend $35, I'm telling you up front. Read further.

A Stink Over HD Radio Broadcasting
By now you know that I've made a stink about the HD Radio broadcasting effort from time to time. It all started a few years ago, when I asked the guys at iBiquity to send me an HD Radio unit for evaluation. Frankly, it was not a good experience. Of course, many believe HD Radio technology is the savior of radio and allows radio to compete in a digital world. But I have not been fully convinced. Radio's salvation will be the moment we return to a commitment to entertainment and localism, industrywide.
Plus, the HD Radio Alliance believes that offering more formats on HD2s and HD3s is a way to provide the same diverse choices listeners are getting elsewhere. I haven't fully bought that, either.

So Am I or Am I Not a Fan of HD Radio Broadcasting?
Though I'm not convinced the strategy for the HD Radio broadcasting rollout is the right one, I do believe that better audio fidelity, more choices, and more services for listeners are good things. I have grown accustomed to artist and song information with satellite radio, and I expect it from radio now. And HD does offer song titles and artists.

So is HD a good thing for radio? It can't hurt and might help. And, since radio groups have converted almost 2,000 stations, and since more manufacturers have committed to HD Radio products, it's not going away.

So Why Hasn't HD Taken Off, Eric?
I believe the biggest issues have to do with the need for an argument so powerful that every consumer will want to go out and get one. I also believe expense has been a problem. Most of the HD Radio units I've seen are expensive.

Of course, people don't just go out and change their car radios on a whim. It usually happens when they buy a new car. And I'm not sure consumers have been sufficiently persuaded to invest in an expensive radio just so they can try out HD, especially when they're used to radios being fairly inexpensive. All these issues have created a slow start -- though the people at iBiquity say that there have been over a million HD Radio units sold, and sales are more than doubling every year.

A Wakeup Call
Recently on my blog someone said, "Eric, perhaps you should stop complaining about others and lead this industry by taking action on your own." He was right. Leadership is about taking action if I don't like where things are going. It dawned on me that I need to take action to move the needle on HD. So I started thinking.... What can I do to help HD Radio broadcasting take off? What action can I take? How can I provide the missing leadership?

Thought Leaders
Many companies launch products quietly by identifying thought leaders, giving them the product, and allowing the word to spread virally through that leadership. MINI Cooper did this when it gave cool people in markets across the U.S. MINIs to drive. When the cool people were seen in MINIs, their friends wanted them too. The product spread virally before it was heavily marketed.

So who are the influential thought leaders and cool people? It just so happens that some of the most influential thought leaders in America are ... drumroll, please ... radio people.

A Crack in the Radio Foundation
"This is easy," I thought. Since radio people are such influential thought leaders, we should be able to start an HD movement with radio people, right? But all those spots we ran on all those stations didn't seem to move the needle much. What's up with that?

The more I asked around, the more I understood that there was a crack in the foundation. Most radio people have never even experienced HD Radio broadcasting, including most of the employees at companies that offer it. How will we ever get a movement if the radio industry, at the grass-roots level, can't experience HD? How likely is it that most radio people will go drop a few hundred bucks for a desktop HD Radio receiver? Shouldn't every DJ, every AE, every manager own an HD radio? Of course.

The Little Box That Made FM Boom
OK, I'll admit it. I was born in the dark ages, and I was around when no one had FM radios other than home stereos (of which there were very few). But the only FM stations were elevator music stations. When FM rock stations started coming on the air in the late '60s and early '70s, the unique content drove adoption (something we need to do on HD -- underground content!). But you couldn't find FM radios to buy, and you certainly couldn't find FM car radios. Or if you did, they were expensive. But a little box changed everything. Audiovox came out with a $15 converter unit ($50 in today's money) that received an FM signal and put it through the AM in your car radio. Every kid I knew had one, and that's what drove FM adoption until FM radios became more available and less expensive. That is what is needed for HD Radio broadcasting.

The Biggest Pitch of My Career
For all the grief I give HD Radio broadcasting, I have to admit that the people at iBiquity are really willing to listen. Of course, they want to see HD become a huge success. So I scheduled a call with CEO Bob Struble and some of his top people, and I said, "I want a small, inexpensive HD Radio receiver. My goal is to put it in the hands of every employee at every radio station in America. I want something that is portable, something with mighty HD sound that I can carry in my pocket, that I can listen to at the gym, and that I can plug into my speakers or the audio jack in my car. And I want it for under 50 bucks so every radio person can own one and experience true HD."

(Long pause.)

"Eric, you want us to manufacture a special radio for you?" said one executive. "Are you nuts? Do you know what it would cost to do that?"

"Yes, and I need it before Christmas. If you do this, it will be the foundation for launching HD because radio people will have it, experience it, embrace it, and start spreading the word like never before."

(Another long pause.)

My Biggest Sale Yet
Now, I make my living as a salesman, and I like to present bold, audacious ideas. When I presented this, I was sure these guys would mock me, but I persisted, and I was able to convince them to manufacture a special HD Radio unit just for radio people. Not only that, but I convinced them to let me create my own special design and brand.

