HD Radio – Like nothing you’ve ever heard before!

HD Radio is a new technology that allows your local radio stations to broadcast in crystal clear, static free digital audio. AM stations sound like stations on your FM dial, FM stations sound like your CDs (compact disc). The HD Radio technology also enables your local stations to offer you more free services including new channels.

For you to hear radio in digital audio two things are required. First, your local radio stations must upgrade and begin broadcasting in HD Radio. Second, you will need to buy one of the new HD Radio receivers or an HD Radio adaptor.

Learn more about HD Radio by clicking here.

Use the online HD Radio Buyer’s Guide to learn more about the new HD Radio receivers. This free guide will help you to review your options and also tells you where you can purchase the new digital radios. You may also be able to save money on your radio purchase using one of the HD Radio rebate or special pricing programs. Check out the HD Radio Buyer’s Guide by clicking here.

Consumer Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DOES HD RADIO WORK?

HD radio allows your local AM and FM broadcaster to transmit a digital data stream alongside the existing analog radio signal. That data stream provides the HD radio signal, data services, and additional radio formats as desired. Existing radios cannot hear the HD data, but HD radios decode the data stream and provide the listener with higher quality HD audio programming, format choices, and data services for both AM and FM stations.

The Federal Communications Commission approved HD broadcasting transmissions in October of 2002. The current transmission system is called the” hybrid mode” of digital broadcasting because existing analog signals co-exist with the digital HD signals on existing AM and FM radio channels. Your current listening experience is unaffected.

You can learn more about how HD Radio works by clicking here.

SINCE THE HD BROADCASTS ARE PRESENTED ON EXISTING AM AND FM STATIONS, WHY DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW RECEIVER TO LISTEN TO THEM?
Conversion to any digital transmission scheme requires modification or replacement of existing equipment. AM and FM analog radios cannot decode the HD data stream that provides the digital radio services, and you must purchase a new HD radio in order to take advantage of these services. Your new HD radio will receive both AM and FM analog and HD signals, and will usually feature a data display for such information as music title and artist.

WILL MY EXISTING RADIOS BECOME OBSOLETE?
Not for quite some time. During the current “hybrid mode” of HD broadcasting, all existing radios continue to receive the normal AM and FM programs. The FCC has not set a mandatory date for conversion of all station broadcast exclusively in HD, (which is called the “Full Digital” mode) but when that day comes, existing analog radios will become obsolete and all radio transmissions will be in HD only and require HD radios exclusively.

HOW SOON WILL ALL RADIO STATIONS BROADCAST IN DIGITAL?
Right now, all AM and FM stations are permitted to convert to HD in the hybrid mode at their own pace, so purchasing a HD radio now will insure your reception of those signals as they go on the air. The date for transition from the hybrid mode to the full digital mode is at the discretion of the broadcast stations themselves. There is no FCC-mandated date for this conversion.

WHERE CAN I BUY AN HD RADIO RECEIVER?
Automobile manufacturers have begun to offer HD radios as an option for new car purchasers. Consumer electronics stores such as Radio Shack, Crutchfield Electronics, and many local appliance and electronics stores are featuring HD radios manufactured by firms such as ADA, Alpine, Boston Acoustics, Day Sequerra, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Rotel, and Sanyo.  To learn more about what digital radios are available and where you can purchase one by using the free HD Radio Buyer’s Guide, click here.