Hi, I haven't been on here for a long while, and I just searched this forum for HD radio and came up empty handed. Actually getting 'Database Error
Please try again. If you come back to this error screen, report the error to an administrator.", so here goes:
Since I don’t see a great deal about HD radio online, I’ll put in my observations and opinions. This will of course in many respects be biased to what I hear in the Cleveland market, and will concentrate mainly on the HD2 and HD3 programs
My experience with HD radio started with my purchase of the new (Best Buy brand) Insignia . NS-HD01 portable HD radio receiver, which receives FM only, no AM, so I can only comment on FM HD. This receiver was purchased on July 20, 2009. I live on Cleveland’s West Side, and the unit seems to pull most of the area’s HD signals in with occasional dropouts, and some HD signals off and on or not at all. This is not surprising since it’s essentially a “walkman” type FM receiver that also gets HD and also RDS, and I never had a walkman type receiver with great FM sensitivity or overload signal rejection, and this unit is no exception. That coupled with that the HD signal is only 1% of a FM stations output power, makes getting a stable signal a real challenge at times.
That said, there is no local HD2 or HD3 stations that seems to have any commercials (good for the listener, but not the station’s revenue), nor any DJ’s. Just “canned” announcements at best ID-ing the station and format. Maybe beta testing possible formats on HD2 and HD3 to see if they would be a viable format for the main FM station? If so, I do not see any local radio station websites hardly mention their HD2/HD3 feeds, if at all, and no mention of formats, playlists, or programming schedules if any. Actually no schedule is needed at this point, as it seems the programming has no variance throughout the day or week. If they are beta testing possible formats, why is there no info, on either the HD2/HD3 station on how to leave feedback, or any info on the main station’s website? Do they not want public feedback? I realize you can probably email the engineer or programming director of the station, but they don’t make any feedback easy or obvious.
I seen a few format flip-flops and other weirdities in the scant 6 weeks I had the receiver.
There are no up to date format lists online, all outdated by a few months to maybe a year or so on what I read so far. So for general info for people who don’t have HD radio or are thinking of getting it, I’ll “upgrade” on my experience and knowledge on what’s being played locally as of today. I will not comment on the HD1 signals, as it is, of course, the same as the analog programming. Only 2 that I know up locally have an HD3 signal, WKSU, and WNWV.
First of all, no HD signals at all that I get on 88.3, 88.7, 89.3, 90.3, 91.1, 91.9, 93.1, 94.9, 95.5, and 103.3, even though I read somewhere that 93.1 WZAK supposedly has an HD signal, it must be down.
89.7 WKSU - HD2 is Folk Music, too bad I can’t get it well enough to listen.
89.7 WKSU - HD3 is another classical program, but sometimes seems to duplicate what’s being programmed on HD1. I can sometimes get their HD signals in my attic.
92.3 WKRK HD2 - really heavy metal, playing Slipknot as of now. Not my style.
96.5 WAKS HD2 - seems like the same type of newer/hip-hop/dance type music that their HD1 plays. Their RDS has been stuck displaying “I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas” for several days now.
98.5 WNCX HD2 - all Spanish music 24 hours, contemporary I assume, as I don't talk any Spanish. I can see this filling a need as the area has a sizable Hispanic population with little other broadcast source for that music. This format should be a “keeper” in the Cleveland market. Their RDS has been stuck on “La Cita – Antonio Pena” for several days now.
99.5 WGAR HD2 - Country oldies 24 hours, seems like anywhere from the 50’s on to the 90’s or so. This complements the HD1 contemporary country format, and I would say this is a keeper. Presently playing “Whiskey If You Were A Woman – Highway 101”.
100.7 WMMS HD2 - A lot of hard rock, but not as extreme as 92.3 HD2. Their RDS has been stuck on “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked – Cage The Elephant” since I bought the radio 6 weeks ago! These stations must really try hard to oversee what their HD2 counterparts are putting out! Presently playing “That girl’s a genius, I think she’s serious – whoah-oh-oh-oh - ?) I wouldn’t cry over a format change.
102.1 WDOK HD2 - sounds like a mix of softer rock and ballads, from the 60’s thru present. A lot of 60’s and 70’s. RDS constantly scrolls “WDOK HD2 Welcome to the Sunny side”, and you have to catch it at the right time to get title and artist. Currently playing “How sweet It Is – James Taylor” going into “I Can’t Go For That – Hall & Oates”. Ho-hum format, IMO.
104.1 WQAL HD2 - “Welcome to the Coffee Shop” is their RDS banner. I actually listen to this one a good deal. Lots of 80’s, 90’s and current, no rap or hard rock/heavy metal, and a fair number of local artists that you don’t hear elsewhere, like Nicholas Megalis, Dave Ritz and the Riders, and Robin Stone. Similar to WDOK, the banner predominates the RDS display, and you have to get it at the right moment for title and artist. They do however announce the title and artist sometimes after the song - sounds automated. Playing “Tainted Love – Soft Cell” and going into “Her Diamonds – Rob Thomas”.