Putting My Butt on the Line
Once I convinced iBiquity to manufacture a special radio, I realized my butt is on the line. This strategy had better work, or I'll lose all credibility with them, and they'll be sitting on a few carloads of special HD Radio receivers that they can't sell elsewhere, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Plus, I had to act fast. Here it was September, and I had to get my concept, design, prototype, and shipment in time for Christmas.
They said, "We can do it for Christmas in 2010, but not this year, Eric. Be realistic." But I was especially persuasive on this matter and got my way, and iBiquity has pulled out all the stops because they believe that an HD Radio receiver in every employee's hands is good for HD Radio broadcasting.

The Moment of Truth
I was pacing the floor, knowing FedEx would arrive any moment with the prototype. Would it live up to my expectations? When I opened the package, there in front of me was a box with the logo, branding, and packaging I had designed.

"Mighty Red: Radio Ink's Little HD Radio with Booming Sound, by Eric Rhoads"

I named the radio MIGHTY RED to make a point that this little radio had MIGHTY BIG sound. I designed it to be RED because RED is the Radio Ink color, and because it would be easy to find (I'm always losing little things). Plus, these days RED is a symbol for the best of the best. In HD video, for instance, the best video camera in the world is called RED. So why not make my mighty little radio RED because of its awesome quality?

I carefully opened the box, pulled out the radio, charged it in a USB slot, and took it to the gym. On the treadmill, I hit "scan," and the first HD signal I received was KDFC in San Francisco. BOOM. The audio was amazing. Crisp, clear, and booming. I had plugged in my $100 Sony sound-canceling headphones, which is the standard I use to judge the audio on iPods, the Zune, etc. The audio on this little radio was amazing.

The screen told me what station I was listening to and what song. I clicked up to KDFC-HD2. Classic, deep cut tracks that put a smile on my face and took me back to another day. I then went over to KFOG, which was playing a blues tune. I cranked it up, cranked up the speed on the treadmill, and my mind got lost in the sound. The audio was absolutely blow-me-away perfect. All from this tiny -- and truly mighty -- little red radio. I kid you not. This little radio is absolutely mighty and has the best small radio audio I've ever heard in my life. It's so good I'm actually excited about it and can't wait for you to try it.

Your Role in Radio's Future
HD Radio broadcasting isn't going away, and we can all have a hand in its success. If you're in radio and you don't own an HD Radio unit, you simply need to own one, need to listen to HD, need to experience it so you can fall in love with HD audio like I did with my Mighty Red. Without the foundation of people in the radio industry owning HD Radio receivers, we cannot expect to convert the rest of the U.S. to HD listeners. Yet if every person working in radio buys an HD Radio receiver, we will have the foundation we need to influence others.

Billy Mays Would Be Shouting From His Grave
Though I'm starting to sound like the late Billy Mays pitching Magic Putty, this is a limited production run. (I wonder if he was related to Mark and Lowry Mays.) We will not sell these in stores. The exclusive MIGHTY RED by Eric Rhoads was made just for radio people (and your friends and family for Christmas!) with the intent of selling out rapidly. Plus, I convinced the people at iBiquity to create this radio and offer it at a special price of $35, which makes it affordable for every person in radio. And that's important.

How Do You Want to Feel Right Now?
When you own Mighty Red, you'll fall in love with radio all over again. I did. The audio is that good, and the new HD2s and HD3s were playing songs I hadn't heard on radio in years, if ever. I'm very excited about it. And, for the first time, actually excited about HD Radio broadcasting. Now I have a tiny portable HD unit that I can jog with (it comes with an armband holder and headphones), plug into my car audio jack so I have HD in my car, or plug into my stereo at home or the office for HD audio.

If you want to feel great about radio again, and feel great about HD Radio broadcasting, buy a Mighty Red. My goal is for everyone in radio to own one, to build a foundation for HD. If radio employees embrace HD, we will have the launching pad for HD adoption nationwide. It starts with you.

I hope you'll consider buying my custom-designed Mighty Red HD Radio receiver and consider it for Christmas gifts for your friends, clients, etc. Please do it today. There may not be another chance if we sell out today.

Click here to buy, or go to www.mightyredhd.com.

Best,
Eric Rhoads
Radio Ink

PS: These radios have just arrived on the shores of the U.S. and will be released from U.S. Customs at any moment. You cannot buy an equivalent HD Radio receiver at this price anywhere. This is a special offer for the radio industry only, and once our shipment is gone, there will be no more.

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[Brian Henchey]

I just won "Mighty Red" 2, model# RI-MR002 at a state Association of Broadcasters event a few days ago in November, 2011. I have three things to say about it:

1 - the sound quality IS AMAZING!!!!

2 - I can't believe I'm hearing ****NOT**** the same darn 50 songs over and over again! If you love music, you'll LOVE HD radio.

3 - Getting an HD Radio signal SUCKS!!!! I live 30 minutes outside of Boston and when I'm home or further away from Boston, I can pick up exactly one HD radio signal -- THAT SUCKS!!!

My recommendation:

Get an HD Radio *only* if (a) you live within 15 minutes of a city center, or (b) if the FCC allows HD radio to broadcast stronger HD signals.

[Eric Rhoads]

John: You read last years first mighty red unit, which was $35. This year the new unit with additional features is a different price.

[John Gardner]

35 Dollars?? I checked the website try 69 dollars!

[HDRadioFarce]

Hey, Eric - hear about the Keefe Bartels and Galex Wolf HD Radio investigations? LMFAO!!!!

