Yes, Virginia, There is an HD Radio
Whenever I mention to someone how much I love my HD Radio they look at me funny.
Them~ “Don’t you mean HDTV?”
Me ~ “No.”
Them ~ “You mean there is HD for radio, too?”
Me ~ “And it’s free.”
Them ~ “I should look into that.”
They just say that to be polite. They never look into it.
Why I Dropped Satellite for HD
It all started with my little yellow Jeep. It had this ’supposedly’ awesome radio in it. In fact, the salesman pointed this out as a selling point. We waved it off since I already said I would have to replace it. No place for my iPod.
I set out to find the perfect radio. I searched and searched. Probably for a few hours. Maybe a few days. But probably a few hours.
My New Radio
I am cheap frugal. I found a Dual XHD6425 4X50 Watt Bluetooth-Ready HD Radio and MP3 Player that was Satellite Ready, iPod capable. I wanted one that did everything including not needing me to buy a separate unit for my Satellite capabilities. This was not in my price range. No biggie.
It arrived. {me excited}
I read through the directions and go buy kit so it will fit in my Jeep. I removed the Satellite unit from my Malibu so I can have that, too.
This is my actual radio.
I hooked everything up and tested it.
Note: Make sure your ground is connected.
I blew the fuse!
I freaked. I thought I broke it.
Dwayne replaced the fuse. All was right with the world.
Together we hooked up, finagled, and fitted my new radio into my awesome Jeep.
Now all was truly right with the world.
For Those Days When Your Child Takes Your iPod Cord
Rotten Kids!
Much like television stations run on .1 and .2 [7.1 or 7.2], HD Radio runs secondary stations. Not everyone is doing this yet, but many are offering alternative programming.
In my area ~ Roanoke/Lynchburg area of Virginia ~ there are 8 HD stations. This may not seem like much, but I live in a very rural community – with 50 million country music stations and no non-HD alternative rock stations. The horror!
Click to find HD Radio Stations in your area.
My radio is always ~ ALWAYS ~ tuned to 96.3-2 [Alternative Rock].
There are NO commercials.
There is LIMITED DJ speak.
It is WONDERFUL!
I did say this was free, right?
Why pay for Satellite Radio when you can get your *awesome* music for free?
I loved my Satellite stations, but honestly found myself listening to Lithium all the time. My free HD station is just as good. Maybe not as old school 90’s, but a good mix of all alternative.
Yet, I have yet to hear Angry Johnny by Poe.
Come to think of it, I only heard it once on any radio that I can recall. No matter.
Looks to be a U.S. Thing [at least on the site I found].
Sorry Non-U.S. Peoples
Find stations in your area.
Do you listen to HD Radio? What are your thoughts on it?
Disclaimer: No one paid me to write this post. All opinions are 100% mine. Additionally, Amazon Affiliate link used in this post. What does this mean? If you click through my link and buy something, anything at Amazon, I earn a small percentage. By the way, Thank You!
I actually just drive along with my own strange little thoughts most of the time.
But you’re very much tempting me with this, Anne.
Jannie Funster shares some words of wisdom ..The Queen Of Remodeling Patience, Chapter 1 — “Front Room” View-A
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@Jannie Funster, If I drive and think I miss long stretches of road. Which I figure can’t be good. So, instead I listen to music and sing [off-key]. It makes me happy and works my abs [sing from the diaphragm, thanks Choir practice].
But, HD Radio is great as it gives you many more options with more music and no commercials.
[Reply]
Twitter: HeatherKephart
says:
Anne, you are on the cutting edge of technology! I’ve never before heard of HD radio! Wait until my husband finds out about this, oh my.
I fell in love with satellite radio after renting a mustang at an airport. I knew it had to be mine. It’s still not mine, but I did lose a bunch of money on SIRI. Anyway, I like the idea of HD radio better! I’m going to search around locally… scratch that… I”m going to tell Dennis & let HIM search around locally for HD radio programming.
Thanks! And thanks for the link, you are so sweet!
Heather Kephart shares some words of wisdom ..Around the New House by Joe Joe
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@Heather Kephart, I chuckle at the thought of me being on the cutting edge of technology as I sit here typing on my 2 1/2 year old MacBook. Even my cellphone is 2 1/2 years old!
When Dwayne bought his Jeep it came with Satellite radio. I wanted it. It was another year before I bought a receiver to hook up to my radio in the car. Yet, I found myself listening more to my iPod than the Satellite as reception around here isn’t all that good. Then, once I found the HD Radio I decided free was better. There are quite a few stations in bigger markets, too.
I finally decided it was time to share the information since everyone [I know] who hears about it seems to be surprised it exists. Maybe I should find an HD sponsor for my blog.
[Reply]
I hardly listen to radio, anymore. I have a six-disc CD changer in my car, and it’s loaded with my favorites. When I can sing along and anticipate all of them at a volume of 1, I know it’s probably time to change the discs.
I have a satellite radio, but I didn’t even get the trial subscription. I love XM, but I’m cheap–er, frugal about things I don’t use often enough to bother. My commute to work is 3.5 miles each way. Radio just isn’t a necessity in my life at all. But your free HD sounds really good!
Holly Jahangiri shares some words of wisdom ..Meet Prunebutt, What’s Left of my Muse
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
@Holly Jahangiri, I spent 20 minutes one way when I worked yet still didn’t think the satellite subscription was worth the money spent. I much prefer my ipod, but love the additional choices on a short drive or when Amanda takes my ipod cord. Especially in a rural area with few choices for the alternative music junkie.
[Reply]
I mainly only listen to my local radio station, but this sounds pretty cool. Too bad it wasn’t a non-US thing. lol
Rose shares some words of wisdom ..Human Kindness and Giving
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
@Rose, I looked up HD radio for Canada. HD is a U.S. standard. It’s not something that has taken off due to satellite radio availability. You can read more about it in this Canadian forum on the subject.
[Reply]
Twitter: websiteweekend
says:
I’m purely iTunes radio now, usually Groovera’s Low Mercury (chill daddy that I am). Sometimes branch into a bit of Deep House, Lounge or Down Tempo.
But nothing on “regular radio” anymore.
Dave Doolin shares some words of wisdom ..Saturday Morning Surfing: Passion is NOT Enough – Your Landlord Doesn’t Give a Rat’s Patootie
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@Dave Doolin, Sounds so grown up like drinking wine with dinner.
[Reply]
I knew about HD Radio but have never actually heard one to determine if the sound clarity is any better than Satellite radio. I know eventually all the normal Radio stations will be forced to HD just like Analog TV was forced to Digital, this is likely to come in about 5-10 years I think.
Dragon Blogger shares some words of wisdom ..Adding Author Bio Box Inside Wordpress Post
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 7:13 am
@Dragon Blogger, I’ve read many who have said the sound quality is horrible, but that has not been my experience. I didn’t buy any fancy equipment [speakers are original to my Jeep] and the HD Radio sounds just as good as my Satellite did. It’s definitely better than my analog radio, too.
[Reply]