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HD radio stations in Huntsville

R

radiohsv

Guest
Just wondering if anyone has an HD radio and has listened to any of the HD stations in the Huntsville area. I'm especially curious about the alternative rock HD channel on WTAK. Is it any good? I have no experience with HD radio. I'm thinking of getting a small portable unit, but I don't know if it's even worth getting.
 
I'm not in Huntsville but I can give you a few quick pointers. Whether you'll derive any pleasure out of an HD radio depends on two factors: where you live, and what you want to hear.

I just got the Insignia portable HD last week "just to have" because it was on sale. There are no HD stations within 50 miles of where I live so reception is spotty, but it is surprisingly better than what I anticipated from reading our own HD Radio forum.

The sound quality is slightly better than satellite radio overall. If you're looking primarily at content on a subchannel keep in mind that when the signal drops out there's no analog to blend back to. Look at WTAK's coverage map on Radio Locator. Pretty much anywhere in the red circle is where you'll find HD reception possible, but you'll have to be closer to the transmitter site to really get a solid lock 24/7.
 
I believe there are at least three stations, WQRV 100.3, which simulcasts WBHP 1230 on HD-2. Ibiquity's station list also includes WDRM 102.1 with an HD-2, and WTAK 106.1. A quick check, I just scanned the dial, my radio only picked up the WQRV 100.3 HD 1 & 2 signal (I usually keep it on this station). The others may be off or my receiver / antenna was not set right, I have picked them up before...

Also I was in the Best Buy in Huntsville a couple of days ago, they had at least 10 in stock...
 
Well, I went ahead and bought the Insignia portable HD radio from Best Buy. I've tried it out and I can pick up WQRV and WDRM HD signals very well in the Huntsville area. I thought that I would be able to get WTAK as well, but I'm having a hard time getting a good signal on it. I was able to briefly pick up the WTAK HD signal at my home in Toney, but have had absolutely no luck whatsoever inside my office in Huntsville. I'll probably return the radio, because I was hoping to be able to pick up WTAK at work. I guess their tower is just too far away to provide really good coverage in Huntsville.

Anyone know if any other Huntsville stations plan on going HD? Looks like the Clear Channel family of stations are the only ones to go that route. I would have thought that Cumulus might get on board by now. Of course I'm sure that the tough economic times make it difficult to make any new investments like this.
 
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