[Eric Rhoads]

Presets:

To set a preset station:

1.     Tune to the station you want to make a preset

2.     Press and hold PS+ or PS-. The preset number blinks.

3.     Press PS+ or PS- to increase or decrease the preset number.

4.     When you find the preset number you want to use, press and hold PS+ or PS-. Preset Saved appears on the display and the station information is stored with the preset number.

5.     To tune to a preset station, pres PS+ OR PS-.

[Jimi]

Love the radio. I must have been on the third order because I just received it. Luckily it was a present to myself. My Boston Acoustics has been on my nightstand since 2006 and I love the audio quality. This way I can hear HD radio in the car and at work.
I still can't figure out how to set the presets and there is nothing in the manual. Any tips?

JimiPhx

[Tom Wells]

I just checked this morning, and it's not working any better in 2010 than it was in 2009.
The local AMs with HD are still muddy and hissy, no matter what I do. Once I throw a pillow over the radio the hiss is gone, but I can't understand what's being said anymore either.

I had hoped somehow that the new decade would cure the encroaching sidband hiss on AM and the buzzsaw on FM that is ruining my ability to get the stations between the stations I formerly enjoyed. Nope, still jammed by this cynical bullheaded idea that everything must be digital. So I tried out the two HD radios I own, a JVC car radio and the Radio Shack version.. and they still don't work reliably on signals from 10 to 40 miles away.
I can't get excited about a radio that won't allow me to listen to my preferred content on the drive to work which may mean Nashville, TN one night and Toronto the next night...as in "listening" the whole time...to the CONTENT, not "dxing" as in looking for distant stations. I EXPECT radio to just do this, as it has for 85 years, and something "new" and better that ruins this very normal capability of radio is NO improvement to me.

What, no AM on this new thing?
Automatically disqualified from consideration.
Maybe next year, guys.

[paul vincent zecchino]

Above posters falsely claim 'HD Radio is a Farce' considers consumers to be morons?

Isn't that a great example of HD cheerleaders who 'project' their ulterior motives to jam public airaves on the listeners who expose their rotten HD scheme?

Didn't HD cheerleaders from the outset display a haughty, pious, kleptocratic attitude toward the citizens they're supposed to serve? Didn't they misrepresent their illegal jammer as "radio's savior' and answer citizen concerns with silence, lies, and insults - typical of those with much to hide?

Isn't HD actually a scheme to jam competing broadcasters into submission and yoke listeners to a few stations owned conglomerates?

HD cheerleaders say 'HD won't go away'? Nor does tertiary syphilis, but that's still no reason to buy into this scheme, is it?

Want to know what is going away? Aren't listeners, long sick of losing favorite stations to HD jamming, what's actually going away?

Didn't HD promoters arrogantly and falsely claim 'HD would thin the herd of too many AM stations' by jamming them off the air?

Who appointed these sandfleas to destroy 'too many AM stations'?

Didn't these sandfleas educated beyond their abilities say that when they thought they had their ends sewn up and believed citizens weren't listening?

But we were listening, weren't we? Didn't citizens who heard them and their HD jamming loud and clear resolve to expose their scheme to jam public airwaves?

HD? Here's the juice:

HD Radio jams - by design. Media reports call HD a 'carny shill'.

Young listeners laugh at it. Older one's don't want it. Manufacturers dislike it and retailers can't sell it.

HD as radio's savior?

Yeah. Right. Didn't Richard Speck love nurses, too?

Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
01 January, 2010

[Bob]

I could be wrong, but it seems pretty clear that the FCC isn't so sure that terrestrial digital is a big consumer hit. So far they've wisely resisted the decision to allow any significant power increase. What does that tell you? Struble's been pissing his pants for a long time waiting on a power increase. He must have a real rash problem by now.

[JW]

Why doesn't he fix this blog so that the most recent comments are first like most blogs. Instead, he has the first comments in front. (Which, of course, are pro digital radio.) This is just iBiquity in a different rapper. What a sorry joke.

[Bob]

Really now. Digital radio is such a joke and you guys are the clowns. Another sales pitch for a product no one want's. How many times have you heard someone say "I'll listen to more radio when it goes digital"? Even QVC couldn't sell them and at $35 it's still a waste. The only people buying this thing are a few radio insiders. Everyone else couldn't care less.

[Robert D Young Jr]

Buyer beware! I have a Sony HD receiver which is gathering dust on top of my real receiver: a 30 year old Marantz which actually works, receives stations from many miles away and sounds good.
HD or rather IBOC does not work and is dead in the water although it may limp along for years hashing up the airwaves since ibiquity is still getting money from some poor suckers.
One poster is correct though HD receivers will be collectors items soon although more in the vein of a broken 8 track player than a fine antique. Come to think of it at least 8 track players did what they were supposed to do: play music, HD is more often than not dropping out and making noise.
Don't waste your money though read Randy Michaels post above if you want the real scoop on wonderful "HD" is. Incidentally HD does not sound any better than analog, if the station sounds good in HD it sounds good in analog. Most people can't even tell the difference. HD is a political scam, may it die soon.

[HDRadioFarce]

@Steve: Considering this little stunt, how many have actually been sold to HD station personnel? How many have actually been sold to the General Public? There's nothing like good publicity for a bad product. It's amusing that Fred Jacob's immediately started to shill for Eric, but at least Fred has been honest about being on iNiquity's payroll, unlike Eric. Your company is a sham, and I hope there will eventually be a Federal Investigation into the iBiquity/NAB/NPR/FCC relationships. One of the above posters is correct - all of you are in your own little universe, and the General Public has long ago voted no, with their wallets.

