Radio Ga Ga: An Introduction to HD Radio - Are There Any Other Options?

Industry analysts claim that with all forms of media becoming digital from analog, radio is the last to really take the step. But that is not quite true. XM and Sirus have been offering digital audio since 2001 and have already notched up a subscriber base of 1.6 Million (Year Ending 2003). But terrestrial radio can stick its nose up to such a tiny listeners group. Examine any large major market in the U.S. and there are more people listening to FM than all of the subscribers of XM & Sirus combined.

XM currently being the leader, offers 70 music channels plus 30 news channels, totaling 100 basic channels (including many commercial free) with a subscription fees as low as $10 a month. Sirus, on the other hand, offers 60 music channels and 40 sports and news channels (100% commercial free), with a subscription of $12 a month.

Both XM and Sirus use Satellites (geostationary and geosynchronous respectively) to offer their services. This means that you are not limited by your local radio station. You can never drive out of range and get interrupted between that important interview or miss out on that new song you have been waiting to listen.

Adding to this iBiquity Digital have gone with a hybrid solution compared to the digital radio offered in other countries, much like what NTSC was to the video world. See the map. (Notice the white space where the U.S is?)

Next: How Does This Affect Amateur Radio? >>
 

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