Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!klopfens
From: klopfens@bgsuvax.UUCP (Bruce Klopfenstein)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Stereo vs. Mono: Q about AM Stereo
Keywords: AM,radio,stereo,mono,FCC
Message-ID: <4046@bgsuvax.UUCP>
Date: 24 Apr 89 04:03:36 GMT
Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh.
Lines: 34



I am revising an article about how the FCC misregulated AM stereo by *not*
selecting a standard system.  There are 3 reviewers to my article, and one
doesn't seem to think stereo would have anything to do with stemming the
tide of listeners to FM radio (which now has over 75% of all radio listening).
He wants "proof" that stereo is superior to mono.  You can laugh, but I have
to answer this person's criticism.  While I stated in the article that stereo
gives sound presence and thought it went without saying that stereo is superior
to mono, the reviewer wants more.

I need help explaining why AM stereo is superior to AM mono (yes, I know AM
stereo limits the distant AM signal, but my argument is that AM stereo at the
very least couldn't hurt AM efforts to win back some audience).

If anyone can cite any articles I could use which discuss stereo vs. mono
(have any been written in the last 20 years?!?) or better still cite any
AM stereo research which showed listener preferences, I'd be most grateful.
If any engineers out there have any experience with AM stereo, I can cite
you if you let me know who you are.

The other question is, do you think the FCC should leave it to the market-
place to determine technical standards?  (Sony and Philips managed to
work together on a standard CD format; can you imagine how much less
succssful CDs would be if there were 2 or more competing standards?)
What would happen if the FCC let the marketplace select an HDTV standard?

Thanks, everyone.

-- 
Dr. Bruce C. Klopfenstein      |  klopfens@andy.bgsu.edu
Radio-TV-Film Department       |  klopfenstein@bgsuopie.bitnet
Bowling Green $tate University |  klopfens@bgsuvax.UUCP
Bowling Green, OH  43403       |  (419) 372-2138; 352-4818