[Mike F]

HdRadioFarce: Proof that you can't keep quiet and have self-control to have the last word.

It makes no difference to me if I have last word or not. But this is for all who are reading this post. Note the following....

Quote from HdRadioFarce:

"I just attack this junk technology that is slowly destroying adjacent-channel broadcasters for the benefit of Big Group Radio."

If it is junk as HdRadioFarce suggests, then he has nothing to fear at all.

When one spends as much time as HdRadioFarce does by attacking 'junk'... Well, one must wonder, no?

HDRadioFarce contradicts himself.

He claims something is a farce and is junk... yet spends all waking hours of his life attacking it and providing rebuttle to everyone that talks about it??

HDRadioFarce really sees HD Radio as a viable threat then. It is REAL to him. Not a farce.

I need to say no more to this exchange with HdRadioFarce and this is my sign off to the conversation (and also to prove I don't need the last word, because he is certain to reply again).

HDRadioFarce has certainly already said enough on every blog site in the past two years to the draw obvious conclusions.

[steve baldacci]

This is a post to "Odie" with regard to your order of Mighty Red HD Radios. This is Steve Baldacci of iBiquity Digital writing.

We are sorry that you have not received your oders, however we have emailed all customers with status reports; this due to the overwhellming response to the offer and the corresponding need to go back into production two separate times in response to demand.

Odie, if you would be so kind as to email me your actual name and order number, I will personally look into the situation and respond back to you directly. My email is [email protected].

Here are the facts: Due to the strong demand, we went back to production two times. Concurrently, we communicated status/facts on the eCommerce site and also sent two separate emails to all who ordered after inventory was exhausted on the first production run. The emails were sent to each customer, based on the date in which their order was received. The emails follow below after my little rant.

We were all quite delighted (though caught off guard at the speed and volumes in which orders came in) at the demand for the Mighty Red HD. If you are familar with consumer electronics production, the process of making and delivering product from ODMs in China takes a bit of time. We did commit to air shipping in the follow-on production batches - which saves weeks on delivery, versus putting them on a boat - and we are processing the radios through our fulfillment facility as quickly as we can. We recognize that a number of folks ordered with the intent of giving a nice Holiday gift, and we are sorry if we were not able to get incremental inventory in and get the radios to you in time for that. Hopefully, you received the email notices that we sent out and understand the situation. If you did not, they follow for your reference here.

Odie, I look forward to hearing from you.

eMail Correspondence:

Second Unit Batch eMail:
From: Mighty Red HD [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 1:08 PM
Subject: Mighty Red HD Order Status
We want to provide you a status update regarding your Mighty Red HD order.

We have had particularly strong demand and your order did occur after our initial available units were sold. We have accelerated the production of more units and expect these to be available for delivery to you prior to the holidays. They are scheduled to be in the states for shipping on December 17. Please know that we are moving this along as fast as is possible, but there may be some instances that we are simply unable to deliver your Mighty Red HD until after the Holiday week.

The Mighty Red HD Team

Third Unit Batch eMail:
From: Mighty Red HD [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 1:14 PM
Subject: Mighty Red HD Order Status
Thank you for your Mighty Red HD order!

We want to be certain you are aware that we have processed your order and are presently waiting for additional radios to arrive from overseas. As we had noted on the www.mightyredhd.com order form, orders received after December 4 are likely to be shipped from our warehouse for arrival during the first week in January.

We have had particularly strong demand for the Mighty Red HD. Please know that we are moving as fast as is possible. Thank you for your support of the Mighty Red HD!

The Mighty Red HD Team

[HDRadioFarce]

@Odie: Good for you to see through this HD Radio Farce!

[HDRadioFarce]

@Mike F: Do you want the last word? LOL! I never attack posters, as they do to me, as I just attack this junk technology that is slowly destroying adjacent-channel broadcasters for the benefit of Big Group Radio.

[Odie]

Just my 2 cents...
I disputed the bill for my purchase of 6 Mighty Reds with Master Card. They were more than happy to refund my money because THEY DID NOT DELIVER THE PRODUCT. So long as this lack of communication continues from the company which sells the Mighty Red, I will have my money back in 2 weeks. :-p
I ASK AGAIN, does anyone actually have one of these fictitious radios physically in their hands?

[Mike F]

HdRadioFarce: I guess this debate is in the eye of the one reading the message.

You're probably the only one who doesn't think you're insulting and pompous and obnoxious... littering practically every single web-site and blog that talks about a very borderline product known as HD Radio.

You definitely need a new hobby. It is folks like you that give the internet a very bad name.

I am sure to hear a reply yet again from you. You always want the last word.

Now I dare you to try not to reply.

I bet you can't. You have no self control whatsoever. :<)

[HDRadioFarce]

@Mike F.

I haven't insulted anyone - it's the opposite. Is that the best you have? LOL!

[Mike F]

HDradioFarce... I am not a cheerleader of HD Radio. Just don't see your point of constantly insulting practically everyone that wants to simply blog about a prroduct (regardless of whether it is good or bad).

[HDRadioFarce]

"Who ever you are.... I sent you a personal note of apology. The Type pad software reply system automatically placed that in. Ill alert them. Meanwhile Ive made a point to remove the info from the email reply system they use."