I just went back to 104.1 HD2 – “99 Times – Kate Voegele”, great tune and great they’re pushing local talent.
104.9 WCLV HD1 - no HD2 or HD3 here.
105.7 WMJI HD2 - 50’s and 60’s oldies, complements the HD1 70’s and 80’s oldies with a few 60’s thrown in, so kind of like what WMJI analog played a few years ago before migrating to more 70’s and 80’s, and the same 300 oldie playlist, currently "Unchained Melody – The Righteous Bros.”. Didn’t I just hear that a while ago? Now “Little Willy – The Sweet”. Wait, I thought they were the “real oldies of the 50’s and 60’s”? I bet they get this from a satellite feed, and throw their ID’s into it. Awfully compressed.
106.5 WMVX HD2 - Where are you??? Before I got my HD radio, I read WMVX HD2 was programming some kid’s network, then AAA format, When I turned on my new HD radio last month, they were programming the “Joke Joke” comedy feed, and I liked that as an alternative to music at times. Two days later the laughs were gone, and were programming a variety music format similar to their analog/HD1, but only showing the station and HD2 on RDS, no artists/titles. Now for the past 2 days, no HD at all on 106.5, not even HD1. Strange.
107.3 WNWV HD2 - A flip 2 days ago from traditional jazz (which complemented their analog/HD1 contemporary jazz) to an eclectic format, lots of acoustic, rock (but not hard rock), reggae, and jazz mixed in. Sounds like something by U2 playing right now, their RDS only displays “HD-2 WNWV-FM”. Interesting mix that I been checking out. Haven’t heard any blues in the mix yet, would be nice if they had some, as no one here is programming any blues. I read that 106.9 HD2 (or HD3?) in Canton plays blues but I can’t get that station here, if that listing is still current.
107.3 WNWV HD3 - “WKSU Classical” playing Mozart right now, but not a direct simulcast of WKSU analog/HD1 as that has talk on it right now.
107.9 WENZ HD? – Usually no indication at all that/if they have an HD signal. I did get a lock on their HD1 signal about a week or so ago, and again haven’t seen it since making me wonder if they were just testing it – until now, the HD signal icon is flashing but I can’t get it to lock. WENZ has a fairly weak signal here.
Please try again. If you come back to this error screen, report the error to an administrator.", so here goes:
Since I don’t see a great deal about HD radio online, I’ll put in my observations and opinions. This will of course in many respects be biased to what I hear in the Cleveland market, and will concentrate mainly on the HD2 and HD3 programs
My experience with HD radio started with my purchase of the new (Best Buy brand) Insignia . NS-HD01 portable HD radio receiver, which receives FM only, no AM, so I can only comment on FM HD. This receiver was purchased on July 20, 2009. I live on Cleveland’s West Side, and the unit seems to pull most of the area’s HD signals in with occasional dropouts, and some HD signals off and on or not at all. This is not surprising since it’s essentially a “walkman” type FM receiver that also gets HD and also RDS, and I never had a walkman type receiver with great FM sensitivity or overload signal rejection, and this unit is no exception. That coupled with that the HD signal is only 1% of a FM stations output power, makes getting a stable signal a real challenge at times.
That said, there is no local HD2 or HD3 stations that seems to have any commercials (good for the listener, but not the station’s revenue), nor any DJ’s. Just “canned” announcements at best ID-ing the station and format. Maybe beta testing possible formats on HD2 and HD3 to see if they would be a viable format for the main FM station? If so, I do not see any local radio station websites hardly mention their HD2/HD3 feeds, if at all, and no mention of formats, playlists, or programming schedules if any. Actually no schedule is needed at this point, as it seems the programming has no variance throughout the day or week. If they are beta testing possible formats, why is there no info, on either the HD2/HD3 station on how to leave feedback, or any info on the main station’s website? Do they not want public feedback? I realize you can probably email the engineer or programming director of the station, but they don’t make any feedback easy or obvious.
I seen a few format flip-flops and other weirdities in the scant 6 weeks I had the receiver.
There are no up to date format lists online, all outdated by a few months to maybe a year or so on what I read so far. So for general info for people who don’t have HD radio or are thinking of getting it, I’ll “upgrade” on my experience and knowledge on what’s being played locally as of today. I will not comment on the HD1 signals, as it is, of course, the same as the analog programming. Only 2 that I know up locally have an HD3 signal, WKSU, and WNWV.
First of all, no HD signals at all that I get on 88.3, 88.7, 89.3, 90.3, 91.1, 91.9, 93.1, 94.9, 95.5, and 103.3, even though I read somewhere that 93.1 WZAK supposedly has an HD signal, it must be down.
