HD Radio technology enables radio stations to broadcast different
programs simultaneously. It's called mujlti-casting and it could change
everything you know about radio ...
HD Radio technology is the next big thing because it makes it makes FM
stations sound nearly as good as listening to a CD. The sound is just
amazing – clean, pure and crystal-clear. It even enables AM stations to
sound as good as an FM station today.
What’s the difference? While both HD AM and HD FM are digital, AM radio
has smaller sections of bandwidth than FM radio. This means there is
not enough "space" to give AM stations the same near-CD quality as FM
stations. But there is enough bandwidth that AM stations will be able
to broadcast with the same clarity of signal as one of today’s analog
FM stations. This performance boost is expected to make AM radio a
better alternative to FM than it has been – to give you more listening
choices.
Because HD radio is digital, its signals can be subdivided. This allows
a station to multi-cast. meaning it could broadcast two or more
programs at the same time. So, its listeners might be able to choose
between music from the ’60s, ‘70s or ‘80s – on the same station at the
same time.
This could change everything you know about radio because it allows
stations to do more niche broadcasting, just as cable as brought niche
channels to television. For example, the radio station you’ve always
tuned to for classic rock, might subdivide into classic rock, and
reggae, or classic rock and old school hip-hop.
Naturally, you would be able to hear these stations only if you have an
HD receiver. If you don't, you'll still hear the same AM or FM station
you're used to.
To learn which stations are already broadcasting in HD Radio
technology, what HD radios cost and where to find them, please go to my
web site, www.hd-radio-home.com. Doug Hanna is a retired marketing
executive and long-time radio fan. He is the author of many articles on
family finances and HD radio technology