It is interesting, Eric, that you exposed the personal information of another negative poster, too. Of course, your explanation is purely silly. This information will not help to track me down, but if it does, I'll be contacting a lawyer. I've also saved this webpage. I wonder, if all of your co-workers will agree with you? If I was the owner of Radio Ink, I'de have you fired, having exposed Radio Ink to potential litigation, and for your extremely childish behavior. You see, huckstering for Bob Struble's little HD Radio scam has brought you nothing but potential trouble and cost you your reputation. HD Radio brings trouble to everyone.

[HDRadioFarce]

@Mike Fisher: Since my blog sits right under iNiquity's site, I see most of the searches on "HD Radio" and many derogatory search terms for HD Radio. Fact is, not that many are actually searching on "HD Radio" because of the lack of consumer interest in HD Radio. My Google Analytics report, which you do not have access to, tells me the vast majority are spending considerable time reading my blog. That's 30,000+ hits, with over 7,000 backlinks, which I, and others have posted. There are 60+ direct links posted by owners of other reputable radio blogs and sites.

Your personal attacks, which are very typical of HD cheerleaders and almost always follow my posts, will have zero affect on my continued battle against this Soviet-style jamming machine, designd only to benefit Big Group Radio, as investors in iNiquity.

The General Public had no idea, until my blog and Bob Savage's site appeared, that our airways are being jammed, and this farce of a "technology" is being shoved down our throats. Comments, such as yours, just add fuel to the fire, and gives me more reason to aggressively continue this fight. I have waded through a swamp of personal insults and attacks, but it will make no difference. When confronted with the truth, what other recourse do you have. You'de be astonished at many of the visitors that I've had - keep up the good fight! LOL!

[Mike Fisher]

Sorry... I misread. HDRadioFarce has 30,000 plus hits from 95 countries (not posted 30,000 blog messages across 95 countries... now that would be quite an accomplishment even if one was unemployed and nothing better to do with their time).

30,000 plus hits from 95 countries on his web-site. Let's see... everytime someone googles 'hd radio'... his website appears down the list of searches for inquiring people to take a quick look.

There are over 6 billion people in the whole world and perhaps half of those have access to the world wide web at some point or another. Over several years time (since his website was created)... that ratio of hits is then not that impressive. In fact... it's just a hit... it doesn't mean anyone is really reading it.

Hey listen... I am just as much a skeptic of HD Radio as the next person with regards its invent into terrestrial radio.

And that's the point here. HD Radio has struggled from the beginning. If HD Radio is a failed experience... there is no need for some world wide blogger to spend all is waking hours of his life to tell us so.

Like everything else in life, it will become apparent in its own due time. Maybe it already has. Then HdradioFarce really is wasting his and our time.

[Mike Fisher]

I just want to thank Eric Rhoads for providing sensible information stating the real issues of radio and an honest effort to get folks engaged to improve and critique it (including a potentially borderline experience like HD Radio).

I have seen now and then 'HdRadioFarce' blog for over a year now and I fail to see how he has provided any benefit to the future of radio and its progress.

If HD Radio is a farce (which by definition means is a mockery or sham and is not real... which is untrue because people are buying the product but it DOES exist)... then... we don't need 30,000 plus blog messages across 95 countries to tell us so! People can judge it for themselves. And it is quite obvious, HDRadioFarce really thinks the consumer is a complete moron and has continuously insulted the masses, that he feels compelled to repeat his message against HD Radio for thousands upon thousands of times.

Thank you Eric Rhodes, for being much more credible and respecful to the consumer, and providing us opportunity to experience first hand what radio has to offer (good or bad). Let the consumer decide for themselves. We're not idiots. Thanks.

[Eric Rhoads]

Who ever you are.... I sent you a personal note of apology. The Type pad software reply system automatically placed that in. Ill alert them. Meanwhile Ive made a point to remove the info from the email reply system they use.

[HDRadioFarce]

Jesus Christ, Eric, should we put you in diapers? Your posting of my personal information is extremely childish. My email address is already posted on my blog, and I have dialup which gives me random proxy addresses out of NYC, which is not even close to where I live. And, you are the publisher of Radio Ink - unbelievable!

[Eric Rhoads]

Dear person unwilling to use your name,

this HD debate is endless. I too have been critical and continue to be
on many issues related to it. I belive there are three main issues 1)
lack of Interest by consumers which is probably driven by 2) lack of
content to drive interest. Automated formats no one wants to listen to
anyway wont drive adoption. As I suggested in my letter about these
radios its much like eary fm, which only made progress once there was
compelling content unavailable elsewhere. The third and forth issues
are cost of units and some concerning technical issues both with AM
and with the reach of HD signals not covering the full signal.

As I carefully explained the goal was to get radio people own an HD
radio so we could begin an adoption process, which is far far away.
Though I know many people are against HD I actually love the audio
quality on music on the signals I get and that little radio is pretty
awesome. Yes they were sold at a discount under the best buy retail
price because ibiquity bought my vision of getting these in the hands
of radio and felt that it was worth it.
To date to my knowledge only one radio was returned, and the buyer
wanted it replaced, which was done. There is bound to be a broken one
or two in the shipment.

