Commerical FM Broadcaster Information

FMeXtra provides the opportunity to expand the scope and reach of existing broadcast signals by increasing listening audiences through diversity and number of program offerings. While the market for data services is just beginning, broadcasters can immediately appreciate the value of additional channels of audio programming for underserved target audiences. For example, in many parts of the USA, the Hispanic audience is served by only a small number of stations, if any, despite having significant economic influence. With FMeXtra, any FM station, even in small rural markets, can offer Spanish-language programming economically, as an adjunct to their existing main channel programming. With FMeXtra's extremely low cost, it is now economically practical for broadcasters to server small target audiences.

FMeXtra is a painless improvement. No changes to existing transmission equipment plant are required. No new interference concerns. All FM-exciters are already equipped with an input port for an external SCA signal. Unlike the undefined and uncertain rules for other forms of digital radio in the USA, the FCC rules and regulations for FM SCA operation have been in place for decades. Just connect the DRE FMeXtra signal generator to your exciter and you’re on-the-air!

• FMeXtra is low cost and can be installed in minutes.
• FMeXtra does not degrade your main channel broadcast.
• FMeXtra does not interfere with adjacent stations.
• FMeXtra does not require special FCC authorization.

FMeXtra is truly extra. Its data capacity is in addition to anything else broadcast by the station. Stations transmitting IBOC signals do not have to reduce the amount of data they can devote to their main channel programming in order to have bits for other purposes, whether an additional program channel or ancillary data services. For example, classical-format stations can devote the total IBOC bandwidth to reproducing high-quality music while simultaneously broadcasting one or more full time high audio-quality news and traffic services on FMeXtra. With FMeXtra, all FM stations benefit from the new, additional data services available from the digitized subcarrier, whether to supplement their existing data in the case of IBOC, or to create an entirely new digital broadcast signal in the case of analog stations.

FMeXtra is future-proof. The reality is that analog FM signals will not be turned off for decades, if ever. As the value of having a digital data stream increases, more of the FM signal's bandwidth can be devoted to FMeXtra, eventually including the stereo difference (L-R) signal, all while maintaining perfect compatibility with the existing analog mono audio signal. With FMeXtra, there are few good reasons to consider shutting down your FM transmitter and many compelling reasons not to.