Quincy’s WQUB FM Converts To CD-Quality HD Radio

 Broadcast Electronics collaborates with hometown public station to implement digital radio  

Quincy, IL USA − Broadcast Electronics’ hometown public radio station, WQUB 90.3 FM, announced today that it has converted to the superior sound of HD Radio.

The station began broadcasting in digital FM just before its fall fundraising drive on November 9 and 10, after Quincy radio equipment manufacturer Broadcast Electronics (BE) installed an HD Radio RF system at the station’s transmitter site.   

 

“When BE approached us with the HD Radio concept, we knew it was a logical move for us. After listening to it, there’s no doubt that HD Radio is changing the sound of radio,” commented Mick Freeman, Assistant Director for WQUB FM, which is licensed to Quincy University and plays jazz and classical music along with news as a multi-format public station. 

 

“WQUB’s conversion to HD was instantly noticeable. I was immediately struck by the fidelity of the broadcast and I am looking forward to listening to the new multicast channels. We’re pleased that WQUB is bringing the new technology to the Quincy community,” said John Pedlow, President of Broadcast Electronics, which makes HD Radio conversion transmitters and products at its plant in Quincy, Ill.

 

WQUB FM will demonstrate its new, improved sound to listeners during its fundraiser drive at various remote locations around town.

 

BE engineers worked with WQUB FM staff to implement the station’s new digital RF system. BE’s relationship with WQUB FM dates back to the ‘80s, when the station started as a 5W common carrier station. WQUB FM was one of the original beta test sites for BE’s AudioVAULT studio system, and BE engineers helped design and build WQUB FM’s original transmission system, which now covers the tri-city area of Hannibal, Quincy and Troy with 28.8 kW. “BE is like our fairy godmother,” said Freeman. “We’ve always had a great relationship with BE. They have provided us with so much knowledge and information and guidance over the years. We’re very thankful for the new opportunities they’ve given us.”  

 

Of the many new opportunities open to WQUB FM because of its HD Radio conversion are the ability to add new program channels to its digital signal and to broadcast text readouts of song title and artist names.

 

As early as next year, WQUB 90.3 FM will begin broadcasting another CD-quality HD channel in order to serve a wider variety of listener interests in the tri-city area.  

 

About Broadcast Electronics (www.bdcast.com)

Broadcast Electronics (BE) is the premier provider of mission-critical solutions for over-the-air and Internet radio. BE products encompass program generation, audio and data management, inter-facility transport, and analog and digital transmission. For more than four decades, BE pioneering developments have set industry standards for innovation and reliability, while providing broadcasters with new options for operational productivity and income generation. BE is headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, and is represented worldwide by a network of local representatives.

 

About WQUB 90.3 FM (www.wqub.org)

WQUB, a broadcast service of Quincy University, has been providing the Quincy, Hannibal and tri-state area quality programming since 1987. A full member station of National Public Radio since 1993, WQUB provides an eclectic mix of news and classical and jazz music with over a third of weekday shows originating from its studios on the campus of Quincy University. WQUB is in the process of updating its studios to provide a completely digital stream and anticipates completion by the end of this year. In early 2007, WQUB will introduce a second digital channel and stream programming on the Internet.

 

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®Broadcast Electronics and the Broadcast Electronics logo are registered trademarks of Broadcast Electronics Inc. HD Radio is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

 

Photo Caption: BE’s Vice President of RF Systems Tim Bealor, left, congratulates Sister Margaret M. Feldner, President of Quincy University, on WQUB FM’s new sound. BE helped implement HD Radio on WQUB, its hometown public station operating from Quincy University.

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