Regarding loss of credibility I think that is a risk any time one
takes a risk to try and support anything. Its no secret that there
are a lot of naysayers like yourself who want this dead and burried. I
see that over 1000 stations have invested substantial amounts in
equipt and licensing fees and it would be nice to stop whining and
take proactive action to find ways to actually make it a success.

The biggest issue of all in all of this is actually not HD alone
though. We have to compete in a digital world and there will come a
time when the capabilities of all stations having digital signals will
make a major difference. That is a distance out but it is a very real
issue.

I have written many pieces why HD is screwed up and my hope is that
rather than walking away the industry can address them. Frankly the
reason the big groups accepted HD was because off all the negative
publicity at the time due to satellite radio, which offered variety.
The ploy was to have more channels and thus more variety. It was also
because iPods were rightfully getting so much attention and radio was
feeling overshadowed and this was, so they thought, a god pr response.
I did not think at the time that was a good reason to do it nor do I
think so now. But since we have it now perhaps we should capture the
benefits. I am very concerned about the power needs for full coverage
and about the AM radio issues and I am not yet convinced those can be
resolved.
But at least Im trying to do something. If that destroys my
credibility that would be a tragedy because my intent in everything I
do is to try and benefit radio and or stimulate thinking. Sure I also
have a profit motive but I could make a much better living in places
other than radio. Im here offering my minimal contribution trying to
help in my little way. If that makes me a huckster than its
unfortunate you have this opinion.

Radio is fraught with problems and HD is the least of our worries at
the moment. There are dozens of changes radio and its leaders should
be implemrnting. This is one tiny piece and at least were trying to do
something.... And are willing to stand up and put our name on it.
Perhaps you shod do the same rather than hiding behind your
anmomonity. Where is your courage?

Sent via I phone. Forgive my single finger typing errors.
Eric

On Wednesday, December 23, 2009, wrote:

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A new comment from “HDRadioFarce” was received on the post “My Battle Over HD Radio Broadcasting And The Biggest Sale of My Career ” of the blog “Ink Tank ”.

Comment:
Eric,

Have you seen this post on Radio-Info.com:

RHOADS, JACOBS: RECRUITING A NEW ECHELON OF HD HUCKSTERS

http://tinyurl.com/y9jjyxp

I have seriously been debating creating a post about this stunt on my blog, to include all the other related HD Radio stunts, but I am not sure you deserve the attention. At least, this stunt confirms what John Gorman has posted in the past, as certain media heads being hired as Indie promoters for HD Radio. I wonder, if your loss in credibility was worth this effort? Its interesting that non-HD broadcasters have never had the desire to listen to this HD miracle. As to exactly how many HD radios sold and returned, will forever be Bobs and your dirtly little secret. Ide be interested in the percentage of these radios sold to HD Radio broadcasters - do we hear 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80%? Was that $15 price cut the cost of iNiquitys royalties - it used to be around $50, according to Mark Ramsey.

[HDRadioFarce]

Eric,

Have you seen this post on Radio-Info.com:

"RHOADS, JACOBS: RECRUITING A NEW ECHELON OF HD HUCKSTERS"

http://tinyurl.com/y9jjyxp

I have seriously been debating creating a post about this stunt on my blog, to include all the other related HD Radio stunts, but I am not sure you deserve the attention. At least, this stunt confirms what John Gorman has posted in the past, as certain media heads being hired as Indie promoters for HD Radio. I wonder, if your loss in credibility was worth this effort? It's interesting that non-HD broadcasters have never had the desire to listen to this HD miracle. As to exactly how many HD radios sold and returned, will forever be Bob's and your dirtly little secret. I'de be interested in the percentage of these radios sold to HD Radio broadcasters - do we hear 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80%? Was that $15 price cut the cost of iNiquity's royalties - it used to be around $50, according to Mark Ramsey.

[Eric Rhoads]

Sorry to disappoint Odie. This is not a huge scam. Here is what occurred.

One day one we sold out of the first shipment, which was guaranteed by Christmas. We ordered a second shipment, which also sold out and we said we would try to get these by Christmas, which we did. The third and last shipment is due in the USA today and the people at Ibiquity are trying to get them shipped out as soon as possible, though it looks like those will not meet Christmas.

In fact hundreds of these units have been shipped, received, and we have received nothing but positives about the radios. Please be patient. Our success is the reason your radio is late but you will receive it soon.

[Odie]

I too ordered radios to be Christmas Presents, on Nov 30. I still haven't received them yet.
Is this all a huge SCAM?? How do you sell the same thing as BB for $15 less?? YOU DON"T which is why I haven't gotten it yet. THEY DON"T EXIST.
Has anyone actually gotten a MightyRed in their hands?

[Greg Jablonski]

Eric, thanks for checking. Happy Holidays!

[Eric Rhoads]

Greg
I have emailed ubiquity to look into this. We sold more than
anticipated and had to have more made and they were due to be shipped
before Christmas. My apology. You should hear from them asap.
Eric

On Tuesday, December 22, 2009, wrote:

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A new comment from “Greg Jablonski” was received on the post “My Battle Over HD Radio Broadcasting And The Biggest Sale of My Career ” of the blog “Ink Tank ”.

