How do I get an HD Radio?
We want to make it easy to find out more about HD Radios, and how to purchase one. For a complete listing of currently available models, go to ibiquity.com. Many vendors currently stock HD Radios, including Radio Shack, Best Buy and Walmart. Online vendors like Crutchfield also sell HD Radios.
How is an HD Radio different from a regular FM radio?
HD radios sound better. Regular FM radio has the ability to produce high fidelity sound under the right reception conditions. FM frequencies require a line-of-site path between the FM transmitter and the receiver. Hisses, pops, static, and fading occurs because FM signals are reflected from obstructions such as buildings – or from you when you move around the room where your radio is located.
HD radio differs by using digital technology. This technology minimizes reception problems and offers freedom from the interference descibed above. Also, digital technology allows stations like WCVE Public Radio to squeeze in additional services, thanks to cutting edge compression technology.
HD radios receive more stations than FM radios. WCVE Public Radio installed the equipment necessary to broadcast digital signals, in addition to our regular analog signal. Essentially, this allows us to have two signals in the "space" it take for one. On your HD Radio, these two channels are still found at 88.9 in the Richmond area, 89.1 in the Northern Neck, and 90.1 in the Mecklenburg County area.
Can I receive the HD channels everywhere that I can hear WCVE Public Radio?
Unfortunately, not necessarily: The current digital HD system was designed to offer a service that permits receiving the analog FM signal along with the new digital signals. This requires a careful balance by engineers to establish the power of the digital channels so as to maximize coverage without interference to the existing analog service. Luckily, it takes much less power for a digital signal to cover a specific listening area than its analog equivalent. In order to provide side-by-side analog and digital service in the FM broadcast band, the power of the digital signals is only 1/100th the power of the analog signal.
Nonetheless, most listeners within the greater WCVE Public Radio listening area have reported good results in receiving our digital signals. Our intention is to share the experiences and recommendations of our engineers and listeners who can suggest ways to successfully receive the WCVE Public Radio's digital channels.
An important factor to remember is that an analog FM signal fades gradually as the distance from the transmitter increases. The signal becomes noisier and there is more interference. With a purely digital signal, there will be either perfect sound or no sound. In a strong signal area, the signal will be excellent: no fading, no pops, clicks or hiss, but as the signal drops below a threshold level, the signal disappears completely. In addition, when tuning to a digital signal, it can take up to five seconds to capture the signal so there are several seconds of silence before the station is heard.
I bought an HD radio but I'm having trouble hearing the WCVE Public Radio digital channels.
Did your HD radio come with a dipole antenna? A dipole antenna can be identified by its shape. It is in the form of a "T." Dipole antennas are inexpensive and available at many electronic retail stores. A dipole antenna captures an FM signal much better than a simple piece of wire. It also receives signals primarily located 90 degrees to the direction of the extended T portion of the antenna.
Usually the higher the dipole is mounted, the better the reception, and you may need to experiment with several locations. Connect the leads of the antenna to the antenna terminals on the back of the HD radio.
Tune in to 88.9 in the Richmond area, 89.1 in the Northern Neck, and 90.1 in the Mecklenburg County area and listen for awhile to ensure you have a strong signal that can be consistently received.
I am still having problems receiving the WCVE Public Radio digital signals.
Sometimes relocating the receiver or even trying a connection to a TV antenna or rabbit ears will bring in the signal. Some listeners report that they have found an amplified indoor antenna works for them. However, in many cases the amplified antenna overloads, and interference from nearby strong stations prevents reception of distant stations.
If this does not produce an acceptable signal and you are a passionate listener to WCVE Public Radio, then it may be necessary to obtain an FM antenna to be mounted in your attic or outside on the roof. FM antennas vary in size and cost depending on the number and type of elements designed to bring in distant signals. An FM antenna is available at some local electronic stores or online. You may need to get assistance for the selection of the antenna and its installation from a professional installer.
I'd like to listen to WCVE Public Radio in my car. What's involved?
Those of us who have installed an HD radio in our cars have been very pleased with the results. Not only can we hear WCVE Public Radio, we also hear WCVE Public Radio's main signal without multipath distortion – the pops, clicks, and distortion often heard when driving near tall buildings and in hilly areas.
Installing a new radio seems daunting to some; others like their current factory-installed radios. Professional installers available at stores like Circuit City can complete a professional installation of an "after-market" radio such as an HD Radio from JVC or Kenwood in a couple of hours. Templates are available for most car models so the finished installation makes the new HD radio look like it was factory-installed.
Two radio currently endorsed by NPR Engineering that are capable of receiving the WCVE Public Radio HD channels are the JVC KD-HDR1 and the Kenwood KTC-HR100 TR tuner box with KDC-MP625 head unit.
BMW recently announced a factory-installed HD radio options for their 2008 models. It's likely to take several years for a significant number of auto makers to include HD radios in their models. For those who can't wait, the radios mentioned here are great additions to the listening experience in your car.
Any other suggestions?
Several listeners in outlying areas with some technical savvy have added an antenna preamplifier to increase the WCVE Public Radio signal even more. This approach is most effective when the preamplifier is mounted near the antenna. Some experimentation may be needed and results aren't guaranteed. Consider ordering outdoor antennas and amplifiers from a store that has a return policy.
Where can I get more information about receiving HD Radio on WCVE Public Radio?
After reading this FAQ, feel free to contact us with your questions. Also, we'd like to hear from you about your experience with digital reception.
Where can I get more general information about HD Radio?
For a complete listing of currently available models, go to ibiquity.com. Many area vendors currently stock HD Radios, including Radio Shack, Best Buy and Walmart. Online vendors like Crutchfield also sell HD Radios.
