HD Radio - What is it?

For the next few posts, I am going to talk about HD Radio. What it is, who runs it, the good things about it, the bad things about it, and my overall opinion of this technology.

Today we will start with what HD Radio is. Contrary to the belief, HD Radio does not stand for "high definition" or "hybrid digital," which is funny because I heard an air check from KIIS in Los Angeles (the top CHR in the nation). This air check said, "now broadcasting in high definition." It makes me wonder if even the major radio stations know that the term "HD" is only used for promotional purposes and does NOT stand for high definition. Not only do consumers seem to be confused, but it seems like even the major radio stations are confused as well. When I first heard about HD Radio, I even called it high definition radio until I found out more about it.

Anyway,  HD Radio was developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation...and was approved by the FCC around 2002. iBiquity claims that with an HD receiver, AM will sound like FM and FM will sound like a CD. Something else that is pretty cool is the ability for your stereo to scroll text, traffic alerts, etc. (very similar to RDS), which is nice for me because my original car stereo did not have Radio Data System. It's always nice to see what song is playing when I'm not at school in Lubbock and am cruising around my hometown in the Dallas Metroplex. 

Most notably, however, HD Radio enables multicasting, meaning you can hear up to three channels on the same frequency. For example, KDMX-FM in Dallas broadcasts the analog signal of "Mix 102.9." KDMX-HD1 broadcasts a copy of KDMX-FM, except in HD. KDMX HD-2, however, broadcasts a format known as "Pride Radio," a format targeted towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community. KDMX HD-2 tends to play gay friendly artists, some rap music, and lots of upbeat dance music. It is also common for stations to simulcast other stations. For example, KPLX "99.5 The Wolf" broadcasts Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket on KPLX-HD2.

Unlike satellite radio, you do not have to pay a subscription fee, however, you do have to purchase a new radio in order to receive HD broadcasts.

That is pretty much the basic summarization of HD Radio. The next post, I will talk about some of the ups and downs. Thanks for reading!

-Brett