Comment:
As I remarked above (11-24), Im not a big believer in HD Radio. Nonetheless, I ordered Mighty Reds as Christmas gifts for my staff; I do believe they will be collector items. I have one of their Insignia cousins, and I find it to be a useful little radio. The tuner is good, the RDS display is great, and the USB charged permanent battery is a nice feature. Its a great little radio, HD or not. There is one big problem, though. Here it is, 6 pm, 12-22; our staff holiday lunch is tomorrow at noon, and no radios. They were ordered on 12-1. Has HD Radio failed again?

[Greg Jablonski]

As I remarked above (11-24), I'm not a big believer in HD Radio. Nonetheless, I ordered Mighty Reds as Christmas gifts for my staff; I do believe they will be collector items. I have one of their Insignia cousins, and I find it to be a useful little radio. The tuner is good, the RDS display is great, and the USB charged permanent battery is a nice feature. It's a great little radio, HD or not. There is one big problem, though. Here it is, 6 pm, 12-22; our staff holiday lunch is tomorrow at noon, and no radios. They were ordered on 12-1. Has "HD Radio" failed again?

[HDRadioFarce]

Nick Sanzone,

Thanks for letting me know, in your own way, how well I am doing my job; but, I already knew that by the 30,000+ hits on my blog from 95+ countries, to include European/Asian/Caribbean/South American Broadcasting establishments, the FCC, the DOJ, Congressional Quarterly, Congress, investors in iBiquity, Wall Street firms, radio groups, retailers, manufacturers, major automakers, etc... the list is too long to post. Oh, don't forget to thank Bob Savage for stopiboc.com. If this is almost over, then what am I going to do for a hobby? I know, I'll go back to AM DX'ing!

[Major Market Engineer]

HD is radio as ONLY broadcasters see it and want it. The public couldn't be less interested. HD has technical problems, it has licensing problems, it has audio problems, and as implemented by broadcasters: programming problems.

It has been an unwelcome distraction at a time when we should have been taking care of our audiences and cities of license, rather that busily buying each other and gutting the product, proving to the (former) audience that we don't care about them, but only ourselves.

HD radio was created to avoid competition and to show the wall street types that radio could still innovate and compete with the satellite guys. Once again, radio blew it.

If HD Radio didn't decimate adjacent channels, didn't mean perpetual payments to an arrogant company with a monopoly, actually had radios that worked, and didn't completely ignore the desires of our audiences with "throw away" automated "me too programming", there might have been a chance for success.

HD's recent inclusion in the lamest portable music player (Microsoft's Zune) is somehow appropriate. Like radio, Microsoft has chosen to ignore the audience's wants and desires with restrictive Digital Right Management (DRM). It is not doing well.

How many of you in broadcasting, particularly those of you in management even understand why DRM is a problem for listeners or what it is? Ask any high school kid.

How many of you have ever listened to an internet stream for more than a few minutes? How many of you run syndicated garbage because it's "safe" or cheap, when the truth is that it's because you REALLY have no ideas left? Many of you deserve to fail, and you won't even understand WHY you failed.

When a business is owned by so few entities, all doing the wrong things, it appears to the audience that the entire medium is no longer interested in THEM. To some extent, all stations rise and fall with the big guys, who have screwed up broadcasting completely.

While I'm impressed with Mr. Rhode's efforts here, there is no product. This one is dead. We are celebrating with each other in a room where the public is locked out. Enjoy the celebration, because it's almost over.

[Nick Sanzone]

I love my HD Radio. I have a high-end Yamaha in my house and invested in an add-on to my pre-existing stereo system in my car to receive the broadcasts!

I can't say I'm an "audiophile" or even care about the company who created the technology. But I really like it. Simple as that. I've turned my family onto it, and hope that it continues to grow. My best friend from way back is a DJ on an HD2 channel. He told me about it and I got my first HD Radio just so I could hear him.

I read these blogs from time-to-time and notice detractors, such as the one posting here, HD Radio is a Farce. HDRadioFarce is always leading the charge against the technology. Seriously, did Struble screw your Mom or something? You seem pretty bitter to spend the greater part of your day writing an entire blog trashing HD Radio.

You need a hobby.

And Mr. Rhodes...I too hope you sell out of radios. Good for you.

[HDRadioFarce]

"HD Radio Initiatives: Today's New Opportunities"

"Struble began the session by citing the latest HD radio sales and broadcaster data. He noted that while sales of HD Radios are sharply increasing, especially with the new portable Best Buy Insignia and Zune HD models, the economy and declining station revenues have slowed adoption a bit on the broadcaster side. We’re selling millions, but we need to be selling in the tens of millions.”

http://tinyurl.com/yjpsuvz

"Struble: Radio Is the Last Analog Medium Standing"

"Insignia HD — I think this will be a nice little interim step for jogging or working out. It proves the viability [of the technology] and hopefully we'll get sales; but no, this is not going to sell in the hundreds of thousands... Radio alone — the sad reality of where it is — as a standalone device, it just doesn't exist anymore as a category. Nobody goes into Best Buy and says 'Where's the radio department?'"

http://www.rwonline.com/article/87370

Struble lies - fact. These statements were made the same week. Well, how does that make all of you feel? If the Insignias are back ordered at Best Buy, like the failed Zune HDs on Amazon, these were purposefully short-supplied. All of you shills are pretty sickening, and the lies will eventually catch-up to Struble.