89.7 WKSU - HD2 is Folk Music, too bad I can’t get it well enough to listen.
89.7 WKSU - HD3 is another classical program, but sometimes seems to duplicate what’s being programmed on HD1. I can sometimes get their HD signals in my attic.
92.3 WKRK HD2 - really heavy metal, playing Slipknot as of now. Not my style.
96.5 WAKS HD2 - seems like the same type of newer/hip-hop/dance type music that their HD1 plays. Their RDS has been stuck displaying “I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas” for several days now.
98.5 WNCX HD2 - all Spanish music 24 hours, contemporary I assume, as I don't talk any Spanish. I can see this filling a need as the area has a sizable Hispanic population with little other broadcast source for that music. This format should be a “keeper” in the Cleveland market. Their RDS has been stuck on “La Cita – Antonio Pena” for several days now.
99.5 WGAR HD2 - Country oldies 24 hours, seems like anywhere from the 50’s on to the 90’s or so. This complements the HD1 contemporary country format, and I would say this is a keeper. Presently playing “Whiskey If You Were A Woman – Highway 101”.
100.7 WMMS HD2 - A lot of hard rock, but not as extreme as 92.3 HD2. Their RDS has been stuck on “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked – Cage The Elephant” since I bought the radio 6 weeks ago! These stations must really try hard to oversee what their HD2 counterparts are putting out! Presently playing “That girl’s a genius, I think she’s serious – whoah-oh-oh-oh - ?) I wouldn’t cry over a format change.
102.1 WDOK HD2 - sounds like a mix of softer rock and ballads, from the 60’s thru present. A lot of 60’s and 70’s. RDS constantly scrolls “WDOK HD2 Welcome to the Sunny side”, and you have to catch it at the right time to get title and artist. Currently playing “How sweet It Is – James Taylor” going into “I Can’t Go For That – Hall & Oates”. Ho-hum format, IMO.
104.1 WQAL HD2 - “Welcome to the Coffee Shop” is their RDS banner. I actually listen to this one a good deal. Lots of 80’s, 90’s and current, no rap or hard rock/heavy metal, and a fair number of local artists that you don’t hear elsewhere, like Nicholas Megalis, Dave Ritz and the Riders, and Robin Stone. Similar to WDOK, the banner predominates the RDS display, and you have to get it at the right moment for title and artist. They do however announce the title and artist sometimes after the song - sounds automated. Playing “Tainted Love – Soft Cell” and going into “Her Diamonds – Rob Thomas”.
I just went back to 104.1 HD2 – “99 Times – Kate Voegele”, great tune and great they’re pushing local talent.
104.9 WCLV HD1 - no HD2 or HD3 here.
105.7 WMJI HD2 - 50’s and 60’s oldies, complements the HD1 70’s and 80’s oldies with a few 60’s thrown in, so kind of like what WMJI analog played a few years ago before migrating to more 70’s and 80’s, and the same 300 oldie playlist, currently "Unchained Melody – The Righteous Bros.”. Didn’t I just hear that a while ago? Now “Little Willy – The Sweet”. Wait, I thought they were the “real oldies of the 50’s and 60’s”? I bet they get this from a satellite feed, and throw their ID’s into it. Awfully compressed.
106.5 WMVX HD2 - Where are you??? Before I got my HD radio, I read WMVX HD2 was programming some kid’s network, then AAA format, When I turned on my new HD radio last month, they were programming the “Joke Joke” comedy feed, and I liked that as an alternative to music at times. Two days later the laughs were gone, and were programming a variety music format similar to their analog/HD1, but only showing the station and HD2 on RDS, no artists/titles. Now for the past 2 days, no HD at all on 106.5, not even HD1. Strange.
107.3 WNWV HD2 - A flip 2 days ago from traditional jazz (which complemented their analog/HD1 contemporary jazz) to an eclectic format, lots of acoustic, rock (but not hard rock), reggae, and jazz mixed in. Sounds like something by U2 playing right now, their RDS only displays “HD-2 WNWV-FM”. Interesting mix that I been checking out. Haven’t heard any blues in the mix yet, would be nice if they had some, as no one here is programming any blues. I read that 106.9 HD2 (or HD3?) in Canton plays blues but I can’t get that station here, if that listing is still current.
107.3 WNWV HD3 - “WKSU Classical” playing Mozart right now, but not a direct simulcast of WKSU analog/HD1 as that has talk on it right now.
107.9 WENZ HD? – Usually no indication at all that/if they have an HD signal. I did get a lock on their HD1 signal about a week or so ago, and again haven’t seen it since making me wonder if they were just testing it – until now, the HD signal icon is flashing but I can’t get it to lock. WENZ has a fairly weak signal here.
I think WVIZ's new encoder box has cleared up some problems with that feed (25-9) on some TVs or converter boxes. My Zenith boxes pick it up with no problems.