[HDRadioFarce]

HD Radio is a scam by the larger broadcasters, who are investors in iNiquity, to jam the smaller, adjacent-channel stations off AM and FM. Luckily, few FM-HD statios have the funds, or headroom, for a power increase. There are rumors that iBiquity just had a huge layoff, as they are not returning calls to HD licensees - let's hope iBiquity fails. AM-HD is totally destructive, and has ruined listening. Any FM-HD power increase would also be a disaster. HD Radio is a fraud and a farce! This was nothing but another stunt by the HD Radio folks.

[Smokey Rivers]

The paradox is evident. The average listener expects HD technology to improve the listening experience in areas where it's most needed, especially on AM. The opposite occurs.

Personal to Eric: How does one store stations in memory? The documentation could provide a bit more clarity.

The tuner rocks.

[Tim Nesmith]

I've heard alot about the AM debate in HD. I do, at times try to listen to distant stations at night, and to be honest, don't hear all this hash that is supposed to be out there. The problems I have go back to to problems AM have been having for many years, that being those who manufacture radios putting the absolute minimum in to the AM section of the receiver. Got a stereo in your car not made by the car maker? Not only will you not get distant AM stations at night you'll be LUCKY if you can get the local stations in the daytime. They suck. And I had a chance to listen to AM HD on a recent vacation and it sounds great. And that's why I have not yet ordered a Big Red. Unless I mis-read the information on this unit, it seems to be FM only. While it would be nice to listen to HD2 and HD3 broadcasts when I am traveling, I would also like to hear the AM's in HD. Now if I'm wrong and the Big Red is both AM and FM you'll have my $35 tomorrow.

[Lou]

"You say “HD radio can’t hurt”. That isn’t true. It does hurt."

No it doesn't. Considering people are can't find enough AM stations to even set for their presets, let's not get worried about people trying to DX at night.

IBOC works fine on AM. There have been no listener complaints....only complaints from hobbyists who want to DX.

[Randy Michaels, Tribune Company]

You say “HD radio can’t hurt”. That isn’t true. It does hurt. HD was sold as a data stream 20dB below the main carrier. Turns out, that isn’t enough data. So they added carriers above and below channel. These carriers noise limit the first adjacents with whom they share the spectrum. Still not robust enough. So now, Ibiquty is getting approval to up the power level on the adjacent. This will further limit coverage, especially in areas with lots of short spacings, like the Northeast. Even in Florida, where there are few short spacings, you will notice a loss of fringe coverage, especially during inversion seasons. AM HD is a joke. It does not work, and hashes up the band. AM IBOC puts noise on not one, but two or three channels up and down. The AM band is being destroyed by noise, and HD is one of the worst offenders. Ibiquity knew that AM HD was bad, but politics required a solution for FM and AM, so this noisy, destructive, marginally functional technology was pushed out. We turned IBOC off at one station which got one compliant, from the engineer at another station. I can't hear a top station in the midwest, in Chicago anymore. Too bad I used to hear it well at night. IBOC should be called IBAC. In Band Adjacent Channel. And yes, it does hurt.

[Lauren Polanski]

When Joe Benson suggested you "take action on your own," you chose to help out HD Radio. We all know they could use it, too.

Great story, Eric, and congratulations! Thanks also, for allowing us at least a decent priced HD Radio. I've ordered mine.

You must really have faith in HD Radio, as if it is the future. We'll never know until we get there, but there's no shortage of issues, still-- big and small.

FM sounds like CD to me. And HD? I don't doubt it sounds like CD, too. Most radio sounds just fine, so to most, that's their last complaint on their mind.

HD2s and HD3s don't have personality or local content. They tend to be very "niche," all-music.

Do we really feel HD will give the people what they want?

I don't see the connection between HD Radio and saving our industry. I totally agree with what you said above: "...I'm not sure consumers have been sufficiently persuaded to invest in an expensive radio just so they can try out HD..."

I'm not sure consumers can be persuaded to buy an HD Radio even if the price were more right.

But, kudos for wanting everybody in the industry to have this reasonably priced Mighty Red. They'll get to hear how much clearer they can be...

Don't forget the listeners, who should be your real target in all of this. They are the consumers, and until there is a demand for HD Radios and a high listenership, it's just more of a luxury.

[Stuart Elliott]

The average price always kept me from investing in a HD Radio. At $35 it's a no-brainer. I just ordered one.

[Greg Jablonski]

Eric, I admire your initiative, and I believe your efforts might work -- if the problems with HD Radio were only on the reception side. Terrible coverage, dropouts, buffering, and interference to and from adjacent stations on the transmission side leave FM/IBOC viable in very limited areas -- a situation that will not significantly improve with the proposed power increase. On the AM side, IBOC was dead on arrival. As the owner of Boston Acoustics Recepter HD and Insignia HD radios, I must say I'm less than impressed. As the owner of an FM station, I'm not convinced that investing in such questionable technology makes any sense at all. I wish it were otherwise.

[Steve Burgess]

Just checked bestbuy.com and their portable Insignia HD radio is on backorder.

[Steve Holstein, InterPrep.com]

Just ordered one.

[Carl]

Nice work Eric! You speak the truth about falling in love with HD. I won an HD radio in a sales contest and it really did change how i listened to radio. $150+ was too expensive to "try it". But at $35 I would and the folks I've told about how nice HD radio is would too at that price. Hope it sells out!

[steve hammill]

You put your money where your mouth is, Eric. That takes balls!

I just ordered 2 